(Cripps Family/Maternity Photos)

Life is full of Seasons. One rolling right into the other. Then one day we look up and that season is completely over.

The next stage may be perfectly wonderful…but the other one is gone…existing now only as a part of our memories.

This young mother is taking stock of this very thing. This may very well be their last little one, her final pregnancy, and she and her husband want to savor it and remember the details. Without even realizing it, she is setting an example to her daughters to celebrate her growing tummy. To cherish this new member of their family that they already love.

She began planning early for this session. Thinking about wanting to be near her due date but not too uncomfortably close. She put thought into her clothing and the location. All the girls fingernails and toenails matched. How sweet is that? More sweet mother/daughter moments. I always feel the weight of capturing these memories because there is no going back.

God’s Word instructs us to spend our time wisely.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

Dear Father, help us to focus on what is of eternal importance.

Diapers must be changed, laundry finished and dinner prepared. But you promise to make the ordinary sacred and to be with us in the messy of our daily lives.

Pronounced Arr-ee-yuh

This little angel was a dream to photograph.

She had a very rough entry into this beautiful world of ours. She was born at 36 weeks weighing 4 lbs. and 8 oz. She has Tracheoesophageal Fistula and Esophageal Atresia (TEF/EA). She had to have surgery right away to attach her trachea to her stomach. After a 53 day stay in the NICU and enduring so much, her parents were finally able to bring her home when she was 8 weeks old. At this newborn photo shoot she was actually 11 weeks old.

But this post isn’t just about little Aria. Her young parents were expecting a healthy baby and were thrown into this unexpected heartache. They experienced so much during their long stay in the hospital. There was loss and grief all around them. In some ways it was a crisis of their faith. But they kept their hearts open, were real with their grief and fear, and came out joyful. Today, they focus on what they have instead of what they almost didn’t. I am sure there are concerns and challenges ahead. But they are walking obediently in joy and faith, trusting their Heavenly Father to enable them to meet those challenges.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Today, Aria is now 7 months old and weighs 14 pounds. She is thriving!

This spunky little girl is a sweet miracle.

This young lady is a bright light. What a joy it has been to be around her. She is experiencing some amazing big life moments within a few weeks time.

She will….
                    ….graduate from college
                            ……get married to the love of her life
                                    ……move to a new city AND
                                            …..begin a new job…which is also her passion…teaching.

But this I know…She will do all of the above while being grateful to the Lord for her blessings and when needed, leaning on Him for her strength.

Stride into your future dear girl.  It is coming for you FAST. A whole wide world of blessings and opportunities.

“Your Word is a lamp to my feed and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 (ESV)