Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Amber is Graduating!


Amber will be graduating from Arizona Christian University this weekend! She is getting her degree in Education and I can tell just from getting to know her a bit during our shoot that she will be such a great teacher! I'm glad we were able to fit this session in before Amber's big day and I hope the best for her as she begins her career.


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Happy Birthday Ivy!


My baby girl turned 4 today! She is a little firecracker with lots of heart and she brings her dad and I so much joy AND excitement:) I am so thankful for the gift that she is and can't wait to see how much she learns and grows this next year of her life!


And I just love the back of her top, little girl clothes are the best!


Friday, May 3, 2013

Waiting...


The past four months have been a whirlwind of activity. My husband and I were busy filling out paperwork and making appointments that were needed. Each week we had class and articles to read and our home became baby central as we filled all the empty spaces with our daughter's items from her infancy. And now after all the busyness of preparing ourselves to become foster parents, we wait. Because of some unfortunate changes in the licensing department we have to wait quit a bit longer than we had expected. I was pretty downcast about the whole situation but I was reminded of a few things from some good friends that have helped me keep things in perspective. Romans 12:12 says, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Even though I wish that the process would move a lot more quickly I have many reasons to be joyful right now. Maybe my daughter needed this extra one-on-one time before the baby came and since I completely cleared my schedule we have had just that! And maybe the baby that will be joining our family has not even been born yet--that sure puts things into perspective. Patience is never an easy thing to master and I am sure I will need a lot of it as a foster parent so this is kind like my first lesson in the process:) Jake and I felt called to do this and I have to keep reminding myself that God is in control of the situation and His timing is perfect. He wants me to learn to trust Him so I will. Even though it is hard I know there is a purpose in it. Romans 12:13 goes on to say, "Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Our purpose is to do just that so I choose to be joyful, patient, and faithful while we wait.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Family


There are some big changes happening on the Norton side of my family so it was important to get some family pictures taken before it all begins. My brother and sister-in-law along with their two little boys will be moving out of the country next week and are planning on being gone for the next two years. Jake and I have been finished with our foster care training classes for about two weeks now and are waiting to get the news that we are officially licensed. So with all that said it was important to capture this moment in our lives and we were able to do so with the help of my lovely sister Morrie once again!


I could not have asked for a better mother and father-in-law! Kevin and Trudy are truly wonderful grandparents and just amazing people! Glad we were able to do this little shoot.


Thursday, April 4, 2013

Ethan is Graduating


Ethan is graduating high school this spring so we recently met up in Gilbert to get some portraits taken. He is still deciding on a college with a few specific locations in mind. Hope the best for him as he narrows it down and begins this next step in his education!


Sunday, March 31, 2013

Happy Easter!


Just had to share some pictures of my beautiful Ivy Jane in her Easter dress! Hope you all have a lovely day with friends and family as we celebrate the reason we have hope in this life!


Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Mark and Kristin - The Wedding


These two were recently married on a lovely sunny Arizona afternoon! It was wonderful to be able to capture the joy that was shared on this day by the newlyweds and their friends and family. I hope the best for Mark and Kristin as they begin their lives together!