Josh, Roseanna, & Luke

Gorgeous Monday evening in a blossoming peach orchard with a beautiful family!  Josh, Roseanna and Luke were amazing!

Enjoy! ;D

 

 

 

 

Mushaboom, Mushaboom

On my wonderful wedding day, a family friend came up to me and gave me some advice which, while well-intentioned, still puzzles me to this day: “If you can just get through the first year of marriage, it will all be worth it.” Thankfully, I have to say that our first year of marriage was far from being the hardship his words portended. Spending that first year in a tiny, one-bedroom apartment, having to walk up three flights of steps repeatedly with all of our groceries, “cooking” spaghetti every other night for dinner, both of us working full-time jobs (with one car to share)…all that normal first-year marriage stuff…it wasn’t that bad. That first year was full of joy, anticipation, excitement–dancing to Norah Jones in our small, candlelit living room, buying our first home, decorating that home, laughing continually…etc…it was ever so, well, wonderful.   We didn’t just drudge through our first year; we loved it. Marriage has been fresh air in my lungs, day in and day out. We are so blessed that we feel the way we feel about each other.

So what’s with the title of this blog? Well…Brandon and my love song throughout these years reads something like this…(or if you’re like me, just give me the music video–http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYF0qU5WSew)

“Helping the kids out of their coats
But wait the babies haven’t been born
Unpacking the bags and setting up
And planting lilacs and buttercups
But in the meantime I’ve got it hard
Second floor living without a yard
It may be years until the day
My dreams will match up with my pay

Old dirt road (Mushaboom, Mushaboom)
Knee deep snow (Mushaboom, Mushaboom)
Watching the fire as we grow old (Mushaboom, Mushaboom)

I got a man to stick it out
And make a home from a rented house
And we’ll collect the moments one by one
I guess that’s how the future’s done
How many acres how much light
Tucked in the woods and out of sight
Talk to the neighbors and tip my cap
On a little road barely on the map”

I can honestly say that I have lived this song with Brandon. It’s like my life theme song. “Watching the fire as we grow old…”

When Brandon and I met, we were both involved in a Christian ministry. I always knew I would get married at a young age. I was actually dating another guy at the time when I met Brandon. My heart was cold, stale, hopeless, bored, extremely angry, and really was doing what I was doing at the time to bring fulfillment to the broken parts of me. When I met Brandon in DC that cold January, I was taken back by his long hair, fabulous smile and gentle voice.

We sat down on a grand piano one afternoon, I played a song for him and he played a song for me. The next few weeks (which looking back seems like months) was a beautiful blossoming of our hearts…we were smitten, trippin’, fallin’, oh, man…all of the above. I was enthralled with the way he loved me–not only through his sweet words, but in his actions, like buying me Starbucks lattes every day, taking me to dinner constantly, walking in such wisdom with his words and action.

My closed, angry heart found shelter in the sweetness that flowed from this man. He had such a healed, whole heart in spite of a hard and broken past. He was full of life. He was restoration to me.

Below, is the first picture we ever took together. We weren’t even dating when this was taken.

Below: Brandon had just met my parents. (Maryland, 2005)

Below: Johnson City, TN, 2005

Look at that hair —> Suunnnnshine!

London, Summer 2005

Cardigan Island, Wales, 2005

Wales, 2005

Below: Greystones, Ireland. Engaged!!! 2005

Wedding Day – April 2, 2006

 

Our love developed so quickly. We started dating on February 14, 2005, got engaged August 7, 2005 (in Ireland), married April 2, 2006. We bought our first home within five months of getting married. We moved to Kansas City for a few years in the summer of 2007.

In 2009, Brandon and I spent eight months living apart much of the time. Brandon lived with his parents in Joplin, MO (two hours from Kansas City) where he was finishing his college degree. I spent half of every week with him in Joplin and the other half away from him in Kansas City working as a bridal consultant and living with my best friend. Those that knew us knew how much we missed each other. I hate, hate, hate being away from Brandon. It was a really hard time being so in love with Brandon, seeing him work so hard (full-time college, full-time work, and a part-time internship at a hospital), and seeing him only on weekends.

We moved back to South Carolina in the fall of 2009, back into the home we bought when we first got married. Since then, we’ve had a few different jobs, started our own businesses, and we’ve spent time with family and friends that we hadn’t seen in years. We are still here in SC and love it.

Honeymoon, Mexico 2006

Our first Christmas, 2006

First Anniversary, Florida 2007

Kansas City, MO, Summer 2007

Kansas City, MO, Summer 2007

Kansas City, MO, Fall 2007

Kansas City, MO, Fall 2008

 

Brandon and I have grown up together the last six years. We’ve learned each other, found a home in one another. We’ve also had our really disappointing moments, walked through heavy heartache. It’s been quite the dance for us. We are the closest, bestest friends. We love doing everything together…or nothing, we love driving nowhere, being lazy together, dancing around the house, being stupid together. He is genuine and gracious to my heart. He’s a hard-working husband and full of sincerity. I’m so in love with him. And I’ve had years to have his love proven to me time and time again.

We have had the best six years of marriage.  I have no regret in anything we have done these last six years. I have needed all of this time, all of these evenings, mornings, afternoons, weekends to discover and learn my husband–to love him, to be loved by him…to find myself, to discover who I am.

We, like so many couples, have massive life dreams. One in particular is to live in Europe. (I dream of photographing the streets and people of Europe.) When Brandon and I had one of our very first dates (before we were actually dating), we walked through Georgetown, Washington, DC. The snow was falling so lightly, and it was (in my mind) just like a movie. I looked at him and knew one day that I would walk the streets of Europe with him. We both are passionate about nations and languages. We both have traveled quite a bit. We even tried our best to get to Spain for a year. Haven’t made it yet, but this will always be on our hearts.

Graduation Day for Brandon, Spring 2009

Branson, MO, Summer 2009

Fort Mill, SC, Fall 2009

Fourth Anniversary, April 2010

Halloween, 2010

Ohio Snow Day, Winter 2010

Fifth Anniversary, Saint Augustine, 2011

Snorkeling in the Bahamas, Fall 2011

Winter 2011

 

Our other little kitty “Hans” didn’t want to grace us with his presence for this next photo.

The first line of the Mushaboom song says…”Helping the kids out of their coats, But wait the babies haven’t been born.”

Sometime in July, we are bringing another lover into our sweet life…another character in our life play…another dreamer to dream with…another best friend.

I feel like having a baby is not just “the next step of life,” or “this is how life goes.” For me, I look at it as the outcome and reflection of Brandon and my continuous love, a love and deep friendship which we’ve cultivated for years. We’ve built a beautiful set, planted a lovely history, and it’s time to bring in another to journey and to love with us.

For years I have felt pressure from many around me to get pregnant. At times, I have felt angry, terrified and frustrated by that pressure. But now, I can honestly say that Brandon and I chose this. We picked this time, and we weren’t really surprised when it all worked. (Our cruise this fall was a pretty good kick-off party!) ;D

My heart spent last year searching out the beauty in the idea of having a family…something that had always been scary for me. Thankfully, my heart found that beauty. I have needed every second of these last year six years to gain the right perspective about having a family and about being a mom. The Lord has been ever so faithful to my heart in his perfect timing. Brandon and I have also recognized the extreme commitment it takes, and we waited until our hearts were ready to take on the challenge. (Are we ready for it? Can you ever be ready for it?)

This timing, for us, is a gift. There’s a lot of unknown that lies ahead of us, a lot of newness. Our quiet world is about to become less quiet. What we’ve known up til now is about to be interrupted. We won’t sleep much for the next couple years. Our date nights will be a bit more scarce. Our clean house may not be, well, so clean. But our love will be broadened. We will catch on to this new pattern, this new flow and new way of thinking.  And it is good.

 

So here is our first view of our little “man.”

 

I’m excited to see a little Brandon walking around!!! ;D

 

 

Leah Rose

Joel and Laura Teel are close friends of mine. I’ve known Joel thirteen+ years and he’s always been a big brother and a dear, dear friend to me and my brother growing up. His character has always been very consistent in our friendship. We shared so much of our childhood and teen years together, that its fun to reminiscence together.

I had the privileged to be able to photograph Joel and Laura’s little girl, Leah Rose. She is a two and a half year old full of energy and life. I would also dare to say she one of the most beautiful little girls I’ve ever seen.  Leah kept me on my toes for about an hour and a half, as I chased her with my camera through tall grass and woods at Colonel Francis Beatty Park in Matthews, NC. She would not sit still, not even for a moment. She was always finding leaves, sticks, stones, and flowers to pick up. So adorable.

This was my first time photographing this age, and I was sore the next day from bending up and down and crawling on my hands and knees. I was also able to catch a few portraits of Joel and Laura.

I hope these make you smile..

sometimes I love blurry.

The tale of Forest Káel. Part 3

I think we’ve all been waiting for these photos…

Little Káel is a little over three weeks old now and he’s vibrant, full of personality, so sweet, alert, healthy, handsome, and all boy. I went over to Sam and Jessica’s house yesterday and he was all happy to see his Auntie Rivkah!

Disclaimer: This is my 1st time photographing a baby!

To be continued…

The Tale of Forest Káel. Part 1.

This is my side of the most incredible story that I’ve been able to be a part of in a long time. Not just any baby was born; He’s very special. He’s my best friend’s baby, my brother’s son, my parents’ grand-baby and my little nephew. I felt every emotion known to man in 24 hours. This was miraculous, exciting, terrifying, fearful, painful, traumatic, heartbreaking, heart-wrenching, incredible, fantastic, happy, selfless, sad…name it. I felt it. At times I felt like a fly on the wall waiting for a window to open so I could fly out.

I’ve been skeptical of pregnancy for quite some time, but after this, I may go up to pregnant ladies in Wal-Mart and start shaking their hands. I’m such a changed person. My heart is so tender and happy. I never want to see my best friend walk through this again. I’m scarred for life.  Jessica is my absolute hero and such an incredible woman to know. I’m so blessed and honored that we both found one another. I hope you enjoy her story.

Side note: Keep track of the times and dates that I post. Káel was born on August 29th at 3:33AM. You’ll be able to count the hours till he’s born.

Disclaimer: Jessica has seen and approved all the images in the next two blogs.

I received this text Friday afternoon while I was at work. My little heart leaped, and I was so excited about the next few days.  I got off work and ran a few errands. Jess told me that the contractions had been consistent since the night before, and she and Sam were watching the movie “Up” for her to try to get her mind off of the pain.

As soon as I got back from my errands, I drove the few blocks over to Jess’ house to see how she was. Jess’ mom and midwife, Damaris, were there.  Jess came out of her room and said, “Looks like we’ll have a baby in the middle of the night or tomorrow morning!”  We decided to go get some spicy Mexican food and make it the last dinner date before little man arrived. Jess began putting on her first batch of makeup saying, “I will be beautiful while I’m in labor!”

We put on Imogen Heap’s “Bad Body Double” song and danced around the living room. Every now and then, Jess would double over and breathe deeply as a contraction would come on and leave quickly.

After a fantastic time of eating Mexican food with Jessica, her mom and my husband, we drove back over to Jess’ house and watched the first half of the old-time “Parent Trap” movie. We were remembering being little girls and reciting the lines we had memorized from the movie. I got too tired and decided to leave around 12:30AM to go to bed. I hugged Sam and Jess goodnight and said, “CALL ME if anything happens.” Jess smiled and said, “Oh, girl, we totally will!”

I got home and went to bed.

Around 3:30AM, my phone starts singing to me. It’s Samuel on the other line: “Jess has been in intense labor since you left. We called the midwives and the doula. We’re filling up the birthing tub now. I’ll call you when we get it filled up.” I hanged up and thought, “There is no way I’m going to be able to get back to sleep!”

I got up, got dressed, and made some coffee. I knocked on the door where my parents were staying and asked my mom if she wanted to come with me. We both drove over to their place. Jessica was in such pain, and the tub was slowly being filled up with water.  It was exciting thinking about what was going to be happening soon. (It was almost like Christmas.)

They filled the birthing tub up with a hose that ran from the sink to the baby room.

Jessica was having contractions every five minutes. She would double over and swing her body side to side.  Samuel, my mom and I all cuddled on the couch, cheering Jess on and trying to keep her mind off of it all.

Sam and Jess’ fridge… waiting on the little man.

Jess’ finally got into the tub and began to labor and sleep in between contractions.

I fell asleep with my mom and brother on the couch. We woke up around 8AM. I ran home, took a shower and came back as fast as I could.

Samuel just woke up, and Jessica was putting round two of makeup on and making herself feel good!

Every five minutes or less… doubling over, groaning and breathing heavy.

We were all excited!

Around 10AM, one of Jess’ midwives, Jordan arrived. She felt like Jessica should go on a walk for a while.

I said to Jess, “After what I’ve seen so far, I may not have kids for about five years.” She smiled big and said, “Me neither!”

Jess’ dad, Ruben, arrives.

This is Jess’ mom, Rebecca.

We watched the “Galápagos” island documentary about eight times.

I was there…

Grandmas’ waiting…

I came in to see Samuel singing to Jess as she labored intensely. So incredible.

To the tub again…

So Jess’ dad, my dad and my husband all hanged out in the living room. They were the relief from the intensity of everything going on.

Round three of makeup!

We’re all ready for the little man!

My mom is to the right, and below her is Jordan, one of the midwives.

Time went on and on. Things began picking up heavy. I watched Jessica torture and yell, cry, groan, and roar. I felt so helpless and so frustrated. My heart was grieving for her.

Her doula, Molly, was keeping track of the stages of her labor.

Yes, Jess is tweeting…

Meanwhile… my mom is cooking for everyone…

…while we’re sober and crying with Jess.

The lady to the right is Jess’ other midwife, Damaris.

So this is the point that I had to put my camera down and just cry. My brother was singing a song to Jess, and she would sing aloud between contractions. So powerful and extremely beautiful. I lay on the side of the tub and wept.

The beautiful thing about home births is you can go anywhere in your house and labor. Jess chose her back porch at one point, yelling loudly and pounding her hand on the railing, swaying her hips back and forth.

The sky at that moment…

To be continued…..

Want part 2? Click here

waiting on baby Gatlyn… 41 weeks

We are all still waiting for my nephew to arrive. He’s taking his sweet time, and his mommy is getting tired of waiting. Jess has been blogging since the beginning of her pregnancy, http://bohobabybump.blogspot.com/ .

Soon and very soon we’ll all have a new family member.

Want more? I did some photos of Jess Pregnant at 24 weeks click here