Wednesday, April 18, 2012

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.
-km

Sunday, April 15, 2012

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.
-km


Monday, April 9, 2012

Rayl Children I Portraits


The older I get, the more sentimental I get, and seeing these sweet children together just melts my heart. (UhhhhOhhhh.. I may be a basket case mother someday! Hahaha) 

I met Pam & Jason and their two beautiful children when I moved to Tampa in November. They attend Aletheia Tampa, an Acts 29 church that I now am a part of on USF’s campus. I got to know Pam and her kids at play dates during my unemployment days and have enjoyed getting to know her and her family as they have been so welcoming in my transition from Indiana to Florida.

During our shoot…Hugs turned into tickling. Holding hands turned into spinning in circles together. And laying in the grass turned into pure laughter. So here is some more preciousness to melt your heart into mush.







Tampa, Florida
Brady :: 5 years old :: 12.21.06
Shelby :: 3 years old :: 09.08.08

PS. After this shoot I went to the Tax collector’s office to officially change everything Indiana to Florida… I sat for 45 minutes (which was a breeze compared to the time I spent last time), got all of the paper work taken care of, and all that was left was for them to physically check the VIN number on my Saturn. Well it had started raining in a sky of full sun… and long story short, they do not check VIN numbers in the rain…
AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!
AKA. I get to go back for  a third time and then fork over my $400+ dollars. Thank you US government.
Thank you for letting me vent :)

Be looking for more photos to come!
-km

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

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…

-km

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Rayl Children I Coming Soon

So I got to photograph the cutest kids this weekend. Seriously. This is what you always hope your kids will look like. And not only do they have rock star parents, but they are pretty amazing kids themselves. We spent Saturday morning venturing through Tampa, Florida, capturing sweet, sweet moments. Here is one photo to keep you satisfied until the rest are ready.
Enjoy these sweet children :)
-km

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Birthday


It’s been another year! Hopefully I am another year wiser and not just another year older. Somehow, birthdays are getting sweeter and sweeter with every year older. From being little and it’s awkward weather for the “fun” birthday parties, to High school when it is just another day of walking the halls, to college where I spent my day on the beach (my favorite place in all the world) with my best of friends, to now living in sunny Florida and my family being here. I would say the birthdays keep getting better! No sad face in another year gone by and another year older. I am embracing my age, the year, and what I have accomplished at the age of 24. While the last 24 years have not gone according to my plan, I know that God is in control of my life and has a plan for my life that far surpasses the life I thought up in my little head. After all, I wouldn’t be living in Florida, have a photography business, and experienced what I have with my plan in place. I am excited to see what 25, 30, and 40 look like (but no rush!). I hope to enjoy the years and the wrinkles along the way, knowing it was all worth it.

Looking back on some birthdays I just smile and remember what great memories I have made and the wonderful people I have in my life. I am one lucky girl!

 21st Birthday - Maderia Beach, FL
 22nd Birthday - Naples, FL
 23rd Birthday - Tampa, FL
 24th Birthday - Tampa, FL

Cheers the years ahead! Thanks for all the memories and the blessings you have all been in my life. I wouldn’t trade a moment of it.
-km

Thursday, March 8, 2012

February I Instagram


It’s already the second week of March? Are you kidding me!? The month of February seems like a blur. Despite it being the shortest month, it was chopped full of craziness. I captured just sixteen moments via Instagram for fun viewing pleasure. February was great, but March is bound to be even better!
A 4X4 of the month is what that is... 
Beach time
Bun snacks
Serving at Feeding America with Aletheia women
Missing my graham dipping partner (my dad)
Getting Elizabeth addicted to Urban Outfitters before age two 
Colts representation during the Super Bowl in Indianapolis
Baby shower for fabulous Shay
New $10 shoes that were bound to get me hired (and they did!)
Dove chocolate, the only part of February I look forward to
Dirty laundry out of control and therefore, my sock choices to wear to the gym...
Car wash
All geared up to swim with the Manatees
Authentic Mexican food
First day of work!
Desk decor ($1.00 bird and $2.00 bowl)
NeedToBreathe Concert in Ybor


Hope you enjoyed and get excited for March!
Ps. Family here in T minus 36 hours...
PPs. Birthday in one week :)

Lots of Love from the bottom of my heart
-km