interesting

I just realized that so far I haven't posted a single image on this blog - kinda funny for a photographer, huh? I've always liked to write, just always seem to be lacking a subject to write about. So I make lists, and lists, and lists. I have long term goals, short term goals, summer plans and schedules, business lists and goals, project lists and "to do" lists. And I usually rewrite them over and over again too. Sounds a little nuts.
I love being able to cross things off my lists too. Even better when I haven't looked a particular list in awhile and come back to it and realize I get to cross off several things at once.
Of course on the other hand, seeing a list and realizing I haven't done a darn thing on it is a little more depressing. Like, one my lists has "clean & organize the basement" on it. It's been on there for quite some time and always seems to be the last thing on the list. Which means it will never. get. done. It's going to be a big job, and for big jobs I like to work non-stop until it's done, which with three little girls running around, is impossible because I'm always getting interrupted. Oh well, no one comes down here anyway. ;)

thoughts....

I'm getting ready to go shoot a newborn session this morning! Jill, my cousin Jennie's cousin on her mom's side had a baby boy last week! He's 10 days old today!

I drove by the space that I'd previously thought about leasing to open a studio for the business. A place to meet clients, shoot portraits and a place to work outside of home. I'm back to considering it more seriously. The space is still available, the location is fun and offers good outdoor shooting as well. I would still travel some, I'm sure not every couple will be able to meet me there, but I'm sure it will bring in more money, especially on the portrait side of the business. It would take more of my time, which I think I might be ready for. I think having a "job" to go to would help keep me on track and get things done quicker.

Anyway, I'll be posting I'm sure on the subject more. The space needs flooring still, so if I decide to do it, it will take at least a month or a month and a half to get it ready for opening.

decisions, decisions...

summer planning

So, I'm working on getting our summer planned out. The last few summers we never really made any plans, and the days slipped by us in a hurry! This year my wedding schedule worked out so that I have most of July & August open, which is perfect since that's when the girls are home! Dave and I have been wanting to take the girls camping for some time. I think the last time we went Grace was a new born baby! My parents have taken our girls each year though, so they have experienced camping still.

It's also worked out that Dave has 2 weeks off the end of June, so we'll be doing some little trips those weeks too. Dave and I will hopefully get to Cedar Point since we haven't gotten to go together for years!

So far we plan on camping up on his grandparents old property in Bay Port, doing a day trip to Lake Michigan (possibly camping, but not sure), and we'll be going to Kalamazoo the first weekend of September so I can help my friend Adam at his sister's wedding. It's a Friday ceremony, so we'll have the rest of the weekend as family time. :) We're also going rafting in August with our neighbors on the Pine River and a Detroit Zoo trip planned with my family. I also plan on going down to visit Erin in July - YAY!

So, the summer is looking good and I hope we do a lot of little day trip too. Of course I always have to have some days dedicated to work, but hopefully I'll have a sitter once a week to help with that.

Can't wait!!

Sister's

Well, the sister's (minus Erin - boo!) finally got a chance to hang out Monday evening! We had a good time and it was so nice to talk and be together. Really hoping to make that a more consistent habit! Love you girls!!

So while we did the usual talking about strange bodily functions, what our kids are doing (both exciting things and those things that drive us nuts), and how life in general is going, we got into some good discussions about church and beliefs, etc. I would love to have us do some sort of Bible study together sometime. Mandy and I are pretty close and we do help and encourage each other, I would love to include Heather and Cody in that too!

I think we could help keep each other accountable in our walk with God, growing as Christians, being helpmates to our husbands, and to be better mothers. Cody just finished a pretty intense Bible study at her church and it sounds like it was great and really is helping her grow as a Christian.

Dave and I have been going to a church called Wildwind for the last couple of years, but about a year ago they moved to a different location and had to start meeting on Saturday evenings. With my work schedule for weddings, it makes it difficult to get to church at all May-October. With missing church months at a time, going when I am not working is hard for me to do! I'll sometimes forget it's time for church at all! It's also hard to be invloved when we can't even attend on a regular basis, I've always enjoyed working with the youth (I get this from my parents, they are now working with the youth again!). This is also frustrating because this means the girls are't getting to church either - it's tough getting the girls ready for church by yourself after they've been playing outside all day! We've talked about trying another church, even though I think Wildwind is working on moving us back to Sunday meetings. I LOVE the people at Wildwind - we've made some good friends and that's what's making me hesitate from leaving. My parents now go there too, which is a huge plus. But, if that means we can't attend church 3/4 of the year, is that the right choice?? I'm thinking it's not.