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!

It went from a complete down pour to sunny skies for the wedding and portraits and then right back to heavy dark skies!

I begged for just a few more minutes with this cute couple before they left for their honeymoon and I am so glad we made it happen!

This is one of my favorites:

Me too!!! =]

It has been so fun the last few weeks seeing her excitement grow!  Who could possibly know that turning 8 years old could be THIS much fun!!

I really thought she would never be able to go to bed last night, but after a few calls of  ’Mom, I can’t go to sleep’ she was dreaming peacefully!!

I decorated her room with balloons and left her a trail through the entire house with yarn!  Instructions were left for her to ‘follow me’!

She found the end of her string tied to her new trampoline in the garage!   It was a surprise that she did not expect at all!

Being a school day we were rushed to get out the door in time so we are probably short on few pictures of the birthday girl’s bed head!

She did not forget her Birthday Girl ribbon that her Nana bought for her!

(Mrs. Hannah … I truly apologize for excitement today! )

It feels like such a dream that our baby girl is turning 8 today!  Shannon and I looked through her baby album last night before bed and needless to say we each were a little stunned at the realization how fast the last few years have gone.  It seems like only yesterday in one way … and a lifetime ago in others.

We took these photos a few days ago … I can’t remember what I bribed her with at this moment, but I am sure it was something she thought was a good deal at the time!  =]

I am so glad we did!  I love this smile…..

Happy Birthday to you sweet girl!  Love, Mom

Although we do no get to see them as often as we like, when she is home visiting she always makes the special effort and time to visit with our Grandfather!

I always try to sneak in a quick visit as well!

This year our timing almost didn’t happen since she was getting ready to return home and I was just barely getting home from NYC, but we made it happen!

I love this cute family!

The kids are so full of personality and Danelle and Barron let them be their own individuals!

First up was an updated family photo!

Leah Kate hadn’t entered the picture the last time we did photos!  =]

Being a middle child is not always the easiest position in a family ….. trust me, I know from personal experience.  =]

Ben is this family’s middle child .  We can relate!

I just don’t know if I can possibly explain it without getting myself into trouble … This photo just made my heart so happy!

This one made it melt just a little more …..

Such a Beautiful Family!

Sibling Love!

I think Mom and Grandma needs a HUGE canvas of this one!!

Meet Leah Kate and her cuteness!  She is the ‘ baby’, but clearly the one in charge of her Brothers!!

Who could resist this personality!!!

Meet Mr. Middle himself … Benjamin!

Yes … I will also admit that I recognize the mischievous grin I see here too!

And Finally the Oldest … Noah!

We can’t forget Mom and Dad!

Every  couple should have a photo like this in their home!  Love it!!

To Barron, Danelle, Noah, Ben and Leah Kate … Thank you so much for waiting on me to get home!  I loved seeing you guys and marveling over how much the kids have grown!!  Your photos  made me smile and I hope that you will treasure them for many years to come!

Love to you!!  ~Kellie

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

He just happens to be one of the my brother’s best friends!

He joked that the Kelly/Kellie’s were taking over the wedding, but we promised to keep him on track!

Joe is soft spoken and kind.  He is the type of friend that will drop what he is doing to do anything in the world for you!

I knew Kelly was incredibly lucky to have met and fallen in love with Joe, but it did not take very long at all to realize that Joe is pretty much on the ‘lucky’ side too!

Kelly is sweet and adorable!

The two together are perfect!

Our chosen day to meet … of course … it rained!

One would think i should be discouraged at my bad run in weather, but you learn to embrace it and make it happen!!

I adore their sweet expressions looking at each other!

Sweet and Beautiful!

My Favorite ……. <3

They will live in a divided house when it comes to their sports teams!

WKU vs UK

We had a great time playing with this diversity!

I also took a chance to play with some off camera lighting to give these photos a different feel!

Loved the results!

7.16.11

I can hardly wait!!

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!