Chico California Engagement Photographer::Tom and Amber

We have known these two for a few years now--that went by fast. Travis used to work with Amber and we are so glad that our paths have crossed. Tom and Amber really are sweet people and we have enjoyed getting to know them and spending time together. Tom has a sweet heart and Amber is such a hard worker. 

We are looking forward to your wedding next month, you two! Will be so great to see you as husband and wife!

I love Tom's smirk here...

 This wedding will be great and I know both of these two will be happy when the planning stops and they are mr. and mrs.

Congratulations!

Desires of my heart

With Mother's Day just around the corner, I have been thinking about what it will be like to be a mom. Yes, I know the stages children go through. I understand that I will want to pull my hair out some days and wonder which friend of mine will take my kid for an hour so I can get my sanity back. But, I am thinking more about the bigger picture--The desires of my heart as a mother.

I desire that my children know their maker.
I desire to be a positive role model--in spite of the times of frustration.
I desire that friends will come to me for advice and encouragement. Not because I act like I have it all figured out but because I love them and their children well.
I want to be humble enough to say I'm sorry--to my children and their daddy.
I desire that when they grow up, they say that their mom was the type of parent they want to be.
I want their friend's parents to want to have my children over to play--because they are respectful, loving, and well-behaved.
I desire for my children to know how much Travis and I love them.
I know I will not be perfect, that I will fall--but, I desire the strength to dust my pants off and try again.
I desire the patience to discipline well.
I desire to have enough thankfulness to not be a parent who complains about the stressors of parenthood.(remind me of this when I complain, please!)
I desire to acknowledge each day as new.
I desire for my children to have joyful hearts.
I desire the ability to model to my children how to speak the truth in love.
I really desire that my children strive to speak kind words to others and to think kind thoughts about themselves.

I imagine that when I have a newborn my desires will look like this...

I desire sleep.
I desire a maid.
I desire sleep.
I desire Jenny Craig.
I desire sleep.

Legitimate reasons...

I've had legitimate reasons of why I wanted an iPhone. I told Travis that once we have kids I'll want one for picture taking, videos, and being able to post said things online for family and friends to see.

We have had upgrades for our phones for over a year. Because our current phones were working fine, we didn't feel the need to get new ones. They started acting up...I am now a part of the cool people crowd. Just kidding. But, I do have an iPhone now!

I was laying in bed last night with our laptop on my lap and my iPhone in my hand--I was figuring out how to use it. Travis came over to me and started talking to my belly and kissing it--I know, he is wonderful. So, I told him to stop reprimanding our baby for making me sick(kidding) and to hold still for a picture!

One of the first Apps I got was Instagram--I am so excited! Will be fun to share photos of this pregnancy and just life in general. Right now my belly just looks chubby at night after eating all day. No one wants to see that. But, once I start to show there will be Instagram pics galore!

Thank you everyone for your sweet words! Will be a grand adventure.

Overjoyed

Travis and I are overjoyed to announce that we have a sweet, little, bun in the oven!

We got to see our little babe and hear his or her heartbeat at 10 weeks and it was very surreal and emotional. Right when we saw the baby on the screen, he was jumping around--it was so cute! 

I asked Travis after the appointment if seeing the baby made him love our little one. He said he already loved the baby before the appointment--melts my heart. I think I was kind of protecting myself, wanting to see the baby before becoming attached. Well, I am stuck like glue and keep looking at my belly in awe that there is a little miracle growing so perfectly. I am getting a little glimpse into that love that parents feel for their children and it is quite overwhelming--I'm already dreaming of kissing his or her chubby cheeks and seeing Travis love his baby. Ah!

Our due date is November 20th and we could not be more excited about the time of year our little babe will be born. Just in time to get lots of snuggles from family at Thanksgiving and Christmas time. We have a few Fall weddings to photograph and it will all work out perfectly. God's plan always ends up so much better than our own.

Yes, we will be finding out the sex as soon as we can. I am a planner and could not handle that wait. We will find out in June if this little one is a boy or a girl--then the decorating begins! (The Doc said the heartbeat was fast and sounded like a girl...)

Well, I really could write for days about my thoughts, feelings, etc. about being a mommy. But, I have about 7 more months for that and I promised myself that I'd keep this one short and sweet.

We truly believe that every child is a gift from the Lord and we are so thankful that we are finally going to get to experience this gift.