December 13th, 2011
The other day I was able to capture some sweet pictures of my wife and daughter for a mini maternity session. My daughter Ella is so excited to be a big sister. She loves the idea that she can take care of something and “be responsible”. We are days from baby number #2 being here and I can’t wait to meet her and love her like only a daddy can do. Thank you Lord for a beautiful family!
June 10th, 2011
Florida beaches make great pics for weddings and vacation photos. My family went to Holmes Beach, FL back in May to celebrate my brother Matt’s wedding. While our whole family was down there we decided to take a family photo. So early one morning we rounded up the troops and headed to the beach in coordinated attire, thanks SJ for the suggestions. We took several photos to make sure we didn’t get any walkers in the background. And here are the results of much patience and a beautiful family!
FYI… Drury Studio will travel to Florida for your destination wedding or family portraits! I highly recommend Florida for a vacation as well!
December 27th, 2010
Christmas was a total amazing and wonderful morning around the Drury household. We started our celebration by SJ and Ella making a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas Eve so we could sing happy birthday day to Jesus on Christmas morning. When Ella got up we read the Christmas story, sang happy birthday to Jesus, and then released birthday balloons outside for Jesus. We had a lovely morning together opening gifts and teaching Ella about Christ’s birth.
We spent the afternoon at my mom’s house with her side of the family. While we where there I took Ella outside to play in the snow. We made snowballs, snow angels, and snowman. This was the first time Ella got to play in the snow. She had so much fun she didn’t want to come in the house. It was a great day of building family memories, start traditions, teaching, and enjoying family. Below are some of the memories from this Christmas.
I hope you & your families have a wonderful Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of our Savior! I look forward to working with your families in 2011!
October 22nd, 2010
My sweet little girl turned 3 years old today. I can’t believe another year has come and gone. Ella is potty trained with few and far between accidents. She is memorizing scripture and loves to do “school” with her mommy. This little girl is a sponge for information. She is beginning to learn the alphabet and loves to sit in her room for hours with her books.
Many of you know that Ella was born with Cystic Fibrosis a genetic disease which affects the entire body. The name cystic fibrosis refers to the characteristic scarring (fibrosis) and cyst formation within the pancreas, first recognized in the 1930s. Difficulty breathing is the most serious symptom and results from frequent lung infections that are treated, though not cured, by antibiotics and other medications. A multitude of other symptoms, including sinus infections, poor growth, diarrhea, and infertility result from the effects of CF on other parts of the body.
God has been good and blessed Ella with good health. To date she has not had a major lung infection. Antibiotics and respiratory therapy have become a way of live for us. During Ella’s therapy time we read or watch some of her favorite shows. From the outside you would never know by daughter is sick. Thank you Lord for keeping her healthy!
As Ella grows and discovers the world around her it has given SJ and I many opportunities to talk with Ella about how God created her. She knows He created her special and with purpose. One time a couple of weeks ago we where talking about God come to rescue her (salvation). She ask me if he had a car seat so she go with God. A couple days ago she was praying at the dinner table and she ask God to forgive her of her sins. I love that she will talk about spiritual things. Thank you Lord for stirring the heart of my daughter and help me to create and awe in her heart for You!
Thank to family and friends for all your on going prayers and support! I love being a daddy and I’m so thankful for my little gift everyday. Happy Birthday Ella!
August 6th, 2010
Last week my family and I went on vacation to Table Rock Lake near Branson, MO. I had a great time and really completely unplugged from all technology. I put my cell phone on the dresser and checked it once a day. I put all my email address on vacation mode… if I haven’t got back to you yet sorry. I was able to spend quality time with Sarah Jane and Ella. I do have to confess I took my camera with me on the trip. I’m glad I did because I was able to capture an amazing evening shot leading into a beautiful sunset. Take a look…
This photo is actually about 12 photos put together in photoshop. All the editing was down by my little brother Matt. He is a photoshop ninja! When I look at this photo it just reminds me of peace and quiet, many laughs, and great memories. I can’t wait until next summer’s vacation!
November 17th, 2009
On October 22 our baby girl turned two years old. I can’t believe how fast babies grow into children. The past two years have been filled with challenges, laughter, and incredible memories. For those of you that don’t know our families story, Ella was born with Cystic Fibrosis.
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that: clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food. We found this information out when Ella was only 11 days old. The only thing that SJ and I knew about CF at that point was that people with CF have short life spans. Well God began to give us hope in a situation that had no hope. We came to the realization that the Creator of this world did make our daughter this way and we began a process of releasing anger and accepting the way she was created. Well fast forward two years… Ella has hit every development mile stone along the way (solid food, crawling, walking, words, running, jumping, sentences, and counting). From the outside you would never know the struggles of our little girl. God has truly blessed us with a team of doctors at Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, MO to help us understand and get the best health care for Ella. We have made adjustments to the way we raise her but life is good and beyond the side effects of CF Ella is a healthy girl.
Thank you friends and family for washing your hands, getting flu shots, staying away when sick, doing chest therapy, and most importantly praying for our family. I also could not have made it through these last two years without my amazing wife, SJ. She is on top of the latest health treatments and takes steps every day to help Ella know who God is. Sarah Jane you are amazing and I love you! Thank you for being my friend, wife, and mother of my daughter. We are blessed family. Thank you God for watching over our little girl and giving us the wisdom to raise her!
Here are some photos from Ella’s two year photo shoot. Enjoy!
To view a photo of Ella as a baby check out the post from Art East last year (first photo). I used one of her photos for my display photo in the Jacoby Art Center of Alton, IL.