crystal
Last week was a rough week. Just very hard. I am a little behind but am working on the slideshow for Adam and Tabitha's wedding from last weekend. It was an amazing wedding filled with so many touching moments. Here is just a peek at....
.....a loving relationship between a mother and her daughter....
....a touching ceremony.....
....stunning details....
....complete adoration....
.....and.......a little craziness!
The complete wedding will be posted very soon! I can't wait to share it with you!
~ Crystal
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The good news is that our new website is transitioning over. The bad news is that this has put a kink in our emails. Sarah's email is totally down right now and will be for another day or two. My email spent some time down yesterday and last night. Unfortunately, if you contacted me during that time I did not receive it and will not receive it. Please resend whenever you get the chance. Thank you!
Crystal
I don't really know how to begin this post, so I am just going to start.
I struggled throughout my entire pregnancy with Drayden. I was at risk, and there wasn't a day that went by that I didn't wonder whether or not I would have a healthy baby. I would wait anxiously for every one of his movements to tell me that he was okay. Sometimes I would find myself holding my breath under the stress, and I wouldn't realize I had held it until I would deeply exhale. I lived in fear. It was the worst fear I can imagine, and it is no way to live.
Yesterday my worst fear became a reality for one of my dearest friends. Sarah Bussey Adams went for a routine checkup with only a couple of weeks left before her due date. When the doctor checked for a heartbeat there was none. No heart beat. No movement. An ultrasound confirmed the worst fear imaginable, and she was alone. Then Sarah - the strongest woman I know - was checked into labor and delivery to be induced to go through labor and to give birth to her precious baby girl Mamie. When her sister Britney called me yesterday afternoon I could tell by her voice that something was not right. She said the words that I had thought all those months that I would hear, and as she spoke I sank to the floor and succumbed to the most intense grief I believe I have ever experienced. Grief for Sarah. Grief for her wonderful husband Taylor. And grief over the loss of Mamie. The rest of the day was a daze.
I got the call this morning at around 4:30 AM that Sarah had given birth. Mamie Katherine Adams was born at 3:15 a.m Thursday, June the 25th. She weighed 5lbs.11oz. and was 18 inches long. Britney told me that Sarah would like photos. I grabbed my gear and immediately headed towards the hospital. I arrived to find Sarah and Taylor completely surrounded by their family and some close friends. And Mamie was absolutely beautiful. Perfect. A sleeping angel. My heart ached and tears flooded my eyes as I worked this morning for my friend. And all I could think was, "If I am hurting this badly.....my God, how on Earth to they feel?" The pain that Sarah, Taylor, and their families feel right now is unimaginable. One thing I know is that Mamie was already loved more than many babies are ever loved.
I am writing to plead with you all to lift this family up in your prayers. They are blessed to have such support from their family and friends. Sarah has amazing clients who are reaching out to her as well. I have already heard from several of you in the photography community who want to know what you can do. I know that they appreciate you all so much. Every little thing right now will help them make it through each day. I know that they have a funeral they will be planning. No details have been announced yet, but please check her blogfor information if you want to know what they plan. And while you are there, please take a moment to leave her some love and encouragement. Let's all flood them with love right now and pray for God to give them peace and strength and some answers. Oh, how I pray they get answers.
I want to finish with this beautiful poem I found online today. It moved me, and I hope it moves you too.
And, Sarah, if you happen to read this blogpost anytime soon please know how much I love you. You are one of the most amazing people I have ever known, and I will be praying endlessly for you and Taylor. My heart aches for your loss. I am here for you whenever you need me.
I thought of you and closed my eyes
And prayed to God today.
I asked what makes a Mother
And I know I heard him say.
A Mother has a baby
This we know is true.
But God can you be a Mother
When your baby's not with you?
Yes, you can He replied
With confidence in His voice
I give many women babies
When they leave is not their choice.
Some I send for a lifetime
And others for a day.
And some I send to feel your womb
But there's no need to stay.
I just don't understand this, God
I want my baby here
He took a breath and cleared His throat
And then I saw a tear.
I wish I could show you
What your child is doing today.
If you could see your child smile
With other children and say
"We go to earth and learn our lessons
Of love and life and fear.
My Mommy loved me oh so much
I got to come straight here.
I feel so lucky to have a Mom
Who had so much love for me
I learned my lesson very quickly
My Mommy set me free.
I miss my Mommy oh so much
But I visit her each day.
When she goes to sleep
On her pillow's where I lay.
I stroke her hair and kiss her cheek
And whisper in her ear
"Mommy don't be sad today
I'm your baby and I'm here."
So you see my dear sweet one
Your children are OK
Your babies are here in My home
And this is where they'll stay.
They'll wait for you with me
Until your lesson is through
And on the day that you come home
They'll be at the gates for you.
So now you see what makes a Mother
It's the feeling in your heart.
It's the love you had so much of
Right from the very start.
(Jennifer Wasik)
In Christ,
Crystal
Now that Ashleigh is happily married I can safely share some of her amazing bridals with you guys! First of all I have to give Ashleigh major kudos!! We went all over downtown Little Rock and she did anything & everything I asked of her! She even had some great ideas of her own! So Ashleigh, you rock girl!!
So soft & sweet :)
We had some crazy wind that day but it made for some really cool veil shots!
Who knew concrete could look so great in black & white??
Ashleigh's sister/maid of honor came along to help and also get a few shots together. It was fun getting to work with two gorgeous girls!
LOVED Ashleigh's blue shoes!! They matched the bridesmaid dresses perfectly!
Work it girl ;)
We were having so much fun & Ashleigh was being such a great sport I practically begged her to let me get some nighttime shots of her with the 5D Mark II. But with Ashleigh you never have to ask twice when it comes to pictures! She loves the camera almost as much as it loves her!
I'm not sure what it is but there's just something I love about this candid shot of Ashleigh looking down at her dress...
I seriously want to hang this one on my wall!! LOVE IT.
We ended the night with Ashleigh's final request, a piggyback ride for her sister! So cute!
Thank you again for being so great Ashleigh!
- Sarah
Last weekend I found myself back in the small town where I grew up for the first time in a loooong time. It was so great to make the trip down to photograph Christian and Tammy's BEAUTIFUL wedding! You may remember these two from the amazing San Francisco engagement shoot that Sarah had with them earlier this year. They are living in San Francisco until Christian completes his residency, but they made the long trek back to Arkansas to be married in front of all of their closest friends and family in the church where Christian grew up and have an elegant reception in Christian's parents' absolutely incredible backyard. We were blessed with such a gorgeous day, and everything went so well! Here are a few of my favorite moments and details from the day. Don't forget the slideshow at the end! :)
Tammy had a bridal session with me the morning of the wedding since she couldn't make another trip from San Francisco to do them. Here is one of my favorites from the gardens in Christian's parents' backyard.
Isn't her bouquet beautiful? It was also very sentimental. Of course, the C is for Christian, and the T is for Tammy. A ribbon that Christian's mother wore in her hat the day she married Christian's father was wrapped around the stems of the bouquet.....
....and a cross brought back from the Holy Land was carried in the back of the bouquet close to her heart.
Another favorite bridal shot....
Christian and Tammy chose to see each other before the ceremoy - which I always love! We arranged for their first look to be in some gardens across the street from the church. It was so romantic and so beautiful!! And these two are just so sweet!
I have to brag on him - Christian is a natural at "the dip"!! Really! You should have seen these two and how low they could go! :)
Church rules kept both Sarah and me in the back of the church during the ceremony, but I believe we still got some great shots.
A quick kiss in the car after the ceremony. Love this!!
The reception was amazing in the gardens! Beautiful flowers and lights, a wonderful band, and GREAT food!
You absolutely must CLICK HERE and enjoy their slideshow! :)
Christian and Tammy - Sarah and I had such a wonderful time celebrating your wedding day with you and your families! Thank you for letting us be a part of it all. Everything was absolutely wonderful! We hope you had a wonderful honeymoon, and I guess we will be seeing you again in a month! :)
~ Crystal and Sarah