blessings...

x2. when kim told me she was expecting baby number THREE, i couldn't stop smiling. when i saw her a few days later in target and she told me she was expecting TWINS....i may have squealed & jumped in place in the snack aisle in the middle of target. what a blessing these little bundles will be. big brother and sister seem pretty excited about their next adventure. she opted for a casual & candid announcement and i think her mini session nailed it. solomons island provide the perfect backdrop. **since our bump session, they opted to find out the sex of the babes, and well...OHHH BOYYY**

in short...

i feel like samuel thompson summed up my feelings beautifully.

"We are all just a car crash, a diagnosis, an unexpected phone call, a newfound love, or a broken heart away from becoming a completely different person. How beautifully fragile are we so that many things can take but a moment to alter who we are forever?"

there are so many feelings that i cannot even begin to put into words. just know that we are celebrating what we have, right here, right now; because truth be told, that is all ANY of us really have. to my sweet soul bryan, i will continue to be present, remind you of just how incredibly strong you are and reassure you that you are right where you need to be doing just what your mom and family needs most. family pictures are a simple reminder that all you really need is love, laughter and a whole lot of faith. to the swann family; who are some of the strongest people i know; don't quit. oxxo

ohhh stella...

happy SIX months to you. your family is one of my favorites because i have watched your family grow and have shared many milestones. from your mom & dad's engagement pictures before you and big sister norah were even here; to now a family of four, my heart is so full. norah is just as smitten with you as she was when i first met you. she loves her role as a big sister and will do anything to see you smile. watching the two of you girls together is just something i cannot get enough of. this session is a sweet reminder of just how precious life is. i'm blessed to capture these memories of you and your family of four, HEALTHY and happy. mom & dad never cease to amaze me with their fun style and love for their girls. you & norah are loved more than you will ever know. thanks for letting me share in these memories. oxxo

i fell in love...

with this family. you know just the people that ARE the good in the world? the same ones that have this way of reminding you of just how blessed you are. HELLO to the Johns family. i was introduced to them through a mutual friend and i'm so grateful for the opportunity i had to capture some long overdue family portraits. the weather was crisp and falls hues surrounded us. warm colors, warmer hearts and smiles made this session memorable.
kids that were just as sweet as pie and a marriage that has been TWENTY years in the making. can i get a round of applause?!? cause well you know, THAT is pretty incredible. and i know twenty years is a long time, but it's the way that these two still look at each other with this unspoken look of, "yep, that's my person." well, i just love that too. oxxo

it's only fitting...

that since today is a sizzlin' hot day, i will cool things off a bit. let's go back a few months, (i know, catching up on my blogging is no joke) to crunchy snow, a baby bump and two people that are head over heels for each other. yep, that would be a maternity session that we had at sotterley.
how awesome is it when mother nature is actually on your side; cause when mom to be asked for a snowy session, we actually got snow. pretty incredible i'd say. jess and i went to high school together and i remember her as this bubbly spirit who has an infections laugh, and i'm so happy she has not changed one bit. even better, james and i went to elementary school together and he still has that glowing smile.  i love how photography sessions offer a mini reunion of sorts. we caught up on the latest, and kinda marveled about how ten plus years really does seem to go by in the blink of an eye. now these two have welcomed an ADORABLE baby girl into their world and i couldn't be more happy for them. cheers to adventures! oxxo

i hope that...

whatever wish you were making comes true. braylen along with his big brother, DJ and mom had a session in the park at greenwell. the bond between these two brothers is nothing shy of awesome. from wrestling in the field, grassy knees and all to the sweetest eskimo kisses; these two are the true definition of brothers. braylen reminds me so much of my (not so little anymore) brother. all boy-rough and rowdy. and then he will cause your heart to melt when he gives a hug that lasts forever. DJ is such a respectful kiddo who loves his family and is not afraid to show it. teenage years are sometimes, you know, "too cool to sit next to my family, hug my brother or even my mother." nope, not DJ. such an awesome young kid. then mom, what an amazing unsung hero who just loves her boys more than life itself. if our sole purpose in life is to leave this world better than we entered it, mom you are KILLING it! you are raising two fine young men. thanks for letting me share this day with you and your pride & joy. oxxo
p.s. and when you go to drop off the pictures and braylen comes out with the sweetest little smile and says hi; well there goes me, and my heart in that melted puddle, AGAIN.