Baby “K” truly is a beauty and she is the first of my clients I have photographed since giving birth.  It feels good to slowly get back into doing what I absolutely love.  Here are a couple of my favorites…

Transitioning into this new role, has been one of the most painful and challenging adjustments of my life.  The dying of my old self, being thrown into a role that is completely sacrificial, the dying of my husband and I as we knew it.  Nobody told me that shedding my old self would be one of the hardest things I would do.  I knew life was going to be different, I just didn’t know how I would handle and react to everything.

My mom reminded me of a scripture I would quote when I was a child to help me get through the obstacles I faced then.  “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength (Phil. 4:13).”  It is such a simple verse, but very powerful.  I can’t help but think of becoming a Christian as relation to this new motherhood process.  Christ calls us to deny ourselves daily and give our lives to Him.  This process can be painful, but when we let go, and let God be God in our lives…we are new in Him, free, and complete.

As I shed who I once was, although challenging, I know I will come out a better person.  At 2 am, when the dark is all around me and I am cradling God’s greatest creation, I am being redefined.  When I gaze into his little face, I am reminded of God’s love for me and He is holding my hand through this transition.  I can honestly say, I don’t want to be the person I was before Christ came into my life.  I know being a mother will make me a better person as I am being redefined.

Here are a couple of images of our new family from the lovely Corrie Owens.

My husband and I had the wonderful opportunity of spending some time in Rome and Florence, Italy.  It was an amazing trip and am so glad I got to see Europe before I have this little one.  Here are a few images from our trip:

After I got back from Italy, I had the opportunity to go to Justin and Mary Marantz Spread the Love Tour again.  If they are ever in Charlotte again, whether you are a photographer, graphic designer, or some other small business owner, I highly recommend their seminar.  It is so inspiring and will challenge you to do what you do even better.

In April I got to participate in Central Church of God‘s High Heels in Action 5K (my 2nd 5K and I beat my time from 2010 by 2 minutes .  The proceeds go to help stamp out human trafficking.  I plan on participating in this year’s race as well.

In the beginning of June we found out we are expecting!  It definitely came as a surprise, especially considering what we were going through, but we are really excited.

I also had the opportunity to go to another David Jay seminar in Charlotte.  It was another inspiring and stimulating seminar that I would highly recommend to photographers.

Another thing I wanted to do before I had children was go on another international mission’s trip.  In July, I had the amazing opportunity to go to Ambato, Ecuador with a team (including my parents) from Central Church of God.  We were able to see the beautiful country of Ecuador, share the love of Christ, and work with the most gorgeous and precious children in the world.

In August, Tracy and I celebrated our 6th anniversary.  We had the lovely and talented Megan of Lime Green Photography document these images for us.

In September we found out we are having a baby…boy!!

I had a very busy Fall season and we were able to get away in the midst to visit Tracy’s family in the Charleston area…a well needed break.

I also had two very special baby showers and I turned the BIG 3-0.

We had another lovely and talented photographer (Jenna of Red, White & Green Photography) document us for our maternity pictures.  Baby Jax Alan is due in just around a month (which is SO hard to believe).  I know my life is about to change drastically and I do not know what to expect by becoming a mother, but I do hope I will become a better person and photographer.  I just want to THANK YOU to all the families that allowed me into your homes and lives to document what is near and dear to you.  I can’t wait to see what 2012 holds!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas weekend.  I am trying to get things back to normal after a break from work while visiting my husband’s family in Alabama.  It was nice to get away for a few days.  Now, I have only 5 more weeks to prepare for a baby!  So crazy to think!  Onto this lovely family…

they are one of my favorite families, as I have been photographing little Clayton since he was just a few days old.  It has been such a pleasure watching them grow.  I am so glad we were able to do a session before the New Year.  We had an awesome evening to do them as well.  Thank you so much, “C” family.  I hope you enjoy your enjoy your slideshow here!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

In honor of me turning the BIG 3-0 tomorrow (gasp!), I thought it would be fun to have a giveaway here on the blog and on my Facebook fan page.  Here’s how to participate….

* Write a comment here on the blog or on my Facebook what your favorite holiday tradition is.

*Anyone can participate, both current and past clients, friends, people I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting, and family.

*I will announce the winner at the end of the day Friday, December 16.

*The giveaway is a Starbucks giftcard (who wouldn’t want that?!).

 One of my favorite holiday traditions is that my mom, my sisters and I have an ALL day cooking baking day and then we go caroling that night.  Happy commenting!

 Here he is now as a grinning, adorable  1 year old.  I had the pleasure of coming back to the “M” family’s home to photograph their family this year.  I barely recognized sweet Graham, as he has changed and grown into such a handsome boy.  We started off in the backyard, and then ended up in his nursery where he showed me the toys he plays with, books he reads, and how he is almost walking.   We finished up the session with him getting a taste of his first cupcake in honor of his 1st birthday this week.  He didn’t know what to think of it at first, but as you can see in the pictures, he warmed up quickly to the idea of chocolate.   Thank you so much “M” family for allowing me to document this milestone.  I hope you enjoy the slideshow here!