Mid-Summer Night’s Maternity Photos

I’ve gone a little crazy with having photos taken since I found out I was pregnant, but not knowing if this will be the one and only time has made me want to document every stage and every event. I knew before I was even pregnant that I wanted my maternity photos taken by Julia Lauren Photography, because her work is simple, beautiful, and looks very natural. I love the light, bright shots that she took, and she’s quite possibly the most positive and easy going photographer you can work with. Despite my crazy allergies that day, she made everything peaceful and enjoyable!

As we wind down to the last two weeks before Mr. October arrives, I have really been reflecting on God’s goodness throughout this process. We prayed for several years for whatever God’s will would be in our family; we weren’t sure if it meant having a biological child or adoption. No matter the outcome, I knew He would have something wonderful planned. It’s scary thinking about how our lives will change, but everyone I know who has children says that the changes are all for the better. And I’m excited to see my mother and in-laws be the kind of loving grandparents I was lucky enough to have. There is nothing more special than being close with grandparents…I can’t wait for my son to know that kind of love. Plus, he will get two very creative and cool aunts and uncles, which means he will be extra spoiled!

If I had to think of what has been the most important thing I’ve done while waiting on this little guy, it would have to be prayer over his life. It was a priority as an expectant mom to eat (uh, relatively) healthy and get plenty of exercise, as well as maintain my typical routine. But I began praying over the child God had planned for us about three years ago, and kept it up this entire pregnancy with my husband. We’ve prayed scripture over him, prayed that he would love, know, and serve God all the days of his life, and that he would pursue godliness above all else. We have prayed for him to do great things for the name of Jesus and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And of course, we have prayed for his physical, mental, and spiritual health from moment one. The peace we feel when we pray for him is reassuring that God hears our prayers.

Here are a few favorites that you can pray, too:

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” -Ephesians 2:10

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” -Jeremiah 1:5