Anna Rose

This little peanut tugged at my heartstrings big time! Baby Annie is breathtakingly beautiful, already full of spunk, and happiest in her parents' arms. She arrived early, only one day after her parents found out they'll be outfiting their little bundle in pink. I had the pleasure of meeting eight-week-old Annie, her adorably sweet parents, Sam and Jo, at their home earlier this month, along with Annie's grandma and great-grandma! The evening was sprinkled with touching moments, happiness, and the awe a new little life brings. After a tough few weeks, Sam and Jo finally have their little blessing home, and can settle into every bit of delicious-ness life has thrown their way.

Thank you both, so much for the opportunity to document such an extraordinary time in your lives. Your family is beautiful, and Annie is immensley blessed to be surrounded by so much love.

Surrendering to Goodness

If you know me at all, you know I'm a wee bit OCD. A teeny, tiny obsessed with cleaning, organizing, improving, perfecting. Welp, I can be found waving the white flag. For now, anyway. See? I can't even think about truly letting it all go for very long. Sigh. At any rate, laundry is piled in the hall, the guest room floor littered with projects "I'll get to soon." Unused paint supplies sit next to unopened paint cans in the hall. Hey, at least we chose a color! Cookbooks lay open, recipes marked, but left for another day, underneath a calendar entirely too full for the two people that live in our home. I've been driving for a week wondering what the light on my dash means. I've forgotten to ask Matt about it FOR SIX DAYS STRAIGHT. October, you are one busy, wonderful, beautiful month!

My mom said something recently that reasonated through me today, as my to-do list grew longer. Sometimes you have to just let it go, and deal. So I'm doing just that. And relishing in the chaos. Because we've chosen it, and it's beautiful. And funny. Like seeing Matt drink V8 out of a coffee mug, because I forgot to run the dish washer. Again. Or my monster kitty carry a headband I'd left on the stairs in her mouth, most likely to hide it under the rug, like she does with all of her treasures. Most people learn to conform to chaos when babies are brought home; for us, right now, it's our baby business. And with it, comes nurturing, dedication and prioritizing. We'll be experts in chaos by the time a mini Sprinkle comes along! Until then, and probably still then, if you stop over and see dishes in the sink and heaps of laundry, well, everywhere, just laugh with us. Because without leaving it for another day, we couldn't have captured these moments... And this is what life's all about. The beautiful moments. And surrendering to goodness.

Here's a few sneak peeks to hold you over for just a wee bit longer! Those who are waiting on photos, thank you for your patience!

Baby Annie made her world debut:

 Katie and Brandon celebrated their engagement:

 And so did Stephanie and Johnny:

 And Deidre and Andrew:

 Nathan and Traci have a little man on the way:

 We captured the Eubank family's today:

 As well as the Arthur-Denunes:

Whew! Stay tuned.. lots of wonderful-ness ahead! Enjoy your weekend and Go Bucks!

A Husband Birthday

Today is Matt's 27th birthday. Twenty seven. I overheard him tell someone recently that he's "basically 30." Matt may have accepted the fact that we're on the backside of our twenties, but I, on the other hand, will continue to cling desperately until my grip slips, due to arthritis. Regardless, today is a good day. The day his story began, and without him, my story wouldn't be all is it today. My days are sweeter because of him, my past really, really funny; my future strong and happy. It goes without saying this wife loves her husband. But how much? Unmeasurable.

Happy birthday babe. I love you so, SO much more than I could ever express. I have a feeling your 27th year is going to be incredible. Incredible in that we've-worked-so-hard-and-our-dreams-are-becoming-reality kind of way. Here's to a lifetime of delicious beginnings, beautiful years, and sweet moments. Side-by-side. Hand-in-hand. But just to be clear, I plan on staying 29 for many, many years.

Senior: Michael

Matt's cousin, Michael, is just a cool kid. He has the exact sense of humor that always makes me laugh. Hard. Maybe it's because my youngest sister is witty and a wee bit sarcastic, so I get it. Whatever it is, Michael's hilarious, and smart, and destined for great things. And by great things, I mean you'll be watching him on ESPN. Michael's a ridiculously talented football player and is working toward playing in college. I won't spill the beans here, but I know his mama is hoping she can wear a certain couple colors and be supporting both her boys! I headed over to Springfield one Sunday morning last month for Michael's senior shoot. The day was filled with sunshine, laughter, and personal touches. We were able to get into the football locker room, as well as the field. I was thrilled he was up for different locations and was completely loving having so many details as backdrops. We took advantage of Wittenberg's campus, and downtown Springfield.. back alleys, fountains, graffiti covered brick. My ADD was in overdrive!

Michael, we can't wait to see where this life takes you. Wherever it is, reserve a couple seats on the sidelines for your cousin and his crazy camera-wielding wife. We love you and are so excited for your next chapter!

Lauren & Mike: Engaged!

Once in awhile, you come across a dream couple. Stunning, easygoing and willing to put up with a crazy lady plagued with ADD and a passion for shooting everything in her path. Lauren and Mike went to college with us. A few years younger, our stories are similar. Lauren and I are sorority sisters, Matt and Mike fraternity brothers. And like us, their first date was BOAT, a date party Pi Phi throws every year. It's obvious they love selflessly, and wholeheartedly. The fact that they are really, really adorable is just icing on the cake.

We met at Franklin Park Conservatory on an afternoon drenched in sunshine and my favorite yummy, golden light. It was easy to capture their love. It seems to be everywhere, surrounding them in a sweet bubble of happiness. Lauren and Mike, we absolutely, positively, cannot wait to spend your wedding day with you next summer. Enjoy your days as fiances!