All you need is Faith

This is my closest friend, Amanda and her little girl Faith. Amanda and I grew up with eachother, from the time we were two years old. I love her more than you could ever imagine. She is the closest to a sister I'll ever get. To me, she IS my sister. She's everything a sister should be, and more. She is an amazing woman, with an even more amazing heart! I feel so blessed to have a real sister to lean on.

Amanda is also a single mother. She is such a wonderful mom! She is the strongest woman I have ever met. I am so proud of her for all she has accomplished. Amanda is living proof that single mothers CAN succeed by themselves.

So, on to the pictures! Bare with me, there is a lot of them!

Little Miss Faith. Such a beautiful girl!

Getting into a leaf fight!

Faith really enjoyed the leaves!

A quick snuggle break.

My FAVORITE!! Amanda, I think this is the one you should blow up HUGE for your living room!!! :D

Amanda has always thought this train track would make a neat location.

She looks so grown up here.

I LOVE this shot!

She looks so small, doesn't she?

Faith did so great during our 5 hour long session! She did not start to really break down until the last 20 minutes or so of our day out. I wish all my clients could last as long as she did!!!

Mini Pearl And Her Brother Charlie

This is Aylin Pearl and her big brother Charlie. I had a blast with these two kids! They were so sweet and fun! They were so happy and very well behaved. Oh, and I think Ailyn and Charlie are the two best dressed toddlers I've ever photographed! Andrea, it was so great meeting you and your sweet children. I hope you enjoy your sneak peak and I will see you soon!

Artsit fave. Look at that sweet face!



Belly laugh....

The dinosaur says....ROARRRRR!!!!!

They are so sweet together. Charlie is a great big brother.

Artist Fave. Such a tender moment.

Missing in action???

Well I hope my readers haven't given up on me yet! The past week and a half has been crazy here! My son came down with the most horrible case of the croup and a few days later, he gave it to me. Oh, how fun! Then, just as I am getting better, my computer goes crazy and dies on me!!! The past few days have been so stressful. My computer is very ill and needs repaired. It will be out of commission for a copule weeks. Obviously, I can't go that long with out my computer, internet and email! So I broke down and bought a new computer yesterday. I've been wanting a new computer for a while now anyway. So hopefully, I will not be MIA again! Thanks for being patient. Stay tuned for a new sneak peak post with a fun brother and sister!!!

For the love of Aidan

Today I had my first Celebrating Adoption session. What an awesome experience!

Meet Aidan. He is such a charming little guy! I think Aidan thought we were on just some big play date! He was exploring the area and taking me by the hand to show me all the cool places he was finding. Aidan loves airplanes, trains and dogs. He carried around this adorable little stuffed puppy that he so lovingly calls "Dog-Dog". This little blue puppy goes everywhere Aidan goes. It's so cute!

Terrah, thank you so much! You have an amazing heart and a beautiful gift from God. I had so much fun today! I am so excited to show you the rest of your session!




Oh, and you can't forget about Dog-Dog

As we were walking back to our cars, I tried to sneak an extra shot in. I love this shot, it's so funny! You can just imagine him saying "Please, no more pictures". haha!

For more information on Celebrating Adoption please visit their website

http://www.celebratingadoption.org/

Superhero

UPDATE: Jon-Jon went to the cardiologist yesterday and he has a healthy heart! The doctor said that his heart murmor is not big enough to harm him in any way. He has no restrictions on sports or activities. He will not need medication or surgery. Thank God for that! The cardiologist said that Jon-Jon will eventually outgrow the murmor.

Thank you all so very much for all the wonderful thoughts and prayers you sent our way. I am so thankful that I have so many amazing friends (whom I've never even met) that care so much about my family and me.

We still have a long road ahead of us. We still need to have the genetic testing done. I do not know when that will be yet. I will keep you all updated on our progress.
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Do you have a super hero in your life? I do! He's only 28 ponds and 3 ft tall. He's my beautiful son, Jonathan. He is definitely my hero. He has taught me so much about love and life. Jon has taught me more than he'll ever know. I look at everything he is faced with every day of his life. He's overcome so many obsticals since his birth. How does he do it? Where did his amazing strength and bravery come from? Jon is simply amazing to me! A beautiful soul, so brave and strong.

Most of you know our struggles with our son's health. Well, we have some new answers and even bigger questions now. We overhauled Jon's healthcare and switched him over to all new doctors. We researched and found some of the best doctors in the area to look at our son. He loves his new pediatrician and we do to! she is great! And she actually WANTS to find the answers to what is happening to him.

So we go to see her for the first time on Wednesday. She examined Jon-Jon and said a few things that I was not expecting to hear at all! First off, she said Jon-Jon has Sensory Integration Dysfunction. That part is not surprising at all. Our OT has been talking to us about SI Dysfunction for a couple months now. The next part was shocking though. She said that Jon has a large heart murmor and needs to see a cardiologist. So Jon has to go see a children's heart doctor on Tuesday. He will have an echo cardiogram to see how severe the murmor really is. He also needs to have a genetic blood panel test. They are looking for Fragile X Syndrome (a common form of mental retardation that can vary from mild to severe). A lot of Jon's characteristics and behaviors match up with Fragile X. There is no cure for Fragile X. Just ways to manage the symptoms and behaviors.

We were so shocked and scared to hear this news. I'm scared for Jon-Jon. But I am having to be HIS hero in front of him. No tears in front of him. All that will do is make him stressed and worried as well. He has enough to deal with. I have to be brave for my hero. I have to show him my strength now.

Please, if you believe in prayer, pray for Jon-Jon. Tell your friends, family and co-workers to pray for him. I believe that prayer and our Faith in God will get us through this.

Hug your babies tonight and praise God!

My hero. So brave and strong.




He bites his lower lip when he is being michevious.

My favorite!

Look mommy! Airplane!

Even a super hero still needs his daddy.

Flying Lessons.

(click storyboard for larger view)

Xavier

This is sweet little Xavier Gavin. I just love his name! It is such a unique and strong sounding name. I can't help but wonder what little Xavier's personality will be like as he grows! This little guy happened to be the most alert newborn I have ever photographed. He only slept for a few minutes! In a way, I was quite pleased that he was awake for almost the entire session! It allowed me to capture those beautiful eyes of his!

Marrissa, I hope you enjoy your sneak peak. I am so happy for you! Your dream of motherhood has finally come true. Your son is beautiful!