Everyone has a period of ups in their lives, and everyone has some downs.  Some have more ups than others.  Some have more downs.  We’ve been through a few downs in our marriage, I’ve been through a few in my personal life.  But lately, it seems, we are on a pretty good up, and I am never one to take it for granted.  I try to be thankful for what we have, but sometimes when I do forget to be thankful, I am always, always aware that things may not continue on the up and up, and at some point, eventually, things could change.  That all sounded a bit vague, didn’t it?  Mostly, I’m referring to my business.  Since I’ve started my photography business (now it’s been about five years), I’ve done better each year.  And I am fully aware, and mention to James all the time, that things may not continue that way.  Running your own business is a tricky thing.  I am so incredibly grateful for where I am right now with it, and how I’m still able to stay at home with my boys during the day, but I also know that there is a possibility that people might just all of a sudden stop booking me.  My business depends on a handful of brides and grooms choosing me each year to capture their special day, and that might stop at some point.  Families might find other cheaper photographers that they are going to go with instead.  My market in this area is completely over saturated, and there are probably hundreds of photographers in Rochester much cheaper than I am (of course there are also many, many photographers in the area who are more expensive as well).  People might stop hiring me to take their newborn’s pictures.  I don’t know.  I obviously can’t see into the future.  But my business is very much a month to month thing.  And what goes on next month is always a guess.  And the next month.  And the next.  It’s sort of like living blindly.  So, for today, we are happy and content and things are great–but we’re always thinking about the next steps if things were not to always be this way.

So far, so good though with two goals that I had for January.  First–making sure I take at least one picture every single day of every day things.  Check.  I feel so good about that already–just looking through my first twenty pictures of the year makes me smile.  I’m so much about capturing the every day moments.  They are the ones that you will want to revisit in twenty years.  I certainly hope I can definitely finish out the month keeping my goal.  But also continue on into February.  Little steps, right!?  To see my images so far for the year, here’s the link.

Also, the whole weight loss thing.  That’s going pretty well too.  I probably ate enough in November and December for six months worth of calories.  January?  Much better.  I’ve cheated a couple times though–pizza seems to be my enemy.  So far, I’m down about eight pounds.  Still though, twenty-five left to go.  Minimum.  Looking forward to a happier feeling about my appearance!