This post is hard for me to write, because in all honestly, I thought it would never happen, or at least not for the next several years.  I have secretly dreamed of this day, and I was always envious of those who had this title.  You see, the stars had to align just right for my family, and I had to want this.  I had to WORK for this.  HARD!  Even right now, I have a hard time finding the words.  Like if I finally tell the WORLD the big, exciting news, someone or something is going to take it away.  The fear I feel is going to tell me i’m not good enough for this title.

From all the education that I’ve had the last year, there’s definitely a common trend, and that’s once you jump, you better learn to swim fast.  Your family is depending on this.

So…time to go big, because this girl is…..

GOING FULL TIME!

The desire to make this dream of mine something more then just a weekend responsibility or side gig got HUGE after attending my first photography conference last March.  But the reality at the time was what it was.  Josh and I needed my teaching income because I wasn’t making enough with my photography to help support us.

In July, things changed.  Joshua accepted a job offer that has changed our life.  My sweet husband left a job that was family run, therefore everyone felt like family.  To say Josh was in his comfort zone is an understatement.  He loved his bosses and enjoyed working with the people he worked for.  This new job presented too many opportunities that we just couldn’t pass up on.  It literally changed our lives, and is changing our future.

Without this leap of faith from my husband, I doubt this blog post would be what it is today.  So first and foremost, Joshua gets to take 50% of the credit.

We would spend the next several months dreaming of the possibilities.  Dreaming of the future where we spend our days together, and our evenings working.  A future that included me working from home, doing what my heart calls me to do.  That dream that once seemed so far off was getting closer.

If you know me REALLY well, you know i’m a pretty impatient person.  When I want something, I want it NOW.  Not later, NOW. So waiting and making sure all the right steps were taken first, and waiting until the stars were aligned was hard for me.  I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to make this leap before we were actually truly ready for it.  And I don’t know if i’m still 100% ready for it.  This is scary friends.  This is uncharted territory.

The spring time seemed to bring all these questions for me.  Conversations that I would bring up to Josh, but we would resort back to “one more year of teaching.  Just one more.”

But then I booked my goal for 2016 and inquiries were (are) still coming in.  I remember after receiving that signed contract, I text Josh while I was at school and said “We need to have a real conversation about this.  And not just a five minute half hearted talk while you’re on break at work.”

On April 12th, while my voice was shaking with nervousness, I asked Josh what he thought, whether this was the time to make this move.  It was that April evening that we came to the decision that this was going to be my last year teaching full time and working on my dreams the other hours of the day.

If four years ago when I was getting ready finish my degree and someone told me I would step away from education at the end of my third year, I would have laughed at them.  But it’s funny how the good Lord works his magic.

This transition means so much for my family.  Sure, just like any big life transition, there’s pros and cons.  But when Josh and I weighed those pros and cons, the pros clearly outweighed the cons.

I’m excited for what this opportunity presents.  Josh and I will be able to see each other every day, being able to focus on our marriage more so then ever before.  My Brides will have my attention more than ever.  I’ll no longer have to worry about working 7:30 to 3:30 and rush home in time for a meeting or session.

The possibilities are endless and I’m so excited for this new chapter in our life.  I’ve worked hard and tirelessly for this.  I’ve shed tears over this business of mine, worked more than I’ve slept, and PRAYED for this day!  I can’t believe that it’s actually here.  That today is my last full week in the classroom as a Social Studies Teacher.  It’s a bittersweet moment.

While I truly love my “bad” kids, I know this is the journey that I’m suppose to be on.  I’m going to miss those brats of mine and I can’t even being to explain the impact they’ve had on my life.  Kids that have been forced to be adults far too early in life, they so resilient.  But more on what these kids have taught me in the coming weeks.

Thank you to all my family and friends for believing in me when I didn’t have the courage.  Thank you to my Brides who trust me to photograph the most important day of their lives – for telling your friends and family about the experience you had!  I owe so many a huge thank you and a hug!  Thank you to my sweet husband – the man who always pushes me to be better, believed in me, and loves me unconditionally.  I wouldn’t be where i’m at today without his love and support!

Here’s to an incredible journey ahead!  I’m excited (and nervous and scared if i’m being 110% honest with you) for what’s to come!