I had the happiest time ....

...in Texas! I told y'all I'd have something special for you when I got back, so here it is. If this was an email, it would be titled "long but worth the read", but y'all this is good stuff. I promise it will make you smile!

Okay, so...the pictures are of my friends Liza & Joel. I've known Liza & Joel a long time. They are a sweet young couple, hardworking, lovely home, terrific family, etc. etc....the whole package. They are as in love today as they were when they were dating in college over 10 years ago. Sadly, when Liza & Joel decided to start a family a few years back, like many of us, it didn't come easily. After two disappointments, they learned they were going to have a beautiful baby girl last year. Unfortunately, it got complicated.

Against all odds their beautiful Bella was born in March of 2007. Sadly though, she never came home. Although she fought like a tiger, her little lungs just never developed properly, and sweet Bella left us last October, right before Liza's birthday. Shortly thereafter, they decided to pursue adoption, and expected a long wait before they would become parents again. Amazingly, just 9 months later (yup, you can do the math - Bella and her new baby brother absolutely crossed paths in Heaven) Wyatt came into their lives. And as you can see, they are very, very happy to have him. :)

When Bella was born, an amazing photographer named Jennifer Weintraub of Sugar Photography in Dallas (who y'all have heard me mention more than once on this blog) did a Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep session for Liza & Joel. They were the most beautiful, emotional pictures I had ever seen, and served as inspiration for me to finally pursue this "photography thing" that I had been playing around with. Since then, along with other photographers all over the country, I've followed her work by visiting her beautiful blog almost daily. Well, y'all remember this post last fall regarding the Photographer who I was so excited about hearing from? It was her. She was kind enough to offer to let me tag along on a session, and as I was finalizing my travel plans to head down, we learned that little Wyatt would be arriving during my visit. So of course, she jumped all over the chance to do another heartfelt session for my dear friends, who are now - once again - a family.

Tagging along on their session (and another one earlier in the day) was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I know Jen gets emails and requests all the time from both newbie & experienced photographers, and I also know a lot of us out their would like to see her in the workshop circuit one day, so to be able to spend the day with her was incredible. I know she doesn't have the time to help everyone who seeks her out - don't know why she chose me - just lucky I guess. I learned more than imaginable, and I am COMPLETELY re-inspired. I'm also hoping she decides to start a mentoring program, as I feel her expertise is truly invaluable, and would be incredibly beneficial to other photogs as well. Plus, she is incredibly nice and funny - big bonuses. I'm so happy to call her a friend!

I also got to spend some good *quality* time with the fam (always bittersweet b/c it's never enough time, but great) see a few old friends, and (as promised) I ate more Mexican Food than I probably should have. As I told my husband last night - there is now a little bit more of me to love!

On that note, I'd better hit the gym. Stay tuned for more pics from my trip....and CONGRATULATIONS again to my sweet friends on the adoption of their dear Wyatt. Don't worry, you will sleep again one day. Hugs, PB