I had a great holiday, celebrated my sons 4th birthday in Natchitoches, which we have made a tradition in our family. This year, my inlaws, both of my sisters and my brother and their families came along! It was a great trip filled with lots of laughs and fun. And even SURPRISES! My baby sister got engaged during the fire works show on the river!! It was an amazing experience to be a part of. I've never actually seen anyone get engaged (except on the movies) and that's what it felt like....like I was watching a movie scene. He got down on his knee, she was shocked, she cried, she said YES, they kissed and hugged and we were all so happy for them! We spent the night in our hotel room talking about weddings, while the boys were watching football, eating pizza and drinking beer. Typical, right?? But it was a perfect weekend!
Christmas was a blast as well. Maddox is at a great age and he understands what he wants and the gifts he is given. And he was given WAY too many! But he is so happy with everything he received. It was so great to wake up Christmas morning and see their happy faces and play with all of their new toys with them! In fact, I woke up first, and I was so anxious for them to see their gifts, my husband and I decided to wake up both kids from sleeping! I mean, it was 8:00 anyway, they needed to get up, right?! Believe me, they werent groggy for long! Once he saw his new 4-wheeler and all of his new games and books, he was in heaven! And Mallory went straight for the treats in her stocking (sister loves to eat!), but once she had her 'breakfast' of ritz crackers and applesauce, she was ready to cook up some wooden food on her new kitchen set!
Now, this weekend brings also alot of excitement, but alot of thoughtfulness as well.
New Years.
The time for me to make some changes in my life, and do my best to stick to them. I always have great aspirations and try my best to be serious about all of them, but they never seem to work. This year I am looking back on the past year and acknowledging all of the amazing things that have happend for me, all of the great times I have spent, and taking big notes of what I would like to repeat this year. I am also taking notes of the little things I'd like to do better, or make changes in the next year to come.
I have enjoyed my family so much this year. Our vacation to Florida with my entire family....Check....that will be repeated this year for sure! Lance and I had an AMAZING anniversary trip alone to Rosemary Beach.....I wish I could do that every year, but this year I will definitely make time to at least have a weekend away, just he and I and spend some quality time together doing something we dont get to do everyday (like the bike riding on the coast, that was amazing!)
Every year I vow to spend more time with my family and less time stressing and working and staying up all night. This year, I intend to make that a serious resolution. In the past 2 weeks I have slowed down, sat down, and taken it all in. I have realized, I dont take the time to do the simple things I need to do with my family. My husband and I used to watch movies together all the time. Now I tell him I cant, because I need to edit. My son begs to read books before bed, I hurry and read him the shortest book possible so I can get back to my computer. And my daughter, well, she's growing before my eyes and it's scary that she's already almost not my 'baby' anymore!
So this year....that's it. I will watch movies with Lance once a week. I will read LONG books to Maddox. And I will cook fake dinners with Mallory in her kitchen. I WILL!
I have held off on booking sessions for 2012 in order to get my life in order first. Right now, I have lots and lots of snuggly little newborns on the schedule (I love babies!!). And with the weather cold and rain, I am not booking any additional outdoor sessions until it warms up. This will allow me some time to snuggle with my little family on these cold nights! I do currently have sessions booked with existing clients, and these will all remain on the schedule! My first openings right now will be in April (when the weather is warmer!!) and Im hoping to kick off the open calendar with a set of spring mini sessions!! (Lets see what I can pull together!!)
Being that this is a side business for me, I always hope that everyone understands why I choose not to book sessions too far in advance. I dont like to schedule myself too tight for 3 months away, because I dont know what I will be doing or will need to be doing in 3 months!
This year will be a big year for me. My baby sister is getting married!! So there will be lots of shopping, planning and parties! And my baby boy....yes he's my baby always....will be starting PRE-K!!!!! I cant believe it, but it's true. So with all of my personal changes for the year, I feel it's best for me to only open my calendar a few months at a time. Right now, I have decided I will open up April at the end of March. (After Mardi Gras and all of those fun balls I will attend!! yeah!!!). I really hope everyone understands. I had intentions of opening up my calendar for January, but between all of the cold outdoor weather and existing client sessions already booked, I do not want to overbook this early in the year.
Thank you ALL for your amazing support along this journey of photography I am taking! I hope that I can meet lots of new people this year, and catch up with LOTS of great friends I've made through the past few years in the business. All of my clients are not just 'clients' to me, they are my FRIENDS! I only wish I could throw a huge party and invite all of you to have a great time and celebrate....but maybe one day!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
-Michelle
This is my new years card!!! (too bad I ordered it 5x10 for some crazy reason and it's larger than life!!....but that's ok, just dont laugh at me if you get this enormous card in the mail. It was not intentional!!)
Our pictures this year were by Jennifer Patin Photography. A great friend and a great photographer! If your really looking for a photo session and Im not available, please contact her!! You wont regret it for sure! Her work is amazing. Bright, fun, colorful and exciting! What more could you want!!
Thanks so much Jennifer! We love all of our pics!!!
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