Amanda is so sweet and has the most beautiful smile. Here’s a little sneak peek from her session last night!

Ryan emailed me a few weeks ago wanting a gift certificate for a maternity session for his wife for Mother’s Day. What a good man he is! When I got that e-mail, I knew instantly that they were going to be AWESOME! I had so much fun with these two, they were so sweet and so in love. Can you believe she’s due tomorrow? She’s so tiny…I can’t wait to shoot baby boy’s newborn session when he finally makes his appearance!

You probably remember Pattie that I posted about last week with her grandkids. You know…the absolutely darling kids with her!

When I heard Pattie was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, I was taken back to the day when I found out my little sister, Emily, was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma (a childhood cancer) at only 8 years old. I re-lived a lot of those memories for a week or so, and my heart just broke for Pattie’s family because I know all those feelings they’re experiencing. What my family and I went through those 2 1/2 years was tough and a huge test of our faith. So many people have asked me what got me through that time. # 1 was my faith in the Lord, that he was going to take care of everything and he was where I’d find my comfort, strength, and peace. #2 was my sister Emily. Even though she was the one that spent all the nights in the hospital, had numerous surgeries, several rounds of chemo, several treatments of radiation, took countless pills each day…SHE WAS MY STRENGTH. It blew me away how much faith an 8 year old could have in the Lord. She was never scared, and she always had a smile on her face and kept the family laughing, even up to those moments before she passed away. When Emily knew she didn’t have much time left she told my family, “Jesus and I will be waiting for you in heaven.” Hearing her say that gave me so much peace. She knew God was going to take care of her. Losing a sister is not easy by any means, but I’ve held onto that phrase she told us and it makes me so excited to see her in heaven someday.

All this to say, I really felt God put it on my heart to help out Pattie and her family. I find it so easy to connect to families that are going through what I’ve been through, and I count that as a blessing. So here’s a little way for my to give to Pattie’s family using the gifts God has so graciously given me since she won’t be able to work during all of her treatment.

Please pass this on to all your friends and family, and keep Pattie and her family in your prayers. Thanks so much!

There’s something I just LOVE about maternity sessions. I love capturing images of God’s little creation inside a woman’s belly before they make their grand entrance into this world. I am just at a loss for words. It’s so beautiful. Shannon, you are wonderfully amazing and are absolutely stunning. It was so great meeting you and I can’t wait to meet the “Little Man”. You and Steve are so cute together. Maybe next time we can frollick through the fields for Steve since he was looking forward to it. You’re so close to meeting your son! I’m beyond excited for the two of you and I’ll be praying everything goes well.

Erin and I went out and did the second half to her maternity session. We wanted to get some pictures of just her with some cool off camera lighting. We had so much fun! Paxton…you can come out now. We’re getting anxious. Well, actually you can come after Erin and my coffee date this afternoon. Can’t wait to meet you!

Bree and I go WAAAY back. We went to camp together. We both had a sibling with cancer. We get each other. Period. She has been one of those girls who is ALWAYS there to talk to when I need it. And despite the fact that we live 8 hours away from each …other and only see each other twice a year if we’re lucky…we are still best friends. And people mistake us for being sisters. It’s kind of funny. So we took pictures of her and Matt at the golf course he works at. Aren’t they just the adorable together? And Bree is drop dead gorgeous. Matt is one lucky man! And Bree sits on Facebook in class and shows everyone my pictures and says “This is my friend Keary. She takes really pretty pictures. We’re hanging out this week” Bree you make me smile.

Chris, Heather, Parker, and baby Cooper on the way are just the sweetest family. Parker was hilarious and has the cutest giggle. They were all so much fun

Steven, Erin, and I went to Vasona yesterday to shoot Erin’s maternity pictures, which this was my first maternity shoot ever…so it was a totally new concept for me. But we worked it, and it was purely amazing. She only has 5 weeks left. Can you believe it? The time has gone by so fast! She is absolutely beautiful, and I can’t wait for Paxton to come. Erin you’re going to make a great mom!