Mattie shared this short bio about their journey and a few family photos for me to share with you!

I am donating a photography session that will include a 10×10 album to the winning bidder of their auction and  for Ben and Mattie ….I will also donate the same package to your sweet family when your new family  is united!  =]

Please take a moment .. read their story … and mark the date for the online auction on your calendar and open your hearts to this family!

“Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.”
Isaiah 43:5

We (Ben and Mattie) met in 2004 while volunteering at a Sweetheart Banquet on Valentine’s Day to raise money for missions.  First and foremost we love the Lord and our family.  Ben is an avid outdoors-man and works as a probation/parole officer.  Mattie has worked in a school in one form or another for 7 years, but just recently was led to be a part of the local Crisis Pregnancy Center.
We had always thought of adoption as something we would do, but we weren’t sure of the timeline that God had planned for us. Over the course of the past four years, God has taught us so much from our biological children and one of the things we have learned is to always trust the Lord in everything. His timing is perfect. Our first child, Ethan, is  4 years old and is such an amazing kid. God taught us love like we had never known when he was born. Our daughter, Shyla Joy, was stillborn in 2009 due to undiagnosed blood clotting disorders. God showed us his comfort and strength through this time in our lives. A ministry for grieving parents was created through our pain and I (Mattie) began blogging at a blog now called, “Beauty Will Rise“. He showed us that family takes many shapes and forms and that although our family is separated by the veil of Heaven, we are still family.  Love makes a family…not the picture on the mantle.  Our littlest child, Jakin Isaac, was also born to Heaven in November of 2010. He was perfect in every way, except his little heart began beating too quickly and just could not go on forever like that. We asked God to heal it and He did by taking him home to Heaven. We were again comforted by God’s love and strength and again found comfort in reaching out to other parents. Before Jakin was born, we began talking more about adoption and feeling God leading our hearts in that direction. We felt the time was drawing close for us to begin the adventure of adoption and agreed that we would begin interviewing agencies the summer after Jakin was due to be born, but God had different plans. After Jakin went to Heaven, God began letting us know our time was nearing.

We signed our first piece of paper in January and have endured many ups and downs in the process, but we know in the end that wont matter.  At this point, we have literally done all we can do and it is out of our hands.  Our home study and all related paperwork was completed and just waiting to be sent to South Korea when we got word that the quota’s for this year have been fulfilled and we more than likely have to wait until late fall to see any movement.  At first, this was very disappointing, but then we saw it as God taking it out of our hands.  All we have to do is wait.  God has given us this time to begin adjusting our lives for our new arrival and work on the plan that we have to try our very best to adopt debt free.

Mattie is blogging about our adoption journey at Bring Hope Home.

We appreciate any donations along the way, but mostly we covet your prayers for God’s wisdom and peace to be with us along this road!

I love things that are familiar and warm, but I also have a love for new and exciting adventures.

Even though both changing and not changing can make me feel a little anxious.

As I near the 3rd anniversary of  pursing my  dreams through Kellie Carter photography, there are so many things going on behind the scenes!

Although we are getting closer to to sharing them…. we need just a little more time!

Things to be excited about …. new look, new space, new …. well definitely not a ‘new’ me, but a me that is more grounded in her love for photography and more willing to share a side of herself that those closest and dearest to my heart know best!

Stay tuned!

Love, Me

Many thanks to my great friends who always believe in Me!

Photo by: Kamee June

Hair and Make Up:  Katrina Kirk

It stated that since it had snowed the first time we met and rained on engagement picture day that we SURELY were deserving a beautiful wedding this coming June!  =]

It made me smile because whatever weather we wake up to on the wedding day… it will not matter one bit!

These two are adorable and so in love!

Despite the omnious clouds and occasional rain drops, Molly and BJ were not phased!

They are in Love and Excited about their upcoming wedding….. and so am I!

We met at Molly’s Grandparents farms which will be the backdrop for their wedding reception!

I loved being invited in to such a sweet family!  Molly’s grandmother even invited me to stay for cobbler!

The farm was picturesque and I loved hearing about Molly’s vision for the reception!

This was one of my favorites!  I loved everything about it!

Love this too ……

Not only are they a gorgeous couple, but they are smart too!!  =]  After the wedding they are off to attend Law school together!  =]

I didn’t get the memo to wear my rain boots!  Aren’t theirs cute?!!

I stayed on the other side of the creek (still managed to almost fall in) and these two braved the waters!

But every day he seems to be growing up so fast right before my eyes:

He has a heart that is kind and compassionate:

And he makes me so proud:

He has never really liked cake.  The last few years we have had brownies!  =]

I was surprised when he requested that I make him a Red Velvet Cake for his Birthday!

I was thrilled and hope that he will ask me to bake one for every single Birthday to come!

12 … the package of candles came in 12…. that stung a little:

Shannon and I with our first born… 12 years later!

I believe Dalton’s sister had an underlying motive with the gift she picked out!  =]

At least we can all enjoy it too!!

Not a day passes by that Dalton doesn’t remind me that ‘I’ am getting shorter!

As you can tell from this photo we are both ‘stretching’ to  try to be the tallest!

I feel certain this will be the last birthday that I am the second tallest in our house!!!

I love that he loves me ………and tells me so everyday!

Happy Birthday to you!!

A few months ago I was working late one night editing and Shannon was keeping me company in our home office.  We somehow got on to a discussion about getting away for a few days.  It didn’t take much thought or decision to know that this was a GREAT idea!

The next questions was WHEN and that wasn’t hard to figure out with my wedding season so we quickly moved on to the fun subject of WHERE!!

Shannon looked at resorts and I googled weather forecasts!  I wanted to go somewhere warm and sunny!

Who were we kidding ……. it was hands down …. Aruba!  We loved our first visit 3 years ago and knew we wanted to return!

A short time later we packed our bags, handed over the kids to their grandparents and we were off!

This was truly a vacation.  I left my laptop and my computer at home!  People have asked us ‘What did you see?  What did you do??’

Well … this is it ……….we relaxed, ate delicious food, read a few books and just enjoyed each other’s company …..and it was heavenly!  We could not ask for anything more!

Aruba is breathtaking!

A self timer on a point and shoot comes in pretty handy!  =]

I know … I am pale … I am always pale!  =]

A Diet Coke bottled in Aruba ….. I could not possibly resist that!

And now  …. I will start trying to get caught up on posting some of the cool things I have been working on before our trip!  =]

Without a doubt the last several months have been busy with the hustle and bustle of life, but it was important to me  to slow down and enjoy this day. I invited my Mom to go with me and I know it is an experience she will never forget as well!

I would not be honest if I did not admit feelings of apprehension before I arrive at the hospital to do these shoots.  I worry about saying the right the things, making the children comfortable and most of all capturing who they are all without focusing on why they are.  It takes all of only a few seconds for these feelings to fade when doing what I love to simply takes over.

This was my first experience visiting an isolation unit which required me to wear a gown, mask and gloves to photograph the child.   That was humbling all in itself!

If you have not had a chance to visit the national website …. please do!

www.flashesofhope.org

It simply takes a $25.00 donation to make these shoots possible for each child.  =]

An important incoming text that interrupted our shoot made this incredibly so normal!

This was my favorite image of the day: