All throughout my life, I was horrible at saying no, or setting boundaries for other people in my life. I found myself saying yes out of obligation, or being taken advantage of, and depending on the person being manipulated into saying yes to things I felt uncomfortable with. To say the least I learned the hard way that self love and taking care of yourself isn't selfish, it's necessary. Your health and happiness are two of the most important things that should not be put second. When you do try to people please and when you are uncomfortable in saying yes, then your health and mindset declines. There will be difficult people in all situations and at a variety of points in your life, but that doesn't mean you have to settle or be used as a punching bag.

As a young woman, I have found that my friends and I are at different places in life and it can be hard saying no to them because I never want to grow apart since I am also the worst at goodbyes. Peer pressure has become a problem for me even more so in adulthood. I start feeling guilty because my personality is so much different than so-and-so's and it's more of a forced friendship rather than just something that comes naturally. If you have read some of my personal blogs before, I have talked about how I get really bad anxiety. I will be the first one to tell you, people will use this against you, because they know how hard it is for you to say no and how hard it is for you to set boundaries because you don't want to be rude or unkind. I have been there and done that, and trust me when I tell you it's emotionally draining.

So how do I handle these awkward "NO" situations and putting boundaries in place? I listen to my gut. If someone gets rude, or uncooperative about respecting my boundaries, I take time to think about what I want to say and then I respond to them about how I am feeling. I honestly couldn't do that 2 years ago, it is an art form of patience in it's self to restrain because you become hurt at the situation, but just remember you do not want to sink to a low level, you must be respectful and kind even if that person isn't. The last thing you want to do is blow up and say something you might regret later, because words hurt, and being grown up is learning to not hurt the person who hurt you back, but to try to understand. You are better than that, and it can be very easy in the moment to forget that.

Another thing that helps me, is staying off social media, not being close to my phone and trying not to get dragged into the pull of the circus. You ever heard of that saying that goes, "Not my circus, not my monkeys?" That's basically what it means, you have your life whether it be career, school, ect. to focus on and spending hours trying to have a conversation with difficult people, or getting frustrated with social media drama is insane. You're better off just walking away, until you get a handle on your mindset. You also have to be careful of nosey people on Facebook, you know you have at least one person who asks a million and one questions when you post about something semi personal, and you just know them because you're acquaintances, you do not have to explain anything to anyone. If you feel uncomfortable answering, don't, just politely say I rather not say and keep it to yourself. Someone is either going to take it offensive, or understand, and if they take it offensive, you can just say I am sorry you feel that way, I'm sure that there are things you would rather keep to yourself, but if it is a problem that you're that curious when I post something and won't give you all the information because I would rather keep it personal for my own reasons, you can unsubscribe to my posts. That way you have been very clear about your boundaries and you give them a solution, instead of a negative answer back.

It's very hard to remain positive in a world that can become negative at times, but that doesn't mean we don't do our best. You can genuinely tell when someone is in your life because they care about you verses they "have" to because of what you give them, or whatever the reason is. The best you can do is stay true to yourself, realize that you know yourself better than anyone else, and that you don't have to have a negative outlook on yourself just because someone else does. Look at the blessings you have, make a choice to be happy, and when you do have to say no, or deal with an awkward conversation just be clear on your boundaries and why you have chosen to say no. They are either going to be negative about it or respect you, and you have the choice to cut out all the negative/toxic relationships and people that stress you out. You are not a punching bag, you are not someones excuse to gossip, you are not selfish, you are a badass just for being yourself, and you deserve a right to live the way you choose to.

2 Year Marriage Anniversary!

So our 2 year Anniversary is tomorrow, August 17th to be exact. I try to be as open as I can with y'all because I love my life & the people in it so much that it's almost selfish not to share! I thought since I've been letting you in on something in my personal life that I'd share with you some of my favorite things from our wedding to celebrate 2 years with my wonderful husband.

Our ceremony was the most important part to me. There were a few venues in mind, but "The Spivey House" located in Downtown Conway, SC. Was the one I fell in love with + had to have.

I did as best as I could make it feel well like us as a couple when I bought certain things. The blue mason jars were our wedding favors, because well their versatile, and I even put a little pun on the sticker - Just call me pun queen. hehe. We had our family help a bunch when it came to decorating, but I think it turned out wonderful! :)

The Trustle Resturant & Bakery, also located in Downtown Conway, SC catered as well as made our cake. We were very pleased with how it all came out & made our day all that more special.

I went to a few dress shops, but Magnolia's, is one of the dress shops that was very flexible and welcoming to me and my needs as a bride. The Bouquet was actually just a hand picked one from a grocery store, who says you have to go to an expensive florist? And what is a rustic southern wedding without a girls' pearls & pair of cowboy boots? The boots come straight from Nashville & had a special meaning behind them. :)

When I said thank you for attending & being there for us at this special time in our lives, it wasn't just me being polite. I'm so glad everyone came out to see us get hitched and all that jazz. ;) Our wedding party was carefully hand picked, I hate to brag but we got the best of the best. :P

The photographer is Kristy Roderick, she also did our engagement photos, and believe me when I tell you this was equally as important to me as the ceremony venue. We had inquired about her doing our wedding, but didn't know if it was possible, but one thing led to another and she agreed. We were her first wedding, and she did wonderfully. I can't tell you how appreciative of the photos she did get documenting our special day. The First look isn't for everyone, but I had my reasons for deciding to fit it in our schedule. I've never been one to believe in a lot of superstitions, the groom seeing the bride before the wedding is one rule that I broke. I felt this helped calm my nerves on our big day. We had about 2 months to throw this wedding, as well as no rehearsal was- regrettably- had. So I'm just glad that our first look didn't suffer. However, if you're going to do this, be sure you clarify it is private, have it where not a lot of foot traffic is, we had early guests come & it felt a little awkward, when it was supposed to be a sweet moment for us. All together, I think it was successful and can be scene in the black in white photo. :)

The best part of the wedding hands down was getting to make memories with my best friend & my husband. This was a huge start to what is the very beginning of our lives together and even when I look back at all the stress it was those 2 months getting things done & ready for when he flew in from Tech school, it was all worth it. I know that these 2 years have been the better years of my life just because I've had someone as special as my husband, and he so sweetly shares his birthday with me as if I'm the best present he's ever gotten - and I am ;)

Adventures in: Charleston, SC

Is it just me or do other people get the travel bug during the summer like we do? blame it on my gypsy soul. Over the years I've definitely developed a love for traveling and sight seeing. This summer since we went back home we decided to do two side trips, our first one being in Charleston, SC. Charleston holds a very special part in our hearts since it was where we went for our mini-moon before Tyler set off on a journey to our first base. It's not too far from home.

Even though we were feeling the 3 hour difference and got out the door late, once we got there it was nice to just stroll around and soak in all the history as well as the beautiful sights that the Charleston had to offer. We ended up eating where we ate during our mini-moon and doing a carriage tour and let me tell you, that guy knew his stuff - I wish I wasn't so bad at remembering names (I remember faces) or else I'd highly recommend him.

Anyways, I know you people hate reading books, so ladies and gentleman I've prepared a collage for you so you can live vicariously through our vacation as you please or if you're a family member keeping track of our adventures, then enjoy!

Growing + Changing in a Military Lifestyle

Let's just start by stating the obvious, I'm 23, married, and moved far away from home to our first base. I still get asked to this day why I married so young, like it's a bad thing. I've wrote a blog before about why I felt like it was right for me. I'm going to be going over that as well as talk about my experiences, everyone's is different, and until I married my husband I had no prior experience with being involved with the Military, honestly I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but life is that way with any choices. It's the enviable. We should embrace that, embrace change, instead of being scared of it. For me it feels like I have climbed Mount. Everest just moving so far away from all my family and friends, but I wanted to be on this journey with my husband, so I am.

I would like to state, I didn't get married just because he's in the military and I felt like I had to commit right away. I was never after a pay check nor was I after a uniform. A lot of "Military Wives" get lumped into a nasty category of being a gold digger and I'm not telling you that they don't exist, but women like me are not them. I'd like to think yes, I am a Military Wife, but I'm also creative, compassionate, forgiving, loving, and everything else in between. I'm a lot of things, so it wouldn't make sense to lump every military wife into a box and call it what you will. I got married because he was brave enough to ask me, and I was brave enough to accept.

Secondly, I chose this decision based on a lot of factors of where I was in life. Even though, I'm still pretty broke at least I'm happily broke with my best friend. I recall my mom telling me stories from when her and my dad were first married, and even though they had to share burger and fries, he got the burger, she got the fries, to sum up how poor they were, they were absolutely crazy about each other. I think it's a right of passage whether your broke, or rich, that you should have to struggle a little bit in the beginning, to even really appreciate how settled you will be later. It's impossible to appreciate something unless you know how fortunate you are. Love might not pay your bills, but I promise you it makes all the struggling worth it. At least for me on a really good day for us.

Thirdly, we both made sacrifices for this lifestyle, but the most important thing is that we've been in this thing together. We've seen the pretty and ugly parts about things in our lives while married. I know for me, he makes me the better woman, the better version of myself, and I feel like that is important for your relationship. There's always something to improve. We may have sacrificed a lot, but in the end we're learning to stand on our own two feet and that's something that I couldn't get home, nor could he. I know it was scary for our parents letting us come all the way out here, but you got to let us fly sometime, and I promise it won't be much longer till were soaring just fine. :)

And Lastly, Dreams change, life changes us and I decided to change my major and even though were both sacrificing things, were still chasing our dreams. We can still be married at a young age and go to school or go to work and make something of ourselves. It sounds sometimes impossible to have it all, but if you work hard for it, it will happen. Great things come to those who work for it and those who have the courage to ask for it. Nobody achieved any dreams by letting it come to them, you have to be a go-getter in today's society.

Speaking of change, we're at our first base, and honestly, it could've gone better. I personally think they stick young couples here because nobody wants to come live here in the desert, but it's great, because we've had the opportunity to do all the above and make some amazing memories despite being so far from home. Of course there have been bad days, long homesick, days, but I would go through hell and back for my husband. I've met some truly amazing people, and some not so amazing people here and back home, it's all the same, but in the midst of these last two years, I grew up. I outgrew people like shoes and clothing, and I embraced new friendships and family. I think I will always have bad days with my anxiety, with being far from home, and being my own worst critic, but I think I will also have just as many good days. I honestly feel so fulfilled about my future no matter where it takes us, and two years ago that probably would've scared the pee out of me, because my anxiety held me back so much.

So here's to making changes, growing, love, and happiness. For those of you who are struggling with yourself, just take a breath, look at the pros and cons. Nothing is worth stressing so much over that you forget what you have in front of your eyes.

XO

50 Shades: The Book, The Movie, & The Media

In my last blog, I reviewed the 50 Shades of Grey Movie prior to reading the books and knowing only hear say of what the media & people said about it. I had asked on Facebook about opinions on reading it when I found out they were making it into a movie. I obviously got mixed reviews as there are just as many with movie. I have to be honest, I didn't know what to expect and I was nervous from peoples opinions & the media about going to see it. Throughout the movie I tuned all other opinions but my own down & off. I never want to completely write off something because other people don't like it. I am entitled to my opinion, as everyone is regardless of what it is. I started writing this blog just on my opinion about the book & movie together, but it ended up being about the books, the movie, & how the media perceives it vs. how I perceive it. I guess that's the beauty in writing, you start writing it one way and sometimes it takes you by surprise in the middle of forming your opinion about the matter.

I want to go ahead and let it be known I'm not trying to convince anyone to change their opinion about whether they like it. It's not my job to argue with anyone whether they liked it or not. You're completely entitled to whatever your opinion is, but I have to say just by reading tons of thousands of comments on articles, blogs, and other social media comments, that most people haven't read all 3 of the books and they form an opinion. I honestly want to know how are people victimizing a book character when they didn't really have an open mind to begin with about the movie and didn't read all 3 books? We live in a world where people do little to no research before they post something on Facebook, or social media in general. We've become very lazy and the irony in this is because we have all this technology right at our finger tips and we choose not to use it to benefit and educate us. I'm constantly telling people to educate themselves, not as a rude gesture but because it is a pet peeve of mine, if someone is going to have a difference opinion and argue that I'm wrong that the least they can do is be educated on the matter. This is not a matter of being right or wrong, but about being closed minded and opinionated just for the sake of wanting to have an opinion. I have no problem with people standing up for their beliefs but what I do have a problem with is how they are going about it in this instance.

There was a disney favorite of mine that lost a bet with their husband, so her intention was to hold a sign in her bra and underwear that said #consent because the movie didn't sit right with her. I have no knowledge that she didn't attempt to read the books, but only saw the movie. You all have probably heard this thousands of times since the movie came out and opinions were formed, but you will not understand exactly what and where the story is going unless you read the books. The movie left major parts out and turned down the sexual nature of it. I will admit when reading the first book that I was giggling about Anastasia's inner goddess most of the time and I did think some of the dialogue that Ana had in her head was giggle worthy, (*cough* Her own Christian Grey popsicle *cough*), but it made the book bearable for me. Some of it felt like fan fiction a little bit, but I had this dire need to finish all 3 books to get to the bottom of this story.

I'm going to spoil some things for you guys who didn't read/see the movie, so if you don't want me to ruin anything, don't read ahead.

A lot of people are saying Anastasia was raped. This can't make any more sense, because in both of the movies and books she's constantly day dreaming of Mr. Grey because she can't seem to shake the effect he has on her. Surely enough when you have this instant connection with people, and you fall for them you can't seem to shake them either. It's the same concept, expect E.L. James isn't the writer of our lives and there probably will never be a hot billionaire awaiting for us. Sorry ladies.

To go off that point, a lot of people are also saying that was she was hesitant and that's why they think she was raped. Well of course a virgin who has just been introduced into that world, who has only really set her eyes relationship and sexual wise on Christian Grey, would feel the need to ask and would be curious about it all, how else are we supposed to learn and understand. He didn't even know she was a Virgin, hence why she said "I'm a situation" she wanted to make love to Christian.

I will never probably completely understand the BDSM world, nor do I know how true this story is to that world, but I do know people and I use the term people loosely, because this is a book character, deal with certain heavy aspects of their life differently. I don't think everyone is as lucky as certain people who, like me can just pick up a pen write something and feel better because it's off of my chest. If you really bothered to read all 3 stories, you'd realize Christian Grey is a broken man until he falls in love with Anastasia Steele. I mentioned before that I didn't feel like this first movie was a 'love story' because it's only one part of a whole, but reading all 3 books, it's only the beginning of a love story. He wasn't born into money, he's had a trouble past, and obviously he didn't have normal relationships like most people do, but some people are not most people. A lot of people freaked out because prince charming had a kinky dark side to him, but not all of them really understood why. I watched a movie called Black Snake Moan one time, and it changed my view on how people deal with pain. Sometimes it doesn't always make sense to us, but "pain demands to be felt" and most of us deal with it in a variety of ways.

Christian tells Ana that she has the power, and it's just that, she does. She's made it clear of what she is comfortable with, if she didn't like something she said so. She even left at the end of the book and the movie. In the Second book, Christian wouldn't even take her back into the Playroom, she wandered in there herself, because there are certain perks she likes about trying new things with him. I can't speak on behalf of anyone else's love life, but it's that way with anything now a days. How do we truly know we don't like something until we try it, unless the thought just makes us completely uncomfortable, but in that instance I would think Ana would have said red and bounced and never looked back, but then we wouldn't have Fifty Shades Darker or Freed.

Many people red flagged Christian as being stalkerish (I am officially making this a word), and I get how it looks, but I recall Twilight having that same effect on people. Some people just come off strong, and in these books or movies, sometimes it's just best to not read too much into it and just let it be for entertainment. We overanalyze every little detail, it gets exhausting. Let's just not do it people.

For an example, my favorite book and movie, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, was criticized by many people saying that it romanticized cancer. Many people miss the bigger picture when it comes to these wonderful literary works of art, and that my friends is perhaps the saddest. I almost feel like people criticize books and movies like they do the bible, they pick out what they disagree with and they discard the rest. You cannot look at something half heartedly and run with it, things get messy when people do this. Like I said, I'm not trying to persuade anyone, but after taking 3 weeks to read all 3 books I feel like people can either like it or not like it, but it's kind of unfair, not to mention extreme, to tell people were going to hell for liking it or even getting people to donate books to burn them. If that is what we are wasting our energy on, it's sad.

In conclusion, people will always clash and have different opinions, but people should also respect each others opinions, and form our own opinions about the matter. My call to action is that we stop letting the media and other people think for us, because just because it's on Facebook, doesn't automatically mean it's true. Steve Jobs once said to "stay hungry, stay foolish," I feel it is the same with knowledge, you can never have to much of it. Keep an open mind, work hard, love what you love, and don't forget it's okay to just be yourself. Own all of it. It's just that simple.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the photos, all rights go to those who do own the rights.

I Am Aria Belle. Sass Queen.

Woof Woof! Hello people of the internet! Since my mommy felt low on time this week with school about to start, she asked her co-partner and best friend, Aria Belle (that's me!) for a spot on this weeks blog. Now I know what you're thinking, a dog writing a blog?! What is this craziness?! My mom thought it would be kind of fun to tell you some of my most inner thoughts, and I have to warn you most of them are about food. (can you blame me?!) Even if you're not a dog person, perhaps you could give me a chance because my mommy thinks I am just too cute! so I think you will think so too! Alright enough of the butt sniffing, I meant kissing, or was it sniffing? I often get those confused but hey that's okay let's get to it!

• I love people I actually just like to bark at people so they pay me attention.
• When I get said attention I like to get sassy, because I don't like to be touched. Duh.
• But, if I am bribed with food I am totally okay with that. (I love food!)
• If you call me, even if you know me, I probably still won't come to you unless you have food. (I tried to warn you)
• Don't you dare think you are getting attention from my mommy unless it's with me in the middle and I say you're okay. My mommy thinks highly of my opinion, and if I don't like you, she won't either. (mommy made me cross that one out because she said it's not true, but it is)
• Fine, my mommy will probably like you, but I take up most of her time because I love getting pampered and belly rubs.
• She also gives me treats! Which reminds me I still have a treat from when she felt bad about leaving me earlier. BRB! enjoy this cute photo of me while I eat this delicious treat!

• I'm back! Have I mentioned that I like to get into things? even things that I'm not supposed to and blame it on someone breaking in the house. I know mommy never believes me because she asks me why someone would break in just to bite a hole in her underwear.
• I'm loyal. I'm a mommy's girl, but I love daddy too, either way these are my humans and I love them even if I have to whine my head off for their scraps.
• It's just obvious if you have a puppy they should get all (mommy's edit) some of your scraps.
• I yell at ambulances, I know their just doing their job, but my inner wolf tells them to shut up because they should do it quieter. Just saying.
• I hate the blankey monster, just because it's soft doesn't mean it isn't scary or won't get you, I don't understand why my daddy finds pleasure in laughing at my pain. 
• Sometimes, I "accidentally" go number two off of the pad because I think it's important to keep my mommy & daddy in their place.
•  I hate car rides unless we get to the drive thru window and I smell the food, I'm automatically a saint.
• Do not tell me no about getting the heating pad, because I will paw at you and whine at you till you get annoyed and fed up. That's my heating pad and I get it when I want it no matter how bad your bones ache.
• Don't even worry about getting colors that match for blankets in the living room, we all know they are all gonna come back to me.
• Last but not least, I'm after all your bottle caps. Don't think you can open a bottled drink just to close it back up because once that sucker is open it's mine!

I am here to tell you I am more than a pet or an animal to my family, no matter how demanding or sassy I get, I will always lick my mommy's tears away, cuddle up with her at night, and eat the top crusts off of the sandwich bread that she won't touch. She is my human and I am her fur baby. We'd be incomplete with out each other. Love your fur kids, treat them with respect, bring them in when it's cold, and be sure of the responsibility when you get them, and always give them extra treats. They have feelings just like humans and sometimes you don't always know when the last time you'll be able to walk them or cuddle up to them. Just like human's their time is precious. 

Mommy and I would like to dedicate this blog to my sister, and her first fur baby Angel. I didn't know you for long, but my mommy said that you gave the best hugs. We love you. Rest In Peace.

XOXO Aria Belle

Why I got Married at 21.

Us on Our Wedding Day - Photo Credit: Kristy Roderick Photography

I was married on August 17, 2013, both my husband and I at age 21 and even though I didn't know what to expect I know I made the right decision for me. I've seen various blog postings by other people about why getting married is and isn't great. Everyone and their opinion about the matter is going to be different and I personally respect that, if you're not ready you're not ready, but also keep in mind to be respectful of others who do want to get married young. Honestly, I have had some pretty mean things said to me about the matter myself. Mostly from irrelevant people in my life but still none the less it got talked about.

Here's the thing with each of my relationships regardless of how serious or not they were I learned a lot about myself. I always felt like my friends were on different paths, and yes even a lot of them got pregnant or married even before me. It's very easy to fall prey of the pressures of everyone around you wanting to get married or having kids at such a young age. However, I just wanted someone who loved me back. I found that in my husband, Tyler, and the more time went on and we started talking about him going to basic training and him moving away we had to come to the decision of either me staying there and barely seeing each other or getting married and me going with him.

We talked about it before he proposed, so yes, I somewhat knew I was going to be proposed to just had no idea when. About a month before he left, on Easter Sunday of 2013 we got engaged, I oddly enough announced it on April fools day and found it chuckle worthy of having to explain it's not a joke that we very much were engaged. I think everyone believed me once the photo went up, that and I was still going with it the next day. Even though I knew we talked about it and everything the proposal was one of the most romantic things I had ever had the pleasure of knowing in my lifetime. It rained just before we hopped in one of the pods of the Sky Wheel in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and he just simply asked me to take his hand in marriage. I think real love and love in movies are very different things, but they are both still magic.

Us During his BMT Graduation Weekend

Truth is, I was a confused on what love was and wasn't. I thought way too much about it and every time I thought this person was meant for me there was a reason that they just were not. Through all the wrong turns in my love life, once I started dating Tyler I just had this connection with him unlike any other. It was the closest thing to magic that I ever had. On the anniversary of our first month of dating we decided to go out, but Tyler took me to a Night of A Thousand Candles. He conversed with my parents when he first met them, and when something devastating happened in my person life he was there for me, at my lowest. There were so many factors and little things he did to make me feel even more connected to him. Our test of whether or not this is going to work was when he went away to Basic Military Training and we of course passed it with flying colors, but that's another blog for another day. :)

Christmas 2014 Knipes Family Photo

So if you're asking me do I regret it, No. Do I feel like I'm missing out on everything? No. The great thing about being married so young is you're experiencing everything together and although it may not be for everyone. I can honestly say it was very much enough for us. The rings on my finger mean more to me than just a vow on a wedding day I plan to keep my promise on loving him for as long as he'll let me. He has blessed me with the crazy adventure that we are on with the Airforce and our little fur kid, Aria, and for that I'm forever grateful. My advice to you is to ignore what other people say about it not making you happy, only you know what makes you happy. You know your heart better than anyone else. Listen to it and pay attention to the little things your partner does. If you feel safe, happy, and like you can see yourself with that person 50 years down the road, I say go for it. Have a great weekend everyone. :)

There's A Story in Every Photograph.

I realize the blog posting is a little late this week, now before I go on I must say this posting has a good reason why it was late. Passion and paying it forward. It's no secret that I've been in love with design and photography since I could practically snap a camera and learn the color wheel. I carried it throughout high school going to an academy school where I not only learned what the district required me to learn but to learn the basics and the fundamentals of this craft. I gained college credit which allowed me to skip a couple classes and ultimately finish in less time. I, of course went to the local college sadly, because of money troubles. My dream was to go to the University of South Carolina. Go Gamecocks! This is the part where my husband disagrees because he's team Clemson, good thing this wasn't a must when he picked his wife. ;) Just kidding but, over the course of the 2 years I went to this college I learned what I was made of and the side of design that I absolutely will never touch. I won't argue being out of school for two-years and not keeping up with this craft I'm very rusty. I grew less and less enthused to go out and take photos of anything other than myself and loved ones, including my furry ones. The reason why I was getting less than enthused was only because I had a bad experience with internship and one of the design teachers that expected four-year work out of two-year students. I also suffered from major anxiety and didn't believe in my work. When you don't believe in your work, it doesn't do well. This was a hard lesson I had to learn early on unfortunately.

Moving out here, honestly was the hardest thing I've had to do because I'm way out of my comfort zone. All my friends, family, (other) animals, and especially connections are all in South Carolina. Don't get me wrong, starting over kind of sounded good, but when you're not yet sure of your next move for your career or when you're gonna get your own vehicle, and start making more friendships it's scary. I remember leaving with tears streaming down my face so scared, then the guy I sat next to on my first plane ride was talking to me about what to kind of expect. I'll be honest I was still scared, but at this point I felt better. (Honestly, I should've told him thank you looking back, so thanks!) I told him how crazy it was that I have never even visited Vegas and here I was going to move in this new place full of gambling and population of over 2 million. Could you even imagine? My marriage and my love for my husband was important to me though. I have been through so many emotions and crazy things this year that I could go on forever, but I won't, moral of the story is never stop loving what you do and always do what you love. I have found when I stopped taking photos, when I stopped all together doing design, or even stopped reading I found myself getting ten times as anxious than I was before. It's an on going battle of everyday. I also kind of lost sight of who I was and resorted in being a lesser version of myself. I'm not proud of who I was and some of the choices I made or didn't make. I am very aware that I was in charge of myself and didn't have a grip on myself, but now I very much do.

I'll give you the cheat sheet version. I have decided to go back to school to become an elementary school teacher. Honestly, I love kids, I'm not ready to make that big commitment yet, although I'm constantly getting baby fever I know it will happen when it's ready to happen. It's nice to dream till then. I am very good at helping people and I have always had those few teachers that made a huge impact on me. Naturally, I'm better in english classes. I think Elementary is also the right grades for me, even though I probably could get yelled at, at some point or another for looking so young they could mistake me as a student. (I'm preparing myself for this, ten bucks says it'll happen on my first week) All joking aside, just because I've chosen a different path for my career doesn't mean I want to stop doing all the creative things that I do. Which is why once we met our friends, Rachel & Joe, we got asked to do couples photos for them. As Rachel and I were sitting on my living room floor she proceeds to tell me that got none of a proposal and none of their wedding. I honestly, fought for my photographer for my wedding (I was proudly her first wedding) and she worked me in last minute for our engagement photos. Kristy Roderick (link to her website is in her name) made us feel very comfortable and her style is favorite. The reason why I chose her, aside from her down-to-earth personality she is one of those people who just know the crucial moments to get. In some sort of way she inspired me to get off my butt and do these photos.

With that being said, I know this was important, and I talked with Rachel about what sort of styles she wanted. So far I've given her 2 teasers. So I'm posting here for a couple more about what they look like, I'm sure she's going to die (of cuteness) when she sees them because I honestly think they are the best work I have done yet. I edited with Adobe Photoshop of course, but I didn't have to do much. They were both so easily photogenic, even though the sun wasn't so much. I decided to do the photography session for free. I also decided since they are really amazing friends that I would print out all the great ones and put them in an album as well as putting them on a disc and giving them the rights to print out even more. I know it's not the most professional way to not give "notes" on how to pose and it is true that I will have to because some people really don't know what looks good and what doesn't, but I've seen some really adorable natural posing when you just let a couple be their own loving selves. I wouldn't do that with everyone, but I had hoped that they felt comfortable with me (and my husband helped) to be able to be themselves. It worked and I am more than happy with how they came out. The reason why I did it free was mainly to pay it forward, normally I would keep quiet because I'm not one to brag about charity but I feel like this would've been a good thing to reach out to those who are afraid to pay it forward. Even just doing a favor shows kindness. There is no such thing as too small of an act of kindness. :)

Hope y'all enjoyed this weeks posting! I want to constantly be inspiring on here to inspire other people. This is how people get creative, and now that you have the idea, get to it. ;)