The Big Thing

So I've been meaning to write this entry for a month, but you know how time just slips away!

I know I've alluded to it in the past, but I wanted to give you all a few more details about The Big Thing in my life this year! Which is . . . (drumroll please) . . . I finally quit my job! After months of Adam and I thinking through all of this and praying for direction and waiting for the right timing, we decided to go out on a limb and just go for it! So I am now officially employed fulltime by Mary Rosenbaum Photography! Wow! I can't believe I'm actually saying that!

It's been quite a process and honestly it's all a little scary - photography has always been the supplement to our regular guaranteed paychecks and it's pretty nerve-wracking to give that up. And, ironically, we are both floating in this self-employed/freelance world so it makes for some interesting times!

I'm working from home, so we've officially converted what used to be our "dining room" (aka space that holds the table - dining room's a bit of a stretch) into the office and it quickly seems to be expanding to take over the whole house.

The bottom line is: I couldn't be more thrilled about all of this. I'm quickly learning the ups and downs of owning our own business but for my personality, my lifestyle, etc. - it's amazing. I LOVE making my own schedule. Love it, love it. I'm working way more hours than I ever did at a "real" job, but I can put them in as I please. Which means if I want to go play tennis at 2:00 in the afternoon, I can. If I want to go meet a friend for lunch, I can (this is huge!). If I want to have time off to go visit family back East, my boss will let me off without any questions asked! It's awesome!

Right now we're in the slower season before Weddings '08 begin - I absolutely can't wait! I'm trying to catch up on my editing, photoblogging, updating website, marketing, etc., etc. before things get too crazy. I'm SO excited about some of the weddings we have lined up this year. We're traveling LOTS (right now we have weddings in 4 states!) so if you have any friends anywhere getting married, please send them my website! And of course I'm always shooting newborns, kids, families, seniors, etc. Please pass on my info - I'm always so indebted to my wonderful friends who are constantly getting the word out about me. You guys are great!

Mostly I'm just thankful for this opportunity. This is the Big Dream for me and I'm actually doing it. Somebody pinch me.

Weekend Re-Cap

Here are some descriptive words and personal anecdotes about my weekend:

1) Two words: Rock Band. Oh man - it's incredible. If only I'd had my camera! My fav is drums, though I seem to be best at bass. I'm excitedly looking foward to the day they come out with "Alt Folk Band" or "Acoustic Band" - those songs might be more my speed.

2) Lots of work

3) Rainy season in OC!

4) Analyze this: I have a recurring dream that I have excess amounts of extra-sticky bubble gum in my mouth that I can't get out and I'm trying and trying to scrape it out with my hands but I can never get it. I know what you're thinking, how traumatic can a dream about bubble gum really be but it's giving me the creeps just thinking about it now. And I had it this weekend. Yesterday Adam and I rehearsed the scenario of him using a magic vacuum to suck the gum out of my mouth instantly. I keep telling him it's too sticky and it will never work but he seems convinced . . . so I'm trying to pre-visualize that in my head. I'll let you know how it turns out next time.

5) Mike Erre gave a great sermon on the necessity of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It was really great and convicting. I like our church.

6) Scrabble is such a great boardgame. Adam and I play it a lot just the two of us. It's more fun than Settlers for 2.

7)The Tivo is starting to fill up so we cleaned it out a little this weekend. Highlights included Oprah's Favorite things from 07 - maybe I teared up a little bit. Shout out to Macon, GA! And a mini-marathon of OC Housewives. You can't not love it!

Have a great week!

Two peas in a pod

I think these two were meant to be!

Titans vs. Chargers

A couple of weeks ago, the Titans came to town for the first round of the play-offs against the Chargers. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to root for our favorite team so we were super excited that my dad and brother decided to come out on short notice to take us to the game and hang out for a quick weekend!

San Diego is a quick little drive down the freeway so we headed down Sunday morning with our rain gear in tow. Dan and Dad in front of Qualcomm Stadium - just before we got boo'ed all the way through the parking lot of tailgaters!:

Our seats were close to the top so we had a great view of the stadium and the game!



The game didn't turn out quite like we wanted but it was still fun despite the rain and rude Chargers fans. My favorite Titan, #31, Cortland Finnegan (Go Bulldogs!) had a great game so that was really fun to watch!

It was a really fun weekend with Dad and Dan - thanks for coming out and taking us to the game. There's always next year!

2008: The Year of a Million Dreams

I really like saying that: The Year of a Million Dreams. It's actually Disney's slogan for this year (and last year, too, I think!) but it is quite magical and enchanting so it made it for this blog title. Say it a few times to yourself - it makes me really excited about this year!

We made it back from Nashville on New Years Eve after the standard round of delayed flights, but despite our holiday-hangover, were determined to make it to the much-anticipated New Years Bash! We were so excited to re-connect with everyone after having been gone for 2 weeks.

Allison, Ryanne, Alanna, etc. etc - all did a great job of putting together quite the shindig. Thanks for the hard work, ladies! It was great!




And of course, the highlight was the photo booth. The fabric background was the best! You can see the complete set of photos on Alanna's flickr account here.


It was a really great night, but unfortunately we only made it until about 11. My body was still rocking the central time zone, and we were just closing our eyes as the clock struck 12. Happy New Year! We are so excited about lots of things happening in 2008 (more info coming soon) and can't wait to see what this year holds for us!

Holiday Recap Part 2

As we all know by now, it's extremely difficult for me to contain holiday blogs to only one entry, so here's part 2 of my Christmas series!

After a great Christmas morning with the Rosenbaums, we headed over to my parents house for Christmas morning #2 with my parents and Daniel. It's always great to be home - the sounds, smells, and familiar rooms that make me feel like I'm 18 again. I love my room and hope that it will always be there waiting for me whenever we're home (hint, hint - Sallie - please don't turn it into a sewing room or anything like that!). So we settled in for a nice, relaxing post-holiday recovery week that included hitting up the Christmas sales, lots of great food, football, a couple of shoots thrown in here and there, and great family time.

One thing I love about being in Nashville is that tons of my college friends are originally from Nashville (though we never knew each other until SU) or live there now, so when we're in I sometimes get to sneak in a few minutes with girls that I love! I had two great get-togethers with seldom-seen friends, so I always cherish those times!

The first was with the Callen, Shannon, and Kelly - man - I love you girls! There's never enough time!


And I also got to see Kali, Katie, Rachel, and Lauren! What a treat for us all to be together!

We also got to hang out with some old-school FBC friends, but forgot to snap a picture - it was great to see you all!

We also participated in the annual holiday tradition of an amazing meal at Mither's and the annual cousin's football game - somehow Adam has snuck by without playing yet, so it was his inaugural game. I think he past the family ordeal with flying colors, so he's here to stay now! A few action shots from the other photographer in our family - Aunt Lisa!

Strategizing with the team aka trying to convince them to let me be QB:


In action:
Team Photo - I think that I was the only injured player this year - a jammed left middle finger. As someone quickly pointed out, at least it's not on my shooting hand!


Annual cousins photo (minus George):


Later in the week, Anne and George both came up to Nashville to hang out with us for a few days which is always fun! I got a chance to snap a few photos of them and their dog, Bailey! And no, we're not twins - do we really still look that much alike?


It was such a great time in Nashville - thanks to all of our family, hosts, friends, etc. for making it a great trip!

Golden Spoon for all mankind!

Wow - what a day! It's an amazingly beautiful SoCal day - upper 60's and sunny AND to make it even better . . .

FREE GOLDEN SPOON IN FOOTHILL RANCH!


That's right - the new Golden Spoon in Foothill Ranch is officially launching this weekend and are giving away free minis WITH a free topping of your choice - incredible! Unfortunately, we just learned about it this afternoon, but will probably be back at some point tonight before it closes at 11 - hope to see you there! Cake batter with cookie dough, please!

Getting Crowded

Ok, ladies - it's getting crowded! I know it's old news since Callen already premiered it on her blog, but I wouldn't want to deprive Kelly of the opportunity to get her Asian baby on display.

Do I need to do the disclaimer again? Probably so - just for safe measure. Say it with me now, the hot pink "B"'s are for bloggers (I'm once again disappointed to report no increase in this number - where's the love?) and Asian babies are for people who are currently pregnant OR ALREADY HAVE A CHILD. Trying to avoid the flase alarms here again!

Baby Davenport will be debuting in July 08 - yay!


The highlight of Kelly's pregnancy so far has clearly been Callen's impulse reaction at hearing the good news: "My little's having a little!" Sisterhood never dies . . .

Holiday Recap Part 1

We had a really really great holiday season this year as we got to go to Nashville for 2 whole weeks! We spent the first week with Adam's family doing last minute shopping, errands, and Christmas preparations. We loved spending time with Sydney, taking senior pictures of Matthew, playing Apples to Apples, going to church together on Christmas Eve, and just hanging out with everyone! Christmas morning was really fun and Sydney loved her big gift - the pink kitchen that I think every little girl got for Christmas this year! Here are some photo highlights:

All together - a minor miracle!
Matty senior pictures - he looks more like 27 to me! It was REALLY REALLY cold outside when we shot these, but he was a great sport and we got a bunch of cool shots like the one below in a parking garage!


Christmas morning - Mike wrapped with Kleenex this year - classic!


Syd explores her kitchen:

All the kids:

Bad Day

In the midst of a bad day, my spirits were miraculously lifted today by dancing enthusiastically throughout my house to "Love Song" by Sara Bareilles on repeat for 3 whole times (it's a long song!). Luckily, if you haven't downloaded it already, you can hear it on her website.


I can't believe how much better I feel, and I checked an online calculator and am thinking that I burned about 100 calories in my 12 min, 54 sec. of expression - my calves are still burning! This comes with my highest recommendation - both the song and the dancing! You should try it!

Wanna Get Away?

Southwest currently has a $99/each way special to and from all airports in California if you can travel on Tuesday or Wednesday. Wanna get away? Come see us! California is fun!