Helena is incredibly beautiful.  She looks so much like her daddy, but she definitely has her mommies big brown eyes.  Melt!!!

Isn’t their mid-century modern home amazing?!  It is privately set among trees and wooded area.  Karime paints and draws and is a true artist all around.  Her organic and beautiful taste is expressed throughout their home!

I hope to start taking more documentary family photographs.  Letting me into your home is what gets me excited to capture your family and make intimate photographs (and no, you don’t have to have a perfect looking home like this either ; ).  I love the real every day life with messes and all!

I could just drink her in..  Those hand dimples are too much!

Being her Mother has been so incredible.  After having two miscarriages, I often felt like I might not be able to have a baby.  There were many nights that I would lie awake and just wonder what it would be like to actually have a child.  When I found out that I was pregnant for the third time, I’m not going to lie,  I was terrified.  I really thought in my heart of hearts that I would have another miscarriage.  I remember going in for an ultrasound at eight weeks and just closing my eyes so tight.  I could not make myself look at that screen.  Then I heard the most amazing words….  ”There’s a heartbeat of 156.  I quickly opened my eyes and hot tears came streaming down my face.  I saw the most darling, tiny baby squirming around. that was it. my heart was stolen.  Little did I know that this love only grows stronger with each passing day.

This was a new years eve wedding. What a great way to ring in the new year!  The ceremony was here in Ames, IA at the Memorial Lutheran Church and the reception followed at the Scheman Building.  I am amazed that the grass was green and it was nice enough to be outdoors.  Congratulations Taylor & Robin -your wedding was beautiful!