What I learned in 08

2008 has come and gone and I think it's important to reflect on what you learned, how you grew and what you want to accomplish in 2009. First up, what I got out of 2008:
- Sometimes you meet someone that you think is a rotten egg. They will come out of no where and make your life a living hell. Maybe they are unhappy and want to make you equally unhappy. Maybe they just have a mean streak. But when you encounter these people hold your head up high and don't stoop to their level. No matter how much you want to hurt them like they hurt you it's not worth it. And in the end maybe they'll have regrets about how they acted or treated you. But if you are kind, businesslike and professional you won't have a single regret. And that's sweet victory.
- Sometimes the opposite happens and you have some really amazing people enter your life. Take my 2008 brides for instance. Andrea, Emily G, Alyson, Ashley, Katie, Emily H, Kristen, Katy, Shayla, Kelly Ann, Ann-Claire, Nicki, Miranda, Janelle, Whitney and Alexis- thank you. Y'all were great to work with!
- I found (or rather rekindled) my passion for teaching in 08. For as long as I can remember I have had the dream of being a teacher. I used to make my bedroom into a schoolroom, line my cats up as my students and pretend to teach them any and everything I knew. Somewhere in college my passion fizzled for teaching but after doing my student teaching it all came back. And I'm so excited to see where it takes me!
-My husband is incredible. Gosh, I don't brag on him enough. He's Godly, gentle, kind, compassionate, forgiving, passionate and the most loving man I know. I love you, sweet pea!
-Every year I become so much closer to my family. I am blessed by amazing parents, in-laws and my big brother. Mom, Dad, Russell, Genny, Mo, Dave, Tim, Erin and baby Aubrey. I love y'all!
- Graduating college is a very sweet feeling. But I'm a Red Raider for life.
- And lastly to quote the philosopher Jagger:
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you might find
You get what you need

Bring it on '09.

Shane's Family

Tim, Aubrey, Me, Shane, Erin

Us and my parents

So excited!

Me and my sister-in-law, Genny

Future Red Raider

Me and my big brother

A few faves from the Gusten's wedding!

Here are a few favorites from Seth and Ann-Claire's amazing wedding back in September!

She's alive!

Ok ok! After many emails and curious clients, family members and friends- nope, I'm not dead. Yes, I'm fine. I truly do appreciate everyone who was concerned though! You guys are very sweet to check up on me! Here is my reason for being absent lately... STUDENT TEACHING!! I am sooo busy with it! But, on the bright side, I only have a few more weeks of it and then maybe I can get a job and get paid for working 40 hour weeks with first graders.
Do I like it? Love it. I really think that it's what I'm meant to do! I know some of you might think I'm crazy for wanting to teach but you wouldn't believe how enjoyable I find it. It's an extremely fufilling career and I have the best stories! (Can you believe I had a student wear their pants to school backwards?? Freaking hilarious!)
What about my photography business? Well, I booked a few weddings for next year but have decided to stop taking them for '09. I still adore photography and love shooting weddings but feel like the teaching career is my calling. As of right now, we (me and Shane) graduate in December and will need to start looking for jobs. I plan to stick around Lubbock as long as I can find a job in August, but if not we'll have to go where the job is. After I get settled in my teaching career I may still take on some summer weddings, but as of right now I'm just booking sessions. (Engagements, Bridals, After sessions, families and yes, maybe even kiddos)
To my current clients: Yes, I am still 100% dedicated to you and you will still recieve excellent service and quality products! No worries there!
Thanks again for all the caring people who were checking up on me! I'll try to do better blogging now that the semester is winding down!


I leave you with our Christmas card for this year. Pictures thanks to Lauren Zaffos!!

Katy and Jeremy

I'm pretty darn late at blogging my faves from this awesome wedding. Sorry about that Katy!
Enjoy...






I got this idea from Lauren Clark.

Helpful Scripture

Over the past few days there have been some trying things going on in my life. It can really get you down, but I know that God has a reason and a plan. I know that I'm not the only one who experiences heartache so I thought I'd share some scripture that is helping me out!

• But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

• The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

• "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

Raider turns 1!

Our Raider turned 1! We celebrated by making her 'puppy edible' cupcakes! These things were sick! So plain tasting, but the dogs ate them up! They'll eat anything...

Kristen

Here's just a few favorites that I thought I'd post of Kristen's bridals...