Baby Hattie

This little girl was such an angel during her session. I have known Jonathan for several years, and it was so good to meet his sweet wife, Kristen, and of course their two precious children. Hattie honestly slept through almost her entire session....not to mention sleeping through daddy and big brother playing and wrestling! :) She was a dream! Also, can we talk about how amazing Kristen looks...and also this was her second natural birth...so obviously she is a rockstar! :) Thank you Kristen and Jonathan for letting me capture your sweet family of four!! Your babies are just beautiful!! 

Because...He is Faithful No Matter What

Remember this post.... The post that I felt like I had waited forever to get to write... The one where we finally got to announce that a sweet little baby was growing in my tummy? I was so excited! I  remember crying so many tears and being giddy that I got to share this long awaited news. It had taken what seemed like an eternity to finally be pregnant.

Well, we are kind of in the waiting boat again, and really have been since Evelyn was born. Now, don't get me wrong....when you have a precious little girl that was the answer to so many prayers, waiting with you, taking up your time, etc.....it makes the waiting game a bit easier. Here is the deal.....in the last couple of months I have been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome. For a girl who has dreamed of being a mama to many babies since she was little...this was a difficult blow. I have cried lots of tears. 

My initial response was feeling sorry for myself. Why God? Why do so many other people simply have to look at each other and they get pregnant? Why am I going to have to keep waiting longer? Why is this so difficult? He has been gracious to listen to my cries. Since then, God, in all of His grace, has taken me by the hand, and begun to show me how to walk through this. I have had some hard days where I have been sad and discouraged. I have also had a lot of great days where I walk well through this trial. He has sustained me and will continue to sustain me.

God has been teaching me a lot lately. The other day I was thinking to myself that I couldn't wait to share my story AFTER I got pregnant and talk about God's faithfulness through all of it. I couldn't wait to encourage someone going through the same thing when I came out on the other side. The Lord spoke to me and said...."Why not now?" I immediately felt terrible, because I realized that this was as if I was saying that He wasn't being faithful now or until I got what I prayed for. God has graciously been showing me that HE IS ENOUGH. Of course I have known that...but, He is meeting me where I need Him. 

A few months ago I was reading in the Psalms (which I have found myself in a lot lately). In Psalm 66 verse 12 says, "You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but YOU BROUGHT US TO A PLACE of ABUNDANCE." It goes on in verse 20 to say, "Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me!" This Psalm is referencing how faithful God was in bringing the Israelites out of Egypt and to the Promised Land! I remember my initial thought being...I can't wait for the abundance. I can't wait to see how He doesn't withhold His love from me. But friend, He hasn't! He allows me to wake up each day. I am living in abundance because I get to walk with Christ!! I am living in abundance because I get to talk to Him whenever I want! I get to read His Word. I get to serve Him. Everything else is just a good gift from Him.....They are just the cherry on top of being known by my heavenly Father. 

In August, the Lord showed me this verse: "I will remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." -Psalms 27:13-14   He also brought me back to it last Friday when I really needed it. It would be easy to interpret it my own way. Goodness of the Lord=Pregnancy. Right? Waiting for...........a baby. Right? But this might not be the case, and if it isn't I am still promised to see His goodness. This is what He has shown me......

God is faithful if I get pregnant and get to be a mama four more times. He is faithful if I get to be a mama one more time. He is faithful if I get pregnant and tragically lose that baby. He is faithful if I never get pregnant again. He is faithful if we adopt. He is faithful if Evelyn is our only child. His plans are PERFECT. His plans are BEST. His plans for my life will be whatever brings Him the most glory. He is sovereign over every situation. 

So sure....does it sting when month after month goes by without being pregnant? Maybe a little. But friends, nothing compares to being known by my heavenly Father. He knows my heart. He knows my desires. But, I know that He can change my desires. My heart has to be content in Him. There are days where walking this road seems like the hardest thing, and you know....I haven't had many moments in my life where I have had to struggle so it probably is. There are also days where He consistently shows me that a relationship with Him, spending time with Him, sitting and resting in His presence is only thing I need. I am learning that when my heart hurts or doubts His goodness, I need to press in closer to Him. I have to be in His Word so that I can know Him better. The more I know Him, the more I can trust Him. My heart ebbs and flows. My emotions ebb and flow. But, God is constant. He is always with me. He never changes. He is always faithful... no matter what.

Baby Wallace

I was so excited when Genny contacted me to take her baby boy's newborn photos. Genny and I did our student teaching together, and it was so much fun to catch up with her! Sweet Wallace was an absolute dream during his session. We moved him around, and all he needed was a little white noise to keep him happy! Also, let's talk about his parents.....seriously, hearing them talk about the first couple of weeks with Wallace was so sweet. They were so relaxed and didn't speak about the lack of sleep or crying in a negative way at all. They were taking the whole learning to be parents thing in stride, and it was so encouraging!! Josh and Genny, thank you so much for letting me capture your sweet family! Wallace is just the sweetest!! Enjoy every minute!

The Taul Family

I was so excited to get to take pictures of this sweet family! They were my first family session of 2017, and how precious are they? I had only gotten to see Freddy and Whitney's precious kiddos on Facebook, so to have them in front of the camera with all of their personality was just too much!! Thank you Taul family!! 

Ok...and this last photo...Whitney was the best. She was so relaxed about having pictures done. By the end the kids were melting and just done (totally normal!!) and we wanted one of them with Whitney....they were melting, but I love this because it is such a pictures of motherhood and raising littles...am I right? Whitney, you are just beautiful and such a sweet mama! 

Thoughts on Motherhood Volume 11 (A Letter to my 18 Month Old)

Dear Sweet Evelyn,

Oh little girl, tomorrow you are officially 18 months old. I cannot fathom that I have gotten to be your mama for a year and a half. Truly.....it is an honor and a privilege. You are such a precious little thing. We are in a fun stage, but also one that presents lots of new waters for mama and daddy. 

You are learning so much everyday! I feel like I hear new words each day in the midst of all that babble! You "talk" all day long! I get to see you discover new things. Taking you outside is the most fun because you light up. You are amazed by all that you see! We are seeing quite the sassy side come out. You certainly have opinions, and don't mind letting us know. :)  You are a BUSY girl and go from one thing to the next! I see your little brain at work all the time!

We just celebrated your second Christmas as a family of three. It was so fun to watch you this year! Last year was so special because it was our first, but this year you were interested in opening presents, looking at lights, and lots of fun Christmas traditions! You loved your gifts, and again, it was surreal signing that Christmas card: "Brett, Laura, and Evelyn Kittrell"  I'm not sure I'll ever get over it. You have no idea how loved you are! 

There is so much about you at 18 months that I want to remember. I want to remember how you have started answering questions. A short and sweet "yea" is what we get most of the time! I want to remember how when I correct you to say, "yes ma'am" you have started saying "ma'am  ma'am" It's so precious! I want to remember how much you adore reading books, and how you go and grab one and come sit in my lap over and over. Current favorites are, "You are My I Love You", "We're Going on a Bear Hunt", and "10 Little Ladybugs".

I want to remember how much you love your sleep and how you are still holding onto that morning nap. (I say this in the most humble and thankful way ever, considering we had many many months of what felt like no sleep...and I felt like you might never figure it out....haha. :)  ) I want to remember how much you love to play in your bed when you wake up from your nap. I want to remember how much you love Mickey Mouse. I want to remember how you love giving eskimo kisses. I want to remember how much you love your cousins and your grandparents. I want to remember how much you love being outside...literally could stay out all day long. You think acorns are the best and we collect them daily! :) 

I want to remember how much you adore your daddy. I want to remember how you currently let us know that you don't like the word "No" by screaming. Actually...maybe I don't. :)  I want to remember how you will run back and forth to daddy and I to give out sweet hugs. I want to remember how when I ask you to "give me those eyes" you cut your eyes in the cutest little mean mug I ever did see.

I want to remember how much of a privilege it is to watch you grow. I also want to remember how I see God's grace in those moments when our days are not all sunshine and roses. There are lots of moments like that throughout the day. You are a joy, and I wouldn't trade my days with you. But, there are hard moments....moments where you would like to test the limits and enjoy standing your ground....moments where you whine for who in the world knows what? :) But, God is gracious. God is faithful to meet me where I am each day. 

Little girl, your chubby cheeks, sweet lips, and blue eyes are just edible. I am so proud of you and all that you are learning. I am so grateful to be your mama. I tear up often when I think about how God was so good to give you to us. You are our greatest blessing. I pray that you will continue to learn and grow. I pray that your little heart comes to know Jesus at a young age. I pray that you see Jesus in your mama each day. 

                                                                                  All My Love,                                                                

                                                                                           Mama

Favorites from 2016

I cannot adequately express my gratitude to all of my sweet clients in 2016. I have truly been so blessed by so many. As I was going through all of the many sessions, weddings, and special events I had the privilege of photographing this year, I felt so thankful. I had the opportunity to shoot countless families, lots of weddings, a few births, and so many other special memories. 

This was my first full year both working and being a mama. So many of my first weddings in 2016 I spent breaks in the back of my car pumping (haha). Many of you were kind enough to reschedule if my little one was sick. I cannot get over the grace that I was shown. 

Thank you so much to those of you who have allowed me to be a small part of your memories. Thank you to those who have come back year after year to let me take photos of your precious families. Thank you to those who let me be in the room as you gave birth. Thank you to my sweet couples who allowed me to be with you through your engagement and your wedding days. I am overwhelmed by how this little business has grown. 

To those of you that I get the privilege of serving in 2017, I am so excited!! Thank you for entrusting me to capture  your most priceless memories! 

Enjoy a few of my favorites from this year......It was tough to narrow it down! :) 

Five Years

Dear Sweet Husband,

5 Years...I cannot believe it has been 5 years since we said "I Do" on that beautiful fall day. I have to say....I personally think our wedding day was just the best. I remember how unbelievably excited I was leading up to that day. The details were beautiful, the food was good, so many precious friends came to witness, but all I could think about was that I was finally going to get to be your wife. After three and a half years of dating, finally.....I got to marry my best friend. Joy...overwhelming joy.

I remember our ceremony being so meaningful. I know a lot of people don't worry too much about the ceremony, but it was my favorite part. My heart pounded as my dad walked me down the aisle. I was far more emotional than I thought I would be, and seeing your face at the end was just the best. I loved our ceremony. I loved our vows, and loved that I got to commit myself to you until death. 

In the last five years we have been through so much. There have certainly been good times and harder times. You have been the most amazing partner. I am incredibly grateful that God brought us together. You are caring and kind. You have been a shoulder to cry on when my heart has been so hurt. You constantly make me laugh. You are compassionate and a good friend to me and so many others. You encourage me. You point me back to the Lord, and consistently pray for me and with me. 

You are a helper. You are gracious and hardworking. About 16 months ago you gave me the sweetest gift in encouraging and allowing me to stay home with our sweet Evelyn. I have gotten to watch you become a wonderful father. That little girl adores you almost as much as I do, and I love watching you with her. 

Thank you for all that you do for our family. Thank you for being my biggest cheerleader, and also calling me out when I need it. Thank you for loving me so well. You are my best friend, and I am so grateful I have gotten to walk beside you these last five years. I pray we have many more together, and that we glorify the Lord more and more every year. I am thankful for our life together. I love you dearly, Brett!  Happy Anniversary!

Love, 

Laura

Alivia and Samuel

Alivia and Samuel were married back in August, at her grandparents property on a beautiful day! Alivia is stunning as you may remember from their engagement photos and her bridal portraits, and I had been looking forward to this wedding for months! It was such a perfect day. The way Samuel and Alivia looked at each other all evening was so precious. Most importantly, God was glorified in their ceremony. Now, of course if you live in the south you know that an outdoor August wedding is going to be quite warm! You would think this might hinder some guests....Not for these two. The party lasted well into the evening and Alivia and Samuel were surrounded by the sweetest friends and family who danced all night long!! Alivia and Samuel, thank you so much for allowing me to be a small part of such a special day! :) 

Welcoming Baby Ellie

The Waite family is so precious! They are dear friends of ours, and I had the privilege of documenting the first year of that curly-headed big sister, so I was thrilled I got to take photos as they welcomed Baby Ellie to the family. Y'all, this little girl is almost 6 months old, so clearly I am a little behind on blogging. But, I loved taking these so much and just had to share! Aren't they a beautiful family? Oh, and this was just a week after having Ellie....how amazing does Caitlyn look?!? Pretty mama! 

Anna (Bridals)

Anna and Lawson's wedding was this past weekend, and I am thrilled to be sharing her bridal portraits today! When I first met Anna I knew she was going to be the most stunning bride. That wasn't hard to see. She is absolutely gorgeous, but she has such a gentle and humble spirit about her. We took the photos at her grandmother's property on a perfect afternoon! When Anna received her bridal portraits she sent me the sweetest message telling me...."Oh my goodness! I am dying! They are beautiful! I had no idea I was that pretty!" If you know Anna, you know that she said it in the most humble way possible. I honestly couldn't believe she didn't know how gorgeous she was! :) I can't wait to share more from their wedding, but for today...enjoy her precious bridals!