Bill & Kristina Part 2

Thanks for coming back to see part 2 of Bill and Kristina's engagement session. After little outfit change, we went exploring more of Balboa Park.

Bill's smile with his girl at his side says it all. Perfection!

Seriously. Get out of here! So fierce.

LOVE!!!

I had so much fun with you two. I can't wait for your wedding!!!

Bill & Kristina Part 1



It's pretty amazing how God writes our stories, isn't it? Kristina and I were good friends in high school.  She has a fun, energetic and playful personality.  She drew me out of my seriousness and brought me along on her fun adventures.  Her parents were fun, she had a rad house to hang out in, and she was a good friend. Then, our older siblings started dating. Kristina is now my sister in law, by marriage.

After we graduated, we both went our separate ways with school.  We stayed in touch through family get-togethers. I remember the day when Kristina told me she had met up with Bill, and that they had been hanging out. And, I remember thinking that he could be the one for her.  We all went to high school together, but Bill hung out with different people.  I have run into him a few times since we graduated, and each time, he was so genuine and easy to talk to.  I have always remembered him to be a good guy, honest, caring, and a hard worker.

I could tell that Bill fell hard for my friend from the very beginning.  The way he would watch her from across the room, and be protective over her.  He let her know how he felt.  I'm fairly certain that Bill is different than most of the guys Kristina has dated, and I could tell because Kristina acted different with him.  She was more confident. She was happy. She was  more of herself than I think I've ever seen her be before.

Fast forward a couple of years, and Bill swooped in and took this girl off the market for good! It's an amazing feeling to know that your friend is loved.  Its amazing to watch it unfold before your very eyes. Bill LOVES Kristina better than anyone I have ever seen.  Bill, thank you for making my friend happier, and more of herself than I have ever known her to be! You two were completely created for each other, and I am so thrilled to be apart of that in some way. 

 

Now, to the pictures.  Kristina is amazingly photogenic, and because of their amazing chemistry, I have a LOT of pictures to share.  Here's part one!



 

 



Stay tuned for Part 2 on Friday!!

The day Brody was born

We all anxiously awaited the arrival of  my sister's little baby.  At Jen's 20 week anatomy scan, the technician found an oomphalocele on the baby's belly. Typically, that kind of defect is also coupled with other physical and genetic abnormalities. I remember my sister telling me about the phone call she received after the results from the ultrasound came back.  In tears, Jen, Daniel and I sat and prayed over that sweet baby.  Prayed, hard, that God would protect the baby, that the doctors would have all the information needed to proceed with care, and that Jen and Daniel would be strengthened and comforted as they walked a road unknown to them. 

They did a lot of testing, and watched the baby as it grew, and PRAISE JESUS, the doctors determined that there were no other defects, and that the size of the oomphalocele was fairly small. Still, the baby would need to have surgery within the first couple days of it's life. All so so scary and hard to process when you are still carrying the baby in your womb.

My sister was a champ.  She remained strong, calm, and graceful, which I know she attributes to God. Because of the potential complications and stress a vaginal birth can have on a wee babe, the doctors scheduled a c-section.

 Daniel texted my parents and I to come out into the hallway at 9:41 am.

 We all took guesses on what she was having. Most of us thought it would be a girl.  But to our surprise, it was a BOY!

 My sister's lips!

 Wheeling the baby into the NICU.

 They only allowed two people back in the NICU room.  My mom and I went in to find that Jen had just been wheeled in from her recovery.

 It was heavy, seeing him hooked up to everything.  And I even had the comfort of knowing that his defect wasn't that bad.  My heart broke for the other babies in the NICU, and their parents.

 Brody's sweet nurses.

His surgery went really well, and he is a healthy baby boy with a bellybutton :) I can only imagine the stories he'll make up as to how he got his scar.

Welcome to the world, Brody!! You are loved!