I only have the privilege of raising one boy. He is though, gearing up to be a very boy’s boy, man’s man, whatever you want to call it, he is all boy…all the time. I know it was God’s plan for me to only have one boy. Even though I’ve only got Zach, I truly don’t think he will be my only “son”. I photographed a beautiful family right before the holiday, this amazing Mom was surrounded by sons. These boys were pleasant, polite, funny, silly, innocently inappropriate at times, and made me laugh so stinking hard the entire time. Their family was fun. The whole thing just looked like a lot of fun. Isn’t that what having kids is about? Raising these little people and having a joyful time doing it? And when they grow to be young adults, you get to have adult conversations and talk about life and have these amazing friends who you’ve raised to go down the right path. They will bring home their friends and no one will ask but you will fall into the mom role to those who you did not raise. I think that is my future…to be a mom to many…at least I hope so.

My heart feels so full when I think of this family. I was graciously allowed to photograph Harper’s birth, and then I got to come back and meet her (in the daylight!) and take photos of her, just 12 days old. I have lots to say about her, and lots to share, but right now I am very overdue in showing her parent’s a sneak peek of our time together.

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Over the weekend I got to spend a day with this lovely family. I truly had a blast…I drove away thanking Jesus again for my job and the wonderful people I get to meet.

When talking over the phone, Jana and I labored over where to hold our photo shoot. The location really speaks a lot about the family, and when families only take professional photos every few years, we need to get it right! Jana wasn’t sure if I should even come to their home because she said it was so small and wasn’t sure about the available light. She kept saying it was tiny and full of things because she has two kids, and of course I understood because…well…homes are made to be lived in! I went to their home anyway and I am so glad I did! What a lovely home they had, modest in size but absolutely overflowing with beauty, love, care and thought. Walking in I was greeted with such a welcome and I knew right away that this would be one of the funnest sessions I’ve had to date. We could have spent all day in their home (and almost did!) but we ended up making our way to Maidu park in Roseville and that was a great decision as well!

Thanks Jana & Chris for allowing me into your home and spending the morning with me. I had a blast! I know we spent way more time with each other than planned and I thank you for that! I hope Collin got the strawberry ice cream we bribed him with, he deserved it!

I definitely will be blogging more from this session, but for now here is a sneak peek into our day together…

I am so behind in my blog posts! I’ve got so much to catch up on. Its been a very crazy past couple weeks. Everything from a wonderful girls’ weekend to my Grandpa getting married (yep!) to photographing my first birth…there is a lot to share!

I was looking across the hundreds of photos I’ve taken over the past couple weeks and saw this one. I don’t think you can get anything more precious. These are the cousins…

Also, I can’t believe it slipped my mind. But remember back a few months ago when I was asking for votes for the KCRA A list? I am so thankful to everyone who voted for me. I didn’t place in the top 5 in Sacramento, so I wasn’t able to know my ranking. Its ok though! It was just so lovely to see those of you say such wonderful things about me and my photography. I promised that if you voted for me and left me a comment, I would put those names in a hat and draw a winner of a complimentary session. I’m please to announce that JUANITA is the winner! She’s a photographer herself, and a dear friend. Hey Juanita! Maybe we can do a swap??? I need family photos!

Don’t forget, mini-sessions are coming up! If you’re considering family photos at all, maybe engagements or you’re a grad on a budget, these are the sessions for you. Shoot me an email or give me a call and we can talk further.

…things will be a lot different at my sister’s house. Anyone who walks into their house can see things have already started to change, the decor is rightfully turning from contemporary chic to baby items galore. The spare bedroom in their house has meaning now, painted the perfect shade of blue, blankets and stuffed animals picked out for him, a crib waiting to be slept in, a chair waiting to rock him.

I don’t think my sister has left one stone unturned, one thing left on her list not checked off…or will be checked off very soon. She’s ready, waiting, expecting and also I can see not trying to form expectations. Yes…things are going to change. My sis with her beautiful hair and flawless face, will still be beautiful and flawless, but she’ll carry herself differently…a little more tired, a little more frazzled, maybe a little more flawed and a lot more beautiful.  My very cool brother in law will still be cool, but in the “I carry a diaper bag and I’m proud of it” kind of cool. Gaming will be done with a baby on his lap, he’ll learn to make lunch one handed.

No one can truly tell them what is going to happen. Believe me, I’ve tried! They know all the stories, all the advice, they’ve gone to classes and read books, sis and I have talked for hours and hours, but all of that won’t replace what is going to happen the day he is born. Labor…she’ll finally have her story to share. The first time they walk through their front door, a family….did they really let us take him home?? and what do we do with him now?? That first night…and the sacrifices that will follow that don’t really feel like sacrifices, just natural acts of love.

We get the privilege, those of us who surround them, to witness a beautiful transformation. One guy…one girl…who love with an everlasting love…transform into parents, a family. Life won’t ever be the same, in a wonderful, amazing way.

Love you guys…can’t wait for Ethan to arrive…more photos to come later.