Okay, so tears definitely flowed as I watched my "little" brother propose to his beautiful girlfriend! 

When he first asked me to capture this moment for them, I was so stunned I couldn't speak...you see, I've been waiting for him to pop this oh, so important question for quite some time!!!  A little white lie had Megan convinced that I needed her help scouting new locations at her beloved Alma Mater.  But, this "regular session" turned into so much more than she imagined :)

To be there and witness the moment when she was so surprised just brought tears to my eyes (and even fogged my camera up a little haha)!

Congratulations Jonathan and Megan - I love you both so dearly!

Such proud siblings of their little sister - they loved being able to hold her, look at her, and smile for a photo.  Not only did they share funny stories with me but they also were pros at finding the coolest bugs while waiting their turn! 

And during all of this, a new sweet baby just slept. 

He's such a cool THREE year old! When we pulled the car up for him to ride, he immediately propped up on the side, crossed his arms, and had that "yeah, I'm cool" look right towards the camera.  It was absolutely adorable and priceless!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday E!!!!!

This sweet boy is already growing up so fast.  His big brother and sister think the world of him and it's easy to see why!  Too much cuteness!

Cake, strawberries, sunflowers, and smiles made up this day!  With family surrounding, cake was devoured (and a big mess was made), presents were opened, laughs were shared, and hugs were aplenty. 

"One look at you; my whole life falls in line.
I prayed for you; before I called you mine.
I can’t believe it’s true, sometimes.
I can’t believe it’s true.

I get to love you, it’s the best thing that I’ll ever do.
I get to love you, it’s a promise I’m making to you.
Whatever may come; your heart I will choose.
Forever I’m yours, forever I do.
I get to love you, I get to love you.

The way you love, it changes who I am.
I am undone and I thank God once again.
I can’t believe it’s true, sometimes.
I can’t believe it’s true.

I get to love you, it’s the best thing that I’ll ever do.
I get to love you, it’s a promise I’m making to you.
Whatever may come; your heart I will choose.
Forever I’m yours, forever I do.
I get to love you, I get to love you.
I get to love you, I get to love you.

They say love is a journey, I promise that I’ll never leave.
When it’s too heavy to carry, remember this moment with me.
I get to love you, I get to love you,
I get to love you."

I love getting requests for gift cards because the gift of capturing memories is so special.  This adoring family used theirs for a session to capture all three generations!  The fur babies kept everyone laughing and the location is not only beautiful but it holds a special place in this families heart.  For some, it's where they started their journey together, others it is where they spent years working and for this day it is where they all came together to celebrate being a family.

What an absolute treat this was to photograph a Grandmother and her Granddaughter as a surprise for the Mom!  Between twirls, finding flowers, reading books, and laughing it wasn't like a session at all - it was just a day they spent outside having fun! 

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3

Just a relaxing stroll around the park capturing this wonderful family and celebrating as their little girl turns ONE!  Each milestone is so special and I adore being able to save these memories for the family. 

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  JAMES 1:17

How sweet is this smile?!  One funny look from Daddy or a goofy phrase from Mommy and this little beauty would grin ear to ear.  It is so much fun to see their pure innocence at this age when they are beginning to explore the world around them.

I feel like the Summer has just begun and here I am buying school supplies for the FIRST time as our son enters Pre-School....:sheds a tear:...

We are trying to soak up the last ounces of Summer before we hop into a routine.  I'm seriously not a good morning person and luckily my son likes to sleep in as well.  So, we shall see how school drop off at 8am goes.  Let's cross our fingers we aren't tardy!

But, seriously - I blinked and it was time for Back to School Mini Sessions.  They were such a blast - each of these children are excited about what a new school year brings and they are all so adorable.

Happy School Year!

December 2, 2015 was the day I first met the sweet, chunky baby girl that was brought into a foster home just weeks before Christmas.  I was asked to take newborn photos but the family had no idea how much this baby would change their lives forever.

Every couple of months I had the pleasure to capture a new milestone - we celebrated crawling, walking, a 1st birthday - we captured smiles, laughs, tears, and surprises.  This family and this precious girl became more than clients, they became my friends and people who I am so grateful to have in my life. 

I could see their struggle of not knowing what would happen to Bella - would she become a forever part of their family or would they have to say goodbye.  I prayed so many times for them, I cried while watching videos of other foster children and knowing how much these families give up not knowing what will happen next, I especially prayed for the best outcome for Bella.

Fast forward to over 600 days later and this little ray of sunshine will forever be part of this same family - it is the only family she has ever known and the only family that has showered her with love.

Congratulations Bella! I'm thrilled that I can continue celebrating milestones with you and your family.

I know God puts certain people in your life that can impact you in ways you never imagined.  This beautiful Mama here is an excellent example of that.  Who would have thought that her winning a Mini-Session Giveaway last year would end up making her someone I cherish speaking and exchanging Mom-stories with.

I value her opinion, I love her kiddos, her family is the absolute sweetest, and she has a heart of gold.

What better way to celebrate her than with a Mommy+Me session amongst the sunflowers.

I have the most amazing friends!  I can call them on a whim with just an idea in my mind and they will dress their kiddos up, hike them out to whatever new location I'm at and help my ideas come to life. 

Truly, they are all so fantastic. 

This cutie-pie woke up from her nap just to test lighting at the sunflower field for me.  I honestly couldn't be more grateful for the friends God has placed in my life.  And not just because of their willingness to take photos but because of how amazing each of them are.

I've been longing to shoot a session in a sunflower field this Summer and today I had the most gracious family agree to change up their original plans and meet me to do just that!  And even despite the heat of the Summer, I am loving these photos - the sweat and the drive paid off!!!  Best yet, her Grandma and Grandpa were able to make it for the fun too :)

I'm sitting here thinking, "There is no way this beautiful young lady is going to be a SENIOR in high school this year?!"  Where did the little girl that I first met go?  Even if we are in shock, we are so proud of her and her accomplishments. 

I can't believe that it is already July and school starts backnext month.  Didn't the school year JUST end?! 

Even though we are wishing for Summer to last longer, don't miss out on the Back-to-School Mini Sessions July 29 and August 5. 

Take a look at my Facebook and Instagram pages for a chance to win a FREE mini session :)

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."