Clear Lake, Angola Indiana | Anzini Family

I felt as though we had been waiting for this session, forever! Allison messaged me to capture some memories of her beautiful family but then due to weather and scheduling, we had to rebook a couple of times! So when the time finally came for us to do these I was so excited! These kids are just so sweet and full of energy! We took these to Clear Lake where they go every summer, the kids loved the island there and so did I <3 They were so kind to us that they invited both Cain and myself over earlier in the day so we could enjoy the water.... and boy did we! 

Enjoy this session! 

VISIT FROM THE AIR

This July, Cain has been back and forth from Shelbyville, IN.  He has been going through RL progression which is all for his flight training. He has to know so much about the aircraft and he also then has to get flight hours in before getting signed off. A couple of weeks ago I get a text in the morning from Cain that said he would be flying over Huntington (about 43 minutes from where we live) 

Back when Cain first got this flight medic job I told him to tell me, if he is ever close to home, that I would love to see him fly over ... because, well, that's super cool to me! Ha. So when I got the text he would be close, I had to go! (thank goodness for a flexible job!) 

What Cain wasn't aware of was that they were planning on landing and spending some time on the ground for a HERO's camp at Huntington's middle school. I saw them land and was able to go over with everyone else and greet the Soldiers. 

It was a nice time spent with Cain and with the other Medic and Pilots. Cain now knows to check ahead of time next time they are flying over our area to see if they will be landing, that way everyone can see this amazing sight. 

It truly was so wonderful to see him fly over because it made me visualize what he has been working for the past 9 months. In the last 12 months Cain has been gone now over 9 of them for his medical and fight training but to see him living out a dream and loving his job, I am able to know that it was worth the months apart and makes me very proud of him and for the hard work he put in, because it wasn't all easy! 

I can't say enough how proud I am of Cain, he is so incredible at everything he does and God has so much in store for his future. I love seeing God work in Cain's life every day, no matter what he does, God is using him... 

Blessed, to have him. 

Fort Wayne, Indiana Family Session | The Park's

I'm so incredibly grateful and honored to get to meet such amazing families in my lines of work. The Park family has a special place though in my heart! I first met Emily when JJ was deployed and little Owen was just turning 1 years old (cake smash photos!)

 I knew right off the bat that Emily was someone I would want to spend more time with, she is seriously the kindest person you will meet! Who doesn't like to be around that?! So then I got the news the JJ was coming home and I had the honor to witness and photograph JJ's homecoming and see him meet his baby girl Stella, who was almost 3 months at the time (if I remember right!) oh the tears that still flow when looking through those photos! (JJ's Homecoming Photos)

So, as you can see this family is pretty special and I feel extremely blessed to be able to photograph such a perfect little family. I love JJ's and Emily's babies, Jax, Owen, and Stella! I think you will to after looking through these photos <3 

Stay OFF! of my skin

Today I am going to shine the spot light on this new Insect Repellent I have been using. I am in thick, tall grass a lot with taking pictures and I never wanted to put "Off" on my skin because, well, chemicals. I know I know, chemicals... that word that no one likes to talk about! 

When I found out that it was rated a 9 on the "Think Dirty" app I made my own bug spray with just essential oils. It worked great and I never really had to complain about it. But when I found this insect repellent I was super excited because I am not a huge DIY(er) and making the spray took a hot minute (really no time at all) but who's got time for that?! 

I wanted to share the screen shot from my phone of the "Off!" on the Think Diry app... 

Developmental and Reproductive toxicity... I think not! ha.

Evenings Before Goodbyes

Oh, I would love to spend every evening like this. The three of us together and enjoying the sunset together. The last year has been a long one, but for some reason, the last few months have been the hardest! July started out looking just wonderful, it looked like Cain would be home all of July, I counted the days he would be home and I was pretty stinking happy about it. Then, that very afternoon he got dates to leave for the last of his flight training in Shelbyville. Thankfully, things always work out and he was able to get dates home still through out July, here and there. 

So that's what we have been doing and what's left of July for us. He will be home for a day or two and gone for a few more, then back again. Just always being very thankful for the time we do get. As I was sharing with friends over the weekend, a whole day together is huge for us and if it's a weekend, that is like a unicorn! 

As you can see in these pictures with Nova, she is pretty happy when her family is together. I've got nothing on Cain, she loves him so much and I would have to agree with her. 

Guess what, today... we are together <3 It's a good day. 

Fort Wayne, Indiana | Price Girls

The beauty of these girls came from the inside out, truly could not get over their sweet spirits and kind hearts. They are loved beyond measure. I knew it from the start, the way their parents spoke to them, their words to each other were sweet, loving and kind. They laughed and had true joy. 

I was praying the whole time that I would be able to capture just a little bit of that joy, to show the love that these girls have and show their hearts. I am so so thankful for the friends I meet from doing photography. There are days that it can be hard to make everyone happy and I know that not everyone can be happy. But when I see a mom almost in tears because I am capturing her sweet girls, to me that's when I know what I am doing is so worth it and what I do matters <3

This post is long but so worth it to go to the end, some sweet moments below <3 

Empower Event

It's Wednesday so that means I am going to be shining light on wellness and what that looks like for me! Every week on Wednesday's I will be sharing something different and be talking healthy foods, wellness goals and progress, my essentials and just a lot of goodness like that!

Today, or should I say tonight I wanted to share this huge event that is coming in August! When I was approached about helping lead this event I was so excited because I love helping others and it's been such a long journey for me with my wellness so getting to help others as they are going through their own, it just makes sense. I can't help but cheer them on.

Fort Wayne, Indiana | Tony + Courtney + Kinsley

If you have been on my blog before you might recognize this beautiful family! Anytime that we get the chance we love spending a evening with Tony, Courtney and Kinsley. This evening it was so beautiful I asked if we could take pictures! Courtney willing said yes, (she says she will never say no to more pictures of Kinsley!) so we heading out as the sun was setting. 

I am so thankful for their friendship and we have LOVED watching Kinsley continue to grow. I can't help but smile when I look over these photos again, so so sweet. 

Bluffton, Indiana | Brittney Maternity Session

I was so excited when Brittney reached out to me about Maternity and Newborn photos! I can not believe how long ago this seems! These were taken back in May! I know, I can hear you know "Lanette why has it taken so long to post!?" I'm sorry sorry, I know I need to get better! 

Since May Brittney and Jacob welcomed baby Handley into the world. I will be sharing her newborn session soon! 

Salt Lake City, Utah | YL Convention Part 2

It's now been a few weeks since I was in Salt Lake but I am still pretty excited about the experience I had there! If you missed part 1 of my trip you'll have to go read that, it was a hot mess! (Part 1)

This was day 2 and it was the field day for me! Actually, day 1 was going to be field day but because of all the canceling flights due to weather, I missed my scheduled date at the fields. But once I made it in I went and asked if I could get my Lavender field day changed, because they are so overly nice there they made it happen for me and I was pretty excited that it all came together so nicely.

BEING MARY | Lindsay Anderson

Thanks for hoping on this Monday afternoon!

I am so excited to be sharing with you this wonderful and heartfelt story from Linsday. In May, Linsday was asked to do a devotion for our ladies Mother's Day gathering. As I sat there in a room filled with woman of all ages and chapters of life I saw that there was not a dry eye, along with me.

This story touched me and I wanted it to be shared.

Thank you, Lindsay, for letting me share and for opening up for us to relate and feel like it's okay to not be perfect, and to be more like Mary.


Linsday Anderson:

When Lori asked me about a month ago to speak to you all tonight, I laughed because I thought, “what could I possibly share or encourage these woman, most of them older than I am.” But deep down inside, I knew I would end up doing it. Just because, that Is the way God works. When you’re asked to “pray about something” God usually changes your heart, and not always the way you have it all planned either.