2016 Recap

Yes yes it’s been a long time since I’ve written a blog!! I am awful at getting used to doing a blog, but it really has been an interesting year. 

Nothing too crazy happened at the beginning of 2016 that I can think of off the top of my head, we were living in California on base. I didn’t even bother to unpack completely or hang like any decor because I knew we were only going to be moving in x amount of months. I did my 3rd season at H&R Block on base, so I worked at all 3 base locations, yes HUGE base! I was still finishing my last 2 semesters of college January through August with like maybe 1 week break between it all. Nick was pretty much doing normal jobs like guard duty in this last 11 months of active duty, which I am glad for because he was home a lot more than he had been the last 3.5 years.  We were trying to prepare for the move to South Carolina and for what it would be like when he got out of the Marine Corps but just like you can’t really prepare yourself for a deployment there wasn’t much we could do that far in advance and from the other side of the country. 

So I worked at Block and then started working at Target just to make some extra money while I was finishing school. I finished my associate degree in August and was absolutely thrilled to finally have no homework, no papers and no more exams!! Seriously the biggest relief! I actually just got my degree in the mail a couple weeks ago, that was bittersweet. I was really happy to quit target at the end of September too because I love shopping there but so not into being a cashier there ever again. So we tried to plan and plan to make things easier for us when we moved but like I said it was really hard. No one wanted to interview us until we got here. And of course to get a home or apartment you need income (duh!) so we finally had to just let God do what he needed to do in our lives, definitely not what we were wanting or expected after spending almost 4 years as a military family. So we live with my mom in Simpsonville and we’ve been here since the first of October. Things are definitely not the way we want, Nick just started last week working a construction job and I’m working part time at hobby lobby, and I’ll be starting with Block Advisors in January ( Block Advisors is a new part of H&R Block focused on small business and individuals with large investments, etc. a more high end office).  I know Nick is happy about being done with active duty, it really took a toll on him physically and emotionally but it was a one of a kind experience and I know he’s grateful for it. I’m glad he never had to go into combat it was hard enough not talking to him or seeing him for such a long time!! I’m glad there is no more going to the field for a week and coming back with disgusting clothes and a dirt covered husband! LOL! But it was an experience we won’t forget!

Photography has been a lot slower growing than I had wanted, but it is a lot of work trying to officially and legally open a small business and build your clientele. Networking is where it is and sometimes it just takes more time than you would hope.  I’ve been preparing myself and learning photography and everything that comes with it for about 3 years before officially opening business. I did this so I could be prepared to create amazing images and be a successful business owner when I opened, also because I didn’t want to build up a clientele in California knowing we weren’t staying there very long ( we actually lived in 2 different areas of the base 40 minutes apart). I’m still trying to create my list of Goals for 2017 but I feel optimistic about this coming year both for my business and our personal life!! 

The biggest thing I had to learn this year was to let God do what he needs in our lives instead of what I wanted or tried to plan. Every time I tried to push and push to get my own way the more God would push back and say no way this is not happening.  It’s very hard not knowing what will be happening in the next several months but I have complete faith that whatever it is, it is Gods will for us and that he will lead us, however hard it may be for me to accept day to day. 

I’m sure there are somethings in there that I missed but we’ll just have to skip! Haha So I am praying for a happy and successful New year in 2017 for everyone and that we can find Gods love and guidance in all that we do!! 

 

“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent” Exodus 14:14

 

“If you’ve got pain, he’s a pain taker. If you need freedom or saving, He’s a prison-shaking Savior!”

I am repeating this to myself so much since we sang it in church this past Sunday and I do not want to get it out of my head! 

 

-Carissa 

 

Here’s a recap of some of my sessions from 2016, some from California and some from South Carolina!