My mother and I have had many conversations about how people come and go in your life.  Some are meant to stay forever while others may arrive to teach us a lesson or to learn a lesson and then go on their way again. This does not mean their presence in your life is any less significant. It simply means that their purpose was served and life continues to move forward. There are other times when you receive gifts when you least expect it. There are people that suddenly appear and it seems as though you can’t imagine what life was like before they wandered in.

Meet Stacey. She is undoubtedly beautiful. So beautiful in fact, that she has been in my life for seven years and out of those seven years we only connected a short while ago.  We worked together for a small amount of time many years ago yet we never uttered a word to one another. I guess if I’m to be honest, you can chalk it up to intimidation.  I ran into her a few times through mutual friends after I moved to my new job.  But it wasn’t until I made a decision in October to get healthy again that she re-entered my life. The past year had been rough. I had been throwing all of my energy into just surviving…to keep on putting one foot in front of the other while trying to find a new balance in life without my father.  It was time that I got back in the saddle and back to a state of being healthy. For me. For my father. I owed  him that much. Brady had mentioned that Stacey was training a mutual friend of ours and suggested I contact her.  With much hesitation I e-mailed her and asked if she would be willing to train me.  And then something happened. She responded with the most beautiful e-mail, telling me she had lost her own father and knew what I was going through.  She assured me that I could do this and that she would be there alongside me the whole way. Physically, I’ve never felt better…

However, I had it all wrong.  I thought my reward would solely be getting back to feeling healthy again.  Little did I know that I would gain this amazing person in my life.  Undoubtedly beautiful on the outside – yes. But even more beautiful on the inside.  She was given to me when I least expected it and now…well, now I can’t imagine what it was like to not have her here.  I know things happen when they are meant to, but seven years went by without me knowing her. Now, I am just so so grateful that I finally found her.

Stacey – for you, with so much Love.  Thank you for being the beautiful you that you are…

Krysta

Well, two little packages have arrived! My brand spankin’ new PHOTO DIARY which I’m in love with and this perfect little baby girl whom I also happen to be in love with!

Meet my new photo diary! Isn’t it pretty?  If you’re arriving from my old blog, you’ll see there have been some changes going on behind the scenes.  The old posts have transferred so feel free to scroll down and take a peek.  If you’re arriving for the first time, welcome!! Grab a coffee or a tea, put your feet up, and stay awhile. I’m so happy to have you here…

…AND…meet Miss Aubri Adele.  Just a few short months ago we were shooting maternity pictures with her mommy and daddy.  However, on January 1st I got a text from two very proud parents that Miss Aubri had entered the world early! I can think of no better way to bring in the new year than celebrating a new life.  Her parents have been guuuushing ever since! :) 

Last week I spent the afternoon with Aubri and her proud mommy, Kate.  Most of the time was spent ooh’ing and aah’ing over this teeny tiny babe of course. But we did manage to put her down for 8.2 seconds to snap a few shots.  I have more to come, but these two images alone stand out so much to me.  She’s under six pounds, doesn’t fit into preemie clothes, and looks like a little doll as you can clearly see.  Yet, she already has everyone in her world wrapped around her itty bitty little finger.

Craig and Kate – Congratulations on your beautiful girl!  I am still amazed at this perfect little being you’ve created and am so happy I was able to capture her first days.

Much Love to all of you,
Krysta

** I hope you’ll bookmark my new photo diary! There will be some fun things going on in the near future…stay tuned! **

…really do make me happy.

It always amazes me how life comes full circle. Years ago I was taking engagements pictures for Westin’s mommy and daddy. Then there was their wedding in St. Thomas which I was also lucky enough to be able to photograph. And here we are now. I spent an afternoon last week with Westin and his head over heels in love with him mommy. Kristen assured me that he had his bath and had been fed so we would have a few hours of a sleepy bendy baby. However, Westin must’ve known something was up because he was awake more than he was asleep and gave Kristen and I a run for our money! :) We did get so many beautiful shots though and these are just a few of my favorites. There is nothing more beautiful to me than a fresh baby. …and yes, admittedly so my uterus was aching a bit after seeing this little guy and how much joy he brings to his mommy and daddy. I cannot wait to watch him grow…
Big loves to you Westin and to your wonderful mommy and daddy.

Much Love,
Krysta

Do you remember the desk? The shabby, tattered, well beyond its time that I can’t let go of desk? Well, it’s still here. BUT there is a new desk in town. Now I wouldn’t blog about any ole desk, but this one is extra extra special. A while ago when I was looking to revamp my office and wanting extra space to put all of my pretty things, I was having a hard time finding the “perfect” desk. I searched high and low, but soon realized I didn’t have to look very far. I asked someone special to make one for me. You may also recall my love for anything vintage or handmade. I love things that hold their own stories so that when they are given to the next person who comes along, the beauty in those words gets passed along as well. To know that someone spent countless hours putting this together piece by piece, perfecting every angle, hand painting it so that it looks flawless…means more than I can say. To know that my children will have this some day long after I am gone – a family heirloom – makes my heart happy. There is more than wood and paint in this desk…there is a whole lotta love intertwined in it as well. It makes me smile to walk into my office every day and see it…

…and the man who made my desk? My Uncle Al.
To see him makes my breath catch.
His face is familiar. It looks so much like my father’s face.
There have been so many times that I have looked at him and felt a twinge in being so thankful that he is still here and a missing for the both of us that my father still could be.
People have said there are differences in their personalities, but I only see similarities.
The kindess. The gentle nature. The giving spirit. The strong faith. The love for family. The willingness to do anything for anyone. These are the ties that bind them. These are the reasons I am so lucky.
I don’t think he will ever know how much this desk means to me. I don’t know if he knows that it’s more than a desk, but it’s a piece of him too that I’ll always have with me wherever I go. I don’t know if he knows that when I say my prayers at night, I thank God for putting him in this family. …and I wonder if he knows how much of an amazing man my dad always told me he is…

Uncle Al – For you. A thousand thank-you’s for this gift of Pretty you have given me. You will never know quite how much it means to me. The World.
I Love You.

Much Love,
Krysta