Life Lesson # 321: Don't let your child get a henna tattoo while in a foreign country

So Brady and I were in the car on our way to Wiggle Time, our favorite hangout spot, when she announced that her arm was itching. I turned to see a perfect rash along the outline of the giant peacock henna tattoo she had to have while we were in Mexico. Mind you, this tattoo was painted on almost 10 days ago, but since Brady has been known to have an allergic reaction to various detergents, lipglosses, and an assortment of other items, I wasn't totally surprised to see the rash. We made a pit stop at the pharmacy to pick up some cream, only to hear a story from the pharmacist about a buddy of his that had this same type of reaction to a henna tattoo-FOUR YEARS LATER, the tattoo finally went away-I was mortified!! Seriously, if this doesn't go away, the possibility that I might have to home school our youngest daughter is not out of the question. After all, it does clearly state in the Putnam County Dress Code that students are to have no visible tattoos, and at the moment, Brady has an elaborate peacock on her arm. Let's all say a little prayer tonight that the cream clears this little problem up. I know it's one of those things I will probably laugh about in years to come, but for the moment, I am having a bit of difficulty coping.

Don't forget to log on and donate to MDA! I will be locked up on September 10th, and I still need to collect lots of bail $$! If you missed the link in the last post, it is:

https://www.joinmda.org/cookevillelockup2008/info

You'll be helping out a great cause!

On to pictures! I had the pleasure of working with Katy and Scott for the first time a few weeks ago. I will be photographing their wedding in Nashville in November, and I am really looking forward to it! We met at Pinkerton Park in Franklin and got some great shots. Here are some of my favorites:

I'm Being Locked Up!

As mentioned in yesterday's post, an anonymous person nominated me to participate in MDA's annual Cookeville Lockup. This charity event places me behind bars on September 10th-until then, I need your help raising bail $$$!!! I have attached the link to my MDA homepage. By visiting the link, you can make online tax deductible donations to MDA. All money donated will go directly to the children in our area. I have set a personal goal of $1000, so please help out in any way that you can-$5, $10, $20-whatever works for you, plus the site makes it easy for you to pay online with your credit card. I am also asking that you forward the info on to other friends and family that might not visit my blog, but that would be willing to donate. Every little bit counts, and I am so glad that I have been given this opportunity! To donate, please visit the link below:

https://www.joinmda.org/cookevillelockup2008/info

Now, on to pictures! Mary and Nathan were married at Lakeside Resort on June 28th-this was a super rainy day, and we all thought we would be having an indoor wedding. The rain cleared just before we started the photos, and stayed away for the rest of the evening! Everyone, including myself, had a blast at their wedding. I could literally post hundreds of pictures from this wedding, but here are my favorites of my favorites!

I was in love with Mary's dress!






I told the guys to think "Reservoir Dogs" when we were taking this photo. They TOTALLY pulled it off.



Mary didn't originally have anyone to carry her train, but because of the rain, this little guy stepped up to help her out. He took his new job very seriously.




Mary and Nathan sharing a moment just after they said "I Do". They brought tears to my eyes.









This picture cracks me up! Check out the groomsman under her dress. These guys had my assistant, Becca, and me laughing the whole night.



Yummy reception details...




I loved this series of shots taken of the bridesmaids helping Mary bustle her dress. The funniest part is Nathan-I don't know if he was sneaking a peek or trying to figure out what was going on. Either way, it makes me laugh!





Watch out John Travolta!!!




Thanks again Mary and Nathan, for such a fun evening!!!

Home Sweet Home

After 8 days of R&R in beautiful Cabo San Lucas, it's so nice to be back home. We returned late Monday night, and I finally have all our laundry done. I don't have tons of vacation photos to share with you-I have found that I have much more fun if I just leave my camera in the room! If I have it with me, I don't even take the opportunity to enjoy what I am experiencing, because I am too busy taking photos. Stevie took most of our photos this vacation, and as soon as I get her card from her, I will post more. Until then, here's one of my favorites taken the first day.



When planning our vacations, I always choose a resort that is away from all the hustle and bustle of a tourist town. We stayed on the opposite side of the peninsula-away from all the commotion. For those of you who have seen Disney's "Madagascar", we called the busy side the "fossa" side-it drives me mad when I can't walk down the beach without someone offering to braid my hair, give me a henna tattoo, and sell me a handwoven basket all at the same time. Don't get me wrong, I like having access to those things, and for that reason, we spent a little bit more on taxis into town, but being able to take a quiet walk on the beach makes it totally worth it for me. There was NO ONE on the beach when I took this shot. The waves in Cabo were some of the most spectacular waves I have ever seen. You could stand yards away and feel the force behind each one. We literally spent hours over the course of the trip just watching them, in awe.

Later today, I will post images from Mary and Nathan's wedding, so be sure to check back. Also, an anonymous person nominated me for MDA's Lockup, coming up on September 10th. I was happy to volunteer for this opportunity to be "locked up" for this wonderful charity, so later today I will let you all know what you can do to get me out of jail, and more importantly, help out Jerry's Kids!

Cabo-here we come!!!

We're off to Cabo tomorrow afternoon. The computer is staying at home, so no posts for the next 9 days! Before I leave, here are some highlights from my recent sessions...

I did Lori's bridal session in Nashville a month ago, but couldn't post until after the wedding. Lori looked absolutely beautiful, even though the wind was trying to whip off her veil.








Big brother Walker and little-brother-to-be Anden-I love this family! I have known mom and dad for a long time, and it has been so great to watch Walker grow up. I can't wait until baby brother arrives!







And finally, Alyssa and Ryan's wedding! What a hot day this was!!!

The handsome groom




Alyssa looked so beautiful!










One of Alyssa's bridesmaids, dancing her heart out!

Happy Anniversary!

John and I celebrate 8 years of marriage today! We don't really have anything planned, since we are going to Cabo next week, but I thought I would share my "anniversary" playlist. So grab your luvva, a glass of wine, (or if you're in the same boat as me and your pregnant, sub out a cup of decaf) and enjoy!

"Crazy Love"-Van Morrison: hands down, the greatest love song ever written. I always hear lots of other Van Morrison songs at weddings, but rarely this one-someone tell me why?? Just beautiful.

"Wild Horses"-The Rolling Stones: I still get chills every time I hear this song

"I'm on Fire"-Bruce Springsteen: big Bruce fan. In fact, we're taking Stevie to her first ever concert in August to see Bruce.

"Let's Get it On"-Marvin Gaye: classic. Guys, if you can't get some action playing this song, you need more skoolin'.

"Everybody Here Wants You"-Jeff Buckley: It's getting steamy in here!!!

"Slow Dance"-John Legend: LOVE this song!

"Come Rain or Come Shine"-Ray Charles: so sweet. This song just makes me smile.

"The Beautiful Ones"-Prince: John took me to see Prince for our 3 year anniversary. I just assumed "Purple Rain" would be my favorite performance, but he totally rocked it out on this song. Loved it ever since!!

Happy Anniversary, honey!!!!!


Now for some picture pleasure. I got to meet Bonnie Kate for the first time a few weeks ago. She was a fresh 6 days old when I did these photos. I photographed Mommie and Daddy's wedding almost two years ago, so it was so awesome to be a part of this new page in their lives. Bonnie is just beautiful.







I don't care what you say, this was not "gas"-Bonnie smiled at me.