Last week I had the absolute pleasure of taking photos of a beautiful, sweet 10 day old baby girl.   Her momma and I go way back, and I’ve taken her brother Trey’s baby photos and some family photos for them as well a while back.   I was super excited a few months ago when T told me she was expecting again, and that she wanted some pics of her new little one.

Well, in the meantime, their family life changed dramatically.   On May 1st Dominic was found by Teresa in their shop on the ground.  He had fallen and was unconscious, and had suffered a serious head injury.  He had surgery at St. Jo’s, where part of his skull was removed & the small epidural hemorrhage was removed to give more room for his brain to remove the pressure.  The swelling wasn’t as bad per the neurosurgeon and they put the piece of his skull back on.  He had a probe placed in his brain that monitored his brain temperature, brain oxygen levels, and brain pressure.  The family decided the next day that Dominic needed to be transferred to Harborview Medical Center in order to receive the best care for his traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Since then, their lives have been a rollercoaster of ups and downs…  huge victories and also some big hurdles.    He spent some time in a coma and in the ICU at Harborview…  but by God’s grace he started healing and everyday is getting better.   After almost a month in Seattle, at the end of May Dominic was able to come home!   While this was a HUGE relief,  there is a lot of healing and therapy to be had.    Then, on June 17th, they were able to welcome their new daughter into this world – together!   Dominic was able to be there the whole time and be at T’s side…   what a blessing!    In the beginning of August Dominic is scheduled for another surgery to replace a bone flap on his head…  a surgery he looks forward to immensly so that he doesn’t have to wear his helmet anymore, and can start doing some normal everyday tasks again!   (I hope I got all of this info correct, for those wanting to read Dominic’s full story…  go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dominicalexander)

Reading the daily updates made by family members, and by T, made me take a step back and re-evaluate my life and remember who is in control of everything, everyday.   Through it all, their faith and trust in God never wavered.  T wrote last week (regarding the next surgery date).. “When I took the call, I tried to work every angle with the woman.  Trying to see if there was a cancellation list, a different available doctor, etc but the answer was clearly no.  It was August 8 and I was going to have a bummed out husband – which of course bummed me out too.  But then it hit me like a ton of bricks.  Every part of Dominic’s miracle hasn’t had anything to do with our wishes and hopes.  It is all part of God’s plan.  So once again, we must put our trust in God and let him continue with Dominic’s story as he wrote it.  Since we have done this, our tone has changed.”

Isn’t that amazing?  She put it so well.   T, you truly are an amazing woman.   Your strength and faith in God through this trial is so inspiring, not only to me… but to so many.  You have touched the lives of more people than you probably realize.  You, and your family, are in our prayers everyday, and will continue to be.   Thank you for being so willing to share your story.  Love you!

So, to put it mildly, I was SO honored to take these photos for them last week.   A moment in time that has so many emotions, challenges and triumphs.  They, as a family of four, forging on ahead to be the family God intended them to be.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Thanks for reading, and now it’s time for the photos

Beautiful mama with her baby girl…

Lots of lovin’ on Tavia…

Thank you for looking and sharing in their story.   Feedback is great… I’d love to have your comments!!