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We're Going Back to Africa! | Monday Musings

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We're Going Back to Africa! | Monday Musings

Oh how excited I am to write this blog! I have wanted to write those words ever since we first traveled to West Africa in January and now we get to travel back to a continent that I love for the second time in a year. To say we are blessed is an understatement!

When we first went I did not know what to expect, but it was everything my heart had been hoping for. As someone who did not grow up in the United States I believe I am made to be overseas, and that is a desire that will never be quelled - but traveling across an ocean helps. This time Nathan and I get to go as leaders for a group of amazing high school and college students who are ready to take on the world and see what they have to offer it while learning in return...

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The Biggest Change in Our Marriage | Monday Musings

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The Biggest Change in Our Marriage | Monday Musings

I have been married for over 5 years and I can't believe I am able to type that. Anyone who has been in a long-term relationship knows that the only thing constant in life is change. Individual change, relationship change, and life change are all part of the normal cycle of sticking by someone through the years.

When I was in high school I was the girl who showed up late to school every single day so I could park in the staff parking lot (sorry, Mom!). I was the girl who graduated as valedictorian but got many frustrated comments from teachers that I wouldn't stop talking during class. I was the girl who, when we first got married, would roll out of bed at the last possible minute to wave goodbye to Nathan as he left to work - then sometimes I would jump back in bed before I, too, had to leave for the office.

That girl is but a distant memory...

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Letting Life Overtake Work | Monday Musings

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Letting Life Overtake Work | Monday Musings

I stress out about a lot of things I probably shouldn't worry over. I am sure a few of you can relate...and if not, please tell me your secret! One of my biggest stressors (even if that's not a word) this year has been, honestly, my perception of myself. Going full-time in photography has been nothing short of wonderful - I would never in a million years have dreamed that I was cut out for it, but this life is perfect for me. I can work from the couch or my standing desk. I can start work early or take time off in the afternoon when I have evening hours. I can visit family when I have destination engagement sessions like this past weekend in at the Trump Winery in Charlottesville.

Yet what stresses me out is not my work, but how much work I have. Sometimes I am busy from sun up to sundown hustling, sending emails, updating social media, photographing clients, and taking care of my daily duties. Other days I wake up with a fairly short to-do list and a weird feeling that I should always be busy no matter what. That if I do not fill an 8 or 9 hour day with work on my business, I am doing something wrong...

Books are my love language, especially fun ones that carry me away with a good story 📖 Lately, they have also been an important place of learning for me. Some recent favorites: 📚 For Fun: #WheretheCrawdadsSing (@authordeliaowens) 📚 For Business: #
In a turn of events that is surprising to exactly no one (myself included, by this point), we have a new house guest this summer! 🏠 At the last minute, a 15-year-old exchange student needed a place to stay, and it just so happened that we have an ex
This is how I've felt during quarantine. Whether it's waking up, or running, or reading, or working when work seemed to slow down for awhile, my mantra was: just. keep. moving. I guess I was in good company when that idea kept me going 😉 . . . #quot
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Hampton Roads, Virginia

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