Priorities

I'm so sorry that I've taken so long to update my blog. I guess you can say I've been on a sabbatical. This past month, my life has taken on so many changes. I've been re-prioritizing things and just allowing myself to be free of a lot of stress and negativity. It's been during this time, that God has been revealing a lot of things to me. Mainly, my priorities. What's important in life, and although I'm assuming this is a lifelong lesson - it's been extremely necessary for me to be reminded of what really and truly is important on this journey. I've felt like the devil has been trying to rob me of my joy, distracting me with petty and extremely unimportant things. Wrapping me up in trying to understand situations that cannot be understood. It's been eye opening for me to move past these distractions and focus, again, on my life, my children, my friends and family, and back into happiness and joy. A place God has intended for me since the very beginning. I feel free.

Melissa Vossler Photography has really begun to boom here in Reno. I'm remaining consistently busy and have been getting a lot of referral business. I've also booked four weddings with another one in the works. This is both exciting and daunting! As some of you already know, I'm now working solely for myself. When I moved here, the plan was for me to work with Emily Loftus and see where things led. Well, they led to a dead end and now we have gone our seperate ways. I think the bottom line is, we both wanted different things from our businesses and there was no possible way to mesh them together. Which has ended up being a blessing in disguise, because I'm feeling like this place in my life, is exactly where I'm supposed to be. And since venturing out into the waters on my own, I've seen a huge increase in business and am feeling the freedom to do things my way - which is probably how I should have arranged things from the beginning....but live and learn, right? I've given God the reigns to my business, and I'm trusting that He will direct my steps. I'm networking with other photographers in the area, and becoming involved in young professionals groups, making new relationships and lots, and lots, and lots of reading and learning. I'm feeling confident though, that if I'm faithful in the small things, God will eventually make me responsible for bigger and greater things. What an inspiring lifestyle!!

For those of you who don't know, I'll be in California in June. I'm a bridesmaid in the wedding for my wonderful friend Kayli Ober on the 13th. Since every dollar that comes into our household already has a name and a purpose - the money for me to get to California was going to have to be earned!! So, I opened up my calendar and started booking sessions in California! My goal, was to have 8 sessions booked by our trip. I'm currently at six. God is good. So, if you know of anyone looking for photos (maternity, newborn, chlildren, family, seniors, boudoir, etc) please send them over to me! I have a few times slots and days available. I'm charging $300 ($150 due now, and another $150 the first of June) for a session and a CD of full-resolution images (generally 50 photos). It's a great deal for anyone looking for custom portraiture at a great price! I appreciate the word of mouth friends!

I'm also excited to share that I'm starting a Moms group at our church. A weekly get together for moms of young children. The plan is to spend time in fellowship, encouraging, talking, and being together. We'll have mommy only time twice a month, and then mommy and me time during outings twice a month. I've never done this sort of thing before, and the response has been big - so I can only imagine the first two months or so will be a little rocky as I learn the ropes to leading a womans group - but I'm anxious to see how God will grow and build this group into a place for woman to gather and build relationships together. The group is called "Nurture", and our motto is "encourage. cultivate. grow". Please keep me in your prayers as I enter into this new role. It carries a huge responsibility, and I need for God prepare my heart and mind. But, I'm excited, so I'll definitely keep you all updated via blog about how my first few weeks go. Our very first meeting is Tuesday, May 5th at 9:30am. Pray for us!!

As for the rest of the Vossler family news? Trei is working hard with both church and McDonalds. He is staying busy, and now that the weather is nice and sunny - we've been spending his off hours out with the kids. Working on the house, out for a bike ride, or just hanging out and playing with the kids. Aside from photography and general housewife duties (you know, the duties that are NEVER done), I've been working out 4-5 times a week! We mustered up money for a gym membership, and I've been dragging the kids with me every morning from 9:30 until 11:30-ish. The kids program is FREE, and I've been taking advantage of a little "me" time, coupled with getting my booty in shape. It's time for me to take a little time to improve my outer appearance. I'm tired of feeling over-weight, tired, and just plain not pretty. A healthy lifestyle is important, and I know will help me to be a better mom, wife, and business person. I am loving how I feel right after a good workout and especially how well my clothes are fitting me. Lucas is growing and such a big boy now. He is also ridiculously polite. Ask anyone. He says "please", "thank you", "you're welcome", and more all the time. Just the other day, I announced that dinner was ready, and Lucas flew around the corner saying "Thank you mama! Thank you so much for dinner! I love dinner. Thank you!". Could have died. He is genuine, and adorable, and melts my heart on a daily basis! Olivia, she is walking! Well, 90% of the time now. It's hard to believe she's not an infant anymore. When I see her walking around the house, it forces me to admit that I really don't have babies under my roof anymore. But a toddler and a full-blown kid! She is few with her words, but definitely lets us know what she wants and doesn't want via lots of arm waving, head nodding, and screams :) She can say "mama", "dada", "night night", "yum", "ba ba", and "na na" - but that's he extend of her words. I have a feeling (that just like walking), one days she'll just burst into full on conversations with us as though she's been doing it her whole life. See, Olivia does things on her terms. Everything on her terms :)

Well, I need to close. I have much more to share (my visit from my mom and dad in the beginning of March), the visit from my sister and her fiance in the end of March, and a visit from my sister-in-law Melissa in the beginning of April. If you haven't yet, please check out my photography blog here, and my business website here. I've finished all the important galleries on my website. Creative and Birth are still without photos - but everything else has found photographs!

Check back, I promise some reading materiel by tomorrow night!!

Love, Me

Comments

[Terri]

Good to hear from you again! Those pigtails are adorable!!! I will be praying for your Nuture group-that you will follow God's lead and that He will bless you in this ministry.

[Melissa]

Great update and adorable pictures! Glad to hear that everything is going so well :) I'm excited to hear more about your mommy group! I'll keep you in prayers!

[Kayli]

CANT WAIT TO SEE YOU!!!!!! I am so lucky to have such a talented and wonderful friend and bridesmaid :) I am beyond grateful for all of your help with the invitations and cant thank you enough! LOVE YOU!

[Alison]

Your kids are so cute!! Way to go with all your photography!! You've really grown your business!! I'm definitely impressed! To just start from scratch and do all that you've done is incredible!! How exciting all of the weddings you have booked in the future!! I'm very happy for you! :o)