Today

Today
My heart is full of thankfulness and gratitude
I feel so blessed.
I photographed a sweet wedding today and several kind people came up to me and complimented me as a photographer.
I dont imagine they knew how very much that meant to me.
My heart is humbled.
It is soo very rewarding to receive a compliment on something im so passionate about and put so much energy and focus into.
Bless those kind people for saying those words.
I am so so so lucky to do something i love, and to have the mind and eye and skill and equipment to be able to do so. Im also thankful for people like my mom and lucy and paul (and several others!) who have supported me when ive doubted myself.

One time, many years ago, i was photographing a surprise party. I didnt know anyone at the party. And my flash didnt fire when the birthday girl walked through the door.
The one shot i was paid to get.
I missed.
I tried not to panic or get upset. There was nothing i could do at that point.
But it wore on me and i locked myself in the bathroom.
I texted my mom and told her i wasnt cut out for this. That i messed up and it was terrible. I had tears in my eyes.
I got a text back from my sweet little sister saying not to give up, that im a good photographer and i have all the knowledge and skills to be successful as a photographer.

Those were such sweet words. So many times i have reflected on that text and it has kept me going. Im so grateful for this love and encouragement.

I am blessed by a God that is so generous to me. I hope to never take those blessings for granted.

Fact: ive been a terrible blogger. And that is about to change!

Fact: i have been a terrible blogger because i now have an iphone.

Fact: this holiday season has been lovely and not all that stressful because i did my present purchasing early this year:)

Fact: i might gain 10lbs in caramels this year

Fact: i love holiday music

Fact: this season is so great because we can feel the Holy Ghost more. Thats what makes it happy and peaceful. We are with our family and we are remembering our Savior and we are being charitable and loving.
This is the gospel. And everyone loves it this time of year, they just dont realize what it is.

:) my holiday season so far in photos:

your health tip of the day.

me.

You are in charge of your body.

        life style choices that can lower your BLOOD PRESSURE:

-loose excess weight : for every 20 lbs you lose, you decrease your systolic bp by 5-20 mm Hg

-eat a low fat diet : low fat and rich in veggies & fruits, low fat diary products

-exercise daily : you don't have to run a marathon, just commit to 30 minutes daily of moving!

-limit sodium : consume no more than 2,400 mg a day (1500mg if you already have high blood pressure!)

-limit alcohol : or don't drink it at all! no more than 1 drink a day is recommended

i have mint nails today.

merilee.

i began teaching today.  

and it felt good.

i feel so excited about it and it seems like the perfect fit for me.

i really loved my education and the knowledge i gained, so it is a blessing to be able to teach that to others as well.

i have a skeleton in my class room. i love it because so much of my learning took place with cadavers and skeletons.  strange, but it feels like home.

i strongly feel that i was drawn to and got this position for a specific reason.  i feel lucky to be where i am right now.

i feel blessed for my time i have been able to do photography the past couple months, and for those rad clients. 

im surrounded by amazing people.

i feel that a lot of changes have come with this new season.

and it makes me happy.

and it makes me excited.

and i think amazing things are in store.

i have set new fall goals and im on my way to achieving them!

go team go!

paul. 

has been absolutely wonderful the past couple weeks.

i woke up today realizing that i, somehow, have fallen more and more in love with this man every day.  its been nearly 9 months (!) and its the best its ever been.  i feel grateful to have him as my best friend.

happy monday, folks.

smile cause its sunshiney here!