The Oesch Family - A Wonderful Dose of Inspiration for the Approaching New Year!!!

I found Jenna and Rett through an email sent from my dear friend Gayla (yes the Gayla that is Mom to the precious and beautiful Anna).   She sent out a email about a co-worker that was not only experiencing the anticipation and excitement of the upcoming arrival of her first child, but who also had been thrown one of those life curve balls that leave everyone asking why?


Jenna was diagnosed with Breast Cancer after she went in for her 13 week check-up, and her OB discovered a lump.


Yeah . . . I know, it leaves everyone one in disbelief to read/hear those words.


Anyway, those of you that know me or who follow this blog, know that I lost my Mom to Cancer a year and a half ago.  So I decided to reach out to Jenna and Rett, and lucky for me, I got to spend an afternoon capturing them and their Baby Bump, Baby E, who I found out is officially Baby Emma (again a connection - my first born is Emma :)


They are the kind of people that you feel drawn to:  sweet, kind, successful, totally in-love, and projecting the aura of soon-to-be-parenthood.  They are inspiring, and if you are looking for a good dose of that inspiration you can check-out their blog at www.oeschfamilyblog.blogspot.com, where they have documented their emotional journey through their first pregnancy and their fight against Cancer.


Every time I get an update from their blog, I walk away in awe of the triumph of the human spirit, the power of love, and the wonder of knowing that we are all blessed with family and friends to help us get through the hard times.


Oh, imagine that, I have huge crocodile tears in my eyes  . . .


Meet Jenna, Rett and Emma :):):):):)

So I brought a chalk-board prop (thanks for the idea Lisa), and I asked

Jenna and Rett if they could say anything to their daughter, what would it be?

They quietly chatted, and Rett wrote their response to my question . . . love the pink letters.

Jenna, Rett, and Baby Emma,

It was truly an honor.  You were one of my favorite shoots to date.

Your spirits inspired me, and you continue to touch my heart when I get

updates from your blog.

I wish and pray for your health and your happiness.

And, I can't wait to read of your never-ending joys of

becoming a family!!!

Gianormous Hugs,

Kelly

Chris & Amanda's E Shoot

This November E shoot took the cake!!!  Chris and Amanda gave me total creative freedom on backgrounds.  I mean they went with whatever I suggested, and even gave me courage when I was a bit apprehensive about this one particular spot.  Let's just say there were a few characters that made this "Mom" tilt a bit to the nervous side, and yes, it is because I have lived in the "County" for too long!!!

Anyhow, these are some of my absolute favorites of the year, and putting these out here just brings the smiles to my face again.  Amanda is another one of those gorgeous girls that should be modeling full-time, and with Chris, they both created magic in front of my lens . . .

Chris & Amanda,

Thanks for being so generous with me in my need for

different backgrounds!!!!  I'm so crazy happy with

everything we got, and I'm sooooo excited to work

with you again in the future :)

Hugs,

Kelly

Meet the Whites!!!!

This gorgeous family came to me via the Fabulous Janet Maihles (once again, love you Girlie)  and what a story came from this one.  Debbie, Joe, and myself are all native Iowans, and through further conversation, I discovered Joe is from the same small, quaint, charming, blink-and-you-will-miss-it town in northeast Iowa that my Mom grew up in.  Yes . . . can you believe that irony?????  And through further conversation, Joe told me that he used to run errands for my Great Grandma.  He lived right across the street from her!!!!  I mean really, I would love to know the odds of that one?!

After our conversations on family and friend connections, we had a great afternoon of warm November light, and despite a super busy Forest Park, we got some great images of this beautiful family of 5!!!!

Dear Whites,

You were a pleasure to work with, and the Iowa

connection made it exceptionally special and memorable!!!

Thanks for being your sweet and easy to work with selves,

and Alex, could you share some of that energy with me?  I would

love to just have a fraction of what you have!!! LOL

Hugs,

Kelly