Johnny and his wife were given a gift certificate last year for Christmas – and they used it this year to welcome their baby boy into the world!

She didn’t want much to do with the camera – but we made it work!

LOOK AT HIM!!! Some of my favorite Christmas newborn pictures! EVER!

Thanks again *P* family! I hope to see you again!

I have always had a headache – mostly my whole life – as long as I can remember. The really bad migraines started at 5 – throwing up, sensitivity to light and noise, sleeping every moment of my life away. I can remember missing Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas with my grandparents on more than one occasion. My dad would stay home with me while I slept in a dark room with a cold washcloth on my head. Washcloths became a MUST every night when I went to bed. My mom would massage that spot between my thumb and first finger. My brother and sister learned to be quiet while I slept – almost every night after school.

Once school started – every day of my life consisted of getting a headache toward the end of the day – pushing through it – coming home on the bus and praying that I could wait to throw up when I get off the bus – cus it was way too embarrassing on the bus. I would make it home and my mom would put me in pj’s and give me a washcloth and a tub – in case I had to throw up again – and massage my hands till I fell asleep. I would wake up at 6 or 7 and eat toast and maybe dinner on a good night – mom would help me with homework and by then another headache was coming on. I would go to sleep and wake up in the morning to do it all again.

The doctor told my mom to keep me away from chocolate and caffeine – which helped – sometimes. We tried different tests – with nothing. Someone suggested that my mom take me to a chiropractor – we found out that my legs were not the same length – significantly. I wore – and still wear orthotics – and the headaches slowly got better. I still had a headache every day – but not a migraine. I asked my sister and brother recently if they have or had headaches. Samantha hardly ever had them growing up – but does now. Derek says he always had and still has a headache – but not migraines. My mom gets headaches and my dad gets migraines. I always told my mom that if I knew that my children had headaches like I did – I wouldn’t have them. I don’t know how my mom dealt with watching me go through that and taking care of me for so long – without losing her mind!

My pain tolerance grew with each headache I had. I thought it would be the worst pain I ever went through – then my TMJ pain started. There were times when I am sure that without Jared keeping me sane – I would have killed myself without knowing what I was doing. I was delirious and in complete and utter pain – worse than I have ever felt in my life. I was working at the PT clinic at that point and started to have more of an understanding toward the patients that came in those doors absolutely miserable. I started to realize that I needed to adjust to my jaw pain like my headaches – realize that it might always be there but could be less in severity – like my headaches.

I know that God can heal me – from my headaches and my TMJ pain – I know that. I also know that in the meantime I need to adjust to living with pain.

While I understand people living with chronic pain a little more – the one thing it does do is turns down my sympathy button for complaining people. When and if I voice that I don’t feel well – it means I DO NOT FEEL WELL – like cannot move my head without it exploding. When Jared complains of something – I don’t say anything – when he complains for the 3rd time I ask him what he needs me to do – take him to the hospital or what? When I am in constant pain of some form – it’s hard for me to understand why others don’t just suck it up and deal. It’s something that I am working on and asking Jesus for guidance.

I know that I am sympathetic – when the situation calls for it – even though some I know would disagree!

As the birth of Fitzy approaches – I think about the pain – and how it can’t be THAT bad seeing as how I have lived with pain most of my life. I think about being sympathetic with my child over his pain – and praying that my heart grows in size when he is born!

I met with Michele’s family a few days before Christmas for a family session. Last year at the ARNOT MALL BRIDAL EXPO – Michele booked on the spot and won two gift certificates!

AWE – the love of grandparents!

Michele and Brad JUST got back from their honeymoon!

They remind me so much of my family!

Thank you so much *C* family – you guys make me feel like family!

I met with Becky and her family during Christmas week to photograph their miracle – what better week to photograph a newborn baby!

OH MY HEART!

What a proud big brother!

Such a beautiful family!

Thank you again Becky – it has been great having sessions with you this year! I cannot WAIT to watch your family grow as a new year begins!

Stephani and I met over FACEBOOK! We set up an appointment for her little girl’s 1 year old photos! *A* is a mover and a shaker for sure!

She is so cute!

Thanks again Stephani! Can’t wait to see you in the summer for our next session!

Kelly’s son *A* won the CUTEST KID contest at the Troy Fair this summer! After spending some time with him – I see why!

BABY FEET!!

I love that picture of momma kisses – even though it was an accident and blurry!

WHAT A CUTIE!!!

Congrats again on winning the contest Kelly – I hope to see you again soon!

I know Hannah through Allison & Kelly – two wonderful people!

We’ve had this session set up for quite a while! Hannah is such a natural in front of the camera!!

I love love LOVE those shots!

Hannah – thank you so much for asking me to capture this amazing time in your life!

I can’t remember exactly how I met Michele – I think it was on facebook through mutual friends – and we have become friends!

She came to the ARNOT MALL BRIDAL EXPO in January of 2010 to book her wedding with me! We had a great time with her engagement session earlier this year – you might remember it – the Harley themed shoot!

We had a great time at their wedding too – Michele looked GORGEOUS!

Look at that dress! BEAUTIFUL!

Brad got the snowflake necklace for Michele that morning! The ring is her something borrowed!

SWEETNESS!

OH MY – I love those shots!

Oh my heart – look at that love!

Michele wanted a photo of her and Brad before the ceremony – but she did NOT want to see him and he did NOT want to see her. Brad’s mom came up with this idea for a cute chance to get a shot together! Love how they turned out!

LOVE those ones!

Michele and her dad – AWE!

Thanks again so much for asking me to capture your memories!

Jenna & Dave are dear friends! I stopped up the week before Christmas to get a few shots of them for their cards!

HOW HANDSOME IS HE!!!

Their puppy Judge – who I LOVE!!!

Oh little *L* – you make my heart melt!

BROTHERS – love that relationship!

And their family photo!

What a GORGEOUS family! We love you guys so much!!