I just took my kids Christmas photos today. Yes, I said Christmas.
I know what youre thinking… “You’re a photographer, how did you not have time to take photos of your own kids before Christmas? Well, the truth is ugly.
I wanted to skip Christmas. You see, if you’re a new follower, you may just see these two beautiful faces on my page often and think, she has two beautiful kids! But I have THREE beautiful kids. Three.
This past summer, only 8 short weeks after having our daughter, our 3.75 year old little boy went to Heaven. And so I didn’t feel like doing Christmas. I didn’t want to. Not without our Ay-man. But we did for these two. And I’m glad we did.
They are worth living for. They are worth documenting. Aren’t they beautiful?
We will always find a way to include our little man in our kids photo sessions each year, because it is important they never forget their brother. Now my 6 year old will never forget, I know. His brother was his best friend, he mentions him every day. He loves him. But she was so little when it all happened, she’ll never get to personally know her brother. But we will make sure through our photos, our documented memories that we already have, that she will know him.
She wants to know him. I can see it.
You know what else I never want them to forget? That most importantly, we ALWAYS have hope. Hope that we’ll see Ayden again because of what Jesus did on the cross.
“That being justified by his grace we should be made heirs according to the HOPE of eternal life. Titus 3:7
So while we are waiting, hoping and trusting.. we will make these memories with the kids we have here, while missing the one in Heaven.
Because how her hair goes crazy in the back is something I won’t ever want to forget.
Or the fact that my little 6 year old understands things about Heaven and says things that just wow me as a mom.
He is compassionate, courageous, and SUPER silly.
And these two, man do they love each other. She just lights up when she sees him. And he LOVES to make her laugh.
We aren’t guaranteed tomorrow, but we have today. To capture memories, to love our kiddos, to tell them about the hope we have! We have today. I’m grateful for today.
Make those memories, get those photos taken..
Your family, your kids, YOU are worth documenting too. Don’t wait for the weight to come off, or until your hair is the length you want it to be. Because life isn’t perfect, but it’s beautiful.
Taking Christmas photos of my three kids. Check.
Nicole Anderson - WOW- that is a very touching story!!!! AMAZING!!!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!
Sara Marcellino - What a wonderful blog entry! Brought me to tears, but what a great way to incorporate your son. Your images are precious. Yes, you definitely have 3 beautiful kids! Thank you for sharing.
Mary Jolicoeur - I got to NSC and I have to say. You are a amazing mother. The love of GOD shines through your kids. Your Ay-man is a special Angel looking down on all of you. His legacy and your legacy will live on in his brother and sister. Much love and prayers to you and your family.
Rachel - Oh Erin… I am sobbing right now… You all are such an inspiration and I am praying always that your pain might subside little by little as time goes by. The photos are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing them with us!
erica - This brought tears to my eyes. I can’t imagine going through what you have gone through…my heart aches for you. But its also such a blessing to know that you will see him again one day. I know I hold to that fact when I think about my loved ones that have moved on. God bless you and your family.
Angela - I am just moved to tears by this. Why our job is so important. My post was along the same lines of don’t wait till it’s all perfect, take your portraits now. I loved your story and images.
Donna Pitts - Erin, your photos are beautiful and priceless. Much love and prayers.
Jo Reason - wow, touching. precious moments indeed.
Sarah - Thank God for that blessed hope! Beautiful photos, Erin. Love that Ayden is still in your pictures. I know it wasn’t easy to take Christmas pictures this year. Hugs.
Nena Metcalf - Love it Erin!! KGrace and CBear look fabulous – Ay-man too 😉
Mardi Hooter - I love that you are incorporating Ayden in your family photos, and keeping his memory alive for your other children. Kudos, Mom, on such creativity and compassion. Your children are lucky to have you as a Mom…all three of them.
Kaela Green - I just ran across your blog via a group I’m in on Facebook. My heart is breaking for your loss. I am so sorry. Your images are irreplaceable and it’s a great thing to continue to include Ayden in your photos. I know you’ll see your sweet boy again in heaven because we do have hope through Jesus! Good job, mama! Thank you for sharing your heart with us-it’s a sweet reminder of how short our time on this earth is!!
-Kaela Green
Michelle Hansen - Oh Erin… What a beautiful post! You moved me to the point of goosebumps and tears. Earlier today, I was thinking to myself how I couldn’t wait to have a break from my kids (whom I love very much but sometimes they drive me crazy!). And then I come here and read your post and I am reminded that not everyone is as lucky as I am… So thank you for that reminder, and for being so open with us all as you go through your journey. Your photographs are priceless, whether they were taken before Christmas or not!
Michelle Brown - Wow! Your photos are amazing! I love your ideas! Your three babies are beautiful! Reading your stuff always breaks my heart!
Michelle Nantel - Erin and family, my heart goes out to you so deeply, more than you know, I too lost my oldest son in 2009 and so I mourn right along with you. I have thought of you often since hearing about the loss of your beautiful son. Please know that although we have never met, I am right beside you in your grief, my heart is heavy for you and your beautiful family. We mothers should never have to know this heartache but we have been given these precious children to love and cherish forever and that we do. your children all three of them are just so precious and so beautiful, I five children all together and not one day goes by that I dont miss my Jarod, he was 28 when he passed and I long for his voice, laughter, and oh that beautiful smile of his. I am happy to see new pictures of your children and your daughter is breathtaking, those eyes of hers, she was a healing for your oldest son, I am sure of it, hold them tight love them, kiss them everyday and know that there is another mother here in Missouri waiting to see her baby again too right along side of you.
Jennifer - This is such a beautiful blog about your three kids. I am touched and in tears right now. God bless. I love these pictures.
Brittney Ezell - Wow…..just wow. You are wonderful and a constant inspiration to me as a mom. Love you, girlie <3
Linnea - Thank you for reminding us how important today is. Jesus does not promise us a tomorrow.
Kristy Freeman - This was a very touching blog. And you do have three beautiful kids!
Melissa Wilson - LOVE this and I love your logo and colors!
Laurie Young - Wow….beautiful work, beautiful kids…all 3 of them. thank you for sharing this…God bless you.
Kari - You amaze me, and I’m overjoyed by your Spirit! SO glad you decided to take these photos ~ you have the right attitude! Thank you for sharing ~ what an inspiration!
Janet Shofner - Erin, the pictures are beautiful. I love your comments, too. I have been following your journey these past months an have prayed for you often. As you probably know, your mom (and dad) were very special friends back in the day! Thanks for sharing your heart. Janet
latoya - Your story is very touching I lost my kids father just last month and to see the way you have captured all three of them together is amazing never would have thought about that. Sorry for your lose but this was very inspriational to others especially me;)
Shannon - BEAUTIFUL! Your children are just devastatingly beautiful! Ayden just emits light. ((HUGS)) to you all, especially you, mama.
Danielle LaFleur-Dutta - I’m so so sorry for your loss. Heartbreaking. 🙁 You’ve done a wonderful thing taking these photos and sharing such a touching tribute to your son and keeping his memory alive with your children. Thank you for sharing and reminding us of Titus 3:7. Lovely photos.
Mandy Chinevere - What a wonderful and heart felt blog. It is so sad when you loss a child at such a young age. This blog just hits so close it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing and my God be with you in this hard time.
Ann-Maree Hunt - What beautiful words. I have 5 beautiful grandchildren. 4 to play with and 1 plays with the Angels. Rory never met his little big sister but we as a family make sure that he knows her. She will never be forgotten just as your Ayden will never be forgotten. We just miss out on watching her grow. Love you forever baby Jovie.
Tricia - Hello, Erin.
I just found your blog via a share on fb and I’m so glad that I did. I can not begin to imagine losing a child, and my condolences and sympathies are with your sweet family.Thank you for this post, for sharing your heart with strangers, and for a reminder that we all need. Every day. every moment is precious. And you do have three breathtakingly beautiful children!
May God continue to Bless you all,
xo*tricia
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Donna - Erin you are a very strong woman. I’ve come across your story and your family while browsing the net one day and I have been moved to tears by your loss but also filled with hope at the strength you show. Of course you have to include Ayden in your pictures and never forget him – what a beautiful way to keep his memory alive for everyone. Thank you for sharing your story and your beautiful family – I wish you all all the best. Bless Ayden, may he rest in peace.