I want to be remembered for making people smile. For building genuine connections and making those around me feel loved. For lending a helping hand and for just being that girl that people have a really good time around! That’s what’s really important to me in this life.
My hubs. I feel like that's all I really need to say, haha. This man knows me better than I know myself, I swear it. He's been my best friend & solid ground for years and every day we grow more and more in love with each other. He makes me belly laugh, challenges me in the best ways and absolutely and completely adores me and that's all I really want in life. In him I have found a built in bestie for life, someone who gets excited over having Chipotle for dinner, even if it's the second night in a row. He doesn't hesitate when I want to build a makeshift movie theatre in our living room to binge watch our faves on tv and he always goes along with my wild ideas without once doubting I can't make it happen. This man has my whole heart and more and I'd be absolutely mad without him. Watching him become a daddy to our sweet baby girl has been the biggest blessing and the greatest treat!
I don't know about you, but there's something so refreshing about discovery. Sometimes you've just gotta get out and explore, whether that's in your own neck of the woods or far far away - I love going to new places and experiencing the beauty of somewhere unknown. It's an even better time when I get to bring the hubs and our two fur babes along for the adventure! And you already know that I'll be heavily documenting all the things that happen during our travels, drawing inspiration from every place, person and thing I come across. I can't wait to see where we end up next, and even better that the next trip we take will be taken with our daughter, Cai! It's going to be so exciting experiencing the world through her little heart!
Ohhhhh, Max + Stella. My big precious babes - where would I be in life if I didn't have these two wiggle butts to spend my time with every day?! I don't ever want to know the answer to that one. These two keep us busy that's for sure - they expect lots of love and attention and they deserve nothing less! If there's a beach day, they come with. If we go hiking, they're climbing rocks right alongside us. If we wanna sit and watch movies all night, they're the best ones to cuddle while doing it. These guys are our biggest blessing and our best buddies all in one and even though Stella farts like a man and Max whines like a hyena I still wouldn't have them any other way. They are the best big brother and sister to our sweet baby girl and she's so lucky to have them to grow up with!
Our sweet baby girl, Cai Lynn. We spent a long time trying to get pregnant. Years of fertility treatments, doctors appointments, lots of prayer, tears and feelings of defeat. God had a plan for us and He knew when we would be ready long before we did. In June 2021 I took an at home pregnancy test "just because". Wasn't anything out of the ordinary for me, except this time, to my absolute shock, the test read positive, and so did the second one. I've never cried so many tears of joy so quickly in my life. The overpour of instantaneous pure love I felt in that moment for this sweet baby growing inside of me hit me like a wave that wrapped it's warmth around me. That feeling grows stronger and stronger with each passing day, each passing coo and smile from my baby girl, the sweet morning cuddles and kisses. Hubby and I are over the moon excited to know and love our baby girl!
a few of my favorite things
If there's anything I've learned in life it's to enjoy it. Like seriously enjoy it. Embrace love every chance you get, laugh more, pray more and eat all of the cookie dough. You really have no idea how quickly things can change and life is pretty damn unexpected sometimes.
Back in May 2017 my mom was in a horrible motorcycle accident. She was thrown off of the back of a motorcycle and run over by a pickup truck. Unresponsive, she was immediately rushed to Shock Trauma. She spent 15 daunting days in the hospital before she could be released and I never missed a day with her. I washed her hair, helped her change her clothes, did her makeup and did everything in my power to make her feel loved.
One broken clavicle, four broken ribs, a broken spine, one collapsed lung and three surgeries later, she was released. I realized in those moments of caring for her how close we came to losing her. The thought absolutely tore me apart.
I realized I had all of these beautiful memories with my mom but hardly any photos to show for it. My mom very quickly became my 'Why' and I didn't realize it until every time our family was together they knew my camera was going to be with me and everything was going to be documented.
The connection I feel with each of my clients is on a much deeper level now. I know now from my own personal heartaches and experiences just how important photos are.