Allen Fam

I am absolutely blessed to be a part of a fabulous church here in Austin. I love so many things about it! I could list all the things, but I'd rather you check it out and see for yourself.

For now, I thought you might enjoy some family photos of my outstanding pastor and his family.

The Allens have become dear friends of mine in the last year. I'm real thankful for the way God puts the right people in my life at just the right time. Jennie and Zac are so special to me.

Jenn needed some photos for her new website and Christmas cards so after work one evening we put together this speedy photoshoot before sunset. Who knew three kids could make such fabulous faces?

The kids were sick of the camera by the time we were finished, so we enjoyed some Chedd's and Yogurt Planet to compensate. A nearly perfect evening!!!

Thanks a ton, Allen Fam!

Adorable Arnims

This adorable family and I gathered before the holidays to capture some shots for their Christmas card. Unfortunately Dad had some things come up at work and couldn't make it (to his dismay - I'm sure), leaving me with beautiful Emily and her precious kiddos.

Dane, Blaine and Ashlyn are knock outs. This family belongs on the cover of a magazine.

Shooting families gets better and better for me. I feel so blessed to get time with such incredible people. These kids were a blast - as you can see.

It was so much fun to hang out with you, Arnims. Thanks for inviting me into your home! I hope your holidays were FABULOUS!!!

Isn't he just too cute?!

 

I gotta get me some of these kicks!

Feliz Navidad, Thompsons!

Oh Holy Sweet Family!

This little crew has become one of my favorites.

You may remember baby Ben Levi from his 2 month pictures. This little man is SUPER PRECIOUS! I've never seen such a content little one. He's a dream to photograph for sure.

As the Thompsons prepares for Ben's first Christmas, Julie and I came over to capture some sweet family moments. And sweet they were.

I can't get enough of the reindeer hat that Ben's wearing in these.

Check them out!

You're wonderful, Thompsons!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

My Day Job

I’m so excited about this post! I’ve been anxious to share all of this for quite some time. So, get ready!

Since November 2007 I have had the privilege of spending my days working for an incredible ministry. I wish I could adequately explain all that God’s taught me through my time here.

Here’s my attempt…

First of all, for some background, Children At Heart Ministries is a non-profit made up of several different agencies that work to serve children, and strengthen families. Within our ministries is

an emergency shelther for kids that have been neglected or abused and runaways

a residence for single moms and their kids to set goals and get their feet on the ground

a foster care agency

a ministry to at-risk kids in the community

a counseling program

a home for children whose parents are unable to raise them for one reason or another

& a ranch for boys with behavior problems

to name a few.

You might be more familiar with one of these specific ministries:

Texas Baptist Children’s Home

STARRY

Miracle Farm

Gracewood

To say that God has blessed me here would be a dramatic understatement. In a year and a half my heart has been molded and shaped in ways I never thought possible. My first grown up job out of college, at work in the communications department - this is the place that I learned to develop and maintain a website. This is the place that I learned to tell stories well. This is even the place that I fell in love with photography. Yes.

But I have learned so much more than job skills and hard work here.

It’s at Children At Heart that the Lord has broken my heart for what breaks his. He’s changed my story. He’s softened me toward things I never noticed before.

He gave the orphan, the widow, and the broken home a name and a face.

I hate that it had to take this for me to become broken and changed toward what he says is pure and faultess religion – James 1:27, but he knew I needed to be here.

Today, I'm more passionate about the orphan, the widow, the broken family, etc than I ever was before. I'm passionate about adoption and foster care -things that are messy and hard. But, with faces that are broken, unloved and alone floating around in my heart I'm absolutely unable to ignore the need.

I have to pray constantly for Christ's perspective in all of this. I beg God for faith to believe that he's still in control when this cruel world looks like it's winning.

It's been a whirlwind, and it's not been easy all the time, but it's worth it. It's worth it, because my heart's changed and I think I'll spend my life shouting from the rooftops about these kids and families. Veronique, Haley, Rob, Gloria, Jade, Andrea, Trinity, Jax...these are the ones we are called to love and serve.

There are so many stories to tell. Maybe I’ll try to tell some of them here over time.

For now I'll leave you with some photos (some is relative, right?) I've taken around here in the past year an a half.

Probably one of my favorite parts of my job is to attend events and photograph these kiddos for our publications. I'm so blessed to call this work.

Please, enjoy, ask me questions, and visit our website if you want to know more and sign up to receive our publications/mailings if you'd like to see more of what I do.

I love family!

It's been awhile since I last posted. I apologize. It's summer and life has gotten crazier (isn't that a little backward?). I will catch up on life soon, but for now I have to post this wonderful family's photos.

I had such a good time with the Dyers. I work with Rhonda (mom), so when she asked me to come photograph her family while her girls were both in town for a short break I was excited.

It was fun for me to watch this family interact. The Dyer kids are spread out similarly to my family with two older girls and a brother several years younger. We had a blast laughing at Taylor as we took these photos. (Sorry, Buddy, that I had to take you away from your skateboard a few times to get these.) This kid is talented. I even got him to play his guitar for me! Check these out.

Dyers, thanks so much for making me laugh and allowing me to spend some time with you all.