This past March I was able to be a part of something beautiful.
My cousin Kate was expecting her second child and asked me to photograph the special moment. Living 12 hours away made planning interesting... How on earth could we plan this?! (Looking back, I STILL just can't even believe how everything worked out. God is SO good!) She was two weeks early with her firstborn so we took a chance and guessed she would be early again. I flew to Michigan the last week of March- Two weeks before her due date. I was trying to entertain myself during my layover in Chicago when I received text messages saying "Kate's been contracting and may need to go to the hospital." WHAT!? Of course I started to panic inside, thinking, "Really?! I'm this close and I'm going to miss it?!" That flight was. so. long. I began praying and praying that Baby Judah would hold off until I got there! Sure enough, I landed and there was Kate- big belly and all! :) We headed from the airport to my Aunt Nan's because Katelyn was still emotional stable! (Inside joke- Loling to myself) Trying to convince Baby Judah to make an appearance, we went for a walk over to the park! Katelyn crawling through the play structure had us all laughing and made for some great photos. ;) After talking to her midwife she decided to get into the hot tub for a bit. After some time we started to eat supper and I think Katelyn might have made it through a couple bites before the emotional instability hit. We all knew what that meant. BABY TIME! FINALLY, we were heading to the hospital. (Of course we had to miss our exit just to make things a little interesting ;)) As we were driving to the hospital I just could not believe it was already happening!! We arrived and made our way through the hospital hallways and up the elevator and into our room. We got settled and from there I was able to watch and photograph my strong and beautiful cousin take on each contraction with grace. I'm sure she doesn't see it that way, but I'm telling you guys, she made it look easy! Strong. Beautiful. Amazing. I watched her hold her mothers hand and lean on her husband. The strength that only God can give was in her. He had her back! (Among other things! ;D) Baby Judah finally arrived and it was perfectly imperfect and hard and painful but beautiful and wonderful and unbelievably special! I get goosebumps thinking about it! It. was. so. awesome. Going into this I thought FOR SURE I was going to pass out or throw up. If you know me, you were probably thinking it, too! Haha!! When I finally had a moment to process it all... I. was. shocked. I had no idea I would love it all so much! It was the most amazing experience and I feel so blessed to have been able to be a part of it all. I was able to relax and enjoy the rest of the week with family. Which was THE BEST. Playing with Liam so Kate and Judah could nap, grocery shopping with Abi, chauffeuring Kate to the doctor and chiropractor appointments, Disney movie marathon, house hunting, newborn and family photos, ect. It was a lot of fun! But alas, Nebraska called and it was time to go home. (I think my husband was missing me so that's a good sign. ;)) I was sad to say goodbye but SO thankful I was able to spend time with my awesome fam- the Stewzoo! I have bunches and bunches of love for them all! Looking at these pictures brings so much joy to my heart! God's love and strength and joy and goodness is all over them. He. is. so. good.
The end
ps sorry for the novel
Not sorry actually I love it all
What I'm really sorry for is my writing... I am not a writer
I'm not a poet and I know it
I hope you liked it anyway
I tried guys
so
:)