Wrapping up 2011

Phew!  Wow! And how about some, good ol’ thank GOODness!

Did you ever have one of those years you are so glad to let go and can’t wait until New Year’s Eve to officially turn the dial on the next four digits?  Then others are so sweet that you might just be sad to see them go.  Well 2011 was a sweet, sweet year for us.  Jam packed with new adventures, TONS of traveling, lots of exciting new projects, new friendships that seem like “old” ones, family vacations and basically just jumping in fully, with both feet every chance we could.  And what a ride it was!

New was the overall theme and just when you think you are about to settle in for a while with what you THINK you know, God picks you up and shakes you upside down. Empties all of that loose change out of your pockets and starts fresh with you.  Closing doors to things you enjoyed, but opening a TON more to things you never knew you would love and yearn for even more.  Things you didn’t even know you needed, would be good at, or weren’t even aware of.  Of course, looking back it all makes perfect and complete sense NOW.  Like pieces of a puzzle that were all designed beforehand fitting perfecting into place for us.

Of course all of that was not without fear or frustration.  Rounding the top of the climb to a giant roller coaster draws up fear.  But sometimes you just have to close your eyes and hang on.  Leaning on what you know to be true and have enough faith to trust in it.  To trust that everything will be just fine.  Better than fine.  It will be great!

The past few months were especially busy.  Jamming in as much as we could while maintaining the VERY delicate balance of what’s too much, what’s necessary, and most importantly: what we are being called to do that is pushing us outside of our comfort zone.  Dodging illnesses, tiredness, blockades at every angle, and a close family member getting some potentially devastating news, we weren’t sure if we’d make it through.  Especially these past two weeks which wrapped up this past weekend.  Steve and I are both feeling the same now:  phew!  We made it.  And now it’s all hitting us….and we’re sooo tired……….waaah!

I was willing my body to operate on five hours of sleep for waaaay too many days in a row.  It was as if we had an unspoken agreement to just get through this past weekend and then we’d make up for lost time.  Not knowing when payment would need to kick in, getting out of bed Sunday, and feeling like I was hit with a freight train, I’m guessing payment is due now! LOL

SO with that we enter into a season of rest.  With Christmas just around the corner (and no shopping done YET–eek) we look forward to spending the next few weeks with family.  I have 3000 cookies to bake (okay maybe an exaggeration), presents to wrap and festivities to engage in. Can’t wait.

I’m looking forward to some down time so that I can catch up on things and properly plan for our next phase for 2012.  In the meantime, I really look forward to being able to process the past few months and just take it all in.  Ahhhh.

Some highlights from the past couple of months below:

Steve’s birthday at Medieval Times, followed by Greyson’s Birthday both at home and in NYC.  Yes, I’m that strange person who takes photos of her husband on the subway.   And in case you were wondering…..Steve’s on the right….NOT the left.  Just wanted to clarify!  (Sorry mister – no offense, but you’re too angry looking – not to mention the age difference. I’m only 25 after all! ;-)).

 

Steve, practicing, and our family’s Thankfulness tree for our Thanksgiving centerpiece.

My favorite decor at Christmas – the Village People.

The Big Guy.

Pursuit 31 Women’s Retreat & Business Conference

(featuring the classic “I’m taking a picture of you taking a picture”.)  Pro Photogs only use the highest end gear when photographing each other – cell phones.

New Haven, CT photo shoot “The Notebook” (more on that in the next couple of weeks).

Shane & Shane with Phil Wickham show.  WOW & WOW.  What a night!  I totally cried like a baby. Seriously.

I’m sure they’ll remember me as the sobbing woman in the front. Greaaat.

Help-Portrait event in Philadelphia with my newest intern, Harmony (who totally floored me with her awesomeness and mad skillz). Guess she HAS been paying attention to all of my unsolicited photography tips through the years.

I was a very proud mama.

Glory in the Highest Christmas Production at Bayside

Harmony, the budding photographer,  taking a cell phone picture of Mommy…..as I look now.  Stunning, I know.  The “tired” look is SO in this year!  Yup that’s me on her red ladybug pillow pet.  When you are tired, you’ll rest your head on anything. Even a twin bed with a pillow pet.  They are actually quite comfortable!

So, please tell me I’m not the last one who’s not finished shopping yet?!?!?!  Is there anything left in stores at all?  :-/