It’s been nearly 6 weeks since I’ve posted.
What on earth have we been up to?
To put it plainly, I’ve been burning the candle at both ends but have never been happier.
Little Miss Puddle Jumper and I have had a full and adventurous Spring and we look forward to turning the page to Summer 2015 in just a few weeks…
My day starts before the sun at 4:45 am as I find myself training for marathon #2 on my treadmill in the living room – mile after mile after mile… The monotonous pounding on the belt doesn’t wake my precious sleeping monster down the hall…In fact, not much wakes her. Not even gently rubbing her back at 6am to coax her awake. The difficulty I experience stirring her awake at age 3 has me worried for what it will be like when she is 14…By 7 am we are out the door where we drive 30 minutes to daycare. 3 things she requires…I read her the day’s menu, I pat her tummy (don’t ask), and I wave to her outside the front door. In fact, all 3 little 3 year olds wave and blow me kisses from the door, and my heart just about bursts out of my chest at the very sight. I drive a few more miles north to my 2nd home…the local Ford dealership where I have a job that I love, love, love. I used to hide the fact that I worked another job besides being “just a photographer”. I thought that by admitting I worked elsewhere, I was somehow LESS of a photographer. Here’s the truth: I LOVE THIS JOB. As the Marketing and Graphics Coordinator for this busy dealership, I am able to utilize a skill set that is similar yet uniquely different from photography. I love the tasks, my office, my co-workers, the strong coffee and the sweet, sweet serenade of Pandora. This job is more than I could have ever hoped for. By 5 pm, I have little Clara in my jeep and we are southbound for home. On our drive I ask her if she wants to listen to music or if she wants to visit. She always selects visiting.
Playtime, walks, parks, dinner, books, bath, prayers, bed. Did I say dinner? Sometimes dinner is just popcorn. I get tired, ya’ll.
8 pm. Enter: Chelsie Elizabeth Photography. I edit, email, blog, create, yawn, and brainstorm till midnight. I LOVE THIS CAREER more every year and I have YOU to thank.
My life is joyously & overwhelmingly FULL. I thank GOD for his Grace, for being the Captain of my vessel and for providing for our every need. When I was on the cusp of flying solo last December, I prayed to God that 2015 would determine whether or not I could raise a child on my own AND be a photographer. God said: YES! YES! You CAN be a mom, a photographer, a marketing coordinator, a friend, a sister, a daughter, a neighbor, a marathon runner, and a faithful follower of me, Jesus Christ. My stars are lining up, my calendar is full, and heart bursts with gratitude.
I am in my 12th year as a wedding photographer. I cannot articulate the appreciation I feel for the couples I have already worked with in 2015, and the excitement I feel for the many weddings yet to come. I have more babies on my calendar than I have ever had before, and the summer family reunions and anniversaries are rolling in as well. This industry & this region of the great state of Minnesota is VERY seasonal so I will have my nose to the grindstone until December. I will be shooting weekly, revamping my brand, website and blog, and nestled in there somewhere I will unveil a new business venture that I can barely keep quiet anymore.
Here’s to the 2nd half of 2015! Perhaps our paths will cross in business, at the park, at a restaurant, or maybe you’re one of my siblings who I’ll see at mom’s house soon. Whoever you are, thank you for reading and thank you for following Chelsie Elizabeth Photography.
Much Love To You All, Chelsie
