Jill explained to me that she suspected something might be wrong toward the end of her pregnancy; she simply didn't gain any additional weight. After little Maddie was born, the McKay's found themselves going through a medical continuum of unanswered questions in the search to find the answer. Finally, after being refered to the M.I.N.D. Institute in Sacramento, they sat before a doctor that gave them their answer: Maddie had Williams Syndrome. Williams Syndrome is a rare genetic condition that includes a variety of health problems, developmental delays and difficulties in learning and is currently estimated to effect 1 in 10,000 people worldwide. And with that news came the realization that the dreams that Jill and David had for their precious little girl would have to change. In fact, David and Jill's own dreams would have to change as well.

When I first met Maddie a couple of weeks ago I was captivated by her smile. She had no inhibitions, just a completely trusting and loving little spirit that welcomed me to come into her world of endless adventures and fun. That sweet innocent trust is actually very typical of someone who has Williams Syndrome and is filled with its own challenges both for Maddie and her parents.

I came away from my short time with the McKay family touched beyond words by their journey. And I can't help feeling that maybe Maddie and all the others who have Williams Syndrome have a few lessons to teach us. For Maddie, it seems that seeing the beauty in this world and especially in people is easy. An important point that I believe may be all too easy for some of us to FORGET in the difficulties of this life.

McKay family, thank you so much for allowing me to share a few hours with your precious family, and for sharing your story. Your strength, your faith and your love inspire me. Enjoy your photos and a new special video that I have created just for you all!

Click here to see the photos...

Yes, I realize I am a bit behind on posting anything personal. Life has been unusually busy. I just had to post this though, because it was Anna's first Easter egg hunt. Yeah, she was around last Easter, but she was far too young to enjoy the yearly hunt for the glorious candy filled Easter eggs. This year she made up for lost time. It was all serious business on her end—no distractions, all focus. This shot says it all, including the fact that her mom can be just a little bit ghetto sometimes...if you look closely you can see I forgot to remove the price tag. Sure, you're saying it is no big deal, you probably just purchased it in a rush and missed it. Yeah, I purchased this basket last year. Yes, dear internet, that is how I roll. One forgotten price tag at a time. ;)

The two biggest reasons why I am still married after 10 years, 6 children and lots of life drama? God's grace and date night. Ah, date night. The much coveted, albeit brief, escape from children, work, and business where I get to come together with my man and reconnect. Sometimes it is as simple as a walk through the park, or as complicated as dinner and a movie. And by complicated I mean arranging child care, and actually planning out what we desire to do. Let's just say there are a few things we can be indecisive about and the what and where issues seem to be a major stalling ground.

Oh, last night we got our date night, and a long and glorious one at that. We opted for dinner and a movie, neither of which disappointed. I had really been wanting to see Soul Surfer, after remembering the girl's headlines several years ago. For those of you who may not know, the movie is about a young girl who survived a shark attack while surfing, and went on to become a pro surfer with only one arm. Amazing. I can't even surf with two.

I walked away from the movie having learned a lesson, but it had far less to do with the actual movie and more to do with a few women who sat behind us. I am sure I am not the only person who has ever been annoyed with others while at a movie theater. You go hoping for a certain experience, to hopefully enjoy the movie with little to no distraction. However, last night a group of 5 woman sat behind us who were determined to teach me a thing or two. They laughed, they made crude comments, they poked fun at the story line and even some of the animals, and they were loud about it all. No one else was joining them; everyone else was silent or tearful as the girl lost her limb and the scene unfolded.

To say I was annoyed might be a bit of an understatement. Here was one person's true story unfolding before our eyes, and there were five woman mocking it at every turn. I was insulted for the girl. Then the group of women got up and walked out. I was a bit tempted to clap at their departure, but I refrained. I left the movie and could not stop thinking about this. Then I realized why.

How many of us have gone through our lives being afraid of the ridicule of the 5? How many of us refuse to be real or share our stories because of the negativity we could receive from some? I have been there, and I struggle everyday with that very thing. I have spent so much of my life being afraid of those who would hurt me that too often I have hidden away in an effort to protect myself. Here is the thing that struck me, though, maybe for the first time, as I watched the situation last night. 5 mocked, jeered and then left. However, over 30 stayed, watched and listened. This girl had the courage—yes, courage—to share her story and in so doing to share her struggle. And there is at least one who she has helped to change. That person is me. She obviously decided it was worth the risk, and I have to agree.

So here is my challenge to you. Don't let fear hold you back. Don't be afraid of those who mock and ridicule. Live life being real. You never know who you might impact or help along the way. The girl made a point in the movie, when asked whether she would go out into the water again that day, knowing she would lose her arm. She replied with (paraphrase mine), "I would, because I can embrace and love more people with one arm [because of the attention of the story] than I ever could with two." Powerful.

When Julie emailed and asked me to do a family session for her adorable little family, I was super excited. With a chance to drop into Sacramento and hang out with so much cuteness, how could one say no? So, off to their house I went.

Addi could not be more fun. She has so many expressions and the most beautiful smile! I honestly could not tell who was more in love with who, Addi with her parents or her parents with Addi. Either way, I definitely think that they like each other a bit. Watching Julie read to Addi, or how Matt would so tenderly kiss the top of little Addi's head—it just makes me melt. Watching families love each other from behind a lens just never gets old!

Matt, Julie and Addi, thank you so much for allowing me into your lives, to watch, photograph, and laugh right along with you. Here are a few of our favorites. Enjoy your pictures!

Click here to see the photos...

I did it! I tackled one of my deepest, darkest fears...being in front of a video camera. No joke, dear readers. I was sweating, reminding myself to breath—the whole nine yards, so to speak. Silly? Yes. True? Oh, you all should know by now that I believe in keeping it real!

But several takes later I emerged triumphant with a working, albeit horribly imperfect video. Then I watched it. Oh. My. Word. I will not even discuss how many times I repeat words, or put together sentences that could lead one to believe I have had little education with the English language. Nope. Instead, I am going to focus on the fact that I simply did it. I faced a fear, and I feel brave. Ha!

In today's video I explain what real life photography means to me, how I define it, and what the purpose is. This begins a new video series, a series aimed at answering some of the many questions I get asked all the time.

Stay tuned. In the next video I shall be discussing some tips that will help you take great photographs of your family. Maybe I shall call it "How to shoot your kids and not go to jail." Or maybe not. ;)