1)  I’ve been working feverishly at getting donations together for the first annual Wish Upon a Wedding Nashville Chapter Gala!  If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, I highly suggest you do so before they sell out.  It is going to be a wonderful evening of fun at the Noah Liff Opera Center and you don’t want to miss out!  Buy your tickets today!  http://wishuponaweddingnashville.eventbrite.com/

2) Since I’ve had the girls, I’ve had tons of past clients mentioning how they can’t wait until they have little bundles of joy for me to photograph.  Now, while I absolutely want every one of my clients to let me know when they are expecting so that I can cheer them on and peek at pics of their adorable babies on facebook, I am in no way a baby photographer.  I’m really just experimenting on photographing my babies.  I’m much more comfortable photographing weddings and dogs, those are the areas where my strengths lie.  I am a big believer in specialization so when it comes to photographs of my babies and my family I practiced what I preach and hired a baby/family photographer!  My friend Sara of Sara E Rose Photography is documenting our first year of being a family and I highly recommend her.  I am super picky when it comes to photographs, so you know if I chose her to document our family, she is really fabulous

(You can see more from the babies’ 3 month session here)

3) This is probably the thing I am most excited about sharing with you.  After years of running Lotus Blossom Photography at night and on the weekend while working full time in marketing 40+ hours per week, I am now officially a full time photographer (and mom too).  It is a huge leap of faith, but it something I have been working towards since the start of our business and I couldn’t be more excited for it to finally be happening!  And in honor of this momentous occasion I am offering 15% off all WAG sessions booked between now and the end of March so contact us today to get on the calendar!

I think that is all I wanted to share for now!  I will leave you with a few of my new favorite photos I’ve taken of the girls recently.  Love. Those. Girls!!

It wouldn’t be Chridtmas without bacon dessert!  This year was bacon bourbon brownies.  YUM!!

The girls were still on quarantine so my Dad bought a santa suit.  Love this new tradition!

So why am I telling you about this?  Because I want to encourage each of you to chose a friend or a family that you know is having a difficult time and “Advent Fairy” them.  Just because I can’t do it this year doesn’t mean it can’t be done at all!  And I will most certainly be picking the tradition back up next year when I’m allowed to take the girls out of the house  Here is a photo of me on Advent Fairy reveal day last year.  I have tinsel wings too but they wouldn’t fit in the booth at the Waffle Crib.  Also, reveal day is totally optional.  You are most welcome to keep your AF status on the down low forever.

Give me an A….give me an F!  Advent.  Fairy!!   (Gang signs and silly costume are totally optional)

Now once you’ve chosen your person/family that you want to “Advent Fairy,” all you need to do is copy and paste the blurb below into another document, print it out, cut it into slips of paper for each day, then attach it to the gifts with a little bit of ribbon.  Have fun doing your daily drop and be careful not to get caught!!  It’s much more fun being sneaky and having your giftee wondering who is leaving things for them  ***The explanation of Advent from Day 1 is shamelessly copied from the Wiki entry***

Merry Christmas XXXX Family!  I am your personal Advent Fairy.  I know the holidays might be difficult for you this year, but I hope these daily surprises will bring you some joy! I hope to also help you to keep in mind the miraculous birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to find comfort in Him.  Every day from now until Christmas, check your front door before bedtime to see what I have brought you.  Hope you enjoy!!!

Let’s begin with the history of the Advent calendar.

The origins of the Advent calendar come from German Lutherans, who, at least as early as the beginning of the 19th century, would count down the 24 days of Advent physically. Often this meant simply drawing a chalk line on the door each day, beginning on December 1st. Some families had more elaborate means of marking the days, such as lighting a new candle (perhaps the genesis of today’s Advent wreath) or hanging a little religious picture on the wall each day.

The 24 candles might also be placed on a structure, which was known as an “Advent clock”. In December, 1839, the first verifiable public Advent wreath was hung in the prayer hall of the Rauhes Haus (relief house) in Hamburg, although it had been a family practice in parts of German-speaking Europe since the 17th century.

The first known Advent calendar was handmade in 1851. According to the Austrian (NÖ) Landesmuseum, the first printed Advent calendar was produced in Hamburg in 1902 or 1903. Other authorities state that a Swabian parishioner, Gerhard Lang, was responsible for the first printed calendar, in 1908.

Lang was certainly the progenitor of today’s calendar. He was a printer in the firm Reichhold & Lang of Munich who, in 1908, made 24 little colored pictures that could be affixed to a piece of cardboard. Several years later, he introduced a calendar with 24 little doors. He created and marketed at least 30 designs before his firm went out of business in the 1930s. In this same time period, Sankt Johannis Printing Company started producing religious Advent calendars, with Bible verses instead of pictures behind the doors.

The practice disappeared during World War II, apparently to save paper. After the war, Richard Sellmer of Stuttgart resurrected the commercial Advent calendar and is responsible for its widespread popularity. His company, Richard Sellmer Verlag, today maintains a stock of over 1,000,000 calendars worldwide.

Because it began in European tradition, tonight I bring you chocolate from Europe.

Luke 1:30-31 – …But the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.

To represent the news of a baby to come, Baby Ruths!

Luke 1:32-34 – He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end. How will this be, Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin?

Here I give you organic chocolate to represent Mary’s purity.

Luke 1:35-37 – The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.

To honor the Holy Spirit, I bring you donut holes!

Luke 2:1 – In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

The census was a way for Caesar to know who to collect taxes from so as a representation of the taxes here are chocolate Gold Coins.

Luke 2:2 -This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

A census is a count of many people; more people than there are M&Ms in this bag.

Luke 2:3 – And everyone went to his own town to register.

In honor of their journey under the stars, I bring you Milky Way Bars.

Luke 2:4 – So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

Here is a picture frame to honor your lineage.

Luke 2:5 – He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

What’s something a woman expecting a child craves??  Pickles and Ice cream! (Baskin Robbins Gift Card tied to a jar of pickles)

Luke 2:6 -While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born…

When babies are small all they can say is Goo-Goo! (Goo-Goo Clusters Candy)

Luke 2:7 – and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Here is a cloth for you to wrap yourselves up in! (A Blanket)

Luke 2:8 – And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

You’re gonna need some caffeine to watch a flock all night. (Energy Drinks)

Luke 2:9 – An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

May  these  flashlights shine  like  the  glory  of  the  Lord!

Luke 2:10 – But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Celebrate the joy with Almond Joy.

Luke 2:11 – Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Christ is our life saver! (Lifesavers candy)

Luke 2:12 – This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

Here is  a  tiny  nativity   to  help  you  celebrate  the  holiday..  (Snowglobe with a nativity)

Luke 2:13 – Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

Here is a great company of heavenly hosts for your tree! (Angel ornaments)

Luke 2:14 – Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

A Dove often represents peace so today I bring you Dove Chocolates.

Luke 2:15 – When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.

Nothing makes a long journey seem shorter like some trail mix.

Luke 2:16 – So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

Here are some things to keep you warm while you are hurrying around this winter. (scarves or gloves)

Luke 2:17 – When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,

Here are some post-it notes to post the good news.

Luke 2:18 – and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Amazing things happen to us everyday.  You can write about them in these notebooks!

Luke 2:19 – But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Here is a treasure box to keep close the treasures of your heart .

Luke 2:20 – The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Praise God today for the blessings of good friends and each other – and have fun spending these gift cards.  We hope you have received a blessing from your visits from the advent fairy this Christmas season.  We wish your family the peace and joy that comes from Christ’s love.  Merry Christmas!

And because I am a proud, thankful mom – here are more photos

Audrey’s first bath at home

Charlotte’s first bath at home

Genie and Dora love their sisters!

We got a little jump on holiday photos – look out Rudolph!

Charlotte says “This photo shoot is OVER!”

One month old!

Charlotte’s first moments

Charlotte meeting mommy for the first time.

Our sweet Audrey wasn’t quite as eager to be born as Charlotte and needed more medical assistance.

This was the first time I was able to hold both my girls at the same time.  I was completely overwhelmed with love.

Our first picture as a family of four

Sisters sharing an isolette.

Daddy holding his girls!

Homecoming day!  All the nurses wanted to say goodbye to our sweet girls

Home at last.

Audrey

Charlotte

Kendel, you are gorgeous!!

This is the 2nd time this year for one of these bridesmaids to be on the blog…anyone recognize which one?

I loved all the little details they included in their wedding day.  So pretty!

LOVE these programs!  So creative!

Laughs at the altar are the best!  I always wonder what was so funny

Vendors who made this day possible:

Ceremony and Reception: Cheekwood

Event Planner: A Delightful Day

Catering: Mrs J’s Baking and Catering

Floral: Gina Petty Flowers

Music: Blue Mother Tupelo (ceremony) and Jay Mays and Z Bro Band

Cake: Billie Mochow

Transportation: Courtesy Limo

Rentals: Music City Tents and Events

Whitney and Garrett – Thank you again for having us there to capture your special day.  We loved every minute of it and wish you both the best of everything in your marriage!

***Special thanks to Emily T Photography for coming out to help me again since I am getting bigger by the minute***

Whitney you are gorgeous!!

I really loved working with these ladies – it was so hot, but not a complaint out of anyone!  You ladies are awesome

I loved all the areas Cajun Lake had set up to do photos.  So much fun!

Then it was the guys’ turn.  They did great too!

Some of Whitney’s handiwork!

I absolutely love this shot John took of their trip back down the aisle.  LOVE!!

And then we were off to take post-wedding pics.  Nothing quite like taking photos of a freshly married couple in beautiful light!

I loved all the special little touches Whitney created for their reception.

Vendors who made this day possible:

Wedding Ceremony and Reception: Cajun Lake Lodge

Florals: Regina Brown

Catering: Sandra’s Catering

Cake: Billie Mochow

DJ: Jamie Sellers

There are a few people I need to thank for making this amazing day possible!  First is CJ Dickson of Williamson County Weddings and Events.  CJ and her team made the day flow so seamlessly, it was an absolute pleasure to work with her.  Second I have to thank my sweet friend Emily T for coming along and shooting with John and I.  As my belly continues to grow it is a huge advantage to have extra help!  For a complete list of vendors, please scroll to the bottom.

Now on to the photos!

We started off the morning at the hotel where Kynna was getting ready for her big day!

Then it was time for the 1st look and photos of Kynna and TJ alone.

Kynna and TJ wear these bracelets in memory of her Poppy.  They say “No one fights alone.”

See those pretty pink dresses I was talking about?  Gorgeous!

Kynna dancing down the alley – you would never know it was almost 100 degrees that day!  Despite the heat, she was all smiles!

I LOVED the guys shoes!  (Thank you Emily for this shot!)

The inside of the Cathedral is breathtaking.

Big laughs at the altar are my favorite

LOVED the beautiful gobo at the reception!  All of the lighting was beautiful thanks to Nashville Event Lighting.

Another fun fact – Kynna and TJ’s first dance was to Tim McGraw’s “My Best Friend,” the same song John and I danced to at out wedding.  BUT!  They totally took it a step farther by breaking out into a choreographed routine that was awesome.  And thanks to Audio Video Art, you can see it right here!

(Thank you Emily for this shot as well)

A family tribute dance for Kynna’s Poppy.

And then it was time to get the party started!

And two of my favorite images of the day – the big exit!

Their look of surprise when they realized Grandma was in the drivers seat!

Thanks again you two for having us there to capture your day!  It was absolutely perfect!

Vendors who made this day possible:

Venue: The Cathedral of the Incarnation/Rev William J Fleming Center

Coordination: Williamson County Weddings and Events

Floral: The Enchanted Florist

Lighting: Nashville Event Lighting

Catering: St Charles Catering

Rentals: Southern Events

Video: Audio Video Art