mark + liz • engagement • lubbock, tx

The first time I remember meeting Liz she told me that she wanted me to shoot her wedding. It was a very nice compliment, and I was flattered. She and her boyfriend seemed like people I would want to hang out with, but would never be cool enough to. :)

Fast forward to December of 2010- I am 9 months (waddling, cranky, tired) pregnant. Shawn's band has an out of town show ON MY DUE DATE. Knowing that he had a hormonal crazy pregnant wife, Shawn needed to find a replacement for the gig- and Mark stepped in. After that show, the band decided they needed Mark (and his mad guitar skills) full-time. 

I am so thankful to know these two, and so glad that we have shared life together. They are hilarious and fun to be around- and I'm so excited that I actually will photograph their wedding!

We had a great time at their Engagement session- hopping around Lubbock to some of their favorite spots- Crafthouse Gastropub & Experience Life.

buddy + belinda • engagement • lubbock, tx

Ok. I can't start this post without saying I feel a little old. I first met Belinda 5 years ago when I photographed her senior portraits. She was a fun, easygoing girl who was beautiful and self-confident and excited about the future. Fast-forward to today, and she's getting married! Even more gorgeous, it was so great to hear what the past few years have held for her and get excited about her future hubby, Buddy. These two were great to photograph, and we were able to incorporate a few of the things they love (besides each other, that is). :)

TK • senior • lubbock, tx

I love spring because it means I get to photograph seniors! This is TK- he is a senior at Idalou and involved in many things- including tennis. We had a great time hanging out around Lubbock and I loved hearing about all that he hopes to accomplish! He actually keeps a real "bucket list" in his journal. I have no doubt that he will do all listed and more. 

justin + angela • engagement • lubbock, tx

I got to photograph Justin and Angela's engagement session last week, and the weather was so beautiful! It was a perfect day- and these two were so wonderful to photograph. They were sweet to each other, and great parents to their son, Austin, who kept me laughing the entire time. He is such a sweet boy. I hope you enjoy these images!

life we live 4 • kings & queens

Hi everyone! Just wanted to let you know to head over to my friend Laura's blog, Life We Live 4!

She has generously offered to give a reader a FREE copper bracelet or art print to help support us in our adoption. The giveaway ends Friday- that's right- in ONE DAY!

I also wanted to share this amazing song with you all- if you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you know I had a good 'ol cry-fest when I first heard it. :) Such a beautiful reminder of how God is working in our lives right now.

One last thing- if YOU have a blog or website, would you consider adding one of our mini-banners to it? You can check them out below, and download them for your site from our adoption page.

harrison + henry • brothers • lubbock, tx

Oh my goodness- I can't wait to introduce you to these sweet boys. Not only do they have names I love and great style (way to go, Mom and Dad!), but they were so much fun to photograph. We had a great time running around and exploring- Henry is about to turn 1 year old, and was so happy and content the entire time. Harrison has a love for all things boy- most recently firetrucks and firemen, so I was excited to incorporate that into the shoot. Hope you enjoy these images as much as I do!

why ethiopia?

This is one of the questions we've had most lately. Our answer is pretty simple- timing. 

While it may sound un-romantic, we know it really isn't! Shawn and I have known for a long time that we would adopt- and honestly we both thought it would be from China. We have both been to China (Shawn twice, me four times) and experienced the orphanages there- held those children, played with them and hoped for them. I'm sure that our visits there were where God first stirred both our hearts for the orphan.

An image from my 2009 China trip.

Since then China's regulations have changed on international adoption- and not only do you have to be 30 to even apply (just one of the many requirements), but the process can take 6+ years currently. Once we applied with AWAA and were accepted, we were interested in two programs- China and Ethiopia. Knowing the timelines for a "healthy baby" from China were quite long, we were willing to look into the Waiting Child program. However, Shawn just turned 30 last week and it would be another 6 months before I would be 29 1/2, and therefore able to apply. The intake director at the agency asked if we'd be interested in Ethiopia- we were a perfect fit for the program.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia (and Africa in general) was become a frequent subject in our lives- and we didn't even realize it. My cousin and his wife adopted a precious little girl from Uganda last year. One of our first employees at the store is Eritrean (Ethiopia's neighboring country). My parents were meeting Ethiopian exchange students in my hometown. Some of our friends adopted their sweet baby girl from Ethiopia. (I photographed them HERE.) The day after we applied I texted Shawn this image from Starbucks:

Haha, so that may just be a LITERAL sign on the wall. :)

When it came down to decision-time, one thing mattered. The timing. We didn't expect to have a year like we did last year. I thought I'd be having another baby this month or next. We just had to trust that God had us exactly where we needed to be (ready for another child, but without one)- and that IT WAS TIME. That meant that I wasn't 29 1/2 yet, so China was out of the picture. And that Ethiopia was wide open. 

I have doubted the decision- worrying that we made it too simply- that we didn't have the faith or the patience to wait for China. But just days in I can't deny that God has shown us in so many ways that this is right.

The biggest way, by far, is the support of our friends and family. We have been absolutely amazed and overwhelmed by the number of people willing to buy a bracelet, share our story on Facebook, or send us a donation. You all have been the perfect picture of God's faithfulness to us, and we are so thankful.

 I joke that I've cried more in the past week than I did the past year- but they are all tears of joy.

As always, I am constantly updating our Adoption Page with new things that are going on. I can't wait to see the amazing things God does in us and through us while we wait!

ryan + jennifer • wedding • inside four bar k

Ryan and Jennifer were married just a couple of weeks ago at Inside Four Bar K here in Lubbock. The venue fit their personalities perfectly, and the day was a fun and relaxed celebration of this sweet couple! I loved getting to work with these two- they are both so, so nice and not surprisingly, so are their families. Enjoy!

Wedding Gown: Alfred Angelo

Groom + Groomsmen Suits: Tuxedo Junction

Hair: Anna Wilson

Venue: Inside Four Bar K

Floral: Box of Rain

Cake: Lisa Meadows, Lamesa, TX

Catering: Inside Four Bar K

DJ: Inside Four Bar K

What was the most memorable moment about your day?

“The first look by far!! Seeing my fiancé all dressed up before the wedding made things more relaxing on stage. It was a very emotional experience and helped calm us down so we didn’t get as nervous on stage. I highly recommend others to do the first look even if you are traditional. It’s worth it :)”

— Jennifer

Ryan's mother is deceased so the talented people at Box of Rain Floral incorporated her wedding ring into Jennifer's bouquet. I thought it was a beautiful- and Jennifer said it was her favorite detail.

our adoption video

To announce our pregnancy with Knox, Shawn and I made a stop motion video and shared it with our families, and then with everyone on my blog. We figured that since we now have a "paper pregnancy", we needed a video for this baby, too. Enjoy!

Also, say a quick prayer for Knox today- we decided it is time for the paci to go!

cole + betsy • engagement • lubbock, tx

Before I share the photos of this gorgeous couple, let me first just say....

32 degrees. Light snow. 

That was the forecast for the day of their photoshoot. I knew that I was certainly willing to shoot in the cold- there is something about the quiet winter atmosphere that can be so romantic- but I wasn't so sure it would be the most comfortable situation for my clients. That's when I got an email from Betsy saying that "Cole and I are willing to freeze a bit". I wanted to hug her right through my computer!

Snow it did, and freeze they did- but I am so, so thankful that they were willing to do so. I will never forget walking with them, talking about their past and future adventures, and trying not to shiver too much! This couple is definitely special- not just because they are willing to stand and smile in the freezing cold- but because they knew it was just another chance for to make a memory together- memories that they'll get to reminisce about every time they see their engagement images.

I can't wait for their wedding and to see where life takes them!