Walk by Faith | Adoption

So much of the adoption process is having to walk by faith when there seems to be no rhyme or reason for any part of this process… You would think that this second time around that my heart and mind would remember what the lack of control feels like.  What it is like to obsessively check my phone for an email update letting us know that we have moved to another step in the journey. You would think I would remember how hard it is to watch your baby grow up in pictures.  To miss milestones like crawling for the first time, first tooth, first words, first birthdays.

It has been a struggle.  So many people have asked me is it easier the second time in our adoption. I’m not always sure if they mean if the process (aka all the paperwork and court procedures) will be shorter since we *just* did this or if they mean, emotionally is it easier since I am able to have one baby with me.  One baby home. My answer is always the same for these questions.  No.  Simple and true.  We had to go through all the same steps and procedures as we did previously with Davis, but this time, we had to do even more.  And emotionally, it has been so much harder for me and my heart.

While we were waiting for Davis, I didn’t truly know what I was missing. I loved him from the moment I saw his picture, but it was a different love when he was placed in my arms for the first time. I knew that moment that my heart would never, ever be the same.  That part of my purpose on this earth is to be his mama! And in the last 16 months that we have had him home my heart often feels like it will explode with the love I have for my child. So while we have waited the last 6 1/2 months for our baby girl, I now fully understand the love that a parent has for their babies. So it has made every emotion amplified time 100. And if you know me… my emotions are pretty much busting at the seams already anyway!! Just ask my husband:)

My heart is missing a piece.  Just like with Davis while we were waiting the long 11 months to bring him home.  A piece of my heart lives with our baby girl 7,000 miles away.  I ache for her to be in my arms! However, we got big news today that we have been approved for EP (emigration permit) and submitted to get a court date!! One more step completed and one more step closer to meeting our girl and standing before the judge saying we want to be her forever family!! So excited!!! We have been waiting a long 14 weeks in this one phase of the process. To have this piece completed takes a lot of anxiety away and more excitement can move into its place!

We are so thankful for the support and love we have received, and hopefully I will be writing again SOON telling everyone it is OUR turn! Our time to fly to Seoul, South Korea and hold our sweet Annalee for the first time.  Our time to meet with the judge and say YES to bringing our daughter into our family forever.  Please continue to wrap up in prayer as we wait for that moment and that God is already preparing her heart to join our family.  Thank you for walking along side us for the last two years!!

Nashville & Brentwood, TN Newborn Lifestyle Photographer | Baby Bowen

This family! Oh how I would photograph them every month if I could! Maybe even weekly! Their love for one another and their ease at being together makes this session even more special.  I have gotten to watch this family grow over the last 2+ years and I am so thankful that I was able to document Bowen’s first few weeks.  Bowen’s big sister did such a great job loving on him during our session.  She made me even more excited to bring our baby girl home (if that is even possible!) to see how Davis will become a big brother to his little sister.  Take a look at just a *few* of my favorites! I could have posted so so many more!

Lebanon & Mt. Juliet, TN Family Lifestyle Photographer | Collins

Here lately, new life is been breathed into my lifestyle family sessions, and I just couldn’t love it more. There is something so magical about capturing moments of life in a place that is special for your family. The level of authenticity that you can achieve from being in a family’s home is so incredible to see unfold through my lens.  I have been dying to share these sessions with y’all, and I am hoping this SPRING, I can really show you what I am loving capturing these days.  Because I have been capturing a whole lot of love and happiness lately!!

Take a look at this sweet family! Collins is the yummiest little thing with one of the sweetest smiles.  What a joy it was to be at this family’s home to capture LIFE as it happens, LOVE as it is, and the SIMPLICITY that can be documented.  Looking back at this session is one of the main reasons I wanted to learn about photography.  Through it, I get to freeze time, freeze a memory, freeze joy and love and happiness! Take a look at these simple moments of love!

March 23, 2015 - 2:03 pm

Sarah Hayman - thanks to YOU, I now have beautiful family pics all over our home. We ❤️ you!!!

Here we go again!!!

It is hard to believe that this time last year we were counting down the days (9 days in fact!!) that we would finally get to hold our sweet baby boy that we had been longing to hold.  This time last year we were filled with hope, anxiety, love, excitement, and nerves. We have now had our Davis home for 10 months! Ten amazing months of being a family.  He has brought so much joy into our lives that it is hard to remember what it was like before he became ours forever. And so, after 6 months home, we began talking about what we wanted our family to look like and how we knew it was not complete yet.  So we decided we wanted to grow our family more.  So we began the whole process again.  The home study, the home visits, the background checks, the physicals, and all the paperwork this fall.  Our home study was complete, approved, and sent into our Korea Agency on November 26th.  We had been told it could take about 6+ months for us to get matched with a sweet baby, and we were ready (as we ever would have been) to wait to see how God planned to grow our family. Just 6 weeks later, we get a call from our social worker that we have been MATCHED, with a precious baby, who I was in love with before I even knew the face I would soon call mine.

We are bringing home our sweet baby girl!!! She is 6 months old and her birthday is June 21, 2014. Our sweet Annalee Hope Walker will join our family forever and we could not be happier! We have been so overwhelmed and excited about growing our family.  We are just overjoyed to be sharing our news with everyone that has supported us through the journey to bring Davis home.  I hope that y’all will continue to pray for us as we bring our daughter home for South Korea! Just like Davis, we aren’t able to post any picture of our sweet girl until after her adoption is final, but I am happy to share any pictures we have with y’all if I see you out and about!!  Davis isn’t quite sure about what all this Big Brother talk is about, but I know he will be such a great one to our girl!!

***And because we have already been getting asked, here is the process! We send in our official acceptance letter and paperwork, we wait for lots of government and immigration forms to be sent, then we wait for EP submission and family court dates! We have a very vague timeline but truly no idea of “when” we will get to bring her to her forever home.  All we can do now is just hope and wait and pray that our sweet girl will be home SOON!!

Thank you again so much for loving on us and continuing to support us through this journey again!! We are just so grateful to be able to grow our family again through adoption!

January 12, 2015 - 2:48 pm

Janet Romano - Tears of joy as I read this! Praying for a speedy process.

January 12, 2015 - 3:03 pm

Molly Wantland - Oh, Rebecca!!! Wonderful news!!!!

January 12, 2015 - 3:13 pm

Ebba - Sending SO MUCH LOVE to you and your precious, perfect family :) Hopefully it won’t be as long as last time before I get to meet Miss Annalee!!

January 12, 2015 - 3:19 pm

Joey - Eeeekkkk!!!! I can’t believe it – this is just so exciting for yall!!! Love yall!!!

January 12, 2015 - 4:02 pm

Susan Noble - Awe, THAT IS WONDERFUL AND SO HEARTWARMING. Davis is precious. Davis and Annalee Hope are your GIFTS from God but you as their Mother and Father are there biggest and greatest BLESSINGS. Congratulations to your families so happy and excited for you.

April 1, 2015 - 10:52 am

Jessica - CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Can’t wait to see pictures!!!

Lebanon, TN Five Oaks Wedding Photography | Kalee & Jake

I have just been so excited about sharing Kalee & Jake’s summer wedding!! There were so many things that I just LOVED about their wedding. Here are just a few! I LOVE the intimate wedding that they had for the closest friends and family.  It was perfect.  I big fluffy heart love small, intimate weddings.  A second thing that I love about their wedding is they allowed me to be a huge part of their wedding day schedule with a large amount of time of pictures of just the bride and groom! Y’all! We got so much goodness during their portrait time after their first look before the ceremony.  It was perfection! I loved how happy and relaxed and excited and in love they were.  Makes my job so much more fun!

When I met with Kalee and her mom last year to talk about their wedding, I just knew it was going to be an amazing day.  And when I got to meet Kalee and Jake at their engagement session (after so many reschedules because of rain!), I knew their day would be full of love and laughter and fun.  I am so excited to share their love, their commitment, their excitement on their wedding day through pictures! Take a look!

Vendors

Ceremony & Reception: Five Oaks Country Club

Caterer: Five Oaks Country Club

Florist: Jessica with Fresh from CarryAnn

 Groom’s Cake: Clayborn’s bakery

Cupcakes: GiGi’s Cupcakes

Dress: Watters at Village Bridal

DJ: David Heimbach with FADDS Entertainment

Hair and Makeup: Alison Norrod with Alison’s Day Spa

October 3, 2014 - 3:58 pm

Jen Bales - Beautiful pics!!!!!!

October 3, 2014 - 3:59 pm

Tonya Corso - What a beautiful couple! Love your pics!

October 3, 2014 - 4:00 pm

Tonya Corso - What a beautiful couple!!

October 3, 2014 - 4:01 pm

Pam Beyer - Beautiful pictures, beautiful day, and beautiful family!

October 3, 2014 - 4:01 pm

Max Pankow - Simply beautiful! Such a gorgeous couple <3

October 3, 2014 - 4:02 pm

Summer Womack - Oh, Kalee!!! I love these. I’m so glad to see so many of your pics :)Beautiful.

October 3, 2014 - 4:03 pm

Judy Malone - I seriously can’t express the joy seeing these pictures just brought to my day. These are fantastic, what a talented photographer. AND WOW what a beautiful family. Kalee you just radiate love. You are beyond beautiful and Jake looks so smashing. I love you and thank you for sharing these with me.

October 3, 2014 - 4:05 pm

Wendy Yount - Kalee and Jake look wonderful! You really captured the happiness of the occasion. Lovely photography!

October 3, 2014 - 4:05 pm

Amanda Arnwine - SOOOO Beautiful .. they look like twins .. not mother and daughter .. These Photos are AMAZING !!!

October 3, 2014 - 4:07 pm

Lori Krausen - Kalee is such a sweetheart and that is definitely captured in these pictures! Such a natural beauty! <3

October 3, 2014 - 4:07 pm

Melissa A - Kalee looks absolutely beautiful! What a lovely wedding!

October 3, 2014 - 4:08 pm

Bill Sorey - Beautiful pictures of a wonderful couple!

October 3, 2014 - 4:09 pm

Jake Dillard - Thank you so much Rebecca!

October 3, 2014 - 4:09 pm

Jessica - Gorgeous!!! It was so exciting to be apart your wedding! Congratulations!!!!

October 3, 2014 - 4:10 pm

Melanie - Beautiful wedding! Congratulations to the couple!

October 3, 2014 - 4:15 pm

Diane - Absolutely adorable and beautiful all at once!!

October 3, 2014 - 4:15 pm

Amy Ritchison - Beautiful pictures ! So happy for Kalee and Jake !

October 3, 2014 - 4:18 pm

Rachell - Beautiful wedding!

October 3, 2014 - 4:18 pm

Carey Schneider - Beautiful!

October 3, 2014 - 4:21 pm

rosie vasquez - By just looking at these beautiful pictures I feel like I was there. I feel like part of your family. They are beyond beautiful. You make me want to get married again

October 3, 2014 - 4:22 pm

Deanna Teague - Congratulations!!! These are gorgeous!!! You look stunning!! The happiness and love shine through

October 3, 2014 - 4:23 pm

Dea - Beautiful pictures!!

October 3, 2014 - 4:24 pm

Emily gray - Such a beautiful day! I loved being a part of it.

October 3, 2014 - 4:25 pm

Christina Smith - Absolutely beautiful!! Loved looking through your photos!! Wish you both so much happiness!!

October 3, 2014 - 4:27 pm

Erin - Lovely pics for a lovely bride and groom! Kalee seems like such a happy person, and her happiness with her groom shines through in these pictures!

October 3, 2014 - 4:29 pm

Lyndsay Grisham - BEAUTIFUL pictures!!

October 3, 2014 - 4:34 pm

Marvin - Great pictures. Love the mix of vintage and traditional. Also love the use of the landscape and the freedom to not always have the subject be Center

October 3, 2014 - 4:37 pm

Sara Dano - Love this pics! They are such a sweet couple! Kalee is so beatiful! They are a nice looking couple! I am so happy for them!!!

October 3, 2014 - 4:37 pm

tara - Your pics are beautiful kalee! Congrats:)

October 3, 2014 - 4:39 pm

Cyndi Mills - Amazing pictures Kalee!

October 3, 2014 - 4:40 pm

Cheryl Keeley - What a wonderful job of capturing the beautiful commitment the two made on their special day!

October 3, 2014 - 4:43 pm

Kendra - Beautiful photos! Love that cake topper, too! Looks like you had a very special and memorable wedding.

October 3, 2014 - 4:46 pm

Carisa Norman - You look absolutely beautiful Kalee!!!

October 3, 2014 - 4:47 pm

Kim Sorey - This day was absolutely amazing!!! Everyone kept wondering when I was going to “lose it like a baby”. I will tell you what, I had a blast seeing my daughter so happy!!! The pictures are absolutely gorgeous as we knew they’d be from Rebecca!!! Such a special moment to share, and we feel like Rebecca is family now. I love all the special moments caught forever. I don’t know that I can pick a favorite from them. I love them all!!!

October 3, 2014 - 4:50 pm

Rosa Vazquez - Such beautiful pictures!! One can feel the happiness and love!!

October 3, 2014 - 4:50 pm

Brenda Fleming - Kalee had her mind set on Rebecca doing her wedding pictures. I mean it was the first thing she booked…even before the venue!! I see why!! Rebecca caught the amazing day beautifully. I love the one of Jake and me dancing, the one of Kimberly & me dancing, and of course all of them of Kalee!!!

Kalee & Jake are such a sweet and happy couple!!! I wish them a lifetime of happiness!!!

October 3, 2014 - 4:50 pm

Kristi Bell - Awwwww y’all are too sweet! Love these pics! They are truely genuine! Beautiful!

October 3, 2014 - 4:53 pm

Sam Fleming - Kalee is my beautiful granddaughter. It’s been a special bond to have to gotten to help raise her and then to see her this special day all grown up.

Jake is a good man, too. They make a good, strong couple.

All the pictures are beautiful.

October 3, 2014 - 4:56 pm

Christi - Beautiful photos!

October 3, 2014 - 4:57 pm

Erin McNabb - Beautiful and so fun!!!!

October 3, 2014 - 5:05 pm

Kaitlyn Rogers - These are beautiful! So happy for you guys! :)

October 3, 2014 - 5:06 pm

Morgan Cothron - Kaylee you were an absolutely stunning bride! I love all of your pictures <3 congrats !

October 3, 2014 - 5:06 pm

Jennifer O'Donnell - gorgeous!!

October 3, 2014 - 5:07 pm

kathy fleming - My gorgeous GREAT-niece and now nephew. Was happy to be there. Turned out to be a beautiful day and wedding. Kathy

October 3, 2014 - 5:07 pm

laura bova - You both look so happy!

October 3, 2014 - 5:24 pm

Elisabeth - The pictures are beautiful! Looks like it was an amazing day full of fun and laughter!

October 3, 2014 - 5:26 pm

Debbie Craft - Kalee is such a beautiful bride!

October 3, 2014 - 5:28 pm

Sheena Dodson - Beautiful!

October 3, 2014 - 5:33 pm

Terri Atwood - Your pictures capture the excitement associated with the awesome love you two have for each other. Beautiful wedding!

October 3, 2014 - 5:36 pm

Alexis mcchurch - Love them all!

October 3, 2014 - 5:39 pm

Susan - Beautiful photos and couple.

October 3, 2014 - 5:41 pm

Chelsea Williams - What a gorgeous wedding and a beautiful couple. So glad I was able to witness your special day!

October 3, 2014 - 5:41 pm

Jason Mull - Great stuff

October 3, 2014 - 5:44 pm

Jillian Campayno - So beautiful!!

October 3, 2014 - 5:45 pm

kt - Beautiful!!!!!

October 3, 2014 - 5:51 pm

Brent McAfee - You guys are so cute together!! That day was such a gorgeous day too!!

October 3, 2014 - 5:56 pm

Melissa Boone - You look beautiful! Love the shoes :-)

October 3, 2014 - 6:11 pm

Deanna Konzman - The pictures are wonderful!

October 3, 2014 - 6:12 pm

Dawn - What beautiful pictures! Such great memories

October 3, 2014 - 6:16 pm

Danielle Siders - What amazing pictures! LOVE the wedding cake and flowers! You both look so radiant and happy – breathtaking. I loved the mother/daughter pictures and the shoes! Thanks for sharing!

October 3, 2014 - 6:21 pm

Bailey - Your pics are beautiful kalee! :)

October 3, 2014 - 6:33 pm

Theresa Unger - What a blessed day captured. The photos are amazing! Memories to cherish for many years to come!

October 3, 2014 - 6:44 pm

Brittany - All of your pictures are amazing! You’re stunning and LOVE the shoes!

October 3, 2014 - 6:56 pm

Karen - I absolutely loved seeing your photos. Love your shoes!!

October 3, 2014 - 7:22 pm

Jennifer Lawrence - Absolutely gorgeous!!!

October 3, 2014 - 7:31 pm

Lucy - I’ve known the bride since she was a junior in high school and the photographer a little longer than that. Love you both!

October 3, 2014 - 7:39 pm

Barbara Herbert - Such a beautiful couple and family. Looked like so much fun! Love the sneakers!

October 3, 2014 - 7:39 pm

Cecilia Wales - Love all the pictures! Love you 2 more!!

October 3, 2014 - 7:46 pm

Nancy - Lovely pictures and loved the pink sicks

October 3, 2014 - 7:46 pm

Kacey Jo - SO BEAUTIFUL! Amazing pictures that captured the moment!

October 3, 2014 - 7:51 pm

Christina Ryskey - The photos are gorgeous!! What a beautiful wedding!! Congratulations to Jake and Kalee!!!

October 3, 2014 - 7:57 pm

Kristy Mickler - Such a beautiful and sweet wedding! These pictures are beautiful and you can see the love in all of them! ❤️❤️❤️

October 3, 2014 - 7:57 pm

Kelli - Love them!

October 3, 2014 - 8:11 pm

elizabeth cequeria - Beautiful pictures they captured such wonderful and real candid moments.

October 3, 2014 - 8:13 pm

Dana Stokes - Beautiful pictures!

October 3, 2014 - 8:38 pm

Anna Richardson - Beautiful photos!!! I love that cake topper!

October 3, 2014 - 8:52 pm

NJ - Such a beautiful wedding, congrats!

October 3, 2014 - 8:53 pm

Robyn Berger - Outstanding pictures! Congratulations to both of you!

October 3, 2014 - 9:02 pm

Elizabeth Marie - Wonderful tribute to a new team!

October 3, 2014 - 9:02 pm

Pam Nelson - Beautiful inside and outside! Fun to see them all!

October 3, 2014 - 9:04 pm

Morgan - STUNNING!

October 3, 2014 - 9:22 pm

maki - Kalee …… So PERFECT. Every single detail <3

October 3, 2014 - 9:23 pm

Rebecka mead - Beautiful pictures!

October 3, 2014 - 9:28 pm

Alison - Beautiful girl, beautiful family…. so of course Beautiful Bride inside and out ! Pictures are wonderful!!

October 3, 2014 - 9:38 pm

Mikayla Fleming - Beautiful pictures, so glad we got to help celebrate with y’all on your day! Congrats again!
Love you both,
Adam, Mikayla and Kayden

October 3, 2014 - 9:57 pm

Shelby Wales - I love these two! :)

October 3, 2014 - 9:57 pm

Laura Allem - wow! There are so many different feelings and emotions caught in these pictures – it’s amazing! Beautiful wedding + Amazing Photography = Memories that will last for generations!

October 3, 2014 - 10:11 pm

Brittany Falcone - The pictures are priceless!! Loved seeing two of my favorite ppl soo happy!

October 3, 2014 - 10:42 pm

Angie - Beautiful pictures!

October 3, 2014 - 10:56 pm

Jamie - beautiful pictures!!!

October 3, 2014 - 11:49 pm

Susan - Love your pics! Just beautiful!

October 4, 2014 - 12:56 am

Iris Garcia - Beautiful pictures! Congrats to you both :-) Love is a beautiful thing!

October 4, 2014 - 4:56 am

Anjie Fleming - I LOVE THEM!! I was blessed to be able to see it LIVE!! Jakester I am so glad you are part of our family now. We love you so much. Kalee you truly look like a princess. Such a precious soul you are. We love you both!!

October 4, 2014 - 6:26 am

Bob - I finally get to see all the pictures and not just a few at a time. Great pictures!

October 4, 2014 - 7:31 am

charity - Love them! They are so cute!

October 4, 2014 - 8:14 am

janet - loved being part of the day through these pictures awesome :)

October 4, 2014 - 8:54 am

Sandy - Beautiful! I love the tennis shoes and the cake topper! What a special day!!

October 4, 2014 - 9:28 am

Steve Evans - Beautiful doesn’t quite capture it, but will have to do! Wonderful pictures, classy couple. Congratulations!

October 4, 2014 - 9:41 am

Samantha Brittain - Love you lady! So glad I got to be a part of your day. You are gorgeous and jake is perfect for you :)

October 4, 2014 - 9:42 am

Eileen Clark - Gorgeous pictures! Love the sneakers and pink socks. Much happiness to both of you as you begin your new journey together

October 4, 2014 - 1:34 pm

Claren - SO BEAUTIFUL!
Love the white tennis shoes :)
and BOTH of your smiles when you showed him haha

Looks like a day where you couldn’t stop smiling :)

October 4, 2014 - 5:21 pm

Jennie - Beautiful Couple and amazing photos!

October 4, 2014 - 9:58 pm

Eugena - Beautiful pictures! Unforgettable memories!

October 4, 2014 - 9:59 pm

Yvonne Carbone - You looked stunning Kalee! Never more beautiful! Gorgeous pictures. Happiness and love to you and Jake always! God bless you both.

October 4, 2014 - 10:54 pm

Kayla @ TheEclecticElement - I’m SO in love with all of these pictures! It looks like you both had the ceremony and wedding of a lifetime and it’s all captured in these heartwarming, beautiful pictures :)

P.s. Those cake toppers are amazing and made me giggle!

October 4, 2014 - 11:55 pm

Ashley - beautiful!!

October 5, 2014 - 5:01 pm

Debbie bray - Kalee, the pictures are beautiful. Love the cake topper!

October 8, 2014 - 10:19 am

Bryan Kemp - The pictures look great! I love you guys!

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