The July that changed EVERYTHING!!

I have always loved the month of July.  When I hear July I always think of summer...boating, BBQ's, camping etc. Well 2 years ago, July became my favorite and most meaningful month to me for a completely different reason.  This time, 2 years ago I held my baby boy in my arms for the first time.  It was the moment that something that I have always wanted, became a reality....it was to be a mom, to have a child and to be a complete family.  After years of aching for a child, many miscarriages, failed fertility treatments and lots of tears, we now held in our arms and had in our life, the most perfect gift ever.  

I learned a lot that day about selfless love.  As I held my boy, with tears streaming down my cheeks, I looked over at his birth mom who had just gone through 12 hard hours of labor.  The love I felt for her was instant.  I looked at her and she looked back at me with a smile on her face and I believe we both knew at that moment that this is how God intended it to be.  As we embraced each other later, the words 'I love you' was whispered from our lips to one another.  Those words couldn't have rang more true to someone than they did that day.  I love her for so many reasons.  I love her for giving me something that I desperately wanted, but couldn't give myself.  For trusting me to raise and love this child.  For loving her boy enough to place him with us because she knew she couldn't give him what he needed at that time in her life.  I loved her for her courage, for her faith and for her strength.  I loved her for this perfect baby that she allowed to call me 'Mom".

It was a year later that I ran across this poem and it is something I read often.

Once there were two women who never knew each other

One you do not remember, the other you call Mother

Two different lives shaped to make you one

One became your guiding star, the other became your sun

The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it

The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it

One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name

One gave you a talent, the other gave you aim

One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears

One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried you tears

One made an adoption plan, that was all that she could do

The other prayed for a child, and God led her straight to you.

Now, which of these two women, Are you the product of?

Both, my darling, Both, Just two different types of love.

---- Unknown

I have thought many times about that day in the hospital.  What a whirl wind of emotions we had that day.  Besides my wedding day, I know that was one of the most PERFECT days of my life.  If there was one thing I could have added to it, I would have hired a professional photographer to capture all those small moments, emotions and expressions that day in the hospital.  For me, I didn't have 9 months to watch my belly grow, to feel the baby kick, to have an ultrasound, or hear the heart beat for the first time.  All of my emotions and moments were in that very moment of the Dr. telling my husband and I to put on our gowns because the baby was ready to come.  I remember when he told me that, the tears started....and they didn't stop.  I couldn't believe that I was there in that room, at that time, preparing to meet the little boy I had only dreamed about for years.  The birth aunt got some amazing pictures that I CHERISH with all of my heart.  Those pictures say more than words can say.  I am grateful for those.

However; I have thought so much about that idea of having a photographer there, that I want to be able to do that for someone in that same stage of life that we were in.  So I am asking for all of your help.  If you know of a birth mom and adopted family that will be doing a 'placement' soon (in the state of Utah).  I would love to capture that moment for them...for FREE!   So please be my eyes and ears and keep me informed if you know of anyone that would be interested.

In addition to that, my August is getting pretty booked so I am limited with my spots but I am going to take $100 off my session for any adopted family that books a session in August.  It will be a first come, first serve basis for the first 3 families that contact me and book their appointment.

I have such a love for adoption.  It is amazing how my journey the last few years have led me to where I am.  My love for photography, my amazing family,a wonderful husband, friends and sweet little boy.  I have met some amazing birth moms, adopted families, adopted children and amazing organizations that have taught me so much these last few years.  I am grateful for all of them!

I took this picture a few weeks ago and it melted my heart.  This is why I feel so blessed...this is what completes me.