Monday Mayhem I Narrative

Or is it really Mayhem????

I flew out of the great city of Tampa on Friday and the weather was all sunshine and summer time to be a guest at the most beautiful wedding and spend time with some of the most amazing people this world has to offer.

In the back of my head was "this terrible storm that is going to sweep over Tampa starting Sunday night.!" In the meantime, I had a flight that wasn't schedule to put me safely on the ground in Tampa until 10:38pm...

Through the panic of possibly making Atlanta my home for the night, I made it back to Tampa, safe and sound AND on time... to a little spit of rain and sunshine on Monday...

Dramatic much? And now we march forward and look forward to a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Happy Monday all (and I am jealous if you are a student that got classes canceled or an employee of a company that told you to stay home..)!

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Home

Well ladies and gentlemen, this home is now off the market. We have signed the papers and move in happens in just a few short weeks. I now have a place to call my Florida home. We can build this home. We can be hospitable. We can be proud of it. So I guess this is what the next year of my life looks like!

I am so grateful for what I have and I am one happy girl.
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Gall Family I Portraits

Family togetherness just makes my heart melt. To see a family let their personalities shine through as a family is priceless. The stories that were told had me belly laughing until it hurt. There were times when  I was practically rolling on the ground in sheer laughter. That's a good photo shoot if you ask me!

To see a family in that element gives you a whole new take on life and how it exists beyond your own walls. Each family is unique in its own. At that, meet the Gall Family...

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Shanna I Senior

I remember the day I walked into my dorm room on move in day my freshman year of college and the excitement that filled every inch of my body for what was ahead. That is the feeling I got when I met Shanna and we spent a couple of hours of just me and her walking around what would soon become her new stomping grounds, the campus of USF. I got butterflies just thinking about all of the new experiences and amazing new friends that will soon welcome her with open arms.

Just like any 18 year old high school senior, she is trying to figure out what her likes and dislikes are and put them into a career. I wish her all the very best in whatever degree she decides to graduate with. More than that, I hope and pray that she will remain true to herself and not change any detail of who she is for anyone or anything. College is a learning experience that trumps all.

Shanna is a beautiful girl inside and out and there is no doubt in my mind that her beauty will only continue to radiate as she continues to fall in love with the Lord and the woman He has made her to be. I wish you all the best, Shanna, and enjoy a ride that you will never forget with the people that will make it unforgettable.

You are beautiful my dear.
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Reflection

This is a weekend of such powerful reflections.... 

Six Months Ago

I began my journey to Florida and was crossing my fingers that I was following God's plan for my life in this and not my own. My jaw hits the floor when I think that it has already been that long. When I think about where I have come from on that November day, getting in the car in full out tears to make the sixteen hour drive, I am nothing short of amazed at how God has transformed my life into what it is today.

No way, in my wildest dreams could I have dreamt up what my life is today. Who would have thought God would have sent me on an adventure like this. This just proves what I already knew, (but not sure I had truly accepted it) that God has the most miraculous plan for your life. His plan consists of adventures, people, trials, and successes that you would have never thought possible. (Can I get an AMEN!?)

I am thankful for each of you who have been a part of this process and supported me as my life drastically changed.

One Year Ago

I walked through the campus of Anderson University for the final time as a student. ( I promise I have no more degrees up my sleeve this time). I walked across that stage and was finished with my second degree at the age of twenty three. After the celebration, a plane ride to the Czech Republic and to Europe I would go and explore. That was a whole year ago! No more evenings with Kelly and our ridiculousness that we put on regularly. No more class,  no more "I'm a dumb kid," but off to the real world. To think that I have been away from that “normalcy” for that long seems simply impossible.

Two Years Ago

I left University Blvd not knowing for sure what the next year would hold. I left my college family as we started to spread ourselves around the country to make our own footprints on life. I have talked to several people this week about what a whirl wind it has been and every time, I say that I can remember my senior year like it was yesterday. Working in the wellness center, FC 204, genes root beer stand, tv nights with friends, making dinner with friends, and just the simple laughter. Those are the days that I will never forget. Where I found some of the best people that have left a lasting imprint on my life. Who would have thought that a small town on the north side of Indianapolis could change your life? The people that God brought to that place are irreplaceable in my life. The best part is that while we are hundreds and even thousands of miles apart, we are remaining a family and continue to pray and serve each other despite the distance.

I love you all with all of my heart.

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Gall Family I Coming Soon

Seeing families and siblings love on each other gives me warm fuzzies all over. To see love come out of every movement, every emotion, every glance, knowing that family is something irreplaceable, is something intangible, but speaks volumes.

Speaking of such love, meet the Gall family. Enjoy this one photo and be checking back for a full look of who they are together, as a family.

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April I Instagram

God has continued to amaze me as the month of April came, was, and is now gone. I am still adjusting to life as a Floridian (and whatever that looks like) and enjoying the ride along the way.
So this is what my April looked like in a photo nutshell...

Sleep overs – Sweet friends – Attempting to tackle the never ending “To Do” List – a new home for a week – Easter candy – After work car washes – Making the official switch to Florida (Plates for my car) – Pool time – Relaxing Sunday mornings – Easter cookout – Meetings – New accessories from my Birthday – Garage Sale finds – Yummy breakfasts – Missing my college girls –  Traffic (Ha) – Elizabeth play time – Davis Island – First Craig’s List purchase, Miss Panama – Target browsing – Anna Maria Island – Attempted productivity with friends
***

Reflecting on such good times makes my heart smile. Now to say I am excited for May would be an understatement! Bring on the fun times and travel! WooooHoooo!

I hope your April was blessed and May is filled with great people and great times.


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Shanna I Coming Soon

Today, I spent time with one beautiful high school senior, Ms. Shanna Lynn Bland. We spent several hours on USF's campus taking her senior portraits for her upcoming graduation this spring. To say she is beautiful would be an understatement. I thoroughly enjoyed our time together and am anxious to show you what else I have stored on my end of the camera. Enjoy this beauty.

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Indiana Meets Florida

For me, this has been a week of reflection. Instead of holding it all in, I thought I would reflect out loud :) This way you can see where I have been and how the almost six months have become what they are.

I had no idea what my life would hold when I left Indiana in early November for a trail run in Florida. Since that November morning I have met some of the most amazing people, become involved in a church (http://aletheiatampa.com/) that is perfect for this stage in my life, landed a great job, progressed my photography business, and the list goes on and on.

According to Road to Well Being, my life should be a hot, stressful, mess. Ironically, the transition has been nothing of the sort. While yes, there have been tears and confusion and plenty of questioning, I survived without falling to pieces. I owe all of that to my Lord, Jesus Christ. No way is a transition like this possible without His love and protection. All of the right people were here to love on me when I stepped foot in Tampa. The job part took a little more patience, but all in His timing, I was able to find where He wanted me all along. And now photography is finally taking its steps. Ashlee Proffitt Design is in the process of branding Kortni Marie Photography, shoots are starting to appear, and wedding season is almost in bloom! This only reiterates God’s promise to prosper me and not to harm me (Jeremiah 29:11).

Just the other night, I was almost in tears talking to my Florida family about what God has given me in the past six months. To say that I am blessed is an understatement. To think where I have come in such a short time is simply astonishing. I thank everyone who has been a part of this process and has given me love and support along the way.

And in the month of April, I became an official, official Floridian. (it’s kind of fun to say that) I have a Florida driver’s license, Florida car insurance (which has terrible rates I might add), a new bank, an officially changed address, a new car title, and a Florida license plate. While these are just a few things, let me tell you how exhausting it was to get all of this handled. My parents would vouch for that. They got countless phone calls with me stressed to the point of tears over dang car insurance! Really!? Ha. Yes. It is true.

But now Indiana has officially met Florida and the view along the ride has been glorious. I challenge anyone who is contemplating a change to jump on it. While it has its rocky points, the ride is worth the jump. Simply put your trust in God and He will take care of the rest.
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Florida Days

I love Florida. Have I told you that lately :)

It's April and it's all sunshine here and it feels soooo goooood. I spent and evening with these beautiful children playing in the hose, washing the car, and just being kids. To say that we had a good night would be an understatement. Here are a few photos from our evening that I couldn't resist snapping and showing to you. Aren't they cute.!?

Oh the pure joy of children. Hope your weekend was wonderful and you start your week off on the right foot.
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March I Instagram

Ready. Blink. And done. 

That was the month of March in a wrap. It was filled with amazing moments and amazing people, but a blur it was. I think I have officially been sleep deprived for an entire month, but boy was it fun.

March included:

Officially settling into my new job with BayCare Health System & receiving my first paycheck
Experiencing my first official Florida Strawberry Festival
Becoming an official Floridian by getting my FL driver’s license
Going to my first Hockey Game to watch the Lightening (Lower level seats and free!)
My family coming to visit
A college friend coming to stay
Yankees vs. Red Socks Spring Training Game
My 24th Birthday
Purchasing my first beach floppy hat since beach days will be a regular habit 
Beach days, fun days, family days
Getting soaked in my first Florida “it’s sunny outside, but now it’s going to down pour” rain
High school friend visit day X2 (my heart was so happy)

You can’t tell me that isn’t a wonderful month with a pretty little bow on top. I am one lucky girl and blessed beyond belief. I am welcoming the month of April with arms wide open. God has blown my mind with the path He has put me on. It is beyond my wildest dreams. I thank Him daily for where He has placed me despite the trials I had to overcome to get here. And I tell people around me on the regular … “Have I told you recently how much I love Florida???”

Until next time my friends…

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2011 I Moments

The year 2011 has come to a close and 2012 is already taking flight. What a year 2011 was! Full of moments, both good and bad, that have continued to shape me into the woman I am at the start of January 2012 and the woman I will be years from now. After an engagement shoot this morning, full of warm fuzzies, I was reflecting on what the past year has held for me. I have decided on eleven moments of 2011 to share with you that gave me warm fuzzies about my own life...

1. Seeing Hogwarts

March 2011

For my twenty third birthday my parents bought me a ticket to go experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. To say I was excited would be an understatement. I was gitty for days leading up to the hour that I would walk through the gates that held Hogwarts and all its magic. The hour came. I walked through the gates, saw what was before me, and wept in my sheer awe of the magic that was before me. Everything was as it should be. I spent an entire day traveling to each building, testing the Butter Beer, and soaking up what has only been in my books since I was in the sixth grade. 

(Hogwarts)

2. Graduating with my MBA

May 2011

I AM OFFICIALLY DONE WITH SCHOOL! After graduating with my undergraduate degree in May 2010, I went right into graduate school hoping that completing an MBA in such an intense program would be like ripping a bandaid off, quick and to the point. I did it! I survived! While there were moments that I felt like I had no life outside of school, homework, and working at the Indianapolis Zoo, I made it and couldn't be happier with this accomplishment. To be 23 and have my MBA, I am pleased.

 3. Prague, Budapest, & Vienna

May 2011

I had the privilege to travel overseas again. This time the destination was not one, but THREE different countries. Traveling is something I am passionate about and brings such excitement to my soul. I am like a child at a candy store when I simply walk through the doors of the airport. The time spent in each country was unique to itself. Of course, beer was drunk in Prague, markets were roamed in Budapest, and castle grounds were explored in Vienna. I previously wrote a short blog post on my experience earlier in the year. Click here to check out a more complete look at that two week journey.

4. Elephant Ride

June 2011

After graduating from Anderson University with my MBA I continued to work at the Indianapolis Zoo in the Marketing department. While my experience there was wonderful, one thing stick out among the rest. I got to ride an elephant! Elephants are my favorite animal and one afternoon following an event I had planned for elephant awareness week, the elephant trainers asked me if I would like to hop on Kubwa's back and go for a ride back to the barn. I was floored! Actually, for several minutes I thought they were teasing me. But soon enough I climbed upon her back and went for a stroll...

5. Weddings

June & July 2011

This summer is full of weddings and the same with be true for next summer. I was able to be a part of two of my very best friends big day and what an honor it was to stand with them in front of all of their friends and family to state their vows to each other and to God. 

 

6. Harry Potter

July 2011

July held a final moment for me and some of my high school friends. In July, the final Harry Potter film went onto the big screen. Growing up in high school spending one night a year at a midnight preview of the movies we grew to love only through the writings of J.K. Rowling, was a memorable time. This year we had the privilege to watch the final movie together like 'old times.'

7. New Car

August 2011

I am going to preface this with, 'I have terrible luck with cars.' This summer was full of crazy weather. One of those crazy moments was hail. After the chaos stopped, my poor SUV had several thousands of dollars worth of damage to its once sleek white exterior. Oh no, this was not the first time she had this type of damage, but this was the last straw. Instead of fixing it right away, I took a gander around several used car lots to see what else was out there. I was driving a lot, so something with better gas milage would be nice and that is what I found. I officially bought my first car! I traded my injured SUV in to receive this beauty and wrote a check for the small difference to upgrade my drive. I am now the proud owner of a 2008 Saturn Astra. It was only made for a year and have yet to see the same car driving down the road. I am a happy girl!

8. Wedding Photographer

September 2011

I am a professional now! I have shot my first wedding as a photographer and feel like I can officially call myself a photographer. It is no longer a hobby, but I am a professional. I was the photographer this last September for the Stang wedding in Norwalk, Ohio. It was a blessing and a wonderful experience and have gotten such amazing feedback from the family and other viewers. This was the accomplishment of all accomplishments for me as a professional. I could not be more pleased with the results for this 'first' for me. Click here to get a little preview of the day and all of its beauty.

9. Baby Ella

October 2011

I am an aunt! Well kind of... One of my dearest friends had baby Ella in October and I am now 'Aunt Kortni.' I got to visit when she was just 10 days old and spend some time with the newest and cutest baby and her wonderful mama. Jess has been such a blessing in my life and to be able to be a part of her life during these exciting times in her life is both exciting for me as well as a blessing.

10. Move to Florida

November 2011

At the start of November, I made the seventeen hour trek to Tampa, Florida. I guess you could say I unofficially moved there. I am looking for a job and living with family. I have had a wonderful transition. Getting plugged into a great church and into a great group of people has been such a blessing. I owe a great thanks to Adam & Abby for helping me step by step. While it all has been terrifying, moving 1,000 miles away from my home and comfort zone, it has been something so needed in my life. I am excited to see what is ahead for me in this stage.

11. Family 5K

December 2011

I came home to Indianapolis for Christmas and started my stay off right. My entire family, yes all 5 of us, ran the Santa Hustle downtown Indianapolis at the White River State Park. We were each given a long sleeve shirt, santa beard, and santa hat to complete our look. It was a fun and active time for all of us and ended the race laughing at all of the Santas around and at the cookies that were found at the pit stops around the running course. I recommend this to any others interested for the 2012 run!

That completes my 11 moments of 2011. I must say, I do have even higher expectations for 2012 and am excited to see what journey's lie ahead. I am blessed to have the family and friendships I have in my life. I hope that I never take for granted the wonderful life I have been blessed with and continue to glorify God in my daily life.

I hope you had a wonderful New Year's Eve and brought in 2012 in proper fashion. I know I did! Remember to be thankful. Remember to say I love you. And above all, remember to honor God.