Jacobs Family // Family Photographer // Oakwood Park in Cottage Grove, MN

I have a heartbeat for other people who have heartbeats for others. Huh? Yes! Let me explain. I LOVE seeing how other people love on others. Still don’t get it? Maybe this family photography session will give you a small glimpse of what I’m trying to say. Meet the Jacobs Family. They’re a fun-filled, large family with a few unique twists. One being that they own Stillwater Balloons. The other? They have a heart for others and more specifically, adoption and fostering.

This heart of theirs has brought them to having a total of 19 kids – 6 biological. But that doesn’t stop them, they also during this shoot had three adorable foster kids tagging along because they live out the phrase, “the more the merrier!” When you hang out with them, you can see the beautiful, laid back relationships that has come out of Steve & Ann’s desire to open their arms.


I didn’t necessarily answer how this gives me a heartbeat for others, so in case you didn’t get the full picture, I love seeing other families loving on each other. I love leaving a session smiling because of how the kids of all varying ages got along so well. I love seeing others love on those who are coming from a hard situation. I can’t help but love… love. Mark and I try hard to make our home a place of love. We know firsthand the challenges of being loving to others when by very nature we just want to love ourselves, so getting to see families doing it right is so refreshing.


Steve & Ann, thank you for being such beautiful example of Christ in opening your arms to those needing a home. Thank you for giving me the honor to hanging out with your awesome group again and to see how everyone is growing up! Congrats on having a new senior girl in the house and a daughter getting married soon. Can’t wait to hear about your next great adventures!