WPPI in Las Vegas was so great — long, but so packed full of amazing things. And you know how we were supposed to go to Mexico? Well, our plans had to change last minute. Things were just not working out for the places we were going and with the remote destinations we fly to, things were just going wrong. . . questionable weather, runways being closed, etc. So we went with the flow and decided that since we all had the time off anyway, we’d go to Carmel, California, which turned out to be SO. FUN. I loved it there. I still got my fill of the ocean and time with Kenny and my parents, plus it was a lot shorter of a flight and a less stressful trip in general. So even though I was pretty sad to miss my Mexico trip again (two years in a row — what are the chances??) I loved the way things ended up. I have lots of photos to share from both trips soon, but I have to catch up and get back in the swing of regular life first. :)

Happy Tuesday!

So, this is just me checking in and letting you know I will be pretty quiet around here for the next week or so. I do have access to email until Thursday, but after that, emails will be returned when I get back on February 29th. Happy weekend!

My vacations are here! Wednesday I fly to Las Vegas for WPPI (a photography conference), then next week my parents and Kenny are picking me up on their way to Mexico, where we’ll spend six more days. I’m SO excited. . . but I just can’t really figure out how it got here so soon!

I am now trying to plan two weeks’ worth of outfits for two very different trips and figuring out how to cram it all into one small suitcase (without any large bottles of liquids so I don’t have to check a bag–which is difficult since I’ll need two weeks’ worth of toiletries). I’m trying to make the extremely difficult decision on whether or not to take my iPad to Mexico (where there will be no internet/cell service and lots of sand which Kenny is SURE will horribly scratch my screen). I’m also trying to finish up a ginormous to-do list before I go. And I need to get a gift and plans ready for Kenny for Valentine’s Day tomorrow.

In other news, I had my first engagement session of the year on Saturday and it was so much fun. I’m getting so excited for my year of weddings. We also went out with some friends to Firehouse, where we devoured their 36 inch pizza, which was of course, delicious. (Just to be clear. . . I only had 2 pieces. I’m still a lady!) This weekend I have also been reading Organized Simplicity and have been inspired to clean all the clutter out of my house before we move. (Why did I think this was a good project to start before I leave on vacation for two weeks. . . ?) Our house is also empty of groceries and it’s really hard for me to want to go buy any when I’m leaving town. . . even though Kenny is sticking around. :) I should probably be a good wife and stock up for him before I leave.

So, that’s my week. I swear, I’m not complaining about going on these two awesome trips back to back. . . even though it does cause me a little stress. :) I’m SO excited to take a couple vacations during these dreary January and February months and it’s TOTALLY worth all the busy-ness before getting on that plane!

But sometimes. . . something happens to entice the bad Kristin to the surface. Bad Kristin is easily offended. She thinks that everyone is ganging up on her and has collectively decided to be mean to her on the same day. She assumes the worst of people and doesn’t want anyone to talk to her. And the worst part?? She sort of even enjoys being mad.

Bad Kristin was visiting this week. I had a few awful days that tested my resolve — tested whether all these amazing things I’ve been learning over the last little while would actually be put into action when things got hard. Luckily, my bad self was only around for a couple days before I snapped out of it.

But it got me thinking about these two sides of me and wondering how to encourage the good self to stay around and the bad self to stay away. But I’m pretty sure I know the answer. Expect bad things to happen once in a while. When they do, remember what keeps me happy and balanced — having time to pray and ponder, eating healthy food, getting enough sleep, spending quality time with Kenny, having productive time working, and making time to relax. If I keep doing those things, even when I have an awful day or someone makes me mad, Good Kristin is bound to overpower Bad Kristin quickly.

I also maybe could remember that when it’s not easy to bounce back from the bad moods, watching Friends and eating a donut are perfect tools for the transition. :)

(Does my self portrait make sense?? You know. . . the two sides? Get it. . . ?)

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This post is part of my Project 52 for this year — a personal project where I take one self portrait each week that represents “life right now.” To read more about it, click here and to see all the past weeks in the series, click here.

A few months ago, they invited us (along with our other BFFs, Bryce and Laura!) to their house for the evening. We gathered in the kitchen and as I filled a cup with water, I glanced over and discovered an ultrasound on the fridge. AN ULTRASOUND! It took a minute to click for me (and even longer for Kenny), but when we realized what was going on, we were SO THRILLED for them!

In December, they asked me to take a few photos of them to put on their Christmas card to share the very wonderful news that they are having a baby. Their little boy is due in May (SO SOON!!) and Megan has gotten just a bit bigger since these photos were taken. :) Joneses. . . we love you!

It’s probably obvious, but last year I decided to focus on photographing weddings rather than portraits. Even though I love photographing newborns and birth stories and the occasional high school senior, weddings are where my heart is. Not to say I’d turn down a fun portrait shoot now and then, especially if it’s a lifestyle session, but they aren’t what I’m actively pursuing.

However. This year produced some of my favorite portrait sessions of all time, including some of the best photos I’ve taken of my favorite little niece and nephew. Here are a few of my best images from this year’s newborn, kids, family, and senior/headshot sessions:

Or at least. . . I am attempting to be satisfied in my life right now.

I’ve been worrying too much lately. So much is going to be changing for us soon and I’ve struggled to feel any kind of peace about it all. I feel anxious and tense about all these things I can’t really control. I’ve been trying so hard to figure out what it is I’m supposed to be learning or doing because of these experiences. And the thought that’s been creeping into my head is that maybe I am supposed to be learning to be satisfied with life as it is.

I need to be satisfied with the fact that Kenny has already been accepted to some really great law schools and that we just might end up somewhere besides California. I need to be satisfied with our financial situation and realize that right now, we make what we make. I need to be satisfied with how many weddings I’ve booked. The number of lenses I have. The growth of my business. The fact that I’ll be starting it all over somewhere new. I also need to be satisfied with the progress I’ve made towards eating healthier. The length of my hair. The size of my wardrobe.

The life-changing and the trivial, I just need to be okay with life as it is.

I really deeply believe that we have the power we have to change and improve our own lives, but sometimes I think about “the next thing” too much. I need to realize that right now, what I have been given is enough. It is more than enough. So my new mantra: to be satisfied with what I have.

P.S. I took this self portrait in my bedroom partly because of the pretty light, but mostly because that is where the majority of my worrying happens. . . while I lay in bed attempting to go to sleep each night. From now on, I am determined to quit letting those thoughts invade my nights. I know they will during the day (as much as I try to control them), but when I lay down in my bed at night, the worrying must stop and the appreciation must begin. :)

If you’re getting married this year and are interested in hiring me, let me know soon! The busy weekends are starting to fill up! (YAY!)

Downton Abbey is a PBS drama that takes place in early 20th century England about the family & servants of the Earl of Grantham. I know it sounds a little. . . ehhh for some people. But the thing about this show is that EVERYONE likes it. I can almost guarantee you will, no matter who you are. The characters are so easy to love (or HATE if it’s Thomas or Miss O’Brien. . .) and you’ll get sucked in right away.

I always love anything historical, but this show is just a little different–it has this modern side to it that makes it more approachable. And the clothes, the set, everything about it is gorgeous.

My favorite thing about watching it now is our weekly date with two other couples to watch every episode. We pile onto the couch every Sunday and get WAY more into it than we should. :) But don’t ask us about last week’s episode. . . it was just too painful and sad!

If you want to watch it, the first season is on Netflix (each season is only seven episodes) and the second is going on right now, but you can catch up on PBS.com. WATCH IT! And then you can come back and tell me how much you love it (and me, for telling you about it).

P.S. I should probably give credit to our friends, Bret and Spencer who gave us the first season for Christmas WAY before everyone was talking about it. They are so on top of things.