"For I know the plans I have for you," DECLARES THE LORD. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE."

—JEREMIAH 29:11

GET TO KNOW ME ON A PERSONAL LEVEL

HERE WE GO!

I've been doing photography as a career since 2015 when I was 16 years old... WHAAAT?! Yeah, I know. lol I was homeschooled so I had the freedom to explore my interests at an early age. I started out second-shooting weddings with a local photographer and we ended up working together in her studio where she taught me A LOT! Posing tips, editing tricks, and the ins and outs of running a small business. I went out on my own around 2017/2018 and it's been my main gig ever since!

I GOT MARRIED!

To my bestie.

I tied the knot with my handsome hubby Drew in 2018. We have been through some $h!t but, we somehow have made it out on the other side stronger than I ever expected!
I think we have the funniest relationship we're always making fun of each other and quoting our favorite tv show, The Office. We live a simple country lifestyle with our daughter and fur babies.

The $h!t

Why would I even talk about this? Because it's a HUGE part of our story and my testimony.

Drew and I started our family in 2019. I got pregnant for the first time in June and I LOVED it! I felt better than I ever have about myself and loved looking at the pregnancy updates every week! at the 20 week ultrasound it quickly turned into the worst day of our lives. We were informed our baby had some conditions and would likely not make it much longer but, "it was most likely a fluke and would never happen again." This was a huge shock to us. We're healthy people. None of the women in my family ever had any issues with their pregnancies. It felt like a nightmare. 11 days after that appointment we went to get a 3D/4D Ultrasound to have some keepsake photos of our baby and find out the gender we quickly noticed our baby had died. We did get confirmation that our baby was a little boy, which is what I was saying all along. Bennett Michael Lee Tome was born sleeping November 11th 2019. I had never experienced loss not even a grandparent, so as you can imagine I was NOT ok for a while... It took me a couple of months to even start the process of healing. Grief is a crazy roller coaster you never know when it's going to smack you in the face. Eventually, we felt ready to try for another baby and I got pregnant right away! Pregnancy after loss is a terrifying but beautiful journey. I may have had some PTSD so waking up every morning telling myself "this baby is going to die" was the new norm, But we made it through!

We had a healthy, beautiful baby girl! Finley Grace was born on December 22nd 2020 and she has been the coolest kid to watch grow up.

in 2022 we were ready to add another baby to the mix it actually took me a lot longer to get pregnant this time around 6 months seemed like forever but I kept reminding myself "it's God's timing and It takes other people years to get pregnant" I finally got the positive test which was kind of a funny story because, the night before my brother had asked me if I was pregnant and I was like "Ummm Nope not to my knowledge" so I ended up getting a test and taking it in the gas station bathroom on our way to a t-ball game lol! Obviously, so excited! We didn't announce this pregnancy until like 16-18 weeks because I knew what could happen at that 20 week scan so we were just going to keep it to ourselves but every baby deserves to be celebrated so we did end up announcing and encouraged people to pray for this baby because who knows what could happen. Our 20 week scan came around and I was a MESS inside. But trusted that whatever happen Jesus would be there with us to comfort us or celebrate with us. The wand touched my belly and we quickly saw the same conditions as Bennett. I knew in my heart that this was going to be the case. I was hopeful it was just anxiety but I was ready to hear this diagnosis again. We again, didn't get to find out the gender that day and we didn't get that information for WEEKS! but, again I know my children and knew I was carrying another little boy. I got to carry this baby for 11 more weeks after his diagnosis before he got to go be in heaven with his brother. Owen James was born December 21st 2022. This is the $h!t. Pregnancy & Infant loss is devastating it can put a huge wedge between a couple but we were lucky enough to come out closer and stronger. We are so proud to be parents to Bennett,Finley, & Owen. and hope that our story can help others experiencing this kind of grief.

Drew and I made the decision to not have anymore bio kids but we are praying that God will one day bless us with more kiddos to fill our home! <-- Update (December 2024): HE SURE DID.

We opened our home and hearts to foster care back in Aug 2023. We officially got our license late February 2023 and within 24.5 hours we got our first call for a sibling set. Terrified, but faithful we said yes, and we still have those kiddos in our home today! We have no idea what the future holds for them or our family but we are trusting God through the good days and bad days. Whatever happens, he will be glorified!

My walk with Jesus.

it's been a journey but he's my homie.

Being through all of that you're probably wondering how anyone could choose to trust and follow someone who 'took so much from us." The answer is simple. He has shown me time and time again that he is a HEALER. He may not have healed the boys in the way I wanted but I do get eternity with them one day. He is a REDEEMER. I believed we would one day have more kids and regardless on if they're only with us for a little or forever he kept that promise.
He is SO GOOD you just have to trust.