I met this mom over a year ago, about the time I found out I was pregnant with Clary.  She wanted to take some private camera lessons, and one lesson has turned into several mentoring sessions.  We have had fun getting to know one another.  I love how much she goes after learning photography.  She wants to learn as much as possible and work hard on this so that when her husband’s job takes them back home to Chile she can start her own business.  Apparently portrait photography is not as popular there…which is crazy with such a colorful, fun, warm place like Chile.

So here she is, ready to have baby boy #3 any day now.  I can’t wait to meet him!  If he is 1/2 as handsome as his brothers you’re in for a treat!  🙂

I just loved shooting this session.  It was so bitter cold outside, but we stayed toasty warm in the studio.  🙂

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year!

What a day this was.  Somehow, someway, mom and dad didn’t let themselves find out if this would be a girl or a boy.  It was amazing to watch this baby born and then the whole room burst out yelling ‘it’s a girl!’.  That moment was worth the 9 months of waiting.

I still find the miracle of birth fascinating.  That we can go from this to that… (image below)

For the past 3 years I have done this and am always amazed at the powerful stories you share with me.  This year I want to share an update on our 2010 single parent winner, Andrea.  Here is what Andrea wrote to me:

“At the time I won the single moms contest in early 2010, my husband of almost 15 years had just left our family for another woman.  It was a sad,hard, and confusing time.  However, I knew that God has never let me down, He was faithful.  No matter how hopeless I felt,  I knew he would pull me through.  My kids are doing so much better and I would never take back the closeness that I have with them because of our struggles.  I have recently been blessed with being able to build my own home through the blessings of others.  It’s my first home and I am so excited!  The kids and I moved in just last week and we are already making incredible memories in our new home.  I am so thankful for the opportunities I have been given and I feel so empowered by all I have been able to accomplish being a single parent.”

I hope her story will give someone the encouragement they are needing today.

Make sure you share this with your friends with Facebook, Twitter, email, etc..  Let’s make sure this reaches as many single parents it can!