Oh goodness, I’ve been so excited about this post because I get to gush about one of my dearest friends.
I met this gorgeous gal about two and a half years ago. Janelle’s brother thought we should meet being that we both loved photography and of course had kiddos around the same age. We were both extremely prego at the time and had to cancel our first get together *twice* because one of us went into labor each time we put a date on the calendar! By the time we finally got together, we both had three little ones and spent half the time nursing while we chatted. Well, I spent half the time nursing… J’s babies are the quickest feeders I have ever met! That day, she brought me a mocha from Starbucks and well… the way to my heart if through my favorite chocolatey caffeinated beverage!! And that started our little tradition. Janelle and the kids started to come over to our place to hang out… kids would play, moms would chat and sip Starbucks. It was a treat that I always looked forward to!!!
In April of last year, Janelle didn’t hesitate to hop on a plane to Utah with me when Nichole Van announced her first professionals workshop. When I was editing last night, Mika’s Lollipop started playing on my iTunes shuffle and brought back memories of this amazing trip. You see, this song happened to be my “happy music” for take off on our flight to Salt Lake. As the plane was gaining speed, I blasted my iPod and did my usual white knuckle grip on the arm rests. I looked at Janelle and sorta joking, sorta not, said, “I think I need a brown bag, I’m going to hyper-ventalate!” She started cracking up and then shooshed me… my music was playing so loud that I practically shouted my little proclamation to the whole plane. My irrational fears end as soon as we are at cruising altitude, but I can’t help but practically needing a Valium at take off. In fact my heart is racing a little just writing about!! Breath in, breath out. Phew. Ok. Anyways… thanks to modern technology, emails and texts keep us connected even when sick kids or busy schedules prevent our get togethers. I usually make myself some coffee when I’m emailing J because it just doesn’t feel right otherwise 
When J first told me she was expecting baby #4, my first thought was that she was crazy (4 kids under 6!!) and my second thought was that she would roll with it like a champ. You see, J is the coolest, calmest mom I know. She loves being a mom… besides being a wife, I know it’s her most cherished role. So before baby Z #4 arrived, we did a few photos. He has since made his appearance into the world and we are all smitten with little G. He is a perfect addition and so adorable! My kids love him already and Shay has even been asking me for another “Caleb & Chase.” Uh… I guess all she knows is getting siblings by the pair, right. We’ll just have to get our fill of baby with little Gunnar around
Janelle, you are gorgeous inside and out. Your love for Jesus pours out from your heart and onto the people around you. You are an amazing photographer, wife, mother, sister, auntie, daughter and friend. I know few people that can make something from scratch just from seeing a picture of it the way you do. And you get more done in one day {with 4 kids in tow} than most people do solo. I love that we both use way too many !!!! and smiley’s in our emails and can’t seem to finish a thought for the life of us. Blame it on “Mom Brains.” It’s a real condition people! Memory loss, distraction, forgetfulness, bunny trails in conversation (well, maybe that last one is just a woman thing). Anyways, what was I saying???
Oh yeah, here’s the Z family expecting…
The sweet girl below, Miss Gracie, is my future daughter in law. I told her I have two very sweet, handsome boys for her to pick from. What? Arranged marriages aren’t the thing anymore???
Love you friend! I’ll be posting again by the end of the week to show off baby Gunnar. Janelle, Doni and myself got together to photograph the little man and it was an amazing and fun shoot! 3 photographers + sleepy, super poser newborn= bliss!!!! You can see a peek of him on the other ladies’ sites… I’m apparently the blogging slacker in the group!!
Joyfully, Erin
