This and That

This is going to be long, get comfy people. But first, look at this.

I love it when she sticks her tongue out like that. I want to bite her cheeks. In fact the other day I took a small nibble. You know what she did? She bit me on my cheek. HARD. What was I supposed to do tell her not to bite? Lesson learned.

I am feeling a tad bit overwhelmed today. I am up to my eyeballs in work since I was gone last week. And we are moving a week from tomorrow. Now don’t get me wrong, I am very excited about this move, just overwhelmed at this point.

If you would have asked me 6 months ago if we would move soon I would have said “Heck no, Shane has one more year left of law school and we have a puddin pop who is keeping us busy these days.” Well, then I started dreaming about a place after I saw Audrey Woulard’s website. A magical place with a light filled space that I could use for a natural light studio like she has. This place would also be in an urban environment so I could take awesome photos with in the shadows of tall interesting buildings. Oh, and would also be near a park so that I could take green parky type photos. AND it would be a great place for our little family to live. I told Shane about my dream and he being a dreamer indulged me. We talked about this area of St. Louis called Lafayette Square. An awesome community in the middle of a major restoration for our magical place.

Then our home church announced that a group of people would be planting a new church in that area. Hmm, we thought, is God nudging us in that direction? So, we started praying about it and casually looking at places in that area. Just trying to gauge if this is where God wanted us and if a place that met our needs for our family and my business was even plausible. We found a few places that had potential but they all fell through. But we still felt led to keep searching. I have to confess that I was getting a little annoyed. God why are you taking us on a roller coaster ride? If you want us there just get us there faster.

Then one day there it was. We happened upon it while looking at other places. The more we talked about it the more obvious it was that it was perfect. It has a great light filled room for a studio and still has room for a monkey to run. It has been totally rehabbed unlike some of the other places we were looking at. It has the great urban setting I wanted. We get to be a part of an awesome church plant in the community. And did I mention it is ½ block from the park? Unbelievable.

I’m still in shock really. Its been so up and down that I don’t think I really believe it until we are moved in. I don’t know why I’m so surprised. We had been praying for this place. Its like I didn’t think God could ever really give us something so good. Me of little faith.

So, once we get in there I’ll post some pics. Can I tell you a secret though? I’m kinda terrified. I mean, its one thing to dream and another thing to actually do it. Sometimes I freak out and think “What if no one comes to my studio? And what if I decide want to have more kids and not do so much photography? And what if I really stink at this and people are just too nice to tell me?”

So, I have to take a deep breathe and just be thankful. Thankful for the opportunities God has given me. For my business continuing to grow and change. And for a dream coming true.

Tonight my wonderful friend Lauren came and helped me pack and so I feel like I can breathe a little. There is no way I can get any done during the day as Monkey Pants has decided to live attached to my leg. And now, editing, editing, editing. Don’t let them bed bugs bite people.