[Partin Family] & Ruby Ann's 6th month

There are days when the incredible job I get to do overwhelms me with joy. Today was one of those days.

Two of mike and I's closest friends recently returned home to the Dominican after a long stent in the States. Their family of two became a family of three. I was jealous and envious of so many people that got to hold their little one before I did. I was sad that I didn't get to take newborn pictures of her like all our other staff babies. But my wait was nothing compared to Will and Audrey's.

So as I was taking pictures of this little family of three today I couldn't help but stare at each frame. In fact, on the way home in the car as I was flipping through them all I couldn't keep myself from tearing up. I was in awe of God's grace. I was reminded of the story that he writes for each of us. The story He wrote for Will and Audrey. The hardships and the struggles are such a small part in comparison to the glory He unfolds every day. Little Miss Ruby Ann's smile is a perfect example of God's glory and grace and His unfathomable love for us.

You can read Will and Audrey's adoption journey, here.

my favorite of the day :)

The Perez Family

I had another opportunity to photograph one of the missionary families. If you've spent time on our blog before, you would have seen there faces many times!

It's been fun to know them through their engagement, wedding and then with children. And what a unique opportunity I've had to photograph all those special milestones here and here and here. (I also photographed their wedding but can't seem to find that post!) Enjoy their most recent pictures and their awesomely, energetic toddlers! Woo...have they got their hands full!

my favorite from the day

sweet Stella, we became fast friends this day! i loved finally having some time with these girls!

the adorably rambunctious, Amelia!

can you tell which one's which? they are much easier to keep straight in person (amelia-left; stella-right)

The Leach Family + Colton turns One

i never knew being a missionary was in my cards. i always wanted to have my own studio. take pictures of families and kids and engagements. i thought when god called me to the mission field i'd have to give up all that. little did i know god would bless me with opportunities beyond what i could ever dream up myself.

i work (and i use that term loosely because we actually do life together) with a group of amazing people. couples, families, singles...we are a tightly knit group of friends, a family really. so when sunshine and eric asked if i could take some pictures for them, i was so excited.

i have done some other missionaries' pictures before. i love doing it. i love being able to balance my job and my love of photographing people, right where they are in life. sunshine and eric's son, colton, turned one in september. so we did a little combined one-year shoot and a family shoot. it was so much fun and sunshine and eric are incredible parents. i loved watching their little family through my lens. enjoy!

can you say, baby model?

this was a total accident, and i totally love it!

The Rogers Family

still catching up on posts from our crazy, awesome summer. and one of the families i got to photograph was the rogers family. i've taken their photos several times before and it has been so fun watching their kids grow up. jeff and vicki are missionaries that mike and i work with. they are currently stateside and come down several times a year to encourage their supporting church's on their mission trips and do ministry in the country they love.

i had a quick opportunity while they were here in the dominican to photograph them and their kids. and let me tell you, this family is one of the easiest families to photograph. the kids are always chill, they smile, the smirk, they grin...they make my job easy! enjoy!

hey there, sweet ella!

sophi and raena

Perez Family

catching up on some of my recent shoots...the perez family and i had a quick little photoshoot in our friend's backyard. it was fun and quick and amazing that we got as many great shots as we did with two very busy girls. stella and amelia are awesome. and already declaring their individual personalities. enjoy the photos...

papi and his daughters...so adorable

love this mama

this face cracks me up

little amelia

vivacious stella

"what? we didn't do anything..."

"are we about done? i need my beauty sleep."

"oh my gosh! i totally want to switch stuffed animals with you."

"it's ok, stella, i still love you."