Emerson arrived...

I love meeting new people and welcoming them into my life... Emerson's mommy contacted me about doing a newborn shoot about 2 months ago. I didn't know her, we have no FB friends in common, that I know of, so I was excited and nervous to meet her! She would be having her baby at the end of July, and was interested in doing a shoot in her own home. We agreed to meet prior to photo day, so I could survey the area we'd be working in. So, I met with her about a month ago and then we waited...and waited...til finally, I recieved the email that baby Emerson had arrived 3 weeks early! Saturday, I went to their home to do Emerson's 11 day old shoot (which HE decided pretty quickly that he was not into doing pictures that day! hehe!) When I got there, there were several guests aready there and some that came and went during the 2 hours I was there. I have never felt more welcomed by a house full of strangers than I did there!! They didn't seem to mind that I had come in, made a huge mess of the place with all my stuff and completely disrupted their whole morning...you would have thought I had been there a thousand times! Thank you, Emily, for contacting me, welcoming me, and giving me the opportunity to make a few memories for you guys...at least, as much as Emerson allowed us to get! Haha! Debi Kolak

A day in the life of Lane Carter...

Lane Carter Farris is the middle son of some very dear friends of mine, Will and Ellen. He is the little brother of Liam and the big brother to Morgan, and he has been a huge influence on many people's lives. This is Lane's story...

Almost 4 years ago in October, Will and Ellen anxiously awaited the arrival of their 2nd baby boy. Ellen had a normal pregnancy and a normal delivery. Lane was born on a Wednesday, full term and was pretty much a healthy baby. The day following his birth, they noticed that he had not had a bowel movement and was diagnosed with Hersbrungs disease, which is a problem with the intestinal/digestive tract. Instead of being discharged from the hospital with his mama, they sent him to the Children's Hospital at Vandy, they would fix him up and he was expected to be home in a few days...that weekend, everything changed for the Farris family. Lane's intestines perforated and he was taken in for emergency surgery to repair the hole in his bowel, but sometime during the surgery, Lane suffered a massive stroke causing an irreversable brain injury. He was critical for several months...they did not know if he would survive, and if he did, would he speak or see or be able to maintain normal vitals without support? What kind of long term problems would he have?

Lane did survive, but he has had a long road. He has been through many surgeries. He has seizures, sometimes several a day. He is tube fed, because of aspiration. He is prone to pneumonia. But, in all of that, this little boy has changed the lives of many. He became "everybody's baby". He has taught us all about strength, acceptance, patience, faith, hope and understanding. He came into a "family" of first responders, EMT's, Paramedics and nurses, which his mother calls his "care team" and I am blessed to be a part of that "team".

This past week, he "just wasnt acting quite right". He was taken back to Vandy (which seems sometimes to be his "home away from home") and it was found that he had perforated again. No one knows how or why it happened and we have learned to always expect the unexpected with him! He was immediately taken into emergency surgery to repair a nickel size hole in his stomach. He has been monitored for infection over the last week and many, many prayers have been said. He seems to be healing nicely and will possibly be going home tomorrow.

(Learning Lane's wound care)

Today, I spent the morning with Will, Ellen and Lane at the hospital. They so graciously allowed me to bring my camera and document Lane's morning...God bless this sweet child who goes through things that most folks cant even imagine. Thank you, Will and Ellen, for letting me love your little boy! Lane, Deb loves you to the moon!...Debi Kolak

Gunner and his people!

So, earlier this week, I got the pleasure of spending a couple of hours with some friends of mine. The Tanner's got a new family member named Gunner and it was his big photo op with the family! It was super hot last night and by the time we were done, Gunner was dragging, but...we trudged through it and got some really cute shots! Miss Abby was quite the diva! She definately worked the camera! Jim and Rachel, thank you for letting me be a part of a few of your family's memories. You have a beautiful, bright and silly little girl. She definately made the heat worth it for me!! I hope you're pleased with the results! Debi Kolak

my weekend with Sara and Aiden

I got to spend this past weekend with some great folks...my family!! Friday evening, I got to hang out with my mom, brother, sisters and all the nieces and nephews. We all got together to see my sister Donna, her daughter-in-law and granddaughter off for their road trip to Virgina to welcome Josh back home from deployment. My niece, Sara, and great nephew, Aiden, were kind enough to be the 1st ones to volunteer for and take advantage of my "new faces" photo request. Aiden was a trooper, but when he was done...he was done!! Thank you, Sara, for being one of my best friends, and for spending the weekend with me!! Debi Kolak

a little peek at A.J.!

A.J. is about to turn 1! Yesterday, we took advantage of the wonderful weather and took a few pictures. He was a good sport in the very warm weather and very curious. He loved the airplanes flying over and the cows that were nearby. Thank you, James and Heather, for giving me the opportunity to spend a couple of hours with your family! Debi Kolak

Hadleigh came to town!

This is my great niece, Hadleigh. It's not often, that I get to do a photo shoot and then spend the rest of the day getting sweet little baby smooches. She and her mom are in town visiting for a couple of weeks from VA. Her daddy is currently on deployment with the US Navy. Hadleigh is going to be a big sister soon...Josh and Majolyn are expecting baby girl #2 in August...just a few weeks after Hadleigh's 1st birthday. I am SO proud of both of them...Josh, for serving our country and Majolyn, for being a wonderful mama and a Navy wife! I love you guys! Thank you!! Debi Kolak

Luke is 1!

Last year I was invited to take pictures of a friends new baby boy. It is hard to believe that a year has already past and Luke is turning 1 this week. Today, we took advantage of this beautiful day and shot some pictures of him now that he is a "big boy". He was a good sport, even though I stuck him in the wet grass and held up his nap time! Thank you Brandy and Fletch for allowing me to spend the morning with you guys! Debi Kolak


He's not quite ready to let go...