This project wasn’t hard for me. Not once, not ever. I just decided to do it, and stuck with it. The pictures aren’t perfect, some were even taken with my camera phone, but each tells a story and that is what I wanted. My goal at the beginning of this was to get in front of the camera, rather than always being behind it. Now its just a habit. I always make sure I’m in pictures, even when its not for my project or a special occasion. I love seeing the progression of the kids over the year too. Lily was just a tiny baby when I started and Zach was a barely talking 2 year old. We went on family vacations, we had funny times, milestones, birthdays, there was daily chaos which led to one of my favorite photos of all time. I love my crazy family. The only week I missed was 22…the one when my Grandma went to be with Jesus. I said I would make that one up, but I never did. I now want to keep it blank, to remember what happened during that week of our lives. I still have an idea to honor Grandma, maybe I’ll take that photo one day.

I debated a long time over what I wanted my last photo of the year to be. If you’ll notice, I took a photo with just me and one of my 3 kids over the last 3 weeks, to kinda end the year with individual photos of them. This week’s photo is of course self explanatory, this is my beautiful family who I live for. There was blood sweat and tears trying to get this picture, Lily wanted none of it! But even her not looking in the camera tells a story. On the other hand, the other two kids stuck with us since they were promised and given marshmellows at the end.

To all of you who stuck with me during these past 52 weeks…thanks. I did this project for myself, but it sure helped having blog comments and encouragement. I hope you keep coming back.

I guess this is now a good a time as any to say that I am also taking a break from my business. It’s not really a break when I haven’t photographed any sessions for months. But announcing it helps the emotional part of it all. I’m stepping back from all business, I’m going to keep having fun with my kids, our ministry and friends. I want to take photos for me and be able to bless others. I figure when the kids are older, maybe just a couple years, or who knows, I will be able to jump back into it. I’ll be able to put in the time and energy it takes to build a business. I don’t know what God has in store for my photography. All I know is that He put this passion in me and He wants to be the one guiding it for awhile (like…forever!). I’m ok with that.

To Abby, Zach & Lily,

I really hope that you love these photos as much as I loved taken them with you. I hope they become a treasure to you as the years go by. I love you 3 40 and 100.

Love, Mommy