2015 was an amazing year. It seems so limiting to only post a few things that were the highlights in my mind. 

I have had soooo so much to be thankful for! Thankful for my beautiful family, an amazing job that I love, wonderful clients - I couldn't be an happier and I am grateful for all that this past year brought - and I cannot wait to see what 2016 holds! 

Here are some of the highlights of such an incredible year - life.is.a.gift - and continues to be each day. Left to right, here we go!

1. Celebrated my grandmother turning 91! How incredible is that? And her gray hair amount for 91 still blows me away. Lol. I think I have more now that I cover up with dye. 

2. Went to see a concert with my bestie! Such great laughter, so much fun - every year our friendship gets sweeter - this is one I am growing old with. Love you Vinchka!

3. Hey, hey.. we bought a house! 

4. I was finally able to see the documentary Muerte es Vida that I was in last year - it is a tribute to some special loved ones and a unique story about how butterflies often appear in times of trouble to bring us peace. Incredible documentary - life changing that experience. Seeing it on screen was incredible. Not everyone has the chance to talk about a loved one in a documentary, honored. Grateful. Lots of tears watching this documentary. Love you Jess, miss you every day. 

5. At 39 years of age, I decided to get strong. This is a progression.. but I can't wait to see what pushes me into 40. Life is such a gift. I want to never take a day for granted. 

6. My husband and I traveled to Berlin, Germany via a train from Hamburg to see the famous bust of Nefertiti - the Egyptian Queen - she has been one of my favorite sculptures of all time. I studied art in college and seeing this bust in person brought me to tears. I literally stood there in awe just crying.. this was bucketlist status for me. I will never forget this day. 

7. Um, I got an amazing tattoo of a scarab beetle - one I have wanted for a long time. And... I feel pretty ba and I love it. I love tattoos and the expression that you can showcase - they are extremely personal - each one of my 5 tattoos holds significant meaning for me. 2 are Egyptian b/c I love Egypt, the other 3 have to do with my sister and living life to the fullest. Only one is visible to you depending on what I wear .. and that's the one on my wrist. Needless to say if you need a great tattoo artist, I know one. :) 

8. This is the funniest photo of my dog I think I have ever taken. She is notorious for begging - but when she hears dad tell her to go lay down she isn't so happy. This was one of the looks she gave after she heard that. Lol. Furbabies make life so wonderful.

9. We re-did my studio this year! Made some amazing changes and I am so proud of that space - can't believe I've been in it for 2 years! 

10. My husband and I went to Rome and saw the Pantheon. Most.amazing.trip.ever. 1,889 years old c.126 AD = most amazing structure of all time. {ok, besides pyramids at Giza, duh, that's on my bucket list too!}

11. I shot a wedding in Hamburg, Germany and met my pen pal and friend Swea in person! She began following me on FB years ago and we became friends and penpals.. and then I shot her wedding! Amazing, Amazing, Amazing.

12. I shot at this location in Chicago at Lincoln Park Zoo - I have wanted to shoot here for about 7 years. Always wondered where this place was! Lol. Awesomeness. Credits to my hubby for this shot of me working!

13. Took my daughter to work with me for mini-sessions this fall. She helped me hold the reflector and shot for me too. She wants to be a photographer one day like her momma. So proud. So so proud.

14. Lol. Gah, I just love my dog. This is just in here b/c she makes every day special. Really, she's one of my kids.

15. Took my kids on a lunch date... and enjoyed watching them goof around. Realized how much they love each other. And it made my heart very full. I will never forget that day with them. Ordinary day, extraordinary gratitude. 

16. We all went to a waterpark - my hubby, bonus daughter, MIL and kids and their friends. Great trip and a wonderful day!

17. Shot a wedding in AR at Thorncrown Chapel for the photographer who shot my wedding last year. Such an honor and what an amazing place in the middle of the Ozarks and beautiful woods. Incredible - and amazing experience. 

18. Bought my son his first car. Saved and saved and paid cash and felt very proud to have done this for him with no help. Proud of him and have always wanted more for my kids than what I had which is why I work so darn hard. {Pretty sure he's glad he isn't driving the orange Delta 88 I drove around when I was 16, lol}

19. And the greatest highlight of 2015 for me was seeing the Colosseum. Hello, I SAW THE COLOSSEUM!!!! The place I drooled over in history books. It was under my feet? The most incredible experience to see such antiquity. For sure bucket list. For sure this year.. was.. amazing. I am SO blessed and so in love with life. What a gift we get to be alive every day. Never ever take it for granted.

20. Of course, this year was marked with mostly amazing things, but some hard things too. And this was by far the hardest for this year and for quite some time. I had to say goodbye to my old friend Rocco - had him for 12 years since a puppy... he was my good old boy. And it was past his time - being a boxer they only really live a good 9-10 years, but I just had trouble letting him go until there was no other choice and I knew it was time. I took this picture before we put him down. I can hardly look at it now without tears. He is still so loved and missed - and in all of our hearts. Love you Rocco. We'll see you on the other side. 

Goodbye 2015 - Hello 2016! Thank You God for all of the incredible opportunities You brought my way. Thank You for Your watch and care and provision. May You bless 2016 and make it another year full of love, joy and peace. Without Your Hand my talent is useless - I pray You continue to use me as You would - thank You for this Journey. It is with much gratitude I step forward into this next new year. <3