I’m at the fork on the road which begins a new chapter of my career. To the right, I could continue to take in sessions on a leisurely basis while continue with my day job. To the left, I could pursue what my mom calls “my bliss” and take this business to a new level while still continuing my day job.

I have no desire to leave my day job. It provides security, retirement and medical benefits. I’ve also made some really good friends here that I get to hang out with and see five days a week.

So what to do… what to do...

Over the weekend I watched Tamara Lackey – “Getting Down to Business” on Creative Live. After watching it and embracing all that she had to say – I sat with it. In my dreams I am sitting down staring at this fork on the road trying to decide which direction to take. Times like this I wish I was the type of person that can just make a decision – the over analyzing part of me is definitely annoying. My husband, sisters and friends stare at me while I torture myself with decisions and shake their head… saying, you know the answer. I have no doubt I could do both – the question is do I take this “bliss” to a new level? This new level requires putting some systems in place to run this business efficiently so that I can do more sessions and provide more products while still being an active part with the love that surrounds me – my family. It requires absolute focus on the time I have available which isn’t much. My heart beats a little faster every time I think about the possibilities. It is possible, isn’t it?

Don’t get me wrong – I know I can’t do photography full-time AND my day job, that would be a little (just a little) crazy. As it stands right now I did 33 sessions last year with a good portion during the holiday season. I can already see a little increase in numbers this year. I'd like to see if I can reach my goal of 100 sessions in one year. Eeeks – I said that out loud!

There are four of us. I'm the oldest, twins in the middle and my brother the youngest. As I sit and observe my sister and her daughters... it kind of shocks me how very different and alike we are as parents. I use to think my sister was - extremely overprotective. Now that I have my own daughter, I find myself being just if not more overprotective. I see her daughters who are teenagers and a young adult randomly hug each other, hold hands, share food, laugh and talk. Tina, I am so proud of you and how you've raised your daughters and I am more than thrilled to be their personal photographer documenting an upcoming wedding, high school senior portraits and sweet sixteen. Here are some candid moments on our last day in Oregon together. Miss you all like crazy. CoCo - a rap will sooon emerge :)

The past few months I’ve been really focusing on getting in shape and eating better. I have a love/hate relationship with Crossfit… hate it when I can’t lift that dang bar in proper form and love it when I have met my personal records. To be perfectly honest, I also hate the running – but I do it, because I hate it… crazy huh?! In a nut shell, I just feel real good. Just so you know I started Crossfit 55 pounds overweight, pathetically out of shape and still can’t run to save my life. I am a wife and a mother with a full-time day job, photography business and Etsy. With all the chaos of daily life while pursuing a dream, I had to find a way to take care of me in the process so I don’t crash and burn – Crossfit and eating right is the path I have chosen.

As we all know photos can sometimes trigger something in us. Here are my little gems recently found on Pinterest that keeps me motivated.