A new year, a new beginning!

It's been quite a while since I have done a blog post.  I really want to keep up with the blog and website more but as some of you know this past year has been quite busy!  Last year in November we had a fourth child...what a blessing! You may have seen her here on my page from time to time along with my three other kiddos. I have to admit, I sort of cringe every time I hear the phrase, "You've got your hands full!"  It's true I know...I do... but we really are just blessed!  Yes, sometimes having four kids can be hard but they are worth it!  So, needless to say this past year I didn't do much "trying" to get business.  Honestly, I didn't try very much at all, yet the Lord still blessed me with work here and there and it helped us out with a little extra cash. (Praise  the Lord!)   As a result, the website needs some major updating and blog posts were almost non-existent BUT my kids and family come first and my clients are up there on that list too!  After a shoot, my main goal this past year was to get the images finished for my clients in a timely manner.  Any extra business stuff fell short.  I may have been giving myself the short end of the stick but I felt that that's what I needed to do in order to keep going.

So here are my business goals for this year and I might throw in a few personal goals to if you don't mind??

1.  One of my goals for this year are to write more blog posts.  It is my goal to write at least one a week..and while we are at it we will just include updating the website on this one since I think they go hand in hand..  Oh, hopefully there won't be to many spelling or grammar errors but I am sure you will find a few. I am also, considering adding some other blog posts not entirely related to blogging.  I had a couple people say I should do some blogging about homemaking etc.  Over the past year or so I have been interested in going organic and just cooking/eating things with less preservatives...it has been quite a learning experience.

2.  I would love to start doing some studio infant photography!  As some of you might know I really enjoy lifestyle photography more.  Capturing moments of families, couples and people just being themselves BUT getting infants in those sleepy little poses requires more of a controlled environment.  If any of you are interested I would urge you to start booking now.  IF you are pregnant and know your due date let me know when you are due so I can pencil you in "around" a certain time.  Once you have that beautiful baby, I will need to know as soon as possible so we can get you and your baby into the studio within the first 10 days of life.  Removal of baby acne or any other red marks will be part of this package deal.  I am really looking forward to this and I am looking for a volunteer soon so I can show everyone what I am talking about here :)

3.  This one is a personal one:  I know I need to spend some more quiet time with the Lord on a daily consistent basis.  This one has been a struggle for me since we have gotten married.  I never had much of problem with it in high school but when you become a mommy (I did after 14 months of marriage) then your time is taken up by quite a few things.  I am not an early morning person and I would love to have a set schedule but it is hard for me to schedule something and do it at the same time every day.  So, I am thinking I am going to have to start getting up early or do it when I stay up late....which is something I do quite frequently.  Either way, because I know I can make the time.  So that brings me to my next one...I guess it's going to be personal too!

4.  Lose some weight.  Ugh!  I know it's not going to happen overnight but I just need to take some time and workout more and eat healthier!  It's more about getting healthier and I know this extra weight on my body isn't healthy cuz most of it ain't muscle!  So, more muscle less fat is my goal...I mean I don't want to look like the Hulk or anything but you get my drift!

5.   I need to try to get on a schedule and stick to it.  This one is hard and will probably require some flexibility which might defeat the purpose of a schedule but I am going to try again.  We need a family schedule and a business schedule.  I need to start scheduling set days/times where I "work" on business stuff...outside of shoots.  We also need to get this house on a better schedule.  I seriously feel like I do so much "picking up" around the house that actually cleaning and organizing gets pushed to the side.  Do you ever feel like that?  In case you are wondering, in order to keep up with laundry we need to do a load almost every day...not fun but necessary for a family of 6! WOWZERS!  Now I know why my mom never really enjoyed it when i would throw a "clean" piece of clothing in the dirty hamper.  Oops..sorry Mom!

6.  My final goal is to simply to just TRUST IN HIM.  All in all He is in control.  He is control of my life, my family, my business.  I may never become a super duper popular photographer and make a ton of money but that's not how he measures success anyways right?  Of course I wold love to see my business grow; I do my best for my clients and to glory if God!  I LOVE capturing moments for people to remember.  I think it is so priceless!  Really, in the end it's a privileged to takes someones pictures.  They are letting you into a piece of their life.  I love to see my clients let go and not "worry" about me and my camera, just be themselves and enjoy their life.  Isn't that what Christ wants us to do in a sense?  Let go of our worries.  Let HIM be the driver and just enjoy the ride?

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.  I hope you were somewhat entertained and if not maybe a little inspired.  I am going to leave you with just a few of some of my favorite shots.  These might not all be from 2011 but these images get me excited for 2012.