Show Your Hope!

7 Years ago today, Ralph and I were introduced to the most fierce and sweet precious little girl we would ever meet……

Sasha was born in the early morning hours of August 20th, 4 weeks premature, weighing in at 7 pounds even.

In a matter of moments, we were thrown into a nightmare as we watched Sasha fight the first and hardest battle of her life.

It was like a sucker punch to our hearts – so unexpected and terrifying.

She spent the first 28 out of 40 days of her life in ICU’s fighting for her life.  We were reeling with fear and disbelief.

It finally seemed like the worst was over and we were going to be able to just move on and she would lead a ‘normal’ life…

We couldn’t have been more wrong…it was only the beginning…

Countless sleepless nights, difficult and trying days filled with tears and anger as we watched our sweet precious girl endure things no human being should ever have to endure….

I think I could write a thousand pages about the endless appointments, questions, heartbreak, resentment, fear, and trying moments that she has had to face…and someday, I just might – but today, I would rather tell you about how incredible, strong, fierce, courageous, sweet, tender, honest, persistent, resourceful, amazing, and inspiring she is – not with my words…but through my eyes…

Sasha is my darling, my ‘Sassafrass,’ my reason to fight.  She has taught me so much about pushing on towards joy even when you are feeling her worst.

She has battled through illness, seizures, unresponsive episodes, stroke like episodes, ataxia, fatigue, infusions, testing, a biopsy, weakness, migraines, heart and autonomic issues, and many other things.  She is a TRUE WARRIOR of LIGHT.

We are so blessed to have her as our daughter.

You may wonder why I’ve included the pictures of her in the hospital or during some of her testing…I wanted you all to see just how far she’s come, the things she’s overcome, the beauty she emulates in her best and worst of times, and the light that shines through every moment.  When we celebrate ‘LIFE‘ we don’t just acknowledge the ‘good’ moments – we acknowledge ALL the moments – for those moments – every single one of them (good and bad) make them who she is and she is BEAUTIFUL, STRONG, SWEET, COURAGEOUS, BRAVE and nothing short of a MIRACLE.

Happy Birthday my Sweet Sunshine!

Love and Light,

Stefani

They say a picture is worth 1,000 words…

I beg to differ…

It’s worth more…so much more than that.

It’s worth pure joy….

It’s worth unmeasurable HOPE…

It’s worth incredible peace…

It’s worth sweet stillness…

It’s worth countless smiles…

It’s worth precious moments…

It’s worth priceless moments…

It’s worth boundless energy…

It’s worth endless promise…

It’s worth indescribable beauty…

It’s worth superhuman strength…

And because it’s worth all of these things and SO much more, Hope Rising Photography was born.

My aim is to inspire and invoke HOPE as you look at life through a different lens.

I’m excited to share MY HOPE with you in a different way.

I’m excited to show you a different perspective.

Through all of my life experiences, I have always seen the importance of capturing ALL moments that life has to offer –

the good,

the not so good,

the unexpected,

and the ordinary moments.

To me, every moment matters…

So PLEASE feel free to help spread the word, ‘like’ my page on Facebook, and – if there’s a picture on the website that you like – feel free to reach out to me through the website and let me know.

***MOST photographs are available for purchase. See website for more details.

Above all else, I hope you take a moment to just browse the website and take a glimpse into life the way I see it.  😉

So…what’s a picture worth to you?

Hope is a journey….let’s take it together.

Love and Light,

Stefani

*Photos may be shared as long as they are not altered*

www.HopeRisingPhotography.com

11 years ago today, I said 2 of the most important words I will ever say as I stood face to face with my soul mate….”I DO.”

At that moment in time, all we could think of was our ‘Happily Ever After‘ that we envisioned together.

Little did we know that, along with the love, joy, happiness, and laughter – the road ahead for us would be littered with crisis, chaos, heartache, fear, uncertainty, and anger and pain.

Through it all, the one thing that has never changed, never faltered, never failed, never given up….has been the love we had for each other.

I had a lot of time this year to think about how truly fantastic my life has been because Ralph is in it….and even wrote 3 songs on my last album to honor our love.

For Better or Worse: http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_10862154?utm_campaign=opengraph&utm_content=song&utm_medium=link&utm_source=facebook
All in All: http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_11873699?utm_campaign=opengraph&utm_content=song&utm_medium=link&utm_source=facebook
Time: http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_14094992?utm_campaign=opengraph&utm_content=song&utm_medium=link&utm_source=facebook

I can’t even begin to tell you all how wonderful, amazing, loving, incredible, and inspiring Ralph is – so instead, I figured I’d just show you…

I’m not sure what I’ve done to be blessed with such an amazing man in my life, but I sure do cherish him, love him, and can’t wait to spend every moment of the rest of my life with him.

So YES…..

I DO…..

From now until the end of time.

Love and Light,

Stefani

PS – I know I said I’d update a week ago, unfortunately life got in the way!  More to come….soon!!!!!