Yes, it is that amazing time of year again.

El birthmonth.

I have always been a huge believer in celebrating ones birthday in the absolutely most lazy, non-constructive, pleasure-filled, work-void way possible. Sometime a few years back, my birthday turned more into my birthweek and now…well, might as well make it a month, right?! LOVE IT! This year, it was kicked off in the most spectacular of fashions with one of my best friends weddings {YAY!} and continues to get better and better. I have a few long overdue friend-day-dates planned, a camping trip with my boys, a couple spectacular weddings, some down time with the Mr. and some fun new business announcements as well!!

The year of 27 will probably rank as one of my favorites so far {with the year of 20 being the worst, in case you were wondering}. 😉 This time last year, I was prepping for an awesome wedding and trip to one of my most favoritest places. To think of all that happened this past year…puts an instant smile on my face.

***

I kicked off the year of 27 by doing something I have never done before.

I worked on my birthday.

And I loved it.

Don’t work on your birthday unless its for something that’s so totally worth it and deserving of your time: dream realized.

I was able to visit my most favoritest of all favorite places not once, but twice this year. And that was awesome.

Travel much: dream realized.

Oh, and then this happened.

Find someone who enjoys me being myself even more than I do {and visa versa}: dream realized.

YAY!!!!!!!!

I welcomed yet another nephew whom I get to love to pieces {as well as branched out into birth photography which I am truly diggin’}.

Witness love.: dream realized.

I feel like this fall was a mess of beautiful colors, fantastic weather, awesome bridal showers, exquisite weddings, tons of sessions and, of course, planning for the start of the best adventure to date.

Have fun with life but don’t lose yourselves along the way: dream realized.

For the first, and only, time in my life, I got to be the bride and not the photographer.

Meet the most fantastic man in the universe and marry him: dream realized.

An amazing trip to St. Croix where we had the best honeymoon complete with snorkling, off-road Jeeping, {getting our camera stolen} and SCUBA diving.

Try new things. Be Adventurous. Don’t let little things get you down. Say Yes: dream realized.

I moved for the ninth time in my life. Hopefully, that was about the last time {yes, I am still pathetically unpacking. True. Story.}.

Make a life: dream realized.

I branched out and attended a fabulous photography workshop which, I’m confident, has positively impacted me and my career, very much for the better.

Take risks. Be bold: dream realized.

I got to take part in one of the most important days of my best friend’s life and I am still floating on clouds of happiness for them!!!

Be present every day. Be excited. Be happy. Watch love happen.: dream realized.

{image borrowed with permission from Jamie of JuxtaPhotos}

I planted my first garden. I have a beautiful office for my thriving business {pics soon, promise, promise!}. I actually live with a boy! 😉 I got my conceal and carry permit. I learned how to spell ‘definitely’ without using spell check. I made a version of lasagna that didn’t completely suck. I only fell on the Elliptical at the gym once this year. I gained in-laws. I published a chapter in a book. Yes, this year has definitely been the year of dreams realized. Nearly every day I am in awe of the changes that have taken place, the lives that have been {happily!} altered, the milestones that have been reached…and I’m so thankful for the friends and family who have been there for me {and us!} every step of the way.

This spring, I was thinking about dreams realized, life goals, and where I saw myself in the future. I came up with a few conclusions, questions, options and whatsoforths. And, after talking them all over at length with Mr. Nick, we decided it was time. I took a deep breath. I plunged. I did it.

I quit my day job.

I quit my day job to pursue my real job. To follow my passion and my hearts path. To take risks. To try new adventures. To live.

As of this Thursday, I will no longer have merely a job, but an actual career.

And I cannot wait.

There are some big changes coming to the business, but until it’s all ready to go, I can only say that it’s going to be pretty…

And with that, I bid you a fabulous weekend and a very happy birthmonth.

Dream: realized.

Share: