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. ;)

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. ;)

I love babies. Seriously, every tiny little tidbit, minus the diaper experience. I love the sweet smell of their breath, their soft hair, tiny fingers and toes, and most of all, I adore their fluff! You know, the babies that just ooze soft, snuggly goodness all wrapped up in baby giggles. Some might merely refer to it as baby rolls, but I like to call it fluff. So, when my dear daughter asked me for a favor, one that included a beautiful, snuggly, fluffy baby girl, how could I resist? Okay, yeah, yeah, I did it to help her as well.

This year, our second oldest daughter, Ariana, entered the world of regular employment on several fronts, with babysitting taking the lead. Of course, before she ever babysat she had to finish Mom's Babysitting Bootcamp first! She has had a big learning curve this year and insists it will be a long while until we get to experience grandparenthood. I am okay with that. In fact, I kinda feel the need to go and hug every single parent she has babysat for just because of that tidbit.

So, when she came up with the idea to give a thank you gift to one of the regular families she babysits for, I was all in to help out. She loves them, and can you really blame her? Just look at sweet little Nylah, pictured here. She is the epitome of fluffy baby goodness.

I walked into her room right as she was waking up from naptime, and look at that sweet grin! She.just.melted.my.heart. And she continues to prove my point...

Real Life. Really Beautiful.