I know I have been absent for quite awhile from the blogging world.  My blog was having technical difficulties and I was super crazy trying to get my business where we could pack up to move to Florida for 5 weeks.  We got here on the 2nd of July and have been having an amazing time!  We have been with lots of friends and have met a few new ones as well.  I have limited access to phone and voicemail here.  I do get emails and most text messages though – so if you need to get ahold of me, please try one of these options. Anica is still in Dallas returning calls and dealing with orders, so you may also call her.

On a very sad note, I received a text message yesterday morning from Joy Cruse, the mother of Connor Cruse, that they were in the hospital and that Connor might not make it.  Well, after the most amazing and courageous battle I have ever seen, Connor went home to be with the Lord.  Connor was eight years old and had fought cancer for over half his life.  They were told in the beginning, when he was diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroblastoma, that he would not live long – he proved every doctor wrong over the years.  He not only lived, he lived well.  However, at 4:47 yesterday afternoon, God decided it was finally his time to enter Heaven.

My heart is broken for his family in so many ways – I can’t imagine this happening to one of my children.  I cannot explain the inspiration this family has been to so many people who have witnessed their struggle.  They are hands down, the most faithful and Godly people I have ever encountered.  I tell you all this for several reasons, first and foremost – if you are a praying person, I ask you to please lift this family in prayer.  I can’t imagine how different life will be now – and the long term adjustment it will take to find their new normal.  If you would like to donate to fight children’s cancer, please consider making a donation to teamconnor.org – this is the foundation that has raised almost 1 million dollars in a few short years for cancer research and to help families who have children with cancer.

I hope people know that this is why I do what I do – not the money, not the acclaim ( haha – not much acclaim over here), not the long hours and lack of sleep on a frequent basis .  . . I want to capture your children so that you have a memory of who they were at this age forever.  I want your family to remember your interaction, your love, and your connection with one another.  I can capture that with my camera and I will forever be grateful for this passion and love I have been given.

Here are some of the images I have taken of this precious family and Connor over the past several years.  Praise God that he is finally cancer free and no longer in pain.