Yesterday (Jan 16th) was my birthday, and while I’m dealing with a lot of struggles right now, I spent the day with my daughter, so it turned out to be a nice day. I wasn’t up for much, but we went to Hands On Pottery and painted some ceramics and then came home and played some board games together. I was happy to be able to spend some quality time with Jaedyn and we both had fun. Of course, she whooped my butt playing Trouble, but I’m not a sore loser! I’m just happy to see that she is learning the strategy of the game and “sending me home” (with great joy) any chance she gets!

I’m still recovering from my recent surgery and my Dad is in the hospital 1200 miles away, so it’s been difficult to say the least. The good news is that my Dad and I both have teams of great doctors working with us and I’m confident that we will both be doing well soon.

In order to ensure that I am able to give each couple the attention they deserve, I am only accepting 2 more weddings for 2008. I may open up a few more dates later in the year, but as of right now I want to be sure not to overextend myself. Select dates are available July through November. Please inquire for availability.

If I’ve already photographed your wedding and you haven’t ordered your album yet, now is a good time to do it as turn around times on albums are much shorter in the “off season”!

I am absolutely ELATED to report that I had my first headache free day since my surgery and I’m healing faster than I expected! My Mom and Step Dad are here from Florida and have gotten me out of the house and walking around every single day since they got here last week and the exercise has helped immensely! Mom’s cooking certainly doesn’t hurt either - I have my appetite back and I’m eating better than I have in a few years!

I’m still quite sore from the surgery itself, but I’m getting better every day. My incisions are healing well, though it is taking some time to get used to this foreign object in my body! The shunt feels so weird - I can feel it in spots when I run my hand over my skin and I can feel it moving around at times… so creepy… but it’s working and that’s all I care about! I had forgotten what it was like to not feel like my head was in a vice EVERY DAY, ALL DAY and now that my head actually doesn’t hurt, I am so happy I could cry! I just need to finishing healing from the surgery and I will be a whole new woman! I cannot tell you how excited I am to experience a better quality of life and be able to give more of myself to my family and my business. I have plenty of big goals set for myself and my business and I can’t wait to accomplish them!

I’m not ready to drive or return to work quite yet, though I expect that I’ll be driving in the next week or so and doing some computer work and booking meetings at my home very soon. I plan to start taking portrait sessions again in February and I am currently booking weddings for June and beyond (I am already booked for the month of May).

Great things are coming and I can’t wait!!!

A BIG huge thank you to everyone who has been thinking of me and praying for me - I’m seeing the evidence of it all!

I got home from the hospital Sunday night, in time to ring in the new year in my own home (even though I slept through it!) and today I had my 14 staples removed from my 3 incisions. OUCH is all I have to say about that… there is something to be said about bedside manner and my neurosurgeon’s partner needs a lesson in that! Feeling a little bit better today - it’s nice to be off of the pain meds and thinking clearly! My 4 days in the hospital were a fog, but I will say, Rose and JoAnna, my nurses on the 10th floor at St. Vincent’s were awesome. I also wanted to share something with you all that really made my week - my Dad send a dozen roses and a teddy bear to me since he is unable to make the trip from Florida… with the roses and bear came a card that read “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog. I Love you. Dad.”. This is so true and it really made my week. I might look like a chihuahua, but I’m a rottweiler for sure!

Slowly but steadily recovering here…. My Mom and step Dad arrive tomorrow and I can’t wait to see them! Everyone here has been so amazingly helpful here - it’s like having my own personal nursing staff! Thanks again to all who have sent well wishes, prayers, cards and such - you all are the best!

Being a photographer, you know I made my hubby take photos of my wounds, but I’ll spare ya’ll the gory details!