Super-Sized Blessings

I'm not going to be around much from here throughout the summer, I'm afraid, but I hope that won't deter you from visiting me when I do have a post or make you feel like I won't visit you anymore. Because that's just not true! :c)

I just started in on busy season #6 (I can't believe it's the 6th summer for me, wow!) with a wedding last Saturday. I've also got three wedding album orders in the works (Heather -- you know how long those take!) among other fabulous things. I hope you won't mind me sharing some exciting stuff.

Most of you know how far I have came from a graphic design student to working as a graphic designer and photography assistant for a couple years to starting my own business by the words I told myself the day I walked out: "I can do that and do it better". And while it's not been easy, it's definitely been a fun amazing challenge.

The first wedding I ever booked on my own just landed in my lap and I'm honestly not sure how it came about, but what I do know is that it was God's plan. That first wedding I shot all by myself was Beth and Rodrigo. I never knew the two of them before Beth called me. The day Beth and I met, we knew we were "meant" to be "together" as a bride and as a photographer. As I got to know her further, I felt it was just so simple to pour out my heart to her. She was the strongest Christian I had ever met at that point in my life, and I knew it was for more than just so I could be her photographer. She trusted me and I trusted her, and she prayed with me about my infertility and losses and she was one of my biggest cheerleaders through that time and I know one of my biggest prayer supporters.

Anyway, it amazes me as I look back to the VERY first wedding I booked, that it was HERS and how truly thankful I am because she trusted me. Without her trust, I'm not sure where I'd be. She didn't see but a handful of pictures of mine, but she knew she still wanted me, and I remember her even telling me that. I remember her saying "I don't know why, but I just know I want you!". Since then we've became great friends. I have had the chance to see her grow the gift of God inside of her, shoot her maternity pictures, and today I get invited to her son's birthday parties. I'm a part of her family, and she mine. It's heartwarming to know that I will (hopefully) forever be a part of her family's life, and now that she is pregnant with baby #2, I hope I will get to be a part of "her" life, too. (Yes, it's a girl!!)

My point is, I know I am doing what God intended me to do because of the people I have gained in my life as forever friends. Through Beth I met Corie (who I've mentioned tons and who has a blog who I have a link to here at my blog) and then Corie booked me for her wedding. We've stayed true friends since then and now I've been welcomed into her family's life as well. It's crazy, but a good crazy, how things spiral as they do and lead me in new directions meeting new people and most of the time, gaining life-long friends. Beth's sister-in-law, Tracy, is another. And Tracy is one of Corie's best friends. See what I mean?

Speaking of Corie, I am done proofing all her (hundreds of) pictures and some of them are online at flickr. A few are in at a "private" group which only invited guests can see. Those are the best ones, but, well there's a lot of skin and we know how there are some icky people in this world surfing the internet JUST for pictures like them. But you can still see many of the fully-clothed ones. Check them out RIGHT HERE.


Another positive story is this one. Late last summer I got called by a prospective client who had just heard about me, called me and booked me for a session. I have now photographed her children twice in the past 6 months. In that time she and I have gotten to know each other quite well. She has told me a few times how she feels blessed by me. But see, she's blessed me just the same or more. First of all, I've had the amazing chance to get to know her family and secondly, for her own business she recently asked me to help her in designing new marketing and advertising campaign. We've started with billboards. Nothing like starting big and going small, right? And well, those billboards should be up around town soon. TWO BILLBOARDS. I couldn't be more excited . . . or scared! Scared mostly because even though I hope it will lead me to more new things, I'm not sure I can handle it, but I pray those calls *will* come and that they won't overwhelm me too much so that I *can* handle it. I can't wait for bigger things!

Then a few days ago I got a call from my son's principal. He has asked me to start shooting some things at the school for the schools own marketing. Being a private school, the school thrives off of their advertising and of course a lot of "word of mouth". But to keep up with the other schools it has to have a great website and great brochures. So Friday I begin on this! I don't get paid and honestly, I don't care one bit. I would never ever accept money from them. There's nothing like doing things for people voluntarily, especially those who deserve it. Anything to make someone happy. I know by doing it, the rewards will be endless. I just love Mr. H's school and I am excited for it to just keep getting bigger and bigger.

Then Monday afternoon (see how good God is?!), as I was sitting waiting for Ashley's (Neil's sister) track meet, I start opening my mail. And inside a big envelope were some copies of a magazine. A magazine in which the main article's photographer was myself. ME! Talk about exciting. It's one thing to know it's probably happening, but another to actually SEE IT IN PRINT!! I am thrilled silly. And while I know I don't want to do weddings so much anymore, it does enable me to be really choosy with my weddings and hopefully expand in other ways, like with maternity and baby portraits --- two of my very favorite things ever! And here is the "contents" page. I'm on page 13 as you can see! (That's my picture!) Click here to see the magazine and my article!!!

So I know that was really long, and I hope you will forgive me. But I just can't go without apologizing for my lack of being and my lack of being in the near future. I'm busy. And if I spend as much time on my blogging as I wish I could, that means I am probably not focused as well on other areas of my life, like my children. I need my main focus to be my family and then my work. Blogging is now going to have to come near last. Just because it has to. Not because I want it to. But because it NEEDS to. If I give too much of myself here, I know I am not giving enough in other realms. And that's part of the reason why I'm a stay-at-home mommy. To live in these moments with them that won't be here much longer. Time is going by way too fast.

Thanks for letting me share my good news. Thank you for all the amazing support I get from my friends and family. It's you that keeps me going as a mother and as a photographer! :c)

One final thought, if you just go to my main stream at flickr, you will also see some personal pictures of my kiddos. Please stop by and leave me some comments. Toodles!

Almost official!

Tonight we went to our lot owner's home, met his fabulous wife, saw his beautiful home, made friends with their doggie, Molly, and signed our life over as buyers of a LOT! It will become totally official Tuesday when we sign more papers, write out some checks and close on the deal! Oh my Lord, I cannot believe this is REAL! We have been so incredibly blessed thus far with this. Again, as I said before, you realize things are meant to happen when they happen as smoothly as they are for us right now. Some say it might be "too good to be true", but I would have to disagree. It's not a coincidence, it's not luck, it's not all happening by chance. We've been BLESSED and it feels amazing.

Now we have to find a BUILDER who we love. Wish us luck and if you have any advice, PLEASE bring it on!! Comments welcomed and sure appreciated!

We are expecting . . .

. . something big. And I'm going to let it be known now. It's been so very hard for me to keep this in, but I didn't want to jinx myself by telling. So I've been a (fairly) good girl and have not told the whole world (yet). This is why I have not posted in a few days. I knew if I would, I would end up telling before I probably should be doing so.

So what is the big news? Well, I really feel like we have been led on a new wonderful journey. Things have fallen into place way too easily, and with that, I have learned that all this is definitely meant to be.

We are going to BUILD A NEW HOUSE!

How is that for more unexpected news from me?! I don't think I have ever lived in a house newer than 40 years old.

The moment I got the news on the phone from Neil that we were not going to Miami, I was heading, for the first time to my friend, Leann's new home, that she and her husband, Joe, finished building right around Thanksgiving time. When I walked into her house that day, she knew I was upset about something. I told her and then she said "Valerie, you know what? You guys should build . . . right here." Not serious at all, I said "yes, wouldn't that be great?!". Her home was beautiful, and it was her kitchen that I showed here a few weeks ago. My "I'm dreaming of a big kitchen" post.

On my way home that evening, I called Neil. I told him that I think we should maybe consider building because we never had thought about it before. We were already prepared to be selling our house, moving far away, re-establishing our family, work, and so on. Why not? I guess he pondered it the rest of the day at work, because when he got home he talked about it more and said he actually wanted to figure up our budget to see if it's even something we should consider.

The next few days I dreamed and dreamed while he calculated. I even met with a realtor who showed me around brand new homes for sale so I could see what's out there. I saw 4 different subdivisions and kept going back in my mind to this one certain one . . . Leann's, called Walden Pond. It was dreamy and so "me". The homes were spread out well, each were different and not "cookie cutter", the subdivision was away from town making this subdivision like a small town where everyone knew each other (that is how our neighborhood is now and I love it), everyone has kids, everyone's back yards are basically everyone's, there is a big beautiful park across the street, and we already have friends there.

So, then just a few days ago we met with the owner of the lots in Walden Pond. The pressure was on us at that point to buy. I had the thought "let's do it!" and Neil was thinking more logically "can we do it?". So then we met last night with a builder (the first of three to meet with). We sat and talked to him for an hour. He told us we were right in budget for a house the size we want with the rooms and features that we want. He threw out a great pitch! Now we just have to pick the builder with the best bid with best quality for the least amount of money.

I am so freaking excited! What has been laid in front of us is amazing. An opportunity I never thought I would see. Things are just working out so well. Friday night we are meeting with the lot owner to put in our offer and hopefully sign the papers to buy! We will then close as soon as possible! Oh my God, we are going to build!!!!

We will live in this amazing school district. One of the best in Illinois. That is the most exciting part to me. But of course I think about all the reasons why this is meant to be, and it excites me, too. Like my driving to Leann's the moment I get "the Miami news", and the fact that the street we will live on is named after the park next to my grandparent's old home where I grew up going to as a kid, that we would live across from the fabulous park that I can use like it's my own backyard for photo shoots. There's just so much that tells me we are doing the right thing. Yeah, our budget will be tight the first few years, but it's totally worth it, moving from a 70+ year old home where we have put $20,000 of work into (not because we wanted to), to be able to move into a new house. Also worth it because the kids will get an excellent education. And especially worth it because we will still be close to friends and family, and we will be moving someplace where we will be next to people who are already friends and then have the opportunity to meet a whole bunch of new ones. It's just all so exciting. I am PUMPED! Did I say "pumped"?! Yes, embarrassingly, I did.

So here are the very first pictures of our (in 5-6 months) NEW HOME!

I have to end with this - God is soooo good!

This is the subdivision where we will live. I just love the name, "Walden Pond". Sounds blissful to me . . .

Chel, this one is for you. This is OUR LOT where OUR HOUSE will one day sit SO VERY SOON! Isn't it pretty?!?!

It again! We will be on a cul-de-sac. And that is Leann's house (fron the back) that you see! They will be our backyard neighbors!! I have to really quickly explain Leann. She is from my home town. She is about 7 years older than me and she was my babysitter. Not only MY babysitter, but Neil's too! Leann, Neil and I all grew up within a few miles from one another. I never saw Leann again until I was pregnant with my daughter. I was in search of a doula and found Leann. I got in contact with her, not knowing it was her because her last was different. When we put two-and-two together during email, we were flabbergasted! You cannot tell me that was not a true blessing! So it was she that got me through my pregnancy and L&D with Maia. Leann is the best there is, not just as a doula, but as a wonderful friend. We've been so close every since. And now we will be neighbors and friends forever!?! Pure craziness I tell ya but none other than work of the Big Man upstairs!

And this is the entrance of the park across the street. A big beautiful park to house hundreds of fun days for my children and hopefully hundreds of photography shoots for my biz.

I still cannot believe we are going to do this!