Where have I been?!

Although I realize that few will take the time to read this, I thought I'd give an explanation for my absence. I was reflecting over old journal entries this morning before I noticed that it has been over 2 years since I wrote anything. That brought me to the realization that it had been over 1 year since I posted any photos. (I seriously can't believe it's been that long). I have, however, been checking my deviantArt regularly--thank you for every lovely comment, favorite, and watch. I have seen them all! 

Now... Where have I been these last 1-2 years! Did I survive college? Did I decide on a career path? Did I ever find love?! 

To answer the latter question, I did find love! I found it when I wasn't even looking for it. So the story is, MuseStricken saw my "Life Questions" journal in 2011. He sent me a note offering a listening ear if I ever needed one. We talked quite a bit, and eventually we met in person. We started a long distance relationship, he moved out to Colorado to be with me, we got engaged 1 year after we started talking, and we were married 8 months later! Yes, we do realize how crazy this story sounds. 

Strangely enough, it all worked out. We've been married for over 2 years now, and life has been great. Jake (aka MuseStricken) compliments my personality in ways I never could have imagined, and now I know that being a wife is something I completely love being. Through all this, I've learned that sometimes love comes softly, and that kind of love is enduring.

To answer the other questions, I did survive college. I quit regular college, questioned my life, went to an online University, and got my Associates in Early Childhood Education. Surprise! While going to school, I did run a portrait photography business for a year. It was lots of fun, but I eventually had to accept the fact that I hate drama, and running a photography business isn't exactly drama-free. So, I said goodbye to the crazy clients and become a nanny. I've nannied for many different families over the last couple of years, which has been the hardest, coolest, and most rewarding thing ever. This also taught me that although virtually being a paid-mom is awesome, being a real mom would be much more awesome.  So that's what I've decided I'd like to do with my life: I want to be a wife, mother, and do photography in some way (although I am not really sure what that looks like yet). I've got the wife part down, so now I'm working on accomplishing those other two goals!

So, why haven't I posted any photos? I guess that since I got married, my life has felt much more complete than it ever has. Because of that, I haven't felt like I needed to take photos like I used to. I don't feel that I need an outlet for all my emotions the way I did in the past. Most of my photography was done in moments of sadness, loss, and pain. I took photos because I needed to express and share those feelings with someone. Now that I'm happy... I don't know how to take photos motivated by happiness! I hope to take more photos in the near future, but I'll be honest and say that I'm still not entirely sure what that will be like. 

I know these aren't deviantArt submissions, but please accept these personal photographs, as well as photos where I tried to be artistic but never posted them! 

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