The last 9 months with Jax has been the most enlightening, fulfilling time in our lives, everyone tells you children change your world in an incredible way and I really don't think that sunk in till he was here with us. So here is 9 ways being a parent has changed us and a few things we have learned on this journey constantly learning and growing as a family!

1. Take the time to enjoy the little moments in each day. the smiles, the laughter that fills a room. Thats priceless. I think sometimes we get caught up in our busy lives and forget to embrace what is right in front of us, life can be stressful, it can be messy but watching little gummy grins and being present with your loved ones is the best free therapy you could ask for. 

2. Sleep, once your a parent I think you actually forget what sleep is, I will forever have a whole new respect for moms & dads. Caffeine becomes your saving grace and naps well naps become your best friend.

3. Being a parent is one of the greatest blessings in life its messy ( there will be drool & puke ) but looking at your child and seeing pieces of you in them and watching as they learn something new for the first time, that little face filled with excitement and amaze, it makes you melt inside. You will probably look at them and say to yourself " I made that " at least 5 times a day. 

4. There is no such thing as perfect parenting. every kid is different and all you can do is your best to raise them to be decent and honest. You might have a plan of how you "will" raise your children but kids are all unique and need space to grow into their own little person. 

5. Kids are forgiving! there is hard times where it feels like your doing everything wrong but even when you mess up, they are still happy to see you, they still want hugs. I guess my point is don't be to hard on yourself no one is perfect and if life were easy you wouldn't be living it.

6. You will probably make funny noises and faces you never knew you could make and you might even enjoy playing with lego's and watching all the Disney movies again having a blast from the past. Definitely a perk to having kiddos around, no one will even think twice if they catch you doing any of the above ^ 

7. it's okay if your kid doesn't have the best of the best or all the latest trends. It seems when your planning on becoming a parent or your expecting a child, everything everywhere you look is saying you need to have all these items and all the best brands in clothing but kids grow incredibly fast and they don't care what they are wearing. Heck you buy a toy and its old news compared to the water bottle on floor five minutes later.

8. Making other parent friends isn't easy! at least not the pre-school years, it's okay to smile and say hi to fellow moms & dads out there without feeling like you've been hiding under a rock you call home for the last several months because honestly I think most people understand that stage if you have had kids, you have most likely been there.  You might even make someones day just by a simple "how are you doing?"

9. you need YOU time, this one might sound obvious but once you have littles running around it is hard enough getting simple everyday things done and it's easy to forget to take a break for yourself and refresh. 

Here is Jax's latest adventures as a nine month old >>

Joelle had her closest Friends & Sister travel down to Kelowna from Vancouver to throw her one last girls night and help her get ready for her big day in a gorgeous B&B along a country side setting. It was a pretty emotional morning for them as Joelle is the first of the group of friends to get married and they have known each other  for many many years!  

Jared & Joelle said their I Do's in beautiful Oyama, British Columbia in front of their immediate family in a quiet, peaceful setting as Joelle's father married them as man & wife. It was a very unique and intimate ceremony to witness full of complete and utter love for each other as they said their vows & exchanged rings taking the next step in their great adventure together

After the ceremony and family photos we explored Jared & Joelle's favourite spots in Oyama park for their B&G photos, Jared was not a huge fan of the photos part but you could tell he would do anything for his new wife and the way they looked into each others eyes said it all. Jared & Joelle were one of the funnest most easy going couples I've had the privilege of photographing which made for the sweetest candid moments between them. It was an absolute honour being there to capture their day 

Jared is probably one of the biggest Detroit Red Wings fans you will ever meet ( for real there is no other team ) so you know it's lasting love when his new Bride Joelle fully supports his passion for the Red Wings and has a Detroit Red Wing themed reception, complete with a custom built hockey cupcake stand. Jared & Joelle met in a Canadian pizza shop so pizza was also a must for their special day! 

Anyone that knows me well knows how much I love tattoos! So when Sana went and got her newest additions finished up plus I saw her awesome red hair I couldn't help but bug her to come out and model for me for some fun snow pictures with her truck!  Luckily for me she agreed :) 

On our little adventure out in eagle bay, bc we came across some guys totally stuck off the road with their little fords at which point they jokingly asked if we felt like towing them out as they were having no luck themselves. We still have no clue what they were even doing way out there! So after lots of searching and driving we finally found the perfect hilly road with pine trees all around to stop and take some photographs, at which point Sana started rocking it right off the start! it honestly felt like she knew exactly what I was thinking which we laughed about several times as I went overly click happy on her! I absolutely love it when everyone feels comfortable enough to be themselves in front of my camera it truly makes for my favourite images  and hopefully images that you will love too! 

I honestly don't know how Sana isn't a model, I mean look at her, Gorgeous! 

Well here is the finished product from our shoot, enjoy! :) 

Evan & Amy's engagement session was nothing short of adventurous as we ended up driving over and hour to beautiful ghost lake, in Alberta, to capture their engagement with the gorgeous teal blue waters and fall colours in the background, The peaks of the mountains popping through in the distance was what originally brought us out that way as Amy has a love for the Canadian rockies! but I mean who doesn't? ( Soo Breath taking! )  

I've known Amy sense we were about 14? 15? somewhere in there! and seeing her with Evan, you could just tell these two were met to be! They both laughed and smiled at each other with nothing but love and happiness surrounding them. Photographing them was "easy" on my part I mean just look at them! and the way they are with each other just made it that much funner for everyone as Evan & Amy are so natural together! 

check out some of the images from their spontaneous engagement shoot below! 

As some of you already know my husband, Jake & I are expecting our first baby! ( a little boy ) we are beyond excited for this next chapter in our lives together, now that I am in my 8th month things are slowing down and I will be taking a break to prepare for our new addition and to enjoy my family.

So for any photography needs please get in touch soon! I will be taking a leave from April 1st - May 15th 2017, I will do my best to accommodate everyone before hand but I'm also booking into the Fall already <3 

Thank you so much to everyone that follows my photography & supports my little business, I'm truly blessed to have each of you!