LIFE&BUSINESS GOALS

Ok.... I'm feeling a little disconnected. I have finally had the chance to breathe, re-group and start brain storming again. Since about last May around the time my niece Elleana was born time has flown by! She is almost one and I'm wondering where the time has gone. Last winter I sat in front of my computer looking.... researching and praying to become the business woman and artist I had worked so hard to be for 5 years to become. I'm not exactly where I want to be as of yet but I'm getting there. A photographer by the name of Shelby Leigh made a list of goals that she she wanted to accomplish a year or so ago and I have wanted to do the same. I think by posting it it will give me the kick in the butt I need to achieve them! She did 101 in 1001 days.... BUT I'm doing 50 things before I turn 28. I'm 25 now so three years!

These are in no particular order!

1. Go to the East Coast
2. Become a parent
3. Ride a bike 5 miles
4. Buy a truck
5. Get published in a book
6. Build an amazing studio
7. Meet someone famous
8. Go to WPPI in Las Vegas
9. Start wearing contacts again
10. Create my own scrapbook
11. Become closer to god
12. Get a family picture taken with the 5 of my family members our partners and my niece
13. Read Chelsea Handlers other two books
14. Donate hand made products to a children's hospital
15. Meet 3 photographers I blog stalk
16. Get a new blog
17. Work out every day for one month (at least)
18. Host a fun event at a senior center
19. Plant a garden
20. Go skinny dipping
21. Go to a comedy club with my husband *3/20/2010*
22. Put in a new bath tub/shower
23. Ride a horse
24. Go to a Tigers game
25. Sing on stage with a band
26. Go to a zoo
27. Make cookies for my husband and the guys at his work
28. Hug my dad
29. Have a picnic
30. Don't eat fast food for 2 weeks straight
31. Have a paint fight like on "10 things I hate about you"
32. Serve my husband breakfast in bed
33. Buy a 1.2 lens
34. Plant trees
35. Go skiing again (haven't in ten years!)
36. Write a full song
37. Taste wine at a vineyard
38. Run in the rain
39. Send some nice things to soldiers over seas
40. Drive a jet ski
41. Attend a photo workshop
42. Make my own wedding album
43. Photograph 5 majorly sick kids and give them pictures
44. Put in a sliding glass door
45. Get a tattoo (I hope my brother doesn't read this!)
46. Watch the sunrise and set in the same day
47. Help plan a class reunion
48. Go on a road trip
49. Grow my hair long again
50. Volunteer at a pet shelter

Back from Florida!

As many of you know we have just returned from our 6 wonderful days in Florida. Fort Lauderdale is absolutely beautiful. The weather was on the chilly side for the majority of our time there but no complaints here. It was our first get-a-way together in 9 year of being together.

My days.... my nights....

I haven't posted a personal blog in a while and I think it's due. If you know me personally you know that I have the a cutie pie little niece Elleana. My sister and my brother-in-law asked me way before they were ever pregnant to watch their child... I of course accepted. Fast forward a couple years and here we are...

I'm so not a morning person! I'm used to staying up until 2-4am editing/placing orders/designing books/doing whatever I need to do for my business and having the pleasure of sleeping 8 hours. Now I'm up with the roosters! This last week my niece has started to keep my schedule... UT OH! My poor sister is up at night and we take a snooze when she gets here for a couple hours. That's this week though! We shall see what happens in the week to come.

She doesn't enjoy my computer room and so I haven't been able to work during the day for the last few weeks.... or have I been able to book day sessions (sorry everyone!) I'm sure in a couple/few more weeks she will be so used to it at my house that everything will be great.

So here are some pictures from the last few weeks I've had her.

introducing martini

I am super busy right now with my business and I thought I would take some time to show you a part of my personal life. My life revolves around photography so when you talk to me I will pretty much probably bring it up... sorry :) BUT I do have a life outside my business and I spend as much time as I possibly can with my husband, family, friends..... and my spoiled dog MARTINI.

Since the day I got her I treated her like a baby and that has made her into a big time doggie diva. She will nudge you until you pet her... she goes for LOTS of car rides... she sleeps at the foot of our bed... she gets too many treats... sometimes I have to pick the red and brown chunks from her dog food because those are the only ones she feels like eating (if my mom is reading this she is rolling her eyes like every time she sees me do it)... she likes to be held like a baby on her back... and she loves to wrestle at 1pm and 3am.

My mom actually got me Martini when I was going through a rough patch just turning 19and didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. I was going to college and spending all my time on studying and was miserable. Oh yes, it sounds rough when a billion people do it and get through it but at the time for me it was terrible and caused a little bit of anxiety. I knew I wanted to do something artistic but it took me a year off to finally know that it was photography. Anyways this little girl got me through that and I will never find a better friend that will love me unconditional. SO... here is my furry friend teenie-weenie-martini.



I have lots of pictures of her... but this one is my favorite.

my sister's family

Yesterday I had two sessions... both went wonderful! Here is the first official Loper Family Portrait :) Elleana did so good! After their session we went to Gaylord and I got some cute pictures of her in the truck. She looks at me like "what are you doing auntie?"

My niece

If you are up to date reading my blog you know that my sister had my niece Elleana.... (it is pronouced Elle-e-ona) and you also probably know you are going to be seeing a whole lot of her on my blog! :) She is such a good little baby and I love spending time with her. She is an amazing job during her little session at the studio.

My niece is here!

Elleana Marie is here!!
She arrived lastnight at 6:40pm... 8lbs 9.5 oz. 20 1/4 in. long
I'm so happy that her and my sis are doing great!

ooooh warm weather

The last few days have been great! It it just me or has winter been extra long and hard this year?? My husband and I have been working out in our yard for the first time since owning our new house. It's been nice hanging out in the sun.

I figured I would share some of my spring pictures.... The raccoon is from last spring when he was trying to get in our garbage cans. :) I had my husband open the window while I snapped away.

Easter

I had a great Easter.... spent time with my husbands family and had a great meal. I grabbed my camera to document our niece's first Easter (my husbands brothers baby.) I have lots more pics but these are my favorites. I took along a few props (poor baby I know...)