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Monday, February 24, 2014

2014 is here.

I always jot down some ideas for a New Year.  Here are some things I have in mind for 2014.

Hoverboards.  Make them a reality for 2015.  Prepare for Marty McFly.

Be active.  Move more.  Walk.  Dance.  I don't want to call it exercise and I don't want to go to the gym five times a week, but sometimes I might be active at a gym and you might classify it as exercise.  It's not so much about getting my body to look a certain way.  It's more about me just learning to enjoy moving my body.  Stephen bought me a fitbit for Christmas and it's been fun to micro-analyze my steps and minutes active and sleep pattern.  Stephen calls it the gamification of life.  

Essential Oils.  I bought some essential oils at the end of 2013.  The idea is to use these oils instead of over the counter medication.  I hope to try them all out this year and figure out what works for what.

Godly Play (Worship Woodworks).  After years of adoring these toys, I'm finally investing some money in them.  We bought some as Christmas presents, and I just bought some more for Easter.  We are going to incorporate them for our kids at church, too.  Thankful to Elaine Enloe for introducing me to them years ago.    

Rhythm.  I'm trying to stop living life in project mode.  I'm trying to relish the daily rhythm of my life.  Kids.  Laundry.  Preparing Meals.  Being active.  More kids.  Reading.  Journaling.  Friends.   
Vision Casting.  Stephen and I had thoughts and ideas about our life that we wrote down when we married almost eleven years ago.  We need some new thoughts and ideas for the next eleven.  

Garden.  I plan to plant that little garden in the backyard this year.  It's going to happen.

Photography Goals

Houses.  I started photographing homes in my neighborhood under the hashtag #southeastindyhouses with my iphone.  Excited to keep doing this throughout the year.  Find me on instagram at Melissa612.

Stephen.  Take pics of Stephen on his bike and new car.  Stephen on his bike was a goal for last year.  It didn't happen.  Now he has a cool new car that needs some attention.

Birth Photography.  I'm hopeful I'll get to photograph one or two births this year.

Video.  I basically have no video of my kids.  I've just focused on photos.  I'd like to start interviewing them on video this year.

I'm super thankful to have had the opportunity to show some of my work at Fletcher Place Arts and Books on the first Friday in February.  I felt like showing my work publicly helped crack something open for me.  Thanks to all who came out.








Beth and Daniel are married.

Beth and Daniel are sweet friends from church.  I was really privileged to be asked to photograph their wedding.  Beth follows my blog.  She is my most common commenter.  Her comments really encourage me.  Plus, she gets my heart for photography, my candid, show the moment vision.  She gave me permission to do what I do.  Sometimes I need permission because I get caught up with what other people are doing and how maybe my brides are expecting me to deliver what other photographers would.  
My friend Brooke asked me if I knew who Tara Whitney was.  Yes.  I do.  She said my stuff reminded her of Tara Whitney's photography.  I've never been paid a higher compliment.  That gave me even more courage to trust my vision.  
Oh, and I loved this wedding.  Weddings are always beautiful when a couple infuses themselves into the decorations, the food, the ceremony, the outfits.  It doesn't matter what their budget is.    It matters that the celebration reflects them.  Beth and Daniel were all over this wedding and it made me so happy.  
Did I mention that my daughter was their "Leaf" girl.  D'arcy brought this dress home from our neighbor's garage sale this spring.  I think she got it for free.  She loves formal attire.  I rolled my eyes that day last spring but sure was thankful that she had something perfect for this wedding.  Anyway, she was so thrilled to be asked and to be included in Beth's special day.