jacob dean murray, born at 1:08am… 8 pounds, 15 ounces, 21 inches & perfect in every way.  i have anticipated this sweet baby’s arrival for what has seemed like an eternity (you may remember this beautiful mama from this shoot).  i have known and loved my friend, jenny, for years… leaned on her, grown with her, stood beside her on her wedding day, held her hand as she learned to nurse her daughter, laughed with her, cried with her…. yet i have never been so in awe of her as i was as i witnessed her labor (drug free!) birthing her precious son.  she labored for 14 hours with amazing grace and patience and the worst thing i think she said was “oh my gosh”.  not to say she was not in pain, as there are not words to describe this type of pain, but she handled it in a way that was so humbling and beautiful.  her husband, doug, was there…. holding her hand, rubbing her back, gripping her, swaying with her, whispering in her ear, supporting her… the kind of love that only the bible describes.  i am proud to know this family and i pray that my children will have the blessing of growing up alongside theirs.  as i was photographing jacob’s birth, i could barely see thru the tears streaming down my face to even focus the camera.  and when i walked outside of the hospital at 2:00am after it was all over, i just dropped to my knees and thanked God for this beautiful moment in the midst of the harshness of this life.  it must have been 75 degrees out, there was a warm soft wind blowing, the sky was amazingly clear and it seemed as though every star is the sky was shining brighter than i had ever seen before.  it was the kind of night for a miracle.  :)