It's official!

We have the most AMAZING travel agent! Sandy did such an amazing job for us. There was a chance that we were going to be able to go - because we were so late getting back to her ( I have a couple photoshoots in between this and my last post - AMAZING photoshoots I might add). She came back to us with a hotel that was more than we wanted to spend. Brian said no...it was too much. So I took a deep breath, and started searching. I believed that there HAD to be what we wanted for a cheaper price, and I found it! I quickly phoned Sandy and told her what I found and she booked it for us - FOR CHEAPER! All day yesterday I was thinking about palm trees and the warm California sun...sigh. It was so nice. I kept hoping that we would be able to go - there were only 6 seats left on the flight that we wanted. So..yay! we're going!

Other news..someone thinks I'm a strong woman! I've been nominated to be in a web magazine called Women's Empowerment Canada. They are going to do a story on me, and I have a photoshoot on Saturday! The only thing is I had to wear something red. I really don't have anything red, which is quite suprising because it looks really good on me, and it's the wrong time of the year to buy red - there are only spring colors in the store. But I was successful after going through almost every store in south edmonton - literally and $200 later (eek...) I have this most wonderful outfit!! It looks like I lost weight, but I really haven't! I'm so excited now. It's weird to have to talk about myself- like REALLY talk about myself. I feel that there are so many other people that would be more fitting, but I'll take it, and trust their judgement. I'll keep you all filled in how it goes.

Disneyland or a new kitchen....hmmmm

Emily & Haley waiting to board the plane to go see Grandma 2007. Aren't they so cute and little?!!

Well, we have a savings account that we automatically put savings into. It's been really nice, because that's how we saved up for our trip to Mexico a couple years ago, and it's that time again. We have almost $5000 and my friend who's a travel agent sent me an email regarding travel deals to Disneyland. So...right now it's either a new kitchen or Disneyland.

Kitchen

Pros

• Lasts longer
• I would FINALLY get a dishwasher
• More storage for my small house
• would be able to clean other parts of the house instead of always focusing on the kitchen...blah
• don't have to rush to apply for passports for the girls
• would be able to get into my dream house faster - the one that's big enough to have a studio on the main floor!! you know!

Cons

• no disneyland, and would be another 2-3 (at our current rate of saving) till we could plan another trip. They might not all be interested in going then.

Disneyland

Pros

• Finally fulfill our promise to take them see Mickey & the gang.
• Take them to another country, with a different environment - an adventure.
• Valuable Family time - we only have so much.
• GREAT photo opportunities!
• Get to go to Hollywood, LA, Lego land, San Diego Zoo, Tiauana and have margaritas!! yuuummmmm.

Cons

• More time in my small townhouse (at our current rate of savings). blaahhhh...
  
  

Well...we have to decide. If we were to go it would be next month. Either way it's nice to have such great options. Both are a win/win and would benefit our family IMMENSELY. Just which one...

Growing, stretching and everything in between

The last week has been an especially amazing week. Who would have thought that a year ago, that my pictures would have been shown to over a 1000 people in one place, and one of them being Mayor Stephen Mandel!! My friend Tamara, was asked to sing a song for the prayer breakfast and asked me to take pictures of the city and put it on a slide show! (will be on youtube hopefully soon) To top it all off...I booked my first wedding! My first REAL wedding! Reflecting today...I have grown so much since January. Here's a few things...

1) Confidence IS key! If you don't have confidence in yourself, people won't either- no matter how good my price is.

2) Advertising is like fishing-Sometimes you catch a little, sometimes you catch alot. The most important thing is that you're patient and DON'T quit. It's just a matter of when, not if- if you're in the place you should be.

3) If you under promise and then over deliver, you end up being the hero! I tell people 4 weeks at the most before they get their pictures and I usually process them in 2. I won't tell you REALLY how fast I can do them...but it's fast. :)

4) I can't go wrong with the Holy Spirit on my side. There have a been a couple photoshoots that I have prayed under my breath, asking God to help me when I'm scrambling for ideas, or all the ideas I had just didn't fit with the location or lighting. He is faithful - everytime, and when I go to process the pictures in front of computer, I realize that it wasn't as bad as I thought it was. He also helped me through creating my powerpoint presentation- haven't worked with powerpoint ONCE in my life! And I put together a WHoLE slide show with music! (with help from Lorne - tamara's husband) I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

There's actually alot more, but I'll save them for another time.