For this child we prayed // Pennsylvania Maternity Photography

Wow.  It has literally been months since I have blogged.  Between the holidays and being halfway through a twin pregnancy, things have been a bit crazy around these parts.  But I am still doing sessions here and there, and hope to back blog some of them one of these days.

In spite of all this, I had to blog this one shoot.  It was just too special and beautiful and perfect to not share.  I mean, just look at my subject!  And I am blessed enough to know her as my cousin, Jennifer.

Sometimes God's blessings come as surprises and sweep over us.  And sometimes they come after a time of desire and prayers.  This sweet little boy in Jennifer's belly is one of those blessing that was prayed for, wished for, and desired greatly.  

Jennifer and her husband David were two people who just obviously seemed meant to be parents.  Fun, adorable, kind-hearted, giving, compassionate, and lovers of Jesus, they just seemed like a perfect fit to me.  I prayed that in God's perfect timing they would become the amazing parents they were meant to be, the day that I heard the phone call announcing a little blessing was on the way, I let out a scream of joy and tears caught in my throat.  Thank you, Lord.  For this child we prayed.

The first time I saw Jennifer after that (she lives in Georgia, so we don't see enough of each other), she was 20 weeks pregnant and had just found out that her sweet one was a baby boy.  David James was a name on all of our lips as we excitedly discussed his arrival in the Spring.  I can honestly say, without hesitation, that Jen was (and still is) the very picture of that pregnant "glow."  I have never seen anyone look so radiantly pregnant, and I am convinced that it is because she and David are just so very aware of the gift from God that their son is.  She exudes joy and gratitude.  She prayed for this baby with her whole heart, and she is enjoying carrying him with her whole being.  It is incredible to watch.  So many women (myself included) can get very tired and grumbling through pregnancy.  Sometimes we take for granted the incredible miracle that it is.  Jennifer wears her prized bump with joy and thanksgiving.  It is obvious when you look at her.

Last weekend, Jen was up north again for her baby shower.  We were so overjoyed to celebrate David James' coming.  The next day, Jen and her mom (who is going to be an amazing super-grandma) joined my firstborn and I in an overgrown field to take some maternity photos.  I so wanted it to be special.  And God knew.  He smiled at us through the fields, and the sun was glorious.

I am so grateful to capture a small piece of this joyous time.  David and Jen are surely going to be the most incredible parents to David James.  They are hand-picked by God for each other, and he will be welcomed with so much love.  It is my prayer that as he grows, David James knows how fervent in prayer his parents were as they waited for him.  I am sure from the moment he is born, he will feel how loved and blessed he is.  For this child we prayed.

Natalie's Dream Come True // Delaware Portrait Photography

I am just going to warn you, this is the craziest story ever.  I mean, things like this don't actually happen to people, not in real life, that is.  But apparently, they do, because I got to bear witness to one of the neatest fan stories ever, starring my friend Natalie.

About a month ago, Natalie was squealing in the church hallway because she had just won a contest.  She called me over and I could see her struggling to keep her voice at a normal decibel as she told me about her desire to see the new Hunger Games movie Catching Fire.  I knew that she had originally wanted to see the midnight showing on opening day, but because of her sweet sister's upcoming wedding, attending a midnight showing right after a rehearsal dinner was not really a viable option.  But instead of buying some next day fandango tickets, Natalie took matters into her own hands, and entered every contest she could find that would get her to the Hollywood premiere of one of the biggest movies of the year.  Yeah. Right.  That'll work.

And by golly, she WON!

Yes, Tiger Beat Magazine (one of the contest sponsors) is sending this girl to Los Angeles a few days before the rest of the country gets to see Catching Fire.  She gets to sit in the same theater as Jennifer Lawrence and Woody Harrelson and Josh Hutcheson, and see this awesome movie that I have been trailer-stalking for MONTHS before anyone else.  She gets to walk on a RED CARPET.  She get's to bring her dear sister with her and stay in a fancy hotel room.  And to sweeten the deal, she gets to wear a fabulous dress courtesy of promgirl.com (the other contest sponsor).  And of course, they had to send her several to choose from.

So what do you do when you have a bunch of gorgeous sparkly dresses to try on for the Hollywod premiere of a movie in your favorite franchise?  You have a photoshoot!  We had so much fun running around Natalie's yard in ball gowns, standing in the middle of the road in sequined dresses, and earning the stares of many neighbors.

But the biggest joy to me was seeing how happy Natalie was.  A hardworking, kind, and serving student, she is busy and under stress all the time.  She does so much for others and is such a friend to everyone.  An out-of-this-world adventure is such a sweet gift to her.  And as much as I was fully willing to offer my chaperone services for the premiere, I am so thrilled she gets to share such an incredible event with her big sister right before her sister gets married.

Natalie, you are beautiful.  I am sure you will turn heads at the premiere and have the time of your life!  Say hi to J-Law for me!