No Words.

October 5, 2008 | Filed Under babies, personal | 3 Comments

It’s Sunday night about 11:45PM.

We have raised $12,600.

There are no words to describe how humbled we are that you would share with us. It is nothing we have done - it is ALL God and we thank you for your obedience to His call.

We spent the weekend in West TN celebrating Granddaddy’s 60th Birthday. Thought you’d like to see a couple of the prettiest babies I have ever seen sporting custom painted shirts by Aunt Shai.

I have much more to say but honestly, I am exhausted. I shot an engagement session in West TN this morning, then we travelled home today, whirlwind straightened up our house, had small group, got the baby in bed, plopped down to update our donations and then post this blog - and now I am happy to say I am going to be in bed before midnight. That’s the earliest I have been to bed in weeks!

More information as we get it. Thank you again. You are amazing.

We need $12,000 in 48 hours - do I have your attention?

October 1, 2008 | Filed Under personal | 5 Comments

We need $12,000 in 48 hours…

because Norah is going to be a big sister.

And her birthmother has just asked us to adopt the baby – Norah’s full biological sibling.

And he or she could be born any day!

We would have liked to have come up with a clever fundraiser, but to be honest, we don’t have time for that. We are cramming the adoption application process (that took us 8 months when we adopted Norah) into the next week. Babies don’t wait for paperwork, background checks or physicals. They come in God’s timing.

We are completely overwhelmed by the task at hand, but we know that God would not give us this opportunity to trust Him and open our hearts and home to this child if He did not intend to provide a means for us to do it.

We are praying for a miracle – that you who feel led to do so would pray and give however you can. You can click here to go to our secure donation page that is connected to our Adoption Savings Account. We believe that with your help, when we need to write “the BIG CHECK” in a few days, there will be enough in there for us to do so. If you’d prefer to mail us a check, you can email me and I will send you our mailing address. Also email if you want information on how to donate and receive a tax deduction from our adoption agency.

If you feel compelled, we would love for you to help us spread the word on your blogs, websites, facebook, emails to friends and family. Link back to this post as much as you’d like, and we’ll keep you updated over the next couple of days.

As you discuss this on blogs and among friends, please be as respectful of Norah’s birthmother as you possibly can be. We are choosing to walk in love and compassion instead of judgment and entitlement. If the choice to place this baby with us is her final decision, we will be blessed to now raise two of her precious children as our own. If she decides that she would like to parent the baby herself, we will be pleased to have been given the opportunity to care for Norah’s brother or sister for a few days or weeks and minister to Norah’s birthmother in a way that only we can.

As always, we need you to pray. Pray that God would be glorified through this whole experience. Pray that Norah’s birthmother would experience compassion and love by those around her during this time. Pray for the health of this new little life.

And pray for our sweet baby Norah – because she’s GOING TO BE A BIG SISTER in just a few days. WOW!!!

Norris Family Photos in Smyrna

October 1, 2008 | Filed Under family, kids | Leave a Comment

It’s been too long since I got to photograph the Norris Family. I am so glad it worked out for us to hook up for a quick session while they were in town for the weekend! I love the images we were able to create - they braved wearing sweaters even though it was 85+ degrees, since these images might pop up on a Christmas card and they wanted to look Fall/Winter-y! I don’t blame them - I am so tired of my summer clothes. I’m ready for some sweater weather.

Will is almost 3 and he is such a sweet boy. I have been taking his picture since about 5 minutes after he was born.

He decided to allow his parents to be in a few with him.

And I love this one - affectionately, the dog pile! He’s three - you have to do what it takes.

Love you guys!

Meet Kate

September 11, 2008 | Filed Under personal | 8 Comments

Photobucket Image Hosting

This beautiful girl is the newest member of the Bynum Photography team. Meet Kate! Photobucket Image Hosting

Kate will be helping me a few hours each week on album designs and orders so that we can provide you with the best possible customer service. I am so thankful to have her and hope you get the chance to meet her soon.

Leave a comment to welcome Kate. You never know what kind of surprise you might receive back in your email inbox!

Jessi, Blackman High School Senior Class of 2009

September 11, 2008 | Filed Under senior pictures | 1 Comment

I love shooting high school seniors. They are too big to talk back to me, don’t have to be bribed with candy, and they always have fun in front of the camera.

Photobucket Image Hosting

Jessi was telling me that she has so many things she wants to do in her life that it is hard to know what to go to college for. I say dream big and do it all Jessi. You can do it all.

Fall Mini Sessions November 1 at Turner Farms

September 7, 2008 | Filed Under mini session | 1 Comment

Adelynn, Newborn Photos in Thompson’s Station

September 2, 2008 | Filed Under babies, family | 1 Comment

I love it when I get the opportunity to photograph my wedding clients as they enter another new phase of life - parenthood! This morning I had so much fun photographing one week old baby Adelynn, daughter of Mike & Jen. Here’s my favorites…

Big brother Ben got in on the action too.

And I LOVE this one. Beautiful girls.

Thanks for having me over today ladies!

Jack & Terri, Murfreesboro Wedding at Carriage Lane Inn

September 1, 2008 | Filed Under slideshows, wedding | Leave a Comment

I enjoyed spending a few hours with Jack & Terri and their family on Saturday afternoon for their wedding at Carriage Lane Inn in Murfreesboro. Here’s a few of my favorite images from the day.

Beautiful Terri

Handsome Jack

Terri’s adorable children Anna and Carter…I love this shot. To catch them both being still for a moment was a huge feat for me…

Exiting the ceremony - full of joy

We ducked inside one of the bed & breakfast houses for some casual portraits in the air conditioning

A shot from the reception - the toast

Headed for the honeymoon - bubbles for the exit

And, a big surprise for long time blog fans. The SLIDESHOWS are BACK!!! I am bringing slideshows back to the blog as a regular feature for wedding posts. Please let me know if you are a bride who didn’t get a slideshow (during my busiest time over the past year) and I will make one for you!

To enjoy Jack & Terri’s Wedding Slideshow please click below to play. To view it full screen, please click here.

To be notified when Jack & Terri’s photos are available online for public viewing, please click here to register on Pictage.

Chapman Family Photos in Murfreesboro

August 24, 2008 | Filed Under celebrating adoption, family, kids | 1 Comment

I’ve decided to share a few more photos than usual in this blog post. Comes with the territory when you’re sharing from a family photo with eight people in it I guess!

Isn’t this a great choice of clothing for a family portrait? It was no easy task for Yolanda I know, but she did a fabulous job helping everyone coordinate but not match exactly. I am so proud.

And, because I imagine in a big family it could be easy to feel lost in the shuffle at times, I am including an individual shot of everyone. You all look great!

Lydia