Rawkin' Photographer

If you are thinking about updating your family pictures, getting engagement pictures, capturing the preggo belly, taking some new baby pics, or needing a wedding photographer, search no longer. Ryan Price is your man! Seriously, go to his website and check out his work at http://www.ryanpricephoto.com/. Then, go to his blog and check out his heart at http://thoughtsbyryan.wordpress.com/.

I learned about him through a blog a friend sent me when she heard we were starting the adoption process. Turns out he offers a free portrait session and CD for prospective adoptive parents so you can have groovy pics for your profile that is shown to birthmoms. This is the entry where he blogs about adoption photos. http://thoughtsbyryan.wordpress.com/2009/10/15/photos-to-adopt/

Here are his own words on the matter:

"For the last few years, I have watched and prayed with people that I am really close to as they embark on the sometimes painful, but always redeeming process of adoption. As I have journeyed with them on this road, my heart has been captured by the beauty of adoption. How wonderfully this simple act reflects the work of Christ in our lives. My eyes have also been opened to the enormous need for more couples to seriously consider how adoption fits into their lives. How as believers we are called to care for the orphan.

One thing that every family that is looking to adopt will need to do is create an album of pictures of their family and submit it to the adoption agency for the birth family to look over. In an effort to assist families looking to do this in a small way, I want to offer my services to you for FREE to get you one step closer to having a wonderful child in your arms.

Yep… you read that right… I’ll give you my standard family package [usually costing $250], because I want to be part of what God is doing in redeeming our world.

So, if you are in the process of adopting or know of someone who is, just let me know and pass this along. This isn’t even a monthly special or anything, but just an ongoing thing that I will offer."

AMAZING!! What an honor! What an awesome example of how our gifts can be used for the body of Christ. He took time out of the crazy, busy wedding and graduate season to take pictures for our birthmom profile. This was such an incredible gift! Not to mention, he made us look pretty spectacular considering I felt totally awkward trying to "act natural" with a camera following me. (Ryan did not make us feel awkward, it's a camera phobia thing). I see a camera and I start closing my eyes and smiling weird, or I tell myself to keep my eyes open, so I end up with crazy eyes.

So...... go on over and blog stalk him a little, then schedule a portrait session.

Free Patterns

If you sew and you want a free pattern go to http://www.sew4home.com/. I found patterns to make this towel and hot pad set to match my mom's newly decorated kitchen for her birthday. These are pretty basic. I am definitely a beginner.

Marble Falls

The weekend before Mother's Day we loaded up Maggie and took a little road trip to Marble Falls to visit Trey's family. Here's Maggie not enjoying the ride so much. Lots of sighs from the back seat.

Down on the pier. We told Trey's nephew, Jack, we were going to the pavilion and he kept asking when we would get to see the chameleon. :) I think he was a bit disappointed when there was no lizard by the lake.

....but not too disappointed.

Sweet picture of granmama and Jack that came as a suprise on my camera. Is that how it's spelled (granmama)? I need to learn these things.

Moving Forward

Yay! We just got our homestudy scheduled for Monday, May 17. Once that is complete, they can start showing our profile to birthmoms (given that we finish our profile). Guess what we'll be doing this weekend!?

Happy Birthmother's Day

Birthmother's Day is not actually today, but the Saturday before Mother's Day.

Today Trey and I attended our first of two trainings with our adoption agency. One of the topics discussed was open adoption and relationships with birthmothers. I have to say, this was one of the things that really scared me in considering domestic adoption. Now, it is one of the things I like most about domestic adoption.

There are a lot of misconceptions about birthmothers. One common misconception is that they must not care about their child to "give them up." I've even had a few people make comments to me about how it's such a shame that a mom could just give her baby away. Two birthmothers shared their stories today at the training and I must tell you, there is absolutely no truth in that statement. We got to hear these young ladies tearfully tell the stories of how much they loved their babies and how they weighed heavily the decision to parent, choose adoption, or even abortion. Adoption for them was not an immediate, easy decision. As they considered their options, they realized there was so much they could not provide for their babies. Both wanted their children to experience the love of a father and a stable family life. Something they desperately wanted for themselves as well, but just couldn't provide. It was painful and scary for them to think about another family raising their child. The only comfort came in knowing they would forever have a link to their child, an ability to know them, and a family who would commit to communicating the depth of their love. These women carried their babies 9 months, felt them move, held them when they were born, and changed their first diapers. They bonded with their little ones and deeply love their children. I can't fathom making this sacrifice. Birthmothers are brave. One of them even faced ridicule from her family who told her adoption was just like throwing your baby in a dumpster, an act of abandonment. These words were so wounding. Both of them shared how healing it was to be loved by their adoptive families and to see their children given the same love they have for their children. This is a huge source of peace for them.

Trey and I are excited and anxious for when the time comes to meet our birthmother. We so desire a close relationship to develop. We also know relationships are risky. We know all relationships hold the potential for great pain and also great joy. We want to take the risk or obviously we wouldn't be headed down this road.

We ask for you to join us this Birthmother's Day (or any day) for praying for our birthmom. Wherever she is right now, she has a tough road ahead. Pray for us too, that God would cast out any fear.