Losses and New Life

As I have shared previously, I had a miscarriage back in 2010. (Read my story here). There is not a day that goes by without me thinking of my precious little Peyten. I look at my nephew and sometimes think "wow, she would be this big, she would be doing this now." I miss her every single day.
When I was pregnant with my son, it was a daily struggle worrying everyday if he was ok and still alive inside of me. I am pregnant again (and yes so very excited!) but again, every day has been a struggle for me worrying if this little one is still growing. There is something unique about this pregnancy which has made it just a little harder for me. This baby is due the day before Peyten was due three years earlier. Crazy, I know. February was a very tough month for me with breakdowns and gloomy days. I thought I was coping fairly well with my emotions about the pregnancy but I was very wrong. I kept telling myself that my thoughts were irrational, that I needed to stop and take a breath and just move on with the day. But all of that started bubbling to the surface and it all that pain came rushing out. I now realize that these emotions are okey to feel but I need to remind myself that everything happens for a reason and right now I need to trust that everything is okey and stay positive. Yes I still worry. I cuddle my son tighter. I check on him at night time. Because this fear consumes my every day. I have had counselling (yes I admit it. After Peyten, I could not go on trying to heal my heart by myself, I needed help). I will be going again soon. It has helped me so far and I refuse to go on trying to heal myself again.
Last month I got to see my little one in an ultrasound and my shoulders finally relaxed a bit seeing the baby move around. In a few weeks I will get to see the baby again and I look forward to that day!

A Piece of Me, A Little Hope, A Thank You.

This is a post from a few years back, but I wanted to share it because lately I've been struggling with this again.

I have been struggling emotionally and physically for the past 4 months, and something in me felt I needed to write a public journal entry about it. I guess mostly because I’m tired of lying to everyone, and tired of having to explain myself when I randomly burst out in tears. But also hopefully to give some encouragement to someone who may need it.

I lost a baby in February. Definitely the hardest thing I have EVER had to go through. When my husband and I found out we were going to have a baby we were SO excited. We had to tell close family and friends right away because we could not keep that joy to ourselves. About 2 weeks shy before announcing the pregnancy to the whole world, we lost our child. Any emotion you could think of I went through that week of waiting for confirmation that it was actually true. I was angry, upset, hopeful. But I knew before the doctor confirmed it that my baby was gone. I kept holding on to that tinge of hope the doctor gave me in that phone call that there was still a 50% chance that things were ok, hoping maybe it was true. But February 24th, I got the phone call that crushed all that hope.

That whole day was surreal. Now, my sister was pregnant at this time and wasn’t due until March, but I looked at her and said “You’re going to have this baby tonight you know.” I just had this feeling. She said she didn’t believe me. Sure enough, her beautiful baby boy came into the world that night. Holding my nephew in my arms the next day was so hard. I wanted to love this child that was a new part of this family, but at first I was afraid. I went through so many emotions, and thinking about how I will never be able to hold my own baby. (Now I believe that my nephew was born early to help me in my grieving. I got to hold him and see him smile. Just holding him and let the tears flow helped me to connect to my own baby).

About a week after my loss I had a huge meltdown. I cried in the arms of my mom. I thank her so much for just holding me and letting me get all my emotions out. For giving me words of encouragement she could offer. It was such a huge weight that lifted off my shoulders that day finally letting out everything that I was holding to myself.

 I also thank my sister, who at first did not know how to grieve with me until that day she came into the room and poured her emotions. I know that I don’t say it enough, but I love her so much! I thank my husband for just holding me and loving me throughout this entire time. This experience has brought us closer than ever. I thank God for helping me through this awful time. He gave me more strength than I ever could have expected, and all of this has allowed me to see life in a different light and become a stronger person. At first I was angry at God and why He let this happen when other people in the world have abortions. We wanted this baby so bad, and He took that baby away from us. I know everything happens for a reason, but sometimes it’s really hard to know that reason. I still don’t understand why it had to happen, but I have seen God working through the entire process in different little ways. During my breakdown with my mom, God gave me this wonderful vision of my baby up in heaven in His arms. My baby was surrounded by my close relatives who are no longer with us, and my great-grandfather was singing praises. This was this best gift God could give me for it let me know my baby is ok and with her heavenly Father. (In that moment in my soul, I knew my baby was a girl, and my husband and I named her Peyten).  One day I will be able to hold my baby in my arms and I can not wait to see her.

Since the experience, my friends and family have been so supportive even though they were not sure how to comfort me, I know how much they cared, and I want let them know that even though you felt you had nothing to give to help me; you did by the love you showed. I have since met other women who have gone through the same experience as me, and just having those brief little moments with these women who were strangers, was amazing. I thank each one for their words and knowing I am not alone in this. I hope that by reading this, if you have gone through this awful experience, that you find some bit of encouragement. Just remember when people try to console you to take what you want and leave the rest. They are all there for you in your time of need and love you.

There is not a day that I don’t think of my little girl. I wish everyday that I could still feel her growing inside of me. I know one day I will have a child, and I know my heart won’t start healing until that time arrives. I thank each of you for your kind words, and love. It has helped me so much through this tough time. Much love. Justine (and Riley)

The Little Things

Today a little lesson was learned. To stop and enjoy the moments TODAY.
I was unloading my dishwasher when my son tugged at my shirt saying "sit mommy". I turned to him and said "mommy is busy honey I will play after I'm done". He tugged at me again and repeated "sit mommy". Something told me to just stop cleaning, what matters now is that your son wants your attention. So, I sat on the kitchen floor and gave him my full attention and in the end I cried. He took a hockey stick, used it as a microphone and sang me a long song. I was all smiles. At the end of the song he bowed his head several times saying "thank you. Thank you". It was the most adorable little act he has put on yet! I cheered and told him how good he was with tears in my eyes. He looks at me and says "mommy crying"? with a pout on his face. I said "yes but they are happy tears. You made mommy happy". He gets a big smile and says "mommy happy"?
Yes. I am so glad I stopped cleaning and paid attention to my little guy. I need to remember that the dirty dishes and laundry can wait. My baby will not stay a baby forever and he needs me NOW. I need him now. He makes me laugh every single day. He is an absolute joy and I thank God every day for this little being he has so blessed me with.

Good-bye Beautiful Fall

8 Reasons I love fall.
1. Layers. I love layering up in all my favorite fall fashions including:
2. Boots. I may have a slight obsession
3. Colors. Oh the colors of fall are gorgeous and I wish it stayed for more than 2 weeks! (Sometimes 2 days...)
4. Ladybugs. I hate bugs, but those little lady's I can handle. They are pretty cute, and I love capturing some macro shots of them. Which I did not do nearly enough this year!
5. Temperature. The days are always gorgeous. Not too hot, not too cold. Love it.
6. End of photography season. Bittersweet. But oh so fun because this is the time people really think they should probably get those portraits done before Mr. Winter comes along, so I am pretty busy in the fall season with photography and that makes me happy! So fun.
7.  This is when my creative juices start flowing more. Not sure why. I guess because I'm caught up in the business of it all during the summer that when fall comes around, it's just so beautiful that my mind begins reeling with ideas (but I never seem to get to them before we see snow and all the leaves are gone).
8. That yummy golden sun. Sun-kissed love.

 

 

Struggles

I have been struggling a bit lately on trying to discover where my true passion lies in the business of photography. I started out this love with macro photography. I am trying to get back into my love of macro photography as a source for inspiration for everything else I do! Then I went to portraits, then added weddings and now have recently added newborns. I would love to specialize in a specific area, but I honestly can't seem to decide where my passion lies. Lately I have been leaning towards Newborns and Portraits. This really only eliminates weddings... but I love doing these as well! Every area has pros and cons but every area has such satisfaction as well. I love portraits in the sun-kissed light of the evening sun. I love capturing a person as who they are in that moment in time and trying to let their personalities shine within every capture. I love capturing a young family together in play sharing a moment of joy and love for their children. I love newborns because it is really is such a precious (and very short) moment in time and to capture this for parents to enjoy for a lifetime fills my heart with joy. Weddings I love because I get to capture couples on such an important day in their lives that is filled with love and capturing that is such a joy.

Here are just a few of my absolute favorite photographs I took this year!

 

So much to be thankful for, happy thanksgiving!

So much to be thankful for!

The amazing support and love from my amazing clients, friends and family! I wouldn't be where I am without you! I am thankful for my beautiful son who makes me laugh everyday. My wonderful husband who works so hard and who is so supportive in everything I do. My parents and sister who are so supportive and are always there when I need them. My grandparents-in-law who are always available when I need them and who spoil my baby rotten! I am thankful for the cute little house I live in and clothes to wear. I am grateful for a friend to scrapbook with and make random trips to Lethbridge for cupcakes. The list goes on...

God has blessed me greatly. My heart is full.

 

Hi It's Me, Oh and I Made a New Friend

I don't get in front of the camera nearly enough. I used to LOVE being on both ends, but that eventually ended. (Plus self-portraits are tricky). I finally got a chance this summer to be in front of the camera thanks to the lovely Lorena of Frames and Feathers Photography who I had the chance of meeting this summer. Interesting story. We met on Facebook, the next day by chance met in person. At a Passion Party. Yup. That happened. Skip the awkward stage, BOOM we knew (maybe a little too much too fast) about each other! haha! Anyways, after that we had a coffee date. Or rather, photo date... Here are some of the photos of me and some of her :)