The future is bright

It's been a rough year ya'll. I won't go into details here, as any of you who are on my friends list should have some ideas of what life has thrown at us the past 400 days or so.  It started with a our miracle baby being born and ended with a family mental health crisis.  I feel like it's safe to say all things are on the mend now and the number one thing I have learned is TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. This is for you ladies, I know we've all heard it a thousand times, that you can't pour from an empty cup. We lose ourselves in the day to day activities of taking care of job, house, kids...But we often forget to take care of ourselves.  Well, it's not January, but my situation has mandated that I take care of myself and to fill my own cup.  And I want to drag you along for the ride.

I know that there are those of you struggling, those who have promised yourself repeatedly to do this or that. Maybe you want to get more physically healthy, maybe you want to spend more time in prayer, maybe you want to take better care of your body, or further your education.  Now is the time. Trust me, if you don't do it now, you won't have the energy when crisis strikes.

I have lofty aspirations, but I've thought long and hard and I'm going to try my best in the next year to grow in ways I never thought possible. I like a bit of accountability so here's my list lol If you hang around until the end I'll tell you how I'm getting me (and YOU) excited about it!

Self Care

Physical

I lost 25 lbs in a period of very high stress.  I am now committing to keeping that weight off, while gaining strength and cardiovascular endurance.

I am committing to running/walking at least 3 days a week

I've also been inspired, by a trainer friend of mine who loves her handstands, to challenge myself to mastering my headstands, splits, an a couple other random yoga poses.

I have committed to getting myself ready most mornings.  This sounds so basic, but as a homeschooling mother, I am so often tempted to stay in sweats and a ponytail all day every day.  A little mascara goes a long way.

A long with this commitment I have decided to try a skin regimen.  I haven't messed with skin care since high school guys.  This skin isn't getting any younger, and its the only skin I have.  So I am purchasing a kit from Rodan and Fields to bring back the glow, grow some lashes, and hopefully reduce/prevent some wrinkles!

Mental

Pinterest and science tell me that to learn how to better deal and prepare for stress, I need to sit down and shut up. I have committed to having quiet time in prayer or meditation at least 5 days a week. I've been sticking with it for a couple weeks now and can definitely feel a difference. 

I'm headed back to school! I love to learn, but I dropped out of college after I got married as a freshman in 2004.  So 13 years and 4 kiddos later, I'm a Sophmore hoping to graduate before my kids do ...0.o

Passions...everyone has them right? Well I started practicing photography about 10 years ago, but I've let my practice fall by the wayside.  I'm ready to pick my camera back up and get some new gear to renew my inspiration

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SO if you have made it this far, thank you :)  I have decided that to help me reach a couple of my goals, I am going to run a photo special. Mama wants a new lens, and less expensive skin care.  Do you need family photos? What about some skin care solutions? 

Photos only:

$100 for a one hour session. (can be family, newborn, maternity, hs senior, engagement)

Includes 15-30 edited full resolution digital images for you to print wherever you'd like.

Includes one free 8X10 professionally printed through my labs.

Must be prepaid to receive this price, but can be used any time until Jan 1, 2018. 

Interested in skin care products? Watch for my next blog post (hopefully today!) and see how you could earn your photo session, or products for free!