Thoughts: Finding Our Stride

Dear Nathan, I think we've done it. Finally found our stride, that is. We got married, moved, you started a new job, I started working from home, I started booking weddings, we moved again, we went out of the country. All in seven months. And I think it's starting to feel normal. We're starting to feel normal.

Remember how before we got married we had no idea what to expect? No one says that marriage will be one of the biggest life changes you'll ever experience. I guess that's because it's common sense. But even if you try to prepare for marriage the best way you know how, you're really just caught up in the flurry of the wedding and the honeymoon and the hundreds of details and then you're there. You're married. You don't realize what it will be like until its upon you and you're living with a boy and sharing TV shows and cooking meals together. As weird as those things were in the beginning, those are some of my favorite things now.

Remember how I was worried about losing my sense of independence? I know it's selfish to think that way, but as much as I was looking forward to being married, I was also unsure of how it would change me—and us—even though I know how you are and know that you would never let me give up my sense of self. And guess what? You've held steady just like you always do. You've always been more patient and rational than I am. And now I can't imagine going back to that old life; it's too good here.

It's been a whirlwind, but I'm so thankful for that whirlwind. I'm so thankful to be married to you. Here's to the next seven months.

Love, Lane

(Photo credit: Amanda Donaho Photography)

Thoughts: In Everything Give Thanks

Lately, I've felt like I'm floating. Not floating on cloud nine, and not in a bad way either. Just ... floating. Like I'm going through each day on auto and then a week goes by and nothing stands out from the past seven days. Does this happen to you? Sometimes when I stop and think about what just flew by me in blur, I panic, because I don't want days and weeks and months to slip by with nothing attaching me to them.

Recently, I saw this verse and I had this Aha! moment:

In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  —1 Thessalonians 5:18

In everything give thanks... It's so easy for me to give thanks, to stop and look around me and realize that I'm SO blessed, when I'm standing on a mountain in Madeira or admiring (yet another) new print I bought for our house. But in the everyday moments--cleaning the floors, making dinner, writing a news story for my day job--I should be giving thanks, as well.

There is beauty and wonder in everything. Sometimes we just have to look for it a little bit.

Thoughts: Living Wholly

A few months ago, I subscribed to a magazine called "Whole Living" because, well, it wasn't expensive and I thought I might learn a thing or two about being healthier in a natural sort of way. Turns out that most of the recipes are way too fancy (shiitake mushrooms and brown rice en papillote ... I couldn't even begin to guess what that last part means) or a little too "natural" (roasted beets with edamame and arugula ... I like cookies) for me. There is, however, a great section in the back called "10 Thoughts on Whole Living" that I think makes the subscription worth it. Each issue, the editors present you with 10 one-sentence, thought-provoking ideas. I literally sit staring at that page for an awkwardly long amount of time while I think through each one. Here's one of my favorite's from the January/February 2012 issue:

"The new year isn't a do-over; it's an opportunity to take your next big step."

What an awesome reminder. You know that I love lists, which means that I like clean slates and tying stuff up in a neat and tidy way. If I'm going to eat healthier, I'm going to start on Sunday. And if I'm going to suddenly be the type of person who always keeps her Inbox cleaned out, I'm going to start on Jan. 1. But ... that's just not always realistic. I know this, yet I struggle with this control issue every day.

So, this year, I decided I wasn't going to make resolutions (does anyone actually keep their resolution for the entire year?? Seriously, if you do, I want to meet you!), I was going to make goals. I wasn't going to magically start over on Jan. 1 and suddenly become the person I've always wanted to be, I was going to place hurdles in front of myself so that I could slowly and realistically move forward.

This type of moving forward has never been so apparent to me as it is in my new photography world. I'm fairly new to this gig and I want everything to be done NOW. But ... that's just not realistic. I can't update my website, write a blog post, order business cards and become better at Photoshop in one day because, well, I have another job! And I have to work within my means. But I will get there, and I so, so, so appreciate my 2012 couples for placing their faith in me and cheering me on. I had absolutely NO expectations when I started down this path, but just 2.5 months after telling the whole World Wide Web that I was a photographer and hoping for the best, you all proved to me that I can do this, even if I have to take it one hurdle at a time. Thank you.

This year, I hope you too find a balance between work, family and "you" time. Whether you're flying by in the fast lane or hopping hurdles with me in the slow lane, I hope 2012 is one of your best.