My beautiful friend, Anna, is on the search for a child to love. They asked me to capture images of their family, for their adoption packet that perspective mothers will view. It is such a blessing to be asked to have your work represent the essence of a family unit.





Love to you and I can’t wait to see the lucky babe that joins your family in the future!

Diving in head first for this announcement and making the Family Friday a Family Thursday post!
We’ve been wanting another child for years now but have been met with challenges, sadness and eventually hope. A few months ago, we decided to take a break from the RE’s office and to try a more natural approach. Through a roundabout way, we found Rachel Davis (at the Green Hills Natural Health Clinic) and signed up for fertility massages and acupuncture. I felt more positive about this journey than I had with years of doctors and fertility clinics. Much to my surprise, two months later, there it was. The all illusive positive test. Staring at me. Anyone that has been through a loss or fertility problems knows how scary it can be to actually see a positive pregnancy test.
I didn’t believe it and took another one. Yep, still positive.
I had just dropped Randy at the airport (heading to NY for an overnight business trip) and it KILLED me not to call him the second I found out. I knew this would be our last child, rounding out the 3 kids that we wanted, so I wanted to surprise him with the news in a special way. I called our dear friends Chris & Adrienne and asked if one of them could meet me at the airport when R’s flight came in the next day. I wanted to catch his reaction as he stepped off the plane to the kids’ “welcome home” signs and my “Welcome home…and surprise!” sign with a picture of the test. Poor, sweet man just thought Chris was there to catch the moment of him coming back to Nashville.



Then I told R that I made a sign for him too…and flipped it over:

Finally understanding what was going on…



*swoon*

This past week we had a scare and thought that we would lose the baby. We were overwhelmed with sadness and nervous energy until we saw the beautiful heartbeat this morning on the ultrasound. Pure joy!!! It’s still early in this journey, so we appreciate your prayers for a healthy (and hopefully, from now on, uneventful) pregnancy!
(And, Chris, thank you again love. You have no idea how much these images mean to us.)

The world around you is vast. All you know is love. Everything is an adventure. I love seeing the world through the eyes of a 1 year old. Happy birthday sweet boy.

I’ve been slacking on the blog lately so I belatedly bring you the Family Friday Saturday post. This week has been wild for our family. One of those weeks where you drink in how blessed you are and look at your children with new, bright eyes. My husband came home from New York last night and seeing my babes fly at him, as he descended the escalator, was overwhelming. I am so lucky and I hope I never get used to that fact. And all this schmoopy babbling after I had my identity stolen and our account wiped out by some idiot buying electronics in California. Those things are so minor when there is so much out there left to discover, and stand in awe of. *blissfulsigh*

The entire wedding day, I was a bit worried at what the weather would hold for Stephani & Travis. But the rain cleared up just in time for a gorgeous beach ceremony and we still a bit afterward for some down time before the reception. Thank you two so much for being open to whatever I asked! Anna and I had such a wonderful time shooting with you!

Stephani and Travis were married this past weekend at the Westin St. John Resort in the USVI. I really can not say enough wonderful things about this couple, who were so gracious and kind to us. St. John and St. Thomas were absolutely amazing….thanks S & T for flying Anna and I in for your “special day”! (hehehe Steph hates that phrase so I had to throw it in, just for fun)









Michelle, the Westin’s wedding specialist, was such a joy to work with…as were all of the fabulous vendors.






More to come in a minute! You can also check out our behind the scenes adventures on our travel blog!

Honestly, I struggled when my son turned five. Not sure what it is about that age that screams “no more baby” but that’s the marker in my mind. Next week my baby girl will turn 5 and we’re throwing her big birthday bash tomorrow. Princesses, princesses everywhere. Think happy thoughts for me, so that I may avoid an emotional meltdown.

Happy birthday my sweet, vivacious, hilarious, ornery, wild little Gemini. You are such a joy and I will always be thankful for your place in my life. I’m so sad the baby days are behind you but I can’t wait to see the beautiful things that lie in your future. I love you to the moon and back.
“Tisses” and PINK SHOES to you!
Love Mom

Rosemary Beach, Florida is the perfect background for a couple’s session. Randy and I loved wandering the streets with Bridget & Karl. Look for more images from their wedding soon!

Another Friday… Saturday Family post (next Friday I’ll be back home, without limited upload speed)! This time just a simple quote that one of my dear friends sent to me, about wonder, and a few images from the Kids Rock The Block Party at Rosemary Beach.

“Do you allow yourself to feel wonder about the amazing things the universe has to offer? Children do it with no problem. A cloud becomes a giraffe; a bug is diligently followed with incredible intensity; an ice cream cone is an exercise in sheer delight. Don’t allow life to take away those magical feelings because you’re too busy or stressed out. It’s what makes life worthwhile!” ~ Loretta LaRoche

R and I have so many images to pour through from the wedding we captured on Saturday and a regular blog post wouldn’t do it justice. Look for a full slideshow soon! Until then, here’s a few quick teaser images from this weekend’s trip!