2009 You Have been Good to Me - You're Leaving so Soon?

I feel blessed. Many friends of mine are suffering the worst trials of their life. Their health is failing, their jobs are vanishing, their marriages are disintegrating. This year undoubtedly I've witnessed more hurting in people close to me than I ever have before. It makes my heart break. So it's bitter sweet to bid the year goodbye. We all see it as a big imaginary blank page that we'll turn and things will be different. Here I stand, as people around me fall, and recognize that I have had one of the best years of my life. And rather than feel guilty I feel DUTY BOUND to enjoy what I have. To savor every moment of peace that exists at this moment.

I once watched a movie about a holocaust survivor who said that the way she survived the atrocities of concentration camp was that she would vividly imagine the good times. When they served the daily broth she would picture her family together - big and united laughing over rich meals in warm rooms. So here I am making memories that I will have to keep me through the darker times that come in all our lives. I have a two year old who is FULL of life and is healthy and happy and I'm SO amazingly grateful to have her. My husband Wes started Around the Bend Adventures and we are FINALLY starting to see the fruits of his labors. He's worked for over a year for free all in anticipation that eventually our baby will take off. Seems like it finally is and for that I'm so grateful. He is REALLY good at his job (grand canyon tour and hiking guide extraordinaire) and I'm happy he chose to pursue his dream.

Then there is the photography thing. Man what I ride. It was mostly an experiment. Prior to this year I had only done about 3 weddings a year and usually it was for people I knew. I didn't have a huge amount of equipment so I figured I'd put a website up and if I got jobs I'd spend the earnings upgrading my stuff. Well needless to say the year was FAR busier than I anticipated and wouldn't you know that God knew we'd need every cent. I had 9 weddings and tons of portrait sessions. The requests keep pouring in - had I not had a part time job I could have taken 20 weddings but I have to balance my passions carefully. The great news is I managed to upgrade my cameras, buy some high end flashes and a new lens. I have one huge purchase to come (the Canon L series 50mm f/1.2 lens) which Lord willing I'll accomplish in 2010. I had weddings published in major industry blogs and managed to get some serious coverage by the end of the year. I am SO excited that I've been able to make money doing something that I L-O-V-E!!!!! I made lots of mistakes, learned lots of lessons and feel like after this year I can say without cringing slightly - I am a real photographer. :) Thanks only to all my wonderful friends and my patient family who have been models dozens of times and have encouraged and supported me to move forward. I love you all and couldn't do anything without you!!!!!

So Thank you Lord for all the blessings You have bestowed upon me. I am grateful beyond measure for the mercies you have shown in my life. You after all are the greatest thing about me!

Here are some photos from our travels through the year.