1. Family - The kids have been amazing this year even though it's been such a strange year for them also. They adapted well to digital learning in the spring and managed to get all As and Bs. The situation was especially hard for Anna who missed her teachers and friends so much but she just kept looking for things to look forward to. They all step up and help with the new puppy and their schedules for work and school have changed so much this year that I always have at least one of them at home and we're together more often than we were last year which has been really sweet.

2. Brian - He turned 50 this year! He works so hard and his office is growing and I'm so proud of him as he reaches new goals! He's been so supportive and encouraging with my business - he's my personal cheerleader.

3. Friends - They've checked in on me when I disappear - which can be often. I turn into a hermit when stressed out and I'm so thankful for little messages asking, "How have you been?" It's so hard to adjust to not eating in restaurants or having events to go to and I'm still not terribly comfortable with spending much time in other people's homes or vice versa with COVID still not under control. I can not wait for life to return to normal!

4. School - I have been so impressed with our superintendent and school board for how well they've handled returning to school. Making that decision to send them back in person or to do digital was awful and would have been much harder if I didn't trust them so much. They communicate openly and honestly and have made adjustments as necessary and aren't afraid to make changes. I always feel they have my kids' best interests first and foremost and that they genuinely do care.

5. Not sick - I'm writing this in October and praying that I won't have to make any changes to this post! We've social distanced, worn masks, and followed CDC guidelines most of the time. We made a few exceptions and tried not to worry too much. It's not been easy but, as a family, we felt we needed to take it all very seriously and look out for one another and for our neighbors. 

6. Clients - Every single person that has asked me to take their portrait this year has been a dream to work with! When things shut down in the spring I know there were a lot of disappointed kids who weren't able to get their senior pictures done because they had waited too long to schedule. I'm so thankful for anyone who adjusted their schedules to get sessions in before quarantine and for all my 2021 seniors who didn't hesitate to get their sessions on the calendar soon because they didn't want to miss out on such an important part of their senior year! I'm also thankful that I didn't have to cancel any sessions like so many of my photographer friends who work weddings, events or photograph births and newborns. While I did have several months with no work due to following the restrictions, I didn't have to shut my business down permanently and for that I am so grateful. 

7. Film - I knew switching to film was a goal I had for this year and I was looking forward to it but I was also really nervous. I have gotten so much time back by not having to sit at my computer for hours on end editing and that has allowed me to book more sessions because I don't feel overwhelmed like I used to. Using film means I can focus on the parts of my job that I really enjoy like shooting and getting to know clients. Previously I would dread the editing and I would procrastinate and it took longer for me to get images back to clients. Now I look forward to getting the images back and I can show them to you sooner even during the busiest season.

8. The book "Myth of a Christian Nation" by Greg Boyd - Reading through this book and understanding that the governments of this world are not the same as the Kingdom of God and that clearly what happens politically is far less important than what happens spiritually has made a huge difference in how I've been coping with how tumultuous our political climate has been. That perspective has been life changing for me!

9. Wally - Ah! This crazy kid. He's so cute and sweet and he's been a lot of work and he's also been a good dog. He's been great for the kids and for me and we love him lots!