A few weeks ago Jared woke up with a very unfriendly stomach and stayed home from work – camping out on the couch. I try very hard to be sympathetic – which you know is a struggle for me! Schrute – however – is VERY sympathetic!

I just LOVE him!!

He is such a good little protector! I really think he will be great with Fitzy – if anything – too loving!

When I left for MOPS that morning I caught a photo of the HUGE icicle hanging from our house! I also got a dirty look from Schrute – how dare I leave him!

He is just the BEST!

My baby brother Derek and his wife had their first child on February 7th! Rowyn Beth is the first grandchild on our side and Jessica’s side of the family!

Derek and Jessica live in Kentucky where Derek is attending seminary until the end of May! They are looking for jobs this summer and we hope that they find one near home!

A few weeks ago my mom, dad, cousin, and I drove the 12 hours to Kentucky to spend a couple days with the baby and new parents!

We ran into a traffic accident – which turned out to be a mobile meth lab scare – detouring us FOUR hours! We should have gotten to KY at 6 but didn’t pull in their driveway till 10 PM! Thankfully Rowyn was up for some snuggles before we went to bed!

My mom – Gramma Trout – loves squishing Rowyn’s cheeks!!

My brother is an AMAZING father! He loves his little girl so much!

I love love LOVE those shots! She is so comfortable in her dadda’s arms!

Holding her for the first time!

Our cousin Matt – Uncle Bunny – to his nephew – holding Rowyn!

Holding dadda’s hand!

Oh my heart! It just melts at the sight of Derek with his daughter!

Rowyn telling Grampa Trout how it is!! Love those photos!

Gramma was pinching her cheeks again!

Gramma and Grampa Trout with their first grandchild!

I just love love LOVE her!

Rowyn and her momma!

She is so incredibly sweet! Stay tuned for her newborn shoot over the next few days!

Sam & Kristin have two beautiful boys at home and welcomed a baby girl in mid-February!

Sam is part of the *V* family that I have photographed on several different occasions! I love this family!

I visited Kristin in the hospital the day *E* was born!

She is so precious!

Look at that little smile!

I love that last photo – such a special moment! Thank you so much for allowing me to capture these few frames for you!

Once Kristin had been home for a few weeks – we set up her newborn session!

We had to get some shots of their family first!

Dadda and his girl!

I know that picture on the left is blurry – but I just LOVE it!

Their oldest – *B* – he is such a sweet little guy!

Their little guy – *I* – he cuddled right up with me!

How sweet is she!

SO SWEET!

She DID NOT like the tutu – but I couldn’t resist with this picture!

Thank you again Sam & Kristin! I cannot wait for our babies to grow up together!

I met Joe on FACEBOOK! He has a band with his brother and a friend and needed some shots for their upcoming CD! I met with them in Williamsport in February for the session! They gave me a mini-concert while I walked around and got the shots!

They are a worship band with huge talent!

LOVE THOSE SHOTS!

Those shots are my favorite!

Thank you so much guys! I had a great time with you! Let me know where you are playing next!

I cannot wait to have maternity photos taken! In the meantime – Jared took some quick shots for me when we were 27 weeks pregnant!

And then again at 29 weeks!

I am still in shock that I actually have my OWN maternity photos – that there is a little boy kicking my insides!

GOD IS SO GOOD!

Thank you again to everyone who reads my blog, supports my photography, and rejoices with us over this miracle!

I love just because sessions!

While I was visiting my sister at the end of January – we met up with her friend Rosie to take some just because pictures! Somehow we didn’t even think about the setting sun and barely made it in time for daylight!

My sister is INSANE – lying in the snow – the FREEZING snow! It made for some awesome photos though!

LOVE THOSE SHOTS!

We also met up with Samm’s friend Jess and her little guy at Olive Garden – and I had to bring my camera in – of course!

OH MY WORD – he is just too cute!!!

I have known Belinda since 8th grade – where we met at church! We both went to Mansfield University and share a close friend – Jessica! Jessica was a bridesmaid in my wedding and Belinda’s! Belinda and I were both in Jessica’s wedding!

Belinda & Nate were the third wedding that I photographed! I took their engagement photos long before I even thought about starting a photography business!

They have gone through so much heartache in their dream to have a child – we have cried together and prayed together.

Now we are rejoicing together!

*C* was born on January 27th and I just had to get over to the hospital to see them the next day! I could hardly keep it together walking in that room – so much emotion!

Knowing that Belinda and Nate have been waiting years for this moment – and now it’s here – was just too much to take!

Little *C* is about 30 hours old in these photos!

The first thing I said when I walked in the room and saw him was – HE IS SO FAT! This is an instance where I don’t think before I speak – it happens more often than not! But you see – the thing is – I LOVE LOVE LOVE chubby babies! The fatter the better – and he is just so chubby!!

HOW AMAZING AND PRECIOUS IS HE!

He is just perfection!!

I added the watercolor effect to this one! He is just so precious – I can’t get enough!

Belinda & Nate – thanks so much for letting me come over and snap some photos of him – and share in your joy! We are SO happy for both of you!

We have been attending Liberty Bible Church since October – and are loving it!

A few weeks ago – the sermon focused on the giants you face in life.

David faced his own giant in Goliath. Instead of seeing the giant and realizing the impossible – he saw the giant and realized the possible – that he couldn’t miss! David was an optimist – much unlike myself! He faced his giant and he won!

Our pastor asked what our giants were in our own life – addiction – anger – worry – hatred – you get the point.

Right now in my life – my giants are jealousy and anger and fear.

There are times that I still feel jealous and angry when I find out about someone expecting. When that person didn’t have to try very hard – didn’t have to struggle for a beautiful miracle – doesn’t even know what is lying in their own womb – so precious. It’s hard to have those feelings – to admit to those feelings.

I look at other photographers and wonder why I can’t be at their level. I look at everyone around me buying cameras and wonder where my business is headed.

I get so caught up with what I think should happen with my babies – Fitzy and barden photography – that I don’t let God take control. Remember – I am a control freak and giving that up – even to God – is very difficult.

I want to not worry about Fitzy – whether he has moved in a few hours or not – whether he is okay in there – what will happen when he is born and we bring him home and he is actually ours! What happens when I’m not a perfect parent and I mess up – make mistakes – will it affect him greatly. What happens when he is at a friend’s house and has a piece of hard candy and I’m not there to make sure he sits down while he is eating it! (I hate seeing kiddos with hard candy – it makes me a nervous wreck) When he goes to school that first day and I’m not there! His first sleepover – his first time driving – that first time driving without me in the car – when he goes to college – gets married – has babies of his own! Oh my!

I want to not worry about photography – will I get enough to make it by this month – will I get enough weddings for the year – will I lose the clients I love – will facebook really hurt me or help me! I love that God gave me this passion and talent – I love that I get to share it with so many of you. Through this blog and my sessions – my clients have become friends – dear friends! I’ve been struggling lately with some issues that I need to give to God in regards to this baby. Please pray for me!

So – those are my giants – what are yours ?

You don’t have to share them with me – or anyone – just think about it – pray about it – give it to God!

. BE YOURSELF .

It’s something I have always tried to remain true to. It wasn’t always easy! Thankfully I had several influences in my life that encouraged me to be myself.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately and how to reach those kids that are in that crucial stage of their lives! I remember all too well what it was like to be in that stage! It’s awkward and painful and confusing and stressful. You want all the attention in the world but you don’t want anyone to notice you. You feel stuck.

I want to document this stage – this important phase of life that we seem to wish away so quickly. As parents you wish your little guy or girl would just come back to you and this stage would pass. When you are going through it you can’t wait to grow up – to not be a kid anymore!

You are becoming who you are during these moments! I want to capture those faces – show the beauty in them!

. BECOMING WHO YOU ARE .

When you book a session for your 9 to 14 y/o during the month of February – you get $50 off your session!

(the session doesn’t have to take place in February – just the deposit down)

On a side note – I was struggling with the decision to focus on only seniors, babies & maternity, and brides with weddings with Fitzy coming. Are you kidding me? I can’t give up the rest of you! I will still be doing all sorts of photography sessions – families, babies, kiddos, maternity, pets, seniors, just because, pretty much anything! I will only be taking appointments 3 days a week this year so make sure to get your appointment on the calendar!

Thank you again to all of you that support me. pray for me. encourage me. love me.

. BE YOURSELF .