2022 Reflection

When I decided to plan out this blog post I thought to myself: There hasn't been THAT much that has happened this year. I was way wrong. The more I looked back at my planner, photos and and just thinking back on the year I realized this has been a HUGE year. In my personal life and my professional life I had BIG growth and a lot of firsts. I am so excited to share with y'all how much God has blessed me!

In my opinion the best place to start is the beginning. Looking back to this time last year I can't believe how much has changed. I was miserable working an 8-5 in a toxic work place, missing my husband who had started traveling for work and dreaming of the days I have everyday now.

To get the best picture of my 2022 year we have to go back to December of 2021. My husband (Jayson) and I were tired of being apart from each other and I absolutely wanted to get out of my current working conditions. So we decided I would quit my job and go on the road with him. That is just what we did and we spent January 2022 in Illinois. It was so cold. This Texas girl did not leave the hotel room unless my dogs needed a walk. In all honesty I truly needed that month of rest.

Jayson and I traveled back to Amarillo at the end of January with a couple weeks of time off before he had to be in Wisconsin for his next job site. Unfortunately he was called to Wisconsin early and I was not able to go with due to a session I had scheduled. Don't get me wrong I am thankful for every client God brings my way, but I did not want to be away from my husband for a long period of time again. I also didn't want to get another job.

Fast forward to the middle of March and Jayson was able to come home for a few weeks. During that time we were finally able to make a trip to DFW to house hunt. While Jayson's job requires him to travel, they also told us when he was hired in September 2021 that they wanted us to move closer to their main office. Being six hours away was becoming a problem. Thankfully we found the perfect house to rent and at the snap of God's fingers we were OFFICIALLY moving across the state.

April was probably the most chaotic month I have had in a very long time, but I made it through it. Jayson had to leave for a job in Galveston so I packed up our whole lives and sold MANY things. Then with the help of my Mom, Stepdad, Grandparents, Aunt and Uncle we packed it all into my Dad's inclosed trailer. On April 31st my Dad, his friend (Nathan) and I traveled to Princeton to met Jayson at our new home to unload the trailer. I know what you're thinking. Yes, the unloading team drew the short stick. No, I did not do ANY heavy lifting when unloading.

One week later I was on the road to Port Aransas, TX for a much needed trip to the beach. This dog mom took full advantage of Jayson's new job site for Mother's Day weekend. Looking back this year has truly flown by, and it has brought so many blessings. I am truly so thankful for this year.

May brought new beginnings to this photographer. Before we moved, a photographer who I have taken classes from posted in her student community on Facebook that they were looking for an associate photographer for the McKinney area. I knew I would not know anyone in the area for freelance clients so I lined up a contract with them to be on their team. I also knew when we moved I did not want to work at Olive Garden anymore or at an office so I lined up an interview with a photography studio in Richardson, Tx. This studio specialized in school photos which was an experience all in itself. Besides a few problems with a few coworkers, I absolutely loved it. There were days I wanted to pull my hair out because the kids were so disrespectful, and there were days I wanted Jayson to fly home for the day so we could make one of our own. Each day God taught me a valuable lesson about myself, and made me a better photographer and person.

Thankfully Jayson was home for the month of June and we spent at least one day at Lake Lavon every weekend. Unfortunately we don't own a boat, but we do have floats! Not much happened in June, and Jayson left for Iowa just after 4th of July. My Sister-in-law also blessed us with a beautiful niece in July. Hearing that news defiantly made it sink in that we were not living in Amarillo anymore. August is usually my favorite month of the year because it is Jayson and I's anniversary and my birthday, but with Jayson in Iowa I didn't do anything to celebrate. This was the first time in my life I did absolutely nothing for my birthday.

September was not a good month. Unfortunately my Father-in-law past away. Jayson was in Iowas still when his Mom called him and he packed up and headed home the same day. A few days later we left for Missouri to be with his family for a few days. Things will never be the same with out Jim. I was not able to spend a lot of time with him as Jayson and I have only been together for three years this January, but I do know one of the men he raised very well. Words can't express how thankful I am for Jayson. He is the man of my dreams, and I can only thank God and his parents for that.

Thankfully Jayson's work allowed him to take a month of PTO to be with family, and he left for Pueblo, Colorado at the end of October. Then three long weeks later we both traveled to Amarillo for Thanksgiving. I traveled from Princeton, and Jayson met me in Amarillo since it was halfway between home and Pueblo. I ended up traveling up the Friday before Thanksgiving in order to make it to my cousin's wedding. It was so nice to see my family. It had only been seven months, but that is the longest I have been away from them ever. Also keep in mind that we lived four blocks away from my Mom before we moved, so a week at home was MUCH needed.

Driving home to Princeton was a tad weird since Jayson left in the opposite direction, but I only had one week of work left before I would be joining him in Colorado. I have been here for a week and a half now living my best life as a hotel-housewife. Last weekend Jayson took me to Colorado Springs for a lunch date. I told him I want to get some photos of Pikes Peak before we leave. I think it's because I am from the plains of Texas that are so flat you can see for miles as to why I have such an obsession with mountains.

Jayson and I will be spending Christmas by ourselves at home, and I'll wait to post this until we are home for safety reasons. I am kind of excited to spend the holiday at home with my favorite person. My parents have been divorced since I was very young, so holidays have always been more chaotic than joyful. It will be nice to sit and enjoy as much food as I want and maybe get to take a nap. Jayson is also my favorite cook so I'm sure I'll gain a few pounds before we head back to Colorado. I am excited to spend New Year's in the DFW area. Moving in the middle of inflation has not been easy, so we haven't done much to explore the metroplex.

I am also so excited for what God has planned for myself, my relationship and my business in 2023. Jayson and I are always praying for a little blessing to add to our family. I also have big ideas for MGP that I can't wait to share with y'all! Keep an eye on Instagram and Facebook to find out what we will be offering starting in spring. I hope you all have a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year!

P.S. We moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado on January 1, 2023 for Jayson's new job at CS Wind!!