Jason and Carley are having a baby!

Jason and I used to teach together at Providence Christian School of Texas.  He was passionate about young people then and continues to be today where he now serves as the Pastor of Student Ministries at our church in Frisco.  His wife Carley shares his passion for young people and serves right beside him in the youth program.  I was so thrilled to finally meet her today. 

During our son's recent scare with epilepsy, Jason was there at the hospital with us while we waited for our MRI results.  He prayed over our son and spent time talking to us to help take our mind off the situation.  That's Jason.  He's just an overall great guy who genuinely cares for others.

Jason and Carley are expecting their first baby on May 14th.  (Enjoy your last couple weeks of freedom, you two!)  Jason was so sweet to treat Carley to a professional maternity session.  He even had the perfect location in mind.  We met up at Fountain Place located in downtown Dallas where they have enjoyed many evening strolls over the years. What a beautifully landscaped courtyard!  It is absolutely gorgeous! 

Throughout the session I felt like I was in the mountains or near the beach.  The sound of the rushing water was so soothing.  At times, though, the water was so loud that I had to resort to a game a charades just to communicate with Jason and Carley.  Fortunately, they caught on quick and the session went smoothly.  I really enjoyed the morning.

Here are a few of my favorites, Jason and Carley.  I can't wait to meet your little baby in just a few short weeks.  My prayers are with you for a healthy delivery and a healthy, happy baby!

Miracles in Abundance

Five years ago, three weeks before her upcoming wedding to Jason, Jen was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease.  While most newlyweds return from their honeymoons to the joy of unpacking their china and settling into their new homes and life together, Jen and Jason began the terrifying journey of chemo treatments to fight Jen's cancer - the very day they returned from their honeymoon.  

After 10 months of chemo and then a man of radiation, the doctors did a scan which determined that Jen's lymphoma had not been cured.  It was threatening to take her life.  Jen then received a stem cell transplant, which by a gracious act of God, cured her of her Cancer. She remains cancer free to this day!

Longing to start a family together, Jen and Jason were told by her doctors that she would be unable to get pregnant.  Yet they were confident that God had other plans for them.  They applied for adoption and waited excitedly to meet the child the Lord would bring to their family.  They were accepted and welcomed their daughter, Kaelyn, shortly thereafter.  18 months after adopting Kaelyn, they received remarkable news.  God had yet another gracious gift to bestow upon them.  Jen was pregnant!  Kaelyn would be a big sister.

For more reasons than one, this maternity session was such a wonderful experience for me.  Not only was I blessed to be able to witness their miracle first hand, I was thrilled to be able to provide a fellow photographer with some images I know she and her family will treasure.  

Like me, Jen started her business, Ellyn Roberts Photography, about a year ago.  I am thrilled to know that I was able to bless someone who gives so selflessly of herself to her own clients.  If you live in Northwest Indiana and are looking for a wonderful photographer, you can contact Jen at ellynroberts@gmail.com.  Jen specializes in studio photography but loves to photograph outdoors as well. 

Though the weather was freezing during our session, my heart was overflowing with the warmth of God's love for this family - for all of us. We may not all receive miraculous healing in the way this family has, but God blesses each of us daily with one miracle or another - if only we dare look for it.

Congratulations, Jen, Jason, and Kaelyn!  I pray your life is full of many more blessings to come!

Great Expectations

In this season when many of us celebrate the birth of Jesus and look forward to the festivities that come along with all the holiday celebrations, Jason and Shannon's family is expecting a little arrival of their own.  Baby number four is due to arrive early January, but by the looks of Shannon's blossoming bump, they just may have a Christmas baby in their own family.

I wanted to let you all know that this will be my last post until after the 29th.  I'll be checking my email, so if you still want to get in on the Senior Promotion, it's not too late.

Now, seeing as this lovely family has to wait awhile until I can get their client gallery up, I decided to give them an extra special sneak peak.  It is the season of giving after all.

I had a wonderful time with you guys!  Enjoy!

I saved my favorite for last...

Merry Christmas, Everyone!