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type one diabetes, one year mark for Tae tae

This is my sweet baby girl…who, let’s be honest, it not really a baby anymore. One year ago today, I took her into the doctor because I had a gut feeling she had Type 1 diabetes. She had been drinking non stop and peeing all day (literally) and even waking up in the night because she was thirsty and needed to go to the bathroom…again.
Unfortunately I was right. Or rather, the spirit that keep quietly nudging me towards thinking it was Type 1, was right. We went striaght from the doctors office to the hospital for three days. She was so brave. I remember sitting in the car, talking to Jasper on the phone, telling him they wanted to keep her at the hospital. She became so terrified because she thought they wanted to keep her forever. It was so sad. We pulled into my driveway before going to the hospital crying. We were entering such an unknown world. Four year old Tae climbed onto my lap in the drivers seat and we cried together. A tender moment for me.
Most people think Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes are the same. I’m here to tell you- they are NOT.:)Type 1 or Juvenile Diabetes is incurable. The kids are insulin dependent for the rest of their lives. They don’t have to stay away from carbs or sugar like Type 2. They just have to be dosed with insulin whenever they eat carbs.
Up to date, Tae has had over 1,475 shots, and 2,390 finger pokes. That’s only ONE years worth of the many years ahead of her. She has been simply amazing. She cried and cried at every finger poke (to check her blood sugar) and each shot in the hospital. As soon as we got home, never again did she cry. Prayers were surely answered on her behalf, especially on my mental state. I don’t know if I could have dealt well with crying 4-6 times a day.:)
To celebrate her victory over the 365 day stretch to her one year mark we decided to do a photo shoot just for her. We only had 15 minutes and it was really cold, but we did it.
I decided a year ago after reading numerous diabetes blogs that I wouldn’t let this stop our family in any way. That it wouldn’t take over our life, or make us bitter. I’ve had many hard days that were accompanied by tears, but I’ve done my best to make it just another hurtle in our lives that we can simply jump each day. I don’t ever want Tae to feel like her spirit is broken like her pancreas. I want her spirit to make up for the broken body. I can say, so far, it certainly has. She can do hard things.
Today I’m thankful for her health, and for the health of my four other children who have also worked so hard to help her and learn to take care of her. I’m thankful for the many people who have helped and given support to us this past year, it has been humbling in so many ways. People are so good. So full of love and compassion. Thank you. Thank you.

My Tae Tae…

Meredith - Love her. Love you. You both are amazing! And she is so dang cute! (Love that jacket, btw. If I ever have a girl (HA!) you need to fill me in on where to get cute stuff like that!)February 21, 2012 – 7:45 pm

Jessica - Oh she is so adorable! What a brave girl…and brave mama:)February 21, 2012 – 7:50 pm

Joy - This post wrenched my heart. The stress of a mother trying to protect her child from something she can’t is the worst thing in the world. But, you will both become stronger through this… something Brooklyn and I remind ourselves of often about a few things we go through, always adding, “but it still sucks.”February 21, 2012 – 7:51 pm

Andrea - I love this: “I want her spirit to make up for the broken body. I can say, so far, it certainly has. She can do hard things.” Love the photos, love the personality of her you captured, love that you took a few minutes to celebrate her victory and strength. You’re a good mama- no matter you have such beautiful, wonderful kids. Okay, Jasper probably helped a little. :) February 21, 2012 – 8:00 pm

Emily - Love these! You did a fabulous job (at the creation of the energetic girl and the pictures)! I especially love the ones on her belly on the bench. I don’t know why, but they just seem so “her.” I love you and that sweet girl! I will never forget that day either, and we all stand in awe of the strength and tenacity of this beautiful girl (and her gorgeous Mama)!February 21, 2012 – 8:10 pm

Elle/Lelainia - Gorgeous girl! Only fifteen minutes?? Every shot is amazing! Your daughter’s beauty and spirit radiate from these images in a profound way! Her eyes are mesmerizing. Thank you for taking the time to post some of your experiences. I admire you for your honesty, strength, wisdom, talents, but most of all, for the grace you possess that allows your “sweet baby girl” to thrive in spite of having diabetes. Your pictures in this special shoot are a testament to this amazing grace you have as a mother.February 21, 2012 – 8:32 pm

Christine - You’re my hero TaeTae!! And Jen, you’re supermom, and your whole little family is superfamily! And FREAKING cute pics!February 21, 2012 – 9:14 pm

Lisa Aldridge - What a beautiful little girl you have Jen. You are so amazing and have such strength. Your little girl is just like her mom. Love you guys.February 21, 2012 – 9:41 pm

Great aunt Bonbon - Love permeates your souls.February 21, 2012 – 10:16 pm

Kim - You seriously have beautiful kiddos. Love her big brown eyes… *sigh*. You are an amazing mom Jen. I admire so many things about you!!!February 21, 2012 – 10:58 pm

Rachel Clare - Love her, love you. Grateful she’s doing well, and grateful for answered prayers on your behalf. xoxoFebruary 21, 2012 – 11:25 pm

Anneliese - What a sweetheart! These are beautiful photos, but the story is even more beautiful.February 21, 2012 – 11:50 pm

Amy Jo - What a brave girl! I love your pictures/blog. What a great story, and what a cute girl!February 22, 2012 – 11:28 am

utah wedding photographer {danielle and dustin at temple square}

really really loved photographing these bridals for danielle and dustin. isn’t she just simply stunning? you may remember them from the engagement session we did downtown last month- you should check it out here.  I am beyond excited for their wedding next weekend in the salt lake temple.  so happy you guys found me!:)

maternity photographer {waiting for hannah}

wendy, this woman is amazing. i say she is made for having babies, she just breezes right through pregnancies. amazing! these are just a couple from her maternity session we did last week. she’s just gorgeous. can’t wait for little hannah baby to get here so i snap away at her new face!:)

newborn photographer {meet hartley}

i love her name. so much. hartley is almost 2 weeks old. she honestly just slept throughout the entire session. it was like a miracle from heaven. newborns rarely ever sleep for me.:)i have been photographing their amazing family since brykin was 1. he’s so big now. i love seeing families grow!
just a few from my editing today…

Tim and Megan (utah wedding photographer)

hello tim and megan. you two are so fun and amazing and in love. we had such a great time shooting their engagement session downtown. clearly the camera loves them. they’re being married at the end of march in the jordan river temple with a reception at thanksgiving point. i’m super excited.
in the mean time, check out their greatness:

too see more of my work or for more wedding information, check out my website, www.fausetphotography.com

kathy - How in the world can you pick from these? There are way too many good ones.February 6, 2012 – 4:19 pm

Ashley, John & Will {Utah Photographer}

I enjoyed some seriously amazing weather this last week. I headed to Los Angeles with some friends. It was A*M*A*Z*I*N*G! 80 degrees everyday baby! While I was there I had the opportunity to photograph one ultra sweet baby Will. You may remember him from the newborn session I did of him almost a year ago, it is still one of my favorites. You can check it out here. I loved this session because we did some lifestyle inside and outside. I just love one year old’s. They honestly can’t take a bad photo, all Will had to do was sit there and do nothing and he was beyond adorable. If you live in Arizona- the Phoenix/Mesa and Flagstaff, or Los Angeles areas and would like a session next time I’m there, shoot me an email.:)
Here are a few of my favorites from this session. Ash, you are such an amazing mama. Wish I lived closer to you!


Andrea Dansie - JEN!!! You are so amazing at capturing the little (BIG) moments. I love how you can be anywhere and take fantastic pictures (along with a great variety).January 31, 2012 – 10:19 pm

danielle and dustin {utah engagement photographer}

meet danielle and dustin. they are so cute and so in love, and so easy to take pictures of.:)we shot downtown salt lake. it was so cold, especially for poor dustin whose from south carolina and was freezing from the inside out.:)can’t wait for their wedding next month!

Andrea Dansie - Jen- I love how you make everyone look so flawless! You are such a pro at posing, too. Love your work, as always.January 18, 2012 – 5:29 pm

los abrigados wedding {sedona arizona}

the lovely justin and katie were married in sedona at the los abrigados resort and spa the beginning of november. can i just tell you how freeeeeeeezing it was?! we honestly were so cold. sedona is usually so perfect and mild that time of year. except that day. katie was a serious trooper. her dress was so gorgeous, but not the warmest dress.:)
just a few from their lovely wedding outside in sedona…in novemeber…in the freezing cold. at least it didn’t snow right?!

Jamelle Kelly - cutest little jacket for the bride. love it.January 24, 2012 – 7:14 pm

flagstaff trip {the s. family}

love this family!  while in arizona last week i was able to photograph their shiny happy faces! i grew up babysitting these kids (the ones who are parents themselves now), photographed 2 of their weddings, and a few senior photo sessions in there as well!:)  I had to post a few I love from their family session.

utah birth photographer {meet carter}

sometimes we don’t need to use many words because the images say it all. that’s my favorite.

Ann - Beautiful. :) Gives me a lot of hope for my upcoming little one. :) You are so talented, Jen! Congrats to a lovely family.December 23, 2011 – 6:53 pm

Andrea Dansie - Love this, of course. :) Brings back great memories. I can’t wait for my next baby! Will you come be my friend/coach/photographer again?December 23, 2011 – 10:19 pm

Hollie - This is beautiful. You are so so very talented. My favorite is the pure joy on daddy’s face!December 24, 2011 – 8:35 am

Emily - Oh Kimi, You are simply gorgeous! I can’t help but get emotional with these beautiful pictures. Congratulations to you and Rob. Carter is amazing and so handsome (I just LOVE that last one)! What a perfect Christmas present!December 24, 2011 – 10:35 am

Cindy Sumarauw - I want to have another baby so you can photograph the birth! Excellent work, Jen! You captured THE moments!December 31, 2011 – 8:39 am

marcie - Great editorial, you feel the anticipation, great work! Well documented.January 4, 2012 – 8:01 pm

utah photographer {michelle, and her 3 kids…one happens to be in heaven}

this is michelle. michelle is one of my best friends. she lost her sweet little james who was just 22 month, 5 years ago in an accident. it’s been a very long, emotional road for her. i have watched her go thru grief, undeniable pain over her loss, guilt, anger, and despair, into a beautiful caring, compassionate and wonderful woman from it. she has no doubt become stronger from her tragedy. i can’t imagine for one second loosing a child. we were completely meant to be friends. it was no mistake our paths crossed.
michelle wanted to do a photo shoot of her and her children and incorporate james into the session. she brought a box with his “life” in it, photos, remembrances, his precious things. also, a blanket she made for him, a photo album of his short but vibrant go at this life, and his bear he loved. as we shot the images of her laying down with his bear, wrapped up tightly in his blanket we could both feel his sweet spirit wash over us. the tears just naturally came to both of us. i don’t think i can express what a precious moment it was. her tears symbolized so much more than sadness and loss, but life and joy after such heartbreak. that it’s possible to be happy again after enduring so much. i hope especially at this time of year we take a moment to be grateful. grateful for all we have, grateful all we perhaps don’t have, and even for those trials that surely creep up on us all. gratitude is a powerful emotion. it can do wonders for our souls.
you can read some her story here where she was published on the time out for women blog this month.
love you michelle! xoxox

Rachel Clare - There are no words. Just tears.December 19, 2011 – 4:09 pm

michelle - So beautifully written Jennifer: These pictures are priceless. They truly do represent so much more than grief, but joy in gratitude for even the things I don’t have at this holiday season. I may not have him in my arms, but I have him in my heart. . . and I am so grateful I have gotten to a place that that is good enough for now. I have felt him near as the holiday approaches.Here it is the 6th Christmas I have lived with him gone and finally it feels okay that he is where he is. It is not coincidence our paths crossed. . . you were meant for me. Our friendship extends far before just five years ago. I honestly believe the good Lord had our friendship planned from the beginning of time. I am forever grateful for you love. . . as I sit here in my room with tears in my eyes for the gift you have been to me. Gratitude washes over me. Loves.December 19, 2011 – 4:49 pm

Andrea Dansie - As I kissed my new baby son goodnight tonight I was reflecting on how much he has already changed my life and how grateful I am to have him here after some trials and tests of faith. His first three months have passed so quickly and his birth was such a sweet and spiritual moment in my life. After reading this post and sheddig some tears, I went and gave him an extra kiss. I am so grateful he’s here and I can do that…I’m so sorry for Michelle’s loss and that she will have to wait until she meets her sweet little boy on the other side to give him kisses goodnight again. What a great example of faith she must be as she meets this adversity. Thanks for reminding me to cherish the many blessings I have, and not take anything or anyone for granted.

P.S. Jen- thanks for being a part of my life, and for sharing in some of my life’s sweetest moments! You touch many lives.December 19, 2011 – 11:50 pm

Megan Fisher - These are beautiful. What a special gift to have. I also can’t imgaine that loss, but I am so happy she has found peace now because that seems just too overwhelming for anyone to have to handle. What a beautiful family and amazing pictures to have with the children looking at images of their brother and sitting on his blanket, ect. You are amazing and inspiring for sure Michelle!!!!December 20, 2011 – 7:06 am

Kim - Beautiful Jen! I got so emotional looking at those pictures. What a wonderful treasure to have. I cannot imagine enduring such a loss and I am so happy that she has finally found happiness and peace. You do such a wonderful job at not only taking pictures but also telling a story with them. Not all photographers can do that! Once again, you are amazing in all aspects! <3December 20, 2011 – 9:24 am

Molly - What a beautiful experience and beautiful photos. I understand that feeling you experienced during the photo shoot completely. Our sweet little Chandler has also been gone over 5 years. He is often near and always in my heart. There are times when we feel his spirit so strongly and know he is here sharing the moment with us. He is my constant reminder of what the real purpose of life is and my inspiration to try a little harder to be a little better.December 20, 2011 – 10:11 pm

Shauna Ploeger - Thank you for sharing this. So beautifully captured :) December 21, 2011 – 2:36 pm

utah family photographer {the o. family}

loved this session. it was so perfect outside. these two were just married this year, and have this amazing blended family. don’t you love what their wearing? so great!


To see more of my work, pricing and availability, check out my website,
www.fausetphotography.com

utah senior photographer {annie}

annie annie. she is so beautiful inside and out. i just adore her and her family. annie is beyond sweet, and gorgeous and pretty much brilliant.:)congrats to you annie, have such a great senior year!!

To see more of my work, pricing and availability, check out my website,
www.fausetphotography.com

utah family photographer

I’ve met Lisa when we moved here to Utah 6 years ago. She was our realtor (if you need a great one, she is IT). We did photos when she was pregnant with each of her boys, and their newborn photos, it’s been so great watching their family grow. Enjoy a few from their session!

To see more of my work, pricing and availability, check out my website,
www.fausetphotography.com

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