Tomorrow, I turn 23.

It's probably silly, but I always feel like the 'baby' of every group I'm a part of - especially at work. Not that 23 is ancient by any means, but I'll be happy to be one year older. I was thinking about what I've accomplished in this little life of mine and I'm quite proud of myself. Sure, there are things I haven't got around to yet...but I'm getting there.

Yesterday I had a meeting with my boss about college, and I'm thrilled to say I'm GOING BACK TO SCHOOL! Sure, it'll probably be another 4-5 months before returning, as it will take some time to prep... but I'm pretty ecstatic. My junior year, my family didn't have the money to keep me at school, so I was forced to leave mid-semester. Talk about embarrassing. Finally, here I am, nearly three years later, and I'm finally doing it!

What else is making me happy?

-Football started last night. Although we couldn't pull out a win, I didn't even care. Watching kickoff from my living room last night just made me SO incredibly happy! #WHODEY!

-The Buffalo chicken quinoa I made last night. YUM!!!

-This man. Seriously. He has made this week just so awesome!

-Tonight, we have an outing with a group from church to a Reds game! It's also fireworks night, so I'm pumped!!

-Caleb and I saved up a little cash for an upgrade in our DSLR collection, and we bought our new toy last night. She's a beauty ;) tomorrow is my actual birthday, and I'm second shooting a wedding...so I'm hoping to get comfortable with my upgrade!

So although my birthday will consist of probably (finally, as last weekend didn't work out) opening up a joint account, and working for 8 hours...I'm pumped about what this new year of 23 will bring for me.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

A crazy wedding filled weekend!

This is where I tell you all about my weekend...are bullet points fine? Cool.

-Friday, Caleb and I went to a wedding for a high school friend of mine. It was awesome to see a few old faces, I love my friends!

-Saturday, we had a wedding to shoot. The bride really wanted a few shots at a higher angle, and as I'm the shortest person you'll probably ever meet, Caleb volunteered to put me on his shoulders. I don't think that's ever happened in our relationship... we just took trust to a whole new level. ;) The Bride started crying from laughter at how terrified I was of "breaking" my husband, that she snapped this shot of us. It cracks me up, but those are two REAL smiles, people. I kiiiinda love that man of mine.

-Thriller happened... "THIS IS MY JAM!!!" *Caleb steals camera from me. "...make me look decent, these will probably end up on the blog"

Focused eyes.

-This happened when "I Like Big Butts" came on. A groomsmen snagged my camera like it was his job (and I carefully put the camera strap around his neck, you never know!!) and snapped these shots of us.

-Saturday night. Unfortunately, I've been getting severe migraines again, and they aren't fun to deal with. It's to the point that I don't want to open my eyes, or do anything at all really. I used to take medicine for them, so I'm hoping it doesn't get much worse. Feel free to send any good vibes my way!

-Sunday. Lead worship in children's church, had an impromptu Skyline date, then met this cute couple Downtown and spent some time capturing their adorable personalities for their engagement pictures. I love, love.

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekends!

{maternity shoot}

HAPPY FRIDAY, FRIENDS!!

Obviously, that is not my adorable pregnant belly seen below. That would be a friend from church. She and her husband asked if I'd be interested in a maternity shoot this Spring and of course I jumped at the chance, and we made it happen one evening earlier this week! Heather is seriously beautiful, and she has the most adorable little family, plus a little guy on the way! I hope you enjoy these shots as much as I enjoyed taking them!

Yikes. Any more beautiful faces and I think your screen might burst ;) hope you enjoyed.

Cry me a river; throwback edition.

Happy Thursday! Goodness guys, over 300 followers?! I seriously love you all... I love having new friends. Cause thats what you all are to me... 300 new friends ;) please email me so we can get to know each other. I'm so thankful for this little spot of internet I can call my own!

... so I realize lately I've been posting about a lot from my past, but hey... I didn't have the guts back then to do this whole blog thing.. now I do. Moving on, shall we? :)

I be excited.

This post is all about my birthday from summer 2011. I turned 20 years old. My family and I went downtown to eat at Benihana for dinner, and made it a huge celebration. We always make birthdays a big deal around my family... whether its a big family night IN or OUT... we always have a blast. & this night was no exception. 

There is that stud I like to call my MAN!

Of course our better halves had to be there. When I say "OUR better halves", I mean mine and Caleb's... as in these two complete us. Got it? ;) k cool.

The night started out amazing... I mean, Erin not only got me the hottest nail polish on the block... but TWO floor center freaking stage seats to see our girl crush KATY PERRY!! I mean, how could this night get any better!??! That was already one of the coolest presents I'd ever gotten!

Then my mom & Caleb hand me a giant bag with some kind of book-bag inside and I couldn't have been more confused.

I believe I said something along the lines of "SHUT YOUR FACE!"

It was a camera. My Nikon. The baby I never could afford on my own. I got it. & I felt ready to take on the world (okay, I'm being dramatic.. but this night is a top night in my mind). I felt like I really could finally start focusing on photography as a TRUE hobby.

Here came the waterworks.. yeah, I cried.

I quickly wiped away the tears... and started to shoot!!

I really felt like my "dream" began that night. I've always known I wanted to do photography, whether as a hobby or a full time career. I'm still figuring all those details out, but regardless.. that was one of the sweetest gifts I'd ever received. Caleb and my family went in on it together and found a great deal apparently, enough so that they got me lights/equipment to go with. I was a giddy girl, to say the least.

How did I become so blessed?!

So, what was the best birthday present YOU ever received?!