10 Things

So I decided to do a little something different today ... let's do a top ten, or in this case, a random ten. Ten random things about me, which you may, or may not like - feel free to chuckle, you won't hurt my feelings ;)

1) I don't drink coffee, but love coffee shops [green or chai tea please!]

2) I make my own bread.

3) I laugh a lot. And when I'm nervous .... multiply that by 10.

4) Although I talk a lot now, when I was in kindergarten, I had to go to speech therapy. Apparently I didn't pronounce my words [because I was talking to fast - and apparently it worked ... maybe a little too well]

5) I can have a good time pretty much anywhere at anytime. According to the parental units, I was always great about entertaining myself, which is why tme-outs never worked as a consequence to a bad choice. I would take my happy little self and my happy little world and sit where ever time out was to be.

6) Yogurt bars [Peachwave is our local one] are a weakness for me, and a frustration for my hubby.

7) Candles are always burning in my humble abode.

8) I drink lemon water everyday [we're talking cut a lemon and juice half of it into your water, not the already bottled lemon water]

9) I want to adopt [not tomorrow, but one day!!!]

10) I LOVE dove chocolates, and just about any other kind of milk chocolate ....

Living grateful ...

Living with a grateful heart completely shifts your outlook. I am sitting here reflecting on this past year. I know most people do that kind of first of January, but for me, my business began almost exactly one year ago. To say I am blessed is simple truth. A LOT of people have asked how I started in photography. I don't have the whole I have had a camera since I was 11, or I went to school for it  thing. I didn't always want to be a photographer. I have definitely always been a visial person from web design, graphic design, wedding planning, furniture rehab, and interior decorating, - (and yes, I have had jobs in almost all of these) but something better was on the horizon.

I came to a place in my life where I was hungry for Jesus. I wanted more of Him and less of me. He showed me areas of my life where I had tried [and suceeded] to do things my way. I worked hard and saw the fruits of my labor. Then He asked me to lay down my labor. WHAT!!?? But Jesus, how will I make it, that doesn't make sense, that is definitley not the Lord - all of these thoughts and more ran through my mind. But, I did it. For me, it was a crossroads where I had a choice. I could continue my way, and be happy, or I could let Him write my story and have an extrodinary life. Through that season of my life, the Lord taught me so much about His love.  What followed was a whirlwind entrance into the world of photography.

I have grown leaps and bounds in business and personally. From photographing weddings to taking photographs of my beautiful Haitian children, I LOVE what I do. I am grateful for every laugh and every client I get the privelage of serving. I am so grateful to Jesus for His provision, for His grace, and for His ultimate sacrifice.

And because I like to post with pictures ....

Meet my office assistant ....

I would like to introduce Maxx - He often plays the role of my office assistant. Although not very good at running errands - he is a great listener. That's one thing about being self-employed, there aren't many other people around on a daily basis [ok, there aren't any other people around]. I love it none the less, but it definitely took some getting used to at first.

I never thought I would be one of 'those people' who loved their dog like it's a person, but once we inherited Maxx that pretty much changed. Maxx is two years old this summer and he loves that he gets to be in the office with me. It makes him happy. He often gives me a nudge if I have spent a too long on the computer without giving him a little attention, and he's just so cute I give in.

One day I will have an office assistant - and until then - Maxx will work it out [photo's from phone].