What can I say? When your kid WANTS you to take her picture, you don’t pause, or hesitate or even stop to think “what?????” You just grab your camera and RUN! haha

Just 2 pictures from Piper’s back-to-school night.

TOO big.

She’s getting too big. I need a Zach Morris Time Out “Saved by the Bell” style to keep her little

~Courtney

Something happened today. Today she grew up just a little bit more. Today she started first grade.

When I think back to the moment that I first laid eyes on her precious face, I can’t imagine that it’s all gone so fast. I remember feeling her warm and new in my arms. The instant love I felt as the doctors and nurses referred to her as “your daughter” and laid her in my arms. I was suddenly whole. My life had changed in an instant. It became fuller. Deeper. It had become better. Having her forever changed how I would view my life. It would make me a better person.

Piper is special. There are so many reasons why she is special that it would be impossible for me to list them all here. She is full of life. She enjoys every moment of every day and makes the most out of what she’s been given. We have a special bond, not just because I’m her mother, but because I’m also her friend on the deepest of levels. I know her needs before she needs them. I know her thoughts before she thinks them. I am more than aware of the reason for this…and put simply…it’s only because the Lord had chosen me to be her mother. He gave me what I would need to be enough for Piper. To be more than enough. Thank you Lord for that.

Each year that passes with Piper is bitter-sweet. She’s growing and experiencing life and it makes me bubble over with joy and yet somewhere deep in the hidden corner’s of my mind I’m very aware of everything else that is happening inside of her little body with each year that passes. She’s taking it all in stride, as only Piper can do. I’m merely honored to be the one to witness it through a mother’s eyes. Being her mother is everything I could have hoped for. It has changed my heart forever.

This image spoke to me on so many levels. Her lungs are constantly in my thoughts and prayers and so when I captured the above image I realized that this was a frozen moment of lung health. A moment when she was capable of taking a nice, long and deep breath free of struggle. A moment that will forever be mine…and now yours.

Piper, I love you.

Love. You.

xoxo

So, life’s a little insane.

Good insane, but insane nonetheless.

Insane is good. It keeps me motivated!

We just returned from 11 days in Florida, where we were able to spend lots of much-needed time with friends and family. We sure do miss everyone back home! It’s so nice being able to catch up and get some good quality time in. My brother and his family were down as well and Piper and Finley ADORED hanging out with them. I hope we’ll get to do it again VERY soon!

That being said…we DO love Colorado. It’s always tough being away from loved one’s, but we just seem to fit here. The girls are getting the care they need, the scenery is gorgeous, we love the change of seasons, Piper loves her school, Finley is making her own little friends and we love the community. Having my parents visit us here was a wonderful experience and I wish they could do that more often. I’d love to coerce them into moving here, even though I realize it’s a reallllllllly big long shot.

While I did get to hang out with family and friends during our visit, I also focused strongly on a ton of shooting. It felt good to get out and shoot in my old stomping grounds. I have such a FANTASTIC client base in Florida. Even after relocating to another part of the country, my Florida clients are still booking me and that makes me SO happy! I value my Florida clients and so I spend a good amount of time nurturing those relationships, even at a distance, because they are so incredibly important to me.

I wanted to post some images from my sessions in Florida in a series of posts. This first post is of the adorable McIlwaine family. Christy and Chad, thank you SO much for sharing your beautiful family with me! More sessions to come…

Warmly~

Courtney

I am SO blessed to have hosted my very first workshop with an incredible group of talented photographer’s this past Saturday at Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, FL. It was such a valuable experience for me…something that I will hold close to my heart forever. The attendee’s were an amazing blend of talent, personality and knowledge and we spent the day shooting, learning, laughing and making new friendships and lasting connections. I am especially grateful to the talented Annelis for her gorgeous work on hair and make-up for the evening bridal session. A giant THANK YOU to Christine at Fantasy of Flight for helping me to organize the entire event and for the countless phone calls spent making every last detail perfect. A massive thank you to my husband for being so supportive through all of this. For encouraging me to move forward with the workshop…for spending hours listening to me prattle on about ideas and random thoughts and for pushing me to be better. Thank you so, so, so, sooooo much to Erin and Jane over at Peppermint Pretty Designs for allowing me to photograph their gorgeous vintage inspired dresses! They were so amazing! You are so talented! Lastly and most certainly not least, an immense thank you to Philip at Music Ranch for allowing us to photograph the children’s session on his awesome property. Philip just might be the nicest guy on the face of the earth!

It was a labor of love that finally came to fruition on Saturday and I truly enjoyed every minute!

Here are a few images from the day!

~Courtney

Tonight I had the UH-MAZING opportunity to photograph the fall/winter line for Marili Jean accessories! If you haven’t seen Laurie’s hats (plus more!), you must MUST run over to her site and check all of it…everything…out! On top of being ridiculously talented, she is just the sweetest person in the world. I am so blessed to have crossed path’s with Laurie. When she asked if I would photograph her hats, I absolutely had to agree. This photo shoot tops my list as one of my favorite’s, for sure. The children were angels. REALLY! I was so impressed with how attentive and how incredibly well-behaved they were. Bravo to ALL of the mom’s and dad’s that came out and made this possible. Your children are just darling. DARLING! I loved each and every one of them Thank you for sharing them with me! I wanted to post a sneak peek just for starters. I absolutely ADORE this session. Please expect more. and more. and even more. I can’t decide which one’s I love most. So this could make for alot of photo’s! Stay tuned and much love!!!!

Check out this precious little face! Little Miss L’s mommy contacted me awhile back about a session for her adorable little one and I was so excited when I was finally able to meet her entire family. I was not at all prepared for the cuteness! Oh my! Miss L is such a sweetheart and even though mom told me that little L somehow woke up at 4:30 this morning, we still managed to have an awesome photo shoot with some crazy-cute images! I hope she slept good for you guys on the way home. Thank you so much for your kindness! I am excited to follow your sweet little one as she continues to grow!! Here is a little preview of the cuteness!

Much love~

Courtney

One. 3 letters that hold so much meaning to our family. We feel abundantly blessed everyday that we spend with our little angel. She has given us an immense love that we never could have imagined. Finley came into our family and made us a wonderful family of 4. We learn so much from her everyday. She is a snuggler. A fighter. She loves laying her head on your shoulder and holds her little head in the nape of your neck. She loves Oatmeal and Banana cereal. She says “yummmm” everytime you slide food into her mouth. She belly laughs at herself everytime she sneezes. The world’s lightest sleeper. Flips herself over during diaper changes and laughs hysterically, because she knows she’s being a stinker. LOVES her big sister to pieces. To pieces! Thinks Piper is the beginning and end of coolness. Will not drink her formula at any temperature that doesn’t resemble hot. Has the craziest hair I’ve ever seen. Falls asleep on mommy’s chest for mid-day naps in our bed. Can point to your nose and ears when you ask her to. Is a perpetual laugher. A happy baby. Happy in every sense of the word. LOVES her daddy. Giggles when Ripley licks her finger or when Marmalade, our kitty, rubs against her with her soft fur. All of these things that I list are a blessing. To think we came so close to not knowing her or who she would become just makes me adore her that much more. This little girl that the Lord gave to us, that He entrusted us with. It’s all miraculous and all glory is given to Him. We know that even though the doctor’s are still scratching their heads over you, that God knows you through and through. We never scratch our heads. We just trust that you are here for reasons beyond all earthly explanation. Thank you God for allowing us to raise, love and wrap ourselves in everything that Finley is. Thank you Finley for teaching us that it is possible to love this deeply. You are loved to the moon and back times a number that I can’t even imagine exists. You are loved. Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love~ Mommy, Daddy & Piper xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Two quick one’s of my little bug, before she grows up too quickly