Last weekend, I celebrated another birthday. I think after I turned 30, I started to lose track of old I am. Someone asked me how old I was turning and I seriously had to do the math. The answer is 32. It’s hard to believe how fast life passes us by and that I have been blessed with 32 great years.

So was it a good year, my 31st? This year has definitely been marked with waiting. Waiting to buy a house, waiting to get pregnant and waiting for a church. God answered our prayers by bringing us to a wonderful church, Rock Harbor Fullerton, but the other two, we are still waiting.

During times of waiting, I am reminded of Dr. Seuss’ wise words in Oh, The Places You’ll Go (I read this book every year to my graduating seniors): “Everyone is just waiting. Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite.” But I take rest in “No! That’s not for you! Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying. You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing, with banners flip-flapping, once again you’ll ride high! Ready for anything under the sky. Ready because you’re that kind of guy!”

Regardless of the things I wait patiently for, I have much to be thankful for. My 31st year was marked by becoming a part of an amazing community through my church. We have wanted community for so long and finally have been able to say we have it. Secondly, I am thankful for my other community, the amazing photographers of Orange County. I dove headfirst into the photog world, and have made amazing friends and watched my business blossom. Thanks guys! Lastly, I am also so thankful for my photography business itself. God has been really good and has totally surprised me with wonderful clients and a flourishing business. I don’t think I’ve quite reached the spot where the Boom Bands are playing and the banners flip-flapping, but this is close, and for now, I’m happy.

I leave you with an awesome photo I took on my birthday. We went to Monterey Bay Aquarium.  Side note, never go there on a weekend. It was so packed that I seriously got shoved shortly after taking this picture. But the sting rays and the sharks and the jellyfish and the seahorses were so marvelously beautiful that the crowds didn’t matter.