I should be studying, but I am currently working on memorizing the RESPECTFUL counseling theory model - which for me, requires repetition. ReligionEconomicsSexualPsychologyEthnicityChronologicalTraumaFamilyUniqueLocation!!! BOOM!!! Did that without looking......don't pretend you aren't impressed....
So...now I can take some time to process some other thoughts!!
How has everyone been? I have been great!! Probably the greatest I have been in a long time actually...so much has changed since I last shared on my blog and I feel compelled to share our changes with the interwebs worlds!!! I have not had an ounce of time to blog, and you will soon understand why!!!
First piece of big news: Last semester I was accepted to and started graduate school!! I am now in my second semester and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I am in a Masters of Education of Counseling program. I decided to complete both "tracks" within the program, which is almost like getting 2 masters!!! I will come out of the program as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor AND a Licensed School Counselor. I am so excited. I would eventually love to work in a school setting. I am so excited to have found a path that allows me to combine my love for adolescent counseling and teaching! Now, to make it graduation in 2015....only 2 more years!!
Second piece of big news: I am now the owner/operator of eLamb Photography!! A life-long dream of mine has been to be a photographer, and I am lucky enough to have a husband who supports ALL of my dreams - grad school, parenting, and photography!! We recently added an indoor studio to our home, and I love my on-site outdoor sessions that have boosted my business thus far!! It is totally a hobby, which makes it a bonus when I make money!! I love sharing people's memories with them and doing new things! I love editing photos and using photoshop to forge my brain into a sharper tool!!! Getting things perfect on the camera, the lighting, the background, the color can all be challenging but I love every minute of it, which makes me feel so blessed to be able to have this profession in my life!!
So...with two kids, my "day job" as a mental health counselor, my weekend photography business and my evening grad school, things were starting to get a little....well a lot actually, a lot overwhelming. I wanted to do it all, but ultimately I had to prioritize and give something up. At first, photography fell by the wayside, of course, as it is a hobby and a non-career related means of income. However, the small amount of time I was given back from photography did not allow me enough to make up for the laundry piling up, the studying needing done, the children needing one-on-one time, the house chores getting behind and the importance of maintaining my marriage. I started feeling pretty low most of the time. I noticed myself getting extremely short, especially with Libby, my 4 year old. It wasn't fair to anyone. So, rather than make everyone suffer any longer, I turned to prayer. My husband and I had many long talks, and God kept pointing me in the same direction.
As of this Friday, I will no longer be a mental health counselor. After making the decision to quit my job, I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I have always believed in the stay-at-home-mom and have an incredible respect for those women who give up other dreams to dedicate their lives to raising their children. And I do not just believe in this lifestyle, but I have always felt that stay-at-home-moms who are fully invested in their children are key to a better future for not just the family and children, but for the communities and country. So, I decided, with the support from those closest in my life, to become a stay-at-home-Mom!! Another dream that my husband has made possible for me!! I cannot wait! I will be able to graduate sooner, give my children 100% and continue photography for the extra income. I feel so blessed. Prayer never fails!! REMEMBER THAT FOLKS!!
So, as we enter into this next chapter in our lives as the LambFam, I am so excited to be the Mom I have always wanted to be. Since I was a little girl, I dreamed of being a good Mommy. God has blessed me with 2 amazing children (so far hehe) and I owe them this. I want to support their strengths and be the one who taxis them around, feeds them, cleans them, rubs their tummies and fixes their boo-boos. I can't wait to start being a full-time Mom!!!
Thanks for stopping by and reading my thoughts and feelings!! If you interested in photography I will add some links to some of my favorite sites, as well as my own websites!! Dreams come true through God, every time. And try to remember, we only remember about 5% of the dreams we have while sleeping, so when things go differently than you planned, God might be fulfilling one of the dreams you don't remember!! =) Enjoy the surprises!!
www.elambphotography.zenfolio.com
www.facebook.com/elambphotography
www.ashedesigns.com
www.thecoffeeshopblog.com
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