We love our little pumpkin, and are smitten by her adorableness!  This month Scott and I are on maternity leave and we are loving every minute of it!

Little Mira (Meer-ah) was born on her due date, February 12th and the entire experience was absolutely incredible!  We opted for a natural childbirth so, with the help of our Doula Jemima Heppner and my birth Coach, Scott, we did most of our laboring at home.  When we arrived at MeritCare at 2:30 a.m. on Friday, we will thrilled to find out that I was completely dilated to a ten and our first meeting with our little girl was closer than ever!  She arrived not long after we got checked in and situated in our birthing suite and we were completely surprised that she was a girl! 

Words can’t express the miracle of birth!  I am so thankful for my husband, for Jemima, and for God’s peace and presence that strengthened us throughout the entire process!  I am ready to do this all over again!…hmmm…I guess that would mean another maternity leave…gosh, we might just have to take a couple year sabbatical.

I know all of you will understand, but please forgive us for dropping out of cyberspace for a while–it’s only because we can’t stop savoring our little girl.

Fergie has taken well to Mira–she is very protective and keeps a close eye on Mira.

So, we are completely infatuated with our little baby girl and that is all I will say for now, because I want to get back to staring at her! Enjoy these photos!

Here I am, 8 days from our due date, February 12th! We are ready and excited! Still wrapping up a lot of loose ends regarding photography, but ready nonetheless.

I can hardly believe how fast the last months have gone (partly due to a jam-packed wedding season)! And here we are, about to enter a brand new season of life…But for now, I want to take a minute to cherish this whole pregnancy thing because, honestly, it’s been a blast!

Here are my top ten favorite things about being pregnant:

10. No zits! My skin has been spotless
9. Shopping…finding new clothes that fit my changing body is actually kinda fun and finding clothes for Baby is just way too much fun!
8. Lots of new experiences and things to learn. New experience equals more opportunity to connect with others; (I don’t think I’ve talked to so many perfect strangers for such a consistent period of time).
7. Opportunity to be Creative as we prepare forBaby…stretching the dollars, decorating the room, striving to maintain a hip pregnant look, and making lots of plans
6. I get to take 3 months off and put my family first! This is going to be revolutionary!
5. Reason to rest, relax, eat healthy, exercise, and take care of yourself–this really needs to continue because I feel better than I ever have!
4. People constantly tell you how cute or glowing or beautiful you are.
3. You can weigh more than you ever have, and it’s cute!
2. Back and Foot massages galore!
1. Understanding in new ways how much my dear husband and Father God love me!

We are officially on maternity leave and expecting Baby anytime now! So we have definitely slowed down our schedule, but wanted to offer our annual Big Print special to all of our past clients: 50% off all prints (photographs only) sized 16×20 or larger.

Orders must be placed via email BEFORE February 12th and we will need the image number (you can use your proofbook as a reference) and the size and quantity of what you want to order.

If you have checked out the Fresh Wed Blog yet, you should! The latest post includes some images from a couple I worked with last year: Jay and Nora. Brooke Roche, from “Just Add Water” was responsible for the stunning winter-themed decor. You can see more images on the Fresh Wed Blog here.

These are some of the stunning pieces we were able to create for some of our 2009 clients. These are all Canvas Wraps–your image is printed on canvas and then wrapped around a wood stretcher (just like a painting) and comes ready to hang. When the UPS man comes, it’s like Christmas for me; but then, I have to part with these beautiful artworks and deliver them on to their new owners.

Here’s Nikki and Mark…

Susie and Phil wanted to create a focal point for their living room, so they chose this image for a split panel canvas. The four panels make up a 6 foot by 4 foot piece (Thank you to our model Fergie, who helps define the large dimensions of this piece.)

Beth and Brian wanted a whole collection to tell the story of their wedding day…and then sweet Tori, a 2010 Senior, is pictured on the right.

Courtney and Andrew had a very chilly, but tremendously beautiful NEW YEAR’S wedding day! I told Courtney right away that I am praying that my baby has beautiful curly hair like her! Andrew has a bit of a romantic side–his proposal made the Fargo Forum! They got married at Trinity Lutheran in Moorhead and celebrated at the Crystal Ballroom at the Ramada. It truly was elegant–a winter wonderland!

“The LORD…saves. [You] sparkle… like jewels in a crown. How attractive and beautiful [you are]!” Zechariah 9:16-17

It wouldn’t be fair for me to not pass on the link to this Thank You video from our friends at Compassion International because if it wasn’t for your business we would not be able to support our 16 year old Anju Elisa in India. Take a look and smile…giving is such a blessing! Thank you for giving alongside our team here at Mosaic Photography.

Merry Christmas friends! I couldn’t picture a more beautiful White Christmas as this! I hope you are stranded in with family and friends and lots of good food, like we are. (You gotta love living in the midwest!) We are spending the day with Scott’s side of the family and it’s just too fun to watch our little nephew and the dogs play. The smells of dinner are making my stomach (or the baby) flip… And once again, Scott and I find ourselves ever so grateful for the beautiful year that has passed; because of our cameras, we’ve met and become re-acquainted with so many wonderful people, watched the business grow (almost faster than we can keep up with), celebrated six years of marriage, and are only 7 weeks away from meeting our first little one!

This Christmas season has been a bit different for me, as I experience the miracle of our baby being formed inside, I think of Mary and the wildness of experiencing the same thing, only knowing her Child would one day be her Saviour and meeting God in the form of a helpless and adorable baby. I find it so amazing that our Creator made Himself like us to prove His love for us!

Hopefully you received our Christmas card, if not you can see it below (and you can always email us with your address and we’ll send ya one!). As our Christmas card says, we are celebrating the birth of Jesus, who was born, given for us to be our Wonderful Counselor, our Mighty God, our Everlasting Father, and our Prince of Peace. In this coming year, may you know His Wonder, His Might, the Love our our Father, and Peace. Merry Christmas!

Last week I had the privilege to photograph Rose and Scott, who are getting married in February!! These two are some of the sweetest people I know and I am so excited to see how their life together unfolds!

Wishing you two God’s very best! “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.” Proverbs 18:22

These two boys and their parents are very near and dear to me! They came in last week for some Christmas photos, sporting their Moorhead Spuds gear. Merry Christmas C Family!!

As promised, here are a few of the maternity shots Scott took of me this week. (didn’t he do a great job!) We are so excited to meet our little one and constantly amazed at the miracle of this whole process!

For those of you who have been asking, the gender remains a surprise…I love surprises! and I am still feeling great–but I definitely feel official pregnant!

Jill and Josiah traveled up from California to brave the cold Minnesota weather and celebrate their wedding this last weekend! Josiah was actually a senior that I photographed many moons ago, so it was fun photographing him again for this special occasion. Jill and Josiah met while serving overseas–so that gives you a clue on the caliber of this couple.

Scott and I enjoyed our time at Calvary Free Lutheran and the BigWood Events Center, in Fergus Falls (it was fun to be back in the area to see many familiar faces!).

Josiah and Jill are in Norway now, but I can hardly wait for them to see their images when they are back in the States. We wish you two the best!

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3

Amy + Nick (aka Billy) got married Thanksgiving weekend! These two had quite the obstacles in planning–their date changed 3 times! Nonetheless, they planned quite the celebration and Scott and I sure had fun with them and all the unique twists to their day. Amy’s dress, compliments of Alan Evans Bridal in Moorhead, was one of the most unique dresses we have seen this year. And the kissing tradition at the reception involved the traditional clinking of the glasses, but then the couple chose another couple to demonstrate a kiss which they would mimic. Now, we’ve definitely seen that before, but their family and friends had the most unique ideas for kissing including standing on your head, “kissing butt,” and other contortions.

Feel free to leave a comment for Amy and Nick! Meanwhile, enjoy this glimpse of their day!

I have the privilege to play music with Sam and Adam every once in a while–Adam is a bass player and Sam plays piano and sings. Music was part of the means that got these two together. So, they wanted to incorporate that into their engagement session, which ended up being really fun! The entire time, I kept exclaiming how cute they were; I just couldn’t help myself. To not be-labor that word any more, I thought “adorable” would be just as good of a description as cute. Don’t you think they’re adorable?

I mentioned the inspiration we found from photographer Rodney Lough while in San Francisco–if you haven’t looked him up, you should! He’s like a modern day Ansel Adams! Very cool stuff!

And here’s us in San Fran–couldn’t pass up Starbucks or the “PHOTO SPOT.”

With all the traveling we’ve been doing, we had to meet Grandma Judy and G-Pa Mark almost 2 weeks ago to surrender Fergie to their loving care. If you don’t know Fergie, she is our amazing wonder pug who survived a run in with a truck when she was six months old. Just look at her sweet little smushy face!

This is on our way to meet G-Ma.

If anyone is headed towards the Grand Forks area in the next week and is down with transporting a lively pug please let me know! I want my lil Ferg back!

In the last post I mentioned a production that I got to help out with and photograph over Halloween. Here are some images from the production. Good times and great people!

The last four weeks have been CrAzY! but fun! don’t worry friends, I am trying to get all the rest I need. There’s been lots of days that we worked til 2 a.m. but I am feeling well (and extremely pregnant!) This month was suppose to be a slow month–as my belly gets bigger I am finding that my regular photo schedule (and carrying around all my gear) is becoming a bit more challenging. But as you can tell, things have not slowed down–I’ve been keeping busy, just a different kind of busy. So what have we been up to?? Goodness, where do I start?

Three weeks ago, I had the opportunity to play for the North Dakota Youth Convention (electric violin, that is) with my dear husband and friends. And of course, I got to photograph it too.

Then the following week I got to help out with a production at our church. And guess what? one of my roles was to photograph it. It was so amazing seeing so many lives impacted for eternity; definitely a chance to re-focus about what is most important in life. …I will have to post some photos later.

Last weekend, we were working in Grand Forks and now I am in California. Yesterday, we were in San Francisco and I had the chance to learn about an amazing photographer: Rodney Lough. He is like the current day Ansel Adams stud of Nature Photography. He shoots a large format camera (which means the negatives are 4×5 or 8×10 inches which provides an incredible opportunity to get stunning clarity and detail in your images). Taking a look at his website would not be a waste of time! Go ahead and check it out here.

Today I am in Modesto, California, where we will be through the weekend. We just finished meeting with an incredible musician and pastor and already have found much inspiration and challenge in our time here. The weather is beautiful, and I am so enjoying Cali! More photos to come…when I get the chance

I had fun with these two last week in some misty rainy weather. Turns out Adam is a real thoughtful and romantic guy (who, need I say?, enjoys the smooches!) The kiss token is one small item that exemplifies his thoughtfulness for Nicole, but you’ll have to ask them for the whole story. I am so excited to photograph these two next summer in Walhalla, North Dakota–that’s such beautiful country!

“May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness…” 2 Samuel 2:6

This is me and my prego belly at 24 weeks! Many have asked for some pix, so Scott took a break from his piano playing tonight and I took a break from the laundry and he snapped a few pix. My, it’s different being in front of the camera, especially when you weigh more than you ever have. Regardless of what the scale says, I am feeling great! Thanks to all of you who keep checking in on me I am hoping to grab a few hours next week to work on the baby room. With the help of some of my family, we should be able to make some progress…so when that’s finished we’ll post some images of that too.

The first pic, the black and white one, is the “can you believe this belly?” shot and the next ones are just plain happy me.

Enjoy!

I had so much fun a few weeks back with Karil and her buddies Emma and Tarah! Karli is an artsy girl (my favorite kind) so she was up for anything. It was a weird, rainy, snowy day, but the colors and textures were gorgeous.

Karli, have a fabulous senior year and best wishes for all that is ahead!

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Eccleciastes 3:11

Last week, I had the privilege to photograph Kayla and Travis, who are very much in love. Travis was home on leave (he has been on duty overseas and will be there until spring) so they had a billion things to do. But man, in spite of the busyness their love and infatuation with each other was so evident. Their wedding will take place next summer in Grand Forks. From the little time I have spent with these two, I have a feeling it’s going to be a genuine, and beautiful celebration! Congratulations you guys!

Susie and Phil are just plain sweet as peaches and cute as buttons. (Does talking like that make me sound like a grandma?…Anyway). I had the opportunity to photograph Susie and Phil and their two sweet little dogs earlier this summer. And being able to do that was extra special for me, because I am a pug lover and they are French Bulldog owners, which is close enough to a pug for me. But now, these two are married! Despite the snow flurries, we had a fun day at St. Mary’s Church, in Grand Forks and A Touch of Magic in East Grand Forks. And we enjoyed every minute of their celebration!

We wish you two the very best God has for your lives together!

“There is a future hope for you, and your hope and expectation will not be cut off.” Proverbs 24:14

Oh my goodness! This little guy was melt-my-heart cute. Now I am understanding even more why I am taking three months off once our little one arrives in February–because I’ll need that time to take billions of photos and edit them, and make albums, and huge canvases to decorate the walls. Baby W is a precious little guy with patriotic parents (both have served our country over seas) and it’s just a joy to have been able to photograph this little guy. I remember being at school and sleepovers in kindergarten with Baby W’s Mama. And now, one day, we’ll have little kindergarten kids. Time is precious and capturing each season is priceless!