Olivia & Henry

I am a miracle seeker. I search for them in the garden, the clouds, in books and in every face I see. Uncovering those tender mercies feeds my soul and gives me an extra assurance that God is in His Heaven.

But sometimes, a miracle is so bright and clear that it takes my breath away.

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Cassandra is beautiful–you can see that– but she’s also extraordinarily intelligent and multi-talented. Any career of her choosing was open to her. But shortly after her marriage to Bob (a truly good man), she wanted nothing more than to be a mother.

The babies didn’t come. Month after month (and is there anything more cruel than that monthly reminder of infertility?), medical procedures, heartache, prayers, a miscarriage in the middle of a blinding snowstorm…finally Bob and Cassandra renounced the tests and the doctors and turned to the arduous road of adoption.

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No baby could be more wanted, loved and adored than sweet Olivia Jocelyn (follow this link; see if you can read it without crying).

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Grandpa Dean– the beemaster. Watch out, he’ll talk you into buying a hive.

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Nana Lisa, my gorgeous, talented, generous friend. I love the way she and Olivia look at each other.

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Even as Olivia was being placed in Bob and Cassandra’s arms, they knew that another baby was on the way. Cautious, they didn’t share their happy news, until Cassandra’s belly gave it away.

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Meet darling baby Henry, 6 lb 10 oz, 19 1/2 inches– could he be more beautiful?

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Only six months separate their arrival on earth. Two babies where there were none.

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Sometimes we wonder– why am I going through this anguish? why this pain? For Cassandra and Bob, the answer is a bit clearer. Without the infertility, without the miscarriage, they wouldn’t have known Olivia Jocelyn. And she is theirs, oh she is theirs.

And their miracle, gives me hope for each of us. Any anguish, any pain, God will use to work for our good. I have faith in that, whether it takes two years, twenty or eternity.

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Is that red hair? We think he may have been kissed by his angel Aunt Jocie.

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God is truly in His heaven; miracles and angels abound.
April 11, 2011
April 17, 2011

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20 Comments

  1. Selwyn

    April 14, 2011

    Stunning family, beautifully captures.

    “Any anguish, any pain, God will use to work for our good.” Amen, alleluia, and amen. xxx

  2. Lisa

    April 14, 2011

    Oh my dear friend Michelle…I don’t know why I am so blessed to have my journey in life cross paths with yours. But I am so so grateful it did. Your words and photos portray perfectly…the miracles of these beautiful babies, and the healing joy they bring to our family!

  3. Cassandra Anne

    April 15, 2011

    These pictures look fantastic! What a beautiful job you did.

    Thanks for your honest and sincere portrayal of our family. And thank you for being my mother’s friend.

  4. La Yen

    April 15, 2011

    That made me shoot like, twelve eggs out of my ovaries RIGHT NOW. I want to eat those babies.

  5. Cath

    April 15, 2011

    You are a miracle seeker Michelle. But your lens and heart are privy to them for a reason. You give the stories life. Makes me so happy for this beautiful family.

  6. Joni

    April 15, 2011

    One of Lisa’s friends popping in to tell you these photos are gorgeous.

  7. Joni

    April 15, 2011

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  8. Kerri

    April 15, 2011

    What Catherine said. XO

  9. deerhollow

    April 15, 2011

    Lisa was right when she told me I would never make it through this post with tears. Stunning photos and we know well the sweet story this family is writing. Michelle, your work is exquisite! You have the gift in word and art. Best wishes!!

  10. Today's Gift

    April 15, 2011

    What a wonderful family.

    “Any anguish, any pain, God will work to use for our good.” I truly believe that as well- as I’m seeing it manifest in my own life. Thank you.

  11. Tracy

    April 15, 2011

    I don’t think I’ve cried that hard in a long time. What a beautiful family. I need to pinch those baby cheeks.
    xoxo

  12. The Planet Pink

    April 16, 2011

    I adore the picture of sweet Olivia looking down at her little brother lying at her feet. A special bond they will have.

  13. michelle

    April 16, 2011

    Well, I couldn’t make it through this one without tears coming to my eyes.

    God is real.

    And babies are wonderful blessings.

  14. singedwingangel

    April 16, 2011

    ACCKK I came by from Sellabitmom’s page.. First those babies are beautiful and so blessed. Secondly how gorgeous is that family and your words to go with the pictures make it that much more perfect.

  15. singedwingangel

    April 16, 2011

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  16. Kristin

    April 17, 2011

    Breathtaking.

  17. Elaine A.

    April 17, 2011

    Oh my heavens, what a beautiful story and photographs. All of it put together simply took my breath away and gave me chills. So blessed are they… wow.

    Visiting from Tracy’s blog and I’ll be back! 😀

  18. Rachelle

    April 18, 2011

    God is in His heaven. Miracles & angels abound. This is a wonderful story and your photos are stunning, Michelle. Wow!

  19. Dio

    April 18, 2011

    What beautiful photos! The vibrant colors are absolutely stunning. Your work is wonderful. I’m so happy that I got to see the results!
    -Dione (aka Lisa’s Lawyer Girl)

  20. Sarah

    July 14, 2011

    This is one of the sweetest stories I’ve ever heard. I love when God’s hand is so perfectly visible in our lives. Often it takes a lot of heartache and patience to see it so clearly, but then He makes us gently aware that He indeed is over all.

    Also, everytime you post a newborn photo shoot, I regret more and more that I didn’t ask you to photograph my (now six month old) baby when she was itty bitty.

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