I sit here tonight not knowing exactly what to write.   Where do I begin, what do I say, what are the right words?  Well.  I’m not sure I’m going to get an answer to those questions, so I’m just going to write from the heart.  Might get sappy and far to emo for some of you, but that’s just going to have to be okay for now

If you’ve followed my blog in the past few weeks, you’ll remember the prayer request I had for my 3 year old niece Hadley.  Well, since then, they received the news that Hadley has Wilms Tumors, a childhood kidney cancer.  I won’t go into details about her story, because you can read all about it here on her site (that her Mommy set up and has done a beautiful job of updating and writing about their journey so far).   In light of the fact that Hads will be undergoing 7ish months of chemo starting on Thursday, and not knowing how she will be feeling day to day, we decided to not wait until the fall as we had originally planned for their family photos, but seize the moment now.

It’s hard to believe by looking at this little blonde, fun, spunky, beautiful, sweet girl that she has something no parent can imagine their child having.   It’s also hard to believe that my brother and his wife are the parents of a child with cancer, but they are.  I go through so many emotions when I think about it too much, but I know and am SO comforted by the fact that they know this too…  that this is God’s plan for Hadley, and through it we will trust and find comfort in Him!   Katrina mentioned somewhere (I think in a blog post) that they are standing back and letting God take the lead – what powerful words those are !!  God is so good, so gracious, and so merciful, and He is the great healer – and we put Hadley in His hands.   It is inspiring and amazing to see their faith in this plan, and also to see the outpouring of love and support and help from their family, friends and church community.  It is SO obvious to see God’s work in this, and how the power of prayer is more than we, as people, can even fathom.  To those reading this, we ask you to please continue to pray for all 5 of them!

It is my prayer that Kyle and Katrina, Mica, Hadley and Lleyton are all granted the peace, strength, courage and faith in Him that they need to begin, endure and complete this journey that was set in their paths.  We pray for all of you constantly, and are here for you always…

and Thank you for allowing me to take these photos and take part in this time of your lives.   I hope they are something you can treasure for many, many years.

Love you guys!

On to the pics.  As you’ll be able to tell, it was impossible for me to whittle down… so be prepared for a huge share!

be still my beating heart.   the love between all three of them is just beautiful.

These 5 sure know how to have fun.  I pulled out the mustaches and there were some good laughs – Mica just couldn’t stop laughing …  it was too cute!  Love that last bottom one where Mica is tickling Kyle, we were trying to get some shots of him and Lleyton, but Mica had other plans   And some feet.  Just cause.

Thanks for all of your prayers everyone, and for sharing in their journey with them, and us.   Please visit their site if you haven’t already!