Abbey Saxton Photography

lighting and a belly…{lithia florida maternity photographer}

abbeysaxtonphotography — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:14:15 +0000

i can’t say enough about how i loved this chilly, fall evening with this sweet couple and how i loved the lighting in my new secret location (he he…). congratulations to marijo and nick as they anxiously await joshua’s arrival. baby pictures to come soon! i’ll start off with my favorite picture of the entire session.

a bittersweet journey…

abbeysaxtonphotography — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 19:30:55 +0000

A few weeks ago I received a phone call and email of what I would consider an urgent request for family pictures. I was honored and humbled. A dear family I have had the pleasure of knowing through the years learned that their mother was yet again battling cancer and would be starting aggressive treatments. Mrs. Murbach is so much to so many as an active member in our church. Above all else, she is a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother to her family that holds her so dear.

It’s while being up close and personal with families that I get to hear things they don’t think anyone else can. At one point, Mr. Murbach asked Mrs. Murbach (I call them Mr. and Mrs. because my father-forgive me-would roll over in his grave if he knew I addressed my high school sunday school teachers/leaders by their first names) if she was doing alright. She simply smiled and said, “I’m fine because I’m looking at you. “

Below is a bit of Mr Murbach’s email he sent updating friends and family on the situation and asking for their prayers and support. Please join us in praying for this amazing woman and wonderful family as they walk this bittersweet journey together. Bitter because of the pain and sickness. Sweet because of the great blessings and closeness to Christ that comes with it. Pray for strength and mercy to invade their hearts and for comfort when the days are long and difficult. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Don’t be surprised if you see Mrs. Murbach in passing that when she gently smiles and quietly speaks to you that you don’t see the face of cancer, but the love of Christ.

You can follow any updates through Rachel’s blog at www.ourlifeunabridged.blogspot.com

Written Friday October 29th
Dear Family and Friends
Today has been a difficult one….the last 2 weeks Susanna has been experiencing dizziness, balance problems, double vision, headaches, and a pain in her left buttock. Yesterday she had an MRI and today we met with her pain management doctor, Dr. Buga and her oncologist, Dr. Roberts. The MRI shows that the ovarian cancer has metastasized in her brain. There are innumerable lesions throughout the brain, but there is one lesion in the left cerebellar hemisphere that is 2.4cm x 2.4 cm. This appears to be the one that is causing the balance problems, dizziness, headaches, but not the pain in her butt.

We were able to get an appointment this afternoon with the radiologist, so Monday afternoon Susanna will begin “whole brain radiation” treatments. She will have 15 treatments, Mon-Fri for 3 weeks. Each treatment is 15 minutes. The goal is to reduce and destroy the lesions relieving the pressure in her brain that are causing the problems. Side effects are fatigue, nausea, loss of hair, possible short term memory problems.

Secondly, from her blood work her CA 125 was over 1300, and it is suspected that the pain in her butt is coming from a lesion on her spine or tumor activity in her pelvic region which is where the cancer originally was found. So she will have a CT Scan sometime next week and this will help determine if any or what kind of treatment is necessary.

We thank you so much for being there for us over these many, many months, and we need to lean on you once again. God has been so good, He has answered prayers, He has given comfort and strength and peace and family and friends, and so much more! Last Christmas, her condition was very serious and her prayer was to be able to hold her new grandbabies! God has so answered that prayer, now our prayer is that she gets to see Ava, Jane, and Isaac start their first day of school or graduate from college!

Thank you for your encouragement and your love

cassie & jon

abbeysaxtonphotography — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 05:08:55 +0000

cassie and jon tied the knot in october and we are all so happy for them. jon has been a faithful and long-time friend of my husband (who happened to be the best man-sucha proud wife i am). jon saw cassie’s profile through facebook and was taken with her. they have a great story that started with meeting the first time in person while jon was laid up in a hospital bed! they are the sweetest couple and have a wonderful, exciting future ahead of them! congratulations guys!

chunky monkey taylor…{tampa family photographer}

abbeysaxtonphotography — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 12:39:01 +0000

i was thrilled when laura contacted me again a few years after i shot their wedding to do baby/family pictures. talyor is the most precious chunky monkey girl ever! so squishable and kissable! ps…i only use the term chunky monkey as the best compliement!

i could resist this one! just may be my favorite of the day!

emma’s lilly… {tampa florida family photographer}

abbeysaxtonphotography — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 15:08:56 +0000

i love taking pictures for my family (when they let me)…ok ok…i usually don’t give them a choice. my nephew, zachary and his sweet wife, casey (along with big sister, emma) are waiting on the arrival of miss lilly ann.

fall mini’s where a hit!… {tampa family photographer}

abbeysaxtonphotography — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 01:59:59 +0000

here’s a few for each family. i was so impressed with each 15 minute session and how well the children did. i guess when you really think about it…15 minutes is the max attention span a child is willing to give the camera- so this worked perfect! keep checking back because i will be posting another date soon for christmas minis.

the grubbs

gavin leo and the bantners

the lantz family

mr hunter

the slade family

little emma and the marshalls

sweet isaac and the overcashs

kirby & david got hitched!{north carolina wedding photographer}

abbeysaxtonphotography — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 14:49:40 +0000

hot dog! they did it! the rain made this day a little crazy, not only for photos but for the ceremony, but it held off just enough for them to say “i do”. it’s always a pleasure and honor to photograph family weddings. love ya kirby!

sorry carolyn, just couldn’t help it.

goregous boy {tampa newborn photographer}…

abbeysaxtonphotography — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 12:57:28 +0000

congratulations to stacey and francois on their sweet new baby boy, luke! he didn’t want to sleep for most of our session, but he was so calm and relaxed.

he sleeps…

jim the dog checking out the new “thing” in his house.

sweet sisters {tampa family photographer}…

abbeysaxtonphotography — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 11:28:28 +0000

i look forward to this time of year to get a little creative for this family and do something a little different than last. these sweet girls have a birthday 2 weeks apart from each other (stephanie, that’s correct?). i’m sure they have their moments of “sisterly bickering” at home, yet they are nothing but kind and loving to each other every time i see them.

colton is ONE! {tampa children’s photographer}

abbeysaxtonphotography — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:38:28 +0000

you might remember this “little” guy from a while back. http://abbeysaxtonphotography.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/baby-colton/ i was lovin’ the sun in this session-though still pretty high (and hot) in the sky, i’m so happy with all the sun glare! happy birthday colton!