My Birthday - 25yrs old

This past Wednesday I turned 25... a quarter of a century. Birthdays have always been a big deal in my family, but I think some ages are just a little more special.. 16,18,21,25,30,40,50.. those ages that are like milestones where you look back and see whats happened the past years. I've always hung out with friends older then me, so I've always felt like the baby.. plus I'm the baby of the family... we'll until my little nephew came along. Turning 25 really made me stop and think of all then I've been through, what I've accomplished, and what else I still have to look forward to. If you know me, you know that I have a list.. a list of things I want to do in my lifetime, and I actually have a hard copy of it because I LOVE to cross things off! I'm always adding but its nice to be able to scratch out one every now and then. Swimming with Dolphins and an African safari are just 2 on the list.

Looking back at my 25 years I've made it through high school in one piece, found a couple of friends that will be a friend forever, I moved away from everyone I  knew to live in a different city, 9 hours away, to attend Texas Tech. I graduated college with a degree that's going to let me do what I love as my job, photography! I've started my own little business that keeps growing and growing.. I worked hard to get my teaching certificate.. and now I'm going into my 3rd year of teaching. I've rescued a doggie that has become my favorite thing on Earth.. even if he's a little booger sometimes.

I've fallen in love, I've had my heart broken, I've tested my own strengths, I've found that everything happens for a reason.. and I won't find the reasons when I'm looking for them but they'll find me when it's time to know.  I've learned that even when it feels like it's the end of the world.. its not, and something better is waiting around the corner. :) just be patient.. I realized that I have to love and respect myself first before anyone else will.. and its the best feeling in the world to have a someone special believe and respect in you just as much, which is just a recent discovery :)

All in all, I know what a blessed life I have! And I'm going to try not to take any of it for granted! I feel that 25 is going to be the best year yet for me!

just a few LIST scratch offs so far:

-  rescued a doggie
-  graduated college
-  got my teaching certificate
-  started a business
-  became a fabulous aunt (although I didn't help in making that happen.. being Coco to Dean is definitely list worthy)
-visited a pretty beach
-snowboarded in more than 3 states!
-musicfest 2006
-had a photograph published in a magazine
- photographed a destination wedding
-be BRAINWASHED by Lauren Clark

and next week I will mark 3 things off.. 1. Go to an out-of-state workshop  2.  Visit Colorado in the summer time  AND 3. GO WHITE WATER RAFTING!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so excited/nervous about next week's workshop! It's completely out of my element. I feel better that Murray will be with Matt so I won't have to worry about him being sad while I'm gone.

I'm pretty sure this is the LONGEST blog post I've ever done.. but I'll leave you with 2 photos from a session last week.. just a sneak peek and I'll tell you all about it later!!

ENJOYY