Give it a try..........

A very good friend of mine posted the quote below on her Facebook status yesterday.

"It's impossible" said pride. "It's risky" said experience. "It's pointless" said reason. "Give it a try" whispered the heart.

Most of you probably know that I have recently just retired from my "real" job to pursue a photography career. Crazy, I know! The decision to "retire" took a lot of time and many prayers before I committed and took a leap of faith. Believe me when I say that there were MANY low's, MANY scared "What If's", but also MANY happy thoughts during the decision process.

The quote really made me think about all the pros and cons that my Cowboy and I discussed during our decision making process. For my Cowboy it was a very analytical process. Those of you that know my Cowboy, know that he is a spread sheet king. It doesn't matter what the decision is........he always lays out the pros and cons in a spread sheet. If the spread sheet has more pros than cons......we go for it. If there are more cons than pros...........we drop the subject. I'm pretty sure he even did a spread sheet with the decision being......."Should I ask Missy to marry me?" I'm not kidding!

In the very beginning, all that I knew was that my "real" job caused me to be on the road away from home every week. And I knew that wasn't what I wanted. However, after looking for jobs close to home for 2 years and no positive possibilities in sight, the idea of getting to get off the road seemed "IMPOSSIBLE".

I knew if no one was willing to hire me locally..........I'd have to take matters into my own hands. That matter was photography. I'd always enjoyed photography, in fact I took a few photography classes in college. Now I needed someone who could push me. Someone who shared the same interests as me and wanted to grow in the photography world just like me. That person soon came into my life. Debbie was the person that influenced me to Eat, Sleep, and Live Photography. And that's what we did. (And still do) There isn't a free moment that I don't use to research something about photography. But wether or not I love photography, it wasn't a guaranteed pay check. And this is where I began to feel I was making a "RISKY" decision.

I might have felt that I was making a risky decision, but my Cowboy's spread sheet said it was doable. So the decision was made. We put a plan together (a financial plan). All we had to do was stick to the plan and all would be fine. However, there were times that I felt like our financial plan was going no where! Was my dream of being home and doing something that I love, "POINTLESS"?

This was the point were words of encouragement and love came from my Cowboy, family, and friends. As long as you have that you can do anything! I feel like Super Woman......I don't look like her (I'm working on that!). I feel that I can take on anything. Dream of anything. I know now that I have followed my heart and I "GAVE IT A TRY".

I can't thank my Cowboy enough for standing behind me during this adventure. I know that while there have been huge changes in my life, there have been "HUGE" changes in his life as well. For example, he now has a wife that is home every day and every night reminding him of things he's done wrong ie. toilet seat, putting clothes away, throwing trash away. As with any change in life, I know there will be struggles and down moments. But I can honestly tell you that I have never been as happy as I am right now. I am where I'm supposed to be.

MW

Fritchey Family Photo Session - Welch, OK

My Cowboy told me a few months ago about a really neat bridge that he thought would be a cool place to take photos. Of course with me still working on the road at the time, I didn't get around to checking it out. Then during my first week of retirement from 'real' job, I was contacted by a rodeo friend from back in Iowa. Kelly and her family were going to be down in Oklahoma visiting her husband's family and wanted to know if I could do a family photo session for her. Absolutely!

So......now where do we take the photos? My Cowboy suggested the bridge again. Ok. Ok. Let's go look at this 'amazing' bridge.

He couldn't quite remember how to get there so he called our friend Jen to get directions. Bad news. They have closed the bridge and she wasn't sure if it was still there or not! Are you kidding me?!?! Jen called her dad just to make sure and we were just in luck.....the bridge was closed......but it wasn't torn down........yet. So we quickly jumped in my Cowboy's little white Toyota and drove to check it out. It's kinda funny to put Cowboy and Toyota in the same sentence. But it's a true statement.

Well, it was pretty amazing as well as the dirt road on the way to it. I guess my "photo eye" has rubbed off on to my Cowboy!

With the time and the place of the photo session set. We were ready to bring on the Fritchey Family!

This was the dirt road before you got to the old bridge. It was a great shaded place to take photos.

Look at this cute couple!

Talk about a little diva with attitude! She was so cute and crazy at the same time. My Cowboy and her enjoyed throwing rocks and sticks into the trees together.

This little guy was one of the happiest little boys I've ever been around! Look at that smile!

And this is just "priceless". Period.

Thank you to the Fritchey Family for letting me capture great photos of your family. And for trusting me enough to drive on a back, back dirt road in Oklahoma.

MW

Marshall is 2!

I can't believe it's already been a year since I first took Marshall's 1 yr. photos. Now the little guy is 2! A year ago he was the cutest little golfer......and now he's just too stinkin' cute. Look at those eyes!

This adorable guy is all boy with a mind of his own! Of course I've come to understand that all two year old boys have a mind of their own.

After a quick outfit change, Marshall enjoyed a game of peek-a-bo with his momma.

Thanks Marshall for being such a great model. I hope you enjoyed seeing the big train!

MW

Iowa Wedding: Annie and Craig

It was the day they waited for. Seven years to be exact. On a first date, Craig slipped the famous words.....I love you. And they did fall in love. Awwwww.......tear! It's just like something out of a wonderful romance "chick flick" movie. You know the kind of movie that you need to take a full box of Kleenex tissues to the theater.

Annie and Craig looked just like the characters of those good old black and white features. Annie was beautiful in an over the top dress that made me say wow from the time she took it out of the garment bag. Craig was a jaw dropper in uniform. Oh god I love a man in uniform.


Annie knew how to make one happy photographer........her colors included ORANGE! (Go Pokes!) OH ya and a beautiful purple. The bride's maids looked wonderful in strapless purple gowns and orange bouquets.

Annie's dress made me just speechless. Enough said.

And they said "I do."

Congratulations Annie and Craig! Thank you for letting me capture such beautiful memories of the most important day of your lives. I wish you many joyous memories and a long life together.

MW

1 Year Old Cowgirl

Wow. Time really flies when you're having fun! I just realized that I haven't posted anything since April 20th. Geesh! You'd think I was more dedicated to this blog thing. Well, I guess I'll just have to overload you with posts this week! So be ready.

I'm sure most of you have seen photos of sweet little Addison. I've had the opportunity to take photos of her starting out with her Newborn photos all the way to her 1 year photos just a few weeks ago. She is such a precious little girl that is loved (and spoiled) so very much by her family.

Here's a glimpse at how a beautiful cowgirl princess (with a little bit of an attitude) should look.

Look at this beautiful little cowgirl! She is such a natural beauty!

Judge! (Her Mama's Barrel Horse) You better watch where you put your nose!

She's just stylin' and profilin'.

Little Addison doesn't care if it's a real or wooden horse.......she loves them all!

Thank you Kyle and Whitney for letting me come into your home to document your little cowgirl growing up. Ladies and Gentlemen lock up your little cowboys! This little cowgirl is 1 year old!

MW

An OSU Engagement

I love taking photos that show the love shared between two people. Andrea and Victor were no exception. These two love birds were so much fun to work with! We took their photos at a place that both they and I hold very close to our hearts.....the campus of Oklahoma State! Go Pokes!

Sorry, I just can't say Oklahoma State without throwing my hands, shaped like pistols, into the air and saying "Go Pokes!" Yep.....just did it again. And yes, I do Bleed Orange.

I feel very honored to have been asked to take Andrea and Victor's photos. Engagement photos are some of the most enjoyable photos to take because they represent such a special moment in a couples life. The starting of a new phase in a growing relationship. Awwww. What is it about young love that makes me reminisce about the early days of my relationship with My Cowboy?

Andrea and Victor are just so dang cute together!

Yep.....still cute!

It's special moments like this that really matter.

Thank you Andrea and Victor for letting me capture your love with my camera. I wish you both the very best and can not wait to see you in your tux and gown. Congratulations on your Engagement!

With love,
MW

Zumba......I think I might die!

This week I've been working in a paper close enough to home that I can travel back and forth each day. With that being said I decided to join my friend Shannon last night at her Zumba Class that she's been attending. I thought that it would be fun to have workout and dance at the same time. Those of you that knew me "Back In The Day", know that I used to be a pretty good little dancer. Hello! I was the captain of the Riverside Dance Team!

Why should Zumba be easy for me?

1. I have rhythm.
2. I can quickly pick up dance steps
3. I've got skills.

I met Shannon at our local High School Gym. We each paid our $5 and went in to stretch and get ready for Zumba. Shannon told me that she likes to stand up front so that she can see the instructors better. I didn't see any problem with that. This was going to come easy for me and I was sure I wouldn't embarrass myself.

The music started and sweat began to roll. And roll. And ROLL! I was sure I was going to die! And worse yet.......it didn't come easy to me AT ALL! I was the idiot in the front that didn't know any of the dance steps. And somewhere between my senior year in High School and now, I'd lost dancing ability. I'm pretty sure my dancing skills might have gone out the window when my extra pounds of FAT walked in the front door. When I didn't think I could go any longer and I was sure our hour class was almost over, I looked for a clock. It was only 6:25 pm. The class didn't end till 7!!!!!!!

I know some of you are wondering if I made it to 7pm.......and I am proud to say that yes I did finish the whole class. I'm not going to say that there wasn't any crying, whining, or belly aching.......but I did finish it! When Shannon and I walked out to our vehicles afterward, I wasn't sure what was making my legs move. Maybe it was the meat and potatoes I had ready to eat back at home.

What did I lean at Zumba?
1. I have NO rhythm.
2. I can quickly pick up dance steps. (in my head, my body had problems doing what my brain was telling it to do.)
3. I've got NO skills.

This morning I woke up with very sore muscles. Shannon swears that the hurt will only last for 3 days. Which is great because that works out just great for the Zumba class on Thursday!



Until next time,

MW