Happy New Year!

Wow! I cannot believe it is 2012 already! Ok, ok, in a few hours any way! 

I hope 2012 brings blessings to you & yours!  

I decided to make a little list of the things I think I can change or work on changing in my life in 2012... here it goes...

1. Spend more time with God.

- time is always an issue for me, but whether it's when I get up at 5:30 during the week or before I go to bed at 9:30 at night, I can take five minutes to read the Bible, say a prayer and speak to him :) I pray with my son daily at night time so this should not be a difficult task :)

2. Spend more time with family & friends.

- I know I hold a full time job and my photography business is growing, but I cannot forget to spend time with those that are there for me (and my little family!) And make it a point to go out once a month with my husband on a date night! Whether we go to a movie, out to eat, or just window shop - we need some "alone" time :) And I should take Strick more places... whether it is the park or just walking around the block. I need to get over my phobia of someone wanting to take him (lots of weirdos out there!) and we need to be more active :)

3. Work on me!

- This one may come off a little vein, but I want to take more time to dedicate to ME. I want to make a habit of eating better, working out more (classic resolution, huh?!) and make the time to re-energize and get some quality "me time" - whether I just want to take a nap, go to Walgreens by myself, get ready for work, read a book or just do absolutely nothing!

4. Be more "responsible"

- Tim and I have our budget, meet with our financial adviser and have plans for the future, but I do feel that I need to step up to the plate to make these "plans" and current "actions" work better (than they are currently) for us.  We are becoming a more financially responsible couple year after year, but we still want to achieve more for our family.  We are trying to change the family tree! ;) We are going to meet with an attorney and make a will (or living trust... details kinda fuzzy right now!) at the beginning of the year, that will be in place until we have another child.  We both have our life insurance interviews underway as well. 

5. "Grow Aggressively" 

- I really want my photography business to grow in 2012! I have goals to reach by increasing my clientele and advertising... I will be working on this year round :) I also want to "grow" in my education! Going back to school in a few weeks will be tough - especially since now I'm full time working wife and mom! I have definitely learned my lesson and should have gone and followed through when the parental units were footing the bill :) However, that and having a son and husband make me more inclined to be a better student and example. :) I want my son to realize that I did finish school and want him to see me as a role model in that area. :)


And that's all folks! These are five tasks I am looking forward to working on in 2012! 


What are your resolutions? I challenge you to keep them up! ;)

End of 2011

Hard to believe 2011 is coming to a close! This year seemed to go by so quickly! Almost bought a house, Strick turned one, made a lot of financial decisions, geesh!
little tidbits -
Strick's birthday party turned out so great (In June!)! Glad he has lots of little friends he will grow up with :) Our church family is AMAZING! They are always there for us and we are so happy and blessed we can be surrrounded by people that are not only good influences for us but for our son! Glad I have two great girlfriends that are dedicated to making time for each other! :) Girlsmas was a blast! Great to get away to dinner with just the ladies!

We met with our financial advisor a few weeks ago to re-evaluate our goals and where we are currently.  He still says we shouldn't buy a house just yet, not until legal fees are lowered or gone - this is my latest project and will be the source of my stress the next few weeks. We go to court on Jan. 17th so I'm calling the attorney's office daily to get something in motion to get the fee lowered. Prayers our way PLEASE! This has gone on too long!

School starts for me in January also... starting all over... joy... Tim and I both agree that even if I'll be staying home later on I still need to have my degree. Get through the next two / three years and then be home, going to school (and hopefully with a newborn!) I have contemplated going back to work after I've gotten my degree and our new baby will be about one-ish, but Tim says only if I want to.  I guess it'll depend on how we are doing financially, I may want to help boost the six month emergency fund :) And may need a break from kiddos, hehehe!  I have also thought of taking on a part time job (two / three days a week) after I graduate, we will see how it all works out. Lots of plans, but based on when we have another baby will be a deciding factor for sure. Still have two years left on the BC I'm on so we shall see!

We took family portraits in January (for Strick's 7 month milestone session), June - immediate family, and in November (annual Christmas session).  I am SO glad Tim understands the importance of pictures, otherwise I may drive him nuts :) hehehe.  He knows how important pictures are to me and I've stressed the importance many times.  I am planning two sessions next year... we are doing a session in May and in November for annual Christmas pics.  Tim's sister, Michele & her family and we are going to see a new photographer local to New Braunfels in May, we are wanting to see what her pics turn out like.  We are pretty devoted to Donna, but Tim says it doesn't hurt to get something different from time to time.  He did make a comment that we would go to Laura at the smile house when we want another huge 20x30 family portrait. :) So... five years or so! LOL.

Tis all for now! Today is my Friday!