It’s October: aka my-favorite-month-in-the-world-even-though-its-not-my-birthday-or-christmas-or-really-any-holiday-but-i-just-love-it!!! :) Ahh!!! But really…Happy October!!!

I don’t know what it is about this month that just makes me SMILE — because really it’s probably the craziest month of the year! I’ve always heard that October is the hardest month for teachers because the freshness of a new school year is gone…but you still have SO MUCH FURTHER to go, and I am very quickly learning that it is also the craziest in the photography world too!

I had my kids reflect on the month of September for their Daily Journal Entry on Tuesday and then create one short-term goal for the month of October, and it was just so neat to chat with them about the importance of looking back on their actions and circumstances and setting goals for the future. And then I thought…why don’t I do that type of thing here? I’m all about practicing what I preach, so here goes nothing!

September. A) it flew by. But really, I have no idea where it went. B) I loved it!!!! Every single crazy-busy-nuts second of it! My third year of teaching (second full time) has been just so blessed this year — the discussions & activities we’ve been able to accomplish, the relationships & community we’ve already formed, the laughter & giggles we’ve all shared — it’s been a great school year! And I know that sounds cheesy, but if we had had this same chat this time last year, you would be hearing a WHOLE different story. So I am so thankful for the 180 my heart has taken & for my kiddos (old & new!) too :)

I am also thankful for how busy the month was! Chris and I were able to do so many fun things together, and I was able to accomplish many goals on my own as well! From DC road-trips and family time to birthday celebrations and spontaneous sunflower sights to gorgeous weddings and friday night lights, September was definitely a month of adventures :)

Which brings me to October. October is looking even busier than September, but if there was one thing I learned from last month, it is the importance of scheduling downtime & just enjoying the moment :)

October Goals:

• Decorate pumpkins. Obviously. I really want to do this fun glitter and/or chalkboard paint guy I found on pinterest, but we will see what happens…
• Have a Starbucks date with my hubs! College saw lots of Starbucks dates for us, and we always had some of our best and realest (not a word but I’m making it one) chats there!! Oh, and fyi the PSL ain’t got nothing on my Pumpkin Spice Chai! #tealover
• Order business cards. It needs to happen!
• Finally finish decorating my new “office”!! I have frames & decorations waiting to go up…but right now they are all just propped against the walls or lounging around in their boxes! Eek!
• Go to a LHS soccer game!! Normally football gets all the love, but I actually have a lot of students who play soccer too! So I definitely want to show them some support — and it’s not fall without some scarf-wearing soccer-observing fun!
• Learn more about inside lighting (especially during receptions that tend to be dark!) & how I can make it work for me!
• Create a sample album for potential wedding clients to view!
• Plan one night a week where I just get to BE and I don’t have to DO. <<< I feel like this could be a whole blog post in itself!! It’s so easy to just always GO GO GO when you’re a teacher, and even more so when you own your own business on top of that!! But I am definitely realizing the importance of RESTING. Of putting everything aside & taking some time to just be. So yeah. That’s gonna happen :)

What about you? I’d love to hear your goals & lists for October fun!!!