Happy New Year’s Eve!
It seems like just yesterday we were all bracing for the year 2000, and whether or not there would be a global meltdown!
I hope you had a fantastic Christmas and youre getting ready for New Years! This past weekend I am reflecting and thanking the good Lord for everything He has blessed us with here at TMD, and in my personal life! I am simply amazed and so incredibly grateful not only to the Lord that provided so many open doors, but also to you, those that love and support me and “like” pictures and good news on facebook and twitter! Yall have no idea how much that warms my heart!
So here’s how the year went down:
We started 2012 off with our first printed ad in Weddings in Houston hitting the shelves and our “Rustic Elegance” editorial feature in VIP magazine.
Then our first Houston open house with Two Be Wed and LoveLee Photography at the Belvedere in Uptown Park in February.
We published our first e-magazine!
We were blessed to do two room reveals with two of our sweet couples! Our first was with Haeley and Joel .
We were invited to do floral for BHLDN’s holiday card preview .
We got to meet Lara Casey (ahh!) and attended her Making Things Happen intensive in Austin! Im such a big fan of Lara’s and her amazing take on life is such an incredible inspiration! She taught me to focus on really matters! I cant wait to see what I learn next year with the 2013 tour!
We were also able to upgrade our ad with Weddings in Houston magazine to a HALF PAGE ad! So exciting!
We are so humbled to have had many publications both on national blogs and in print, and also the front page of the Beaumont Enterprise! Here’s screen shots of those amazing blessings!
I also like to make goals at the beginning of the year that I work hard to meet or atleast give my all in trying, one of those goals was to book 2 weddings in Houston, as I had begun my advertising in Houston, and continued to nurture business relationships with amazing vendors. That all being said, God opened many doors and that goal was blown out of the water to 9 of our 18 weddings being in Houston!
We also grew from 3 weddings in 2010 to 10 in 2011 to 18 this year!! Wow! I am so grateful! Here’s a shot from each one!
Two days ago I came across an amazing downloadable from The {well} Summit! Check out their website its amazing! This is the perfect way to really think about all the amazingness that was 2012! See my answers below!
The {well} Summit
- 5 accomplishments in life:
- Since before hubby and I got married I said I wanted to renew our vows on our 5 year anniversary, and thats exactly what we did, where we honeymooned- La Jolla, California back in March!
- Finally made it to my senior year of college, after taking off 3 years, and changing my major a million times, I can finally see the light!
- After completing the Making Things Happen intensive, I’ve worked very hard with “turning off” work when the husband gets home so that he gets the attention he deserves.
- I also acknowledged a very personal and painful piece of my past with a close loved one, and finally began to heal from it (Thanks Lara, Gina, and Emily!).
- I’ve taken the first steps in finally listening to the Lord and something He has been calling me to do, Im starting a small Bible study with a few of my students! I cant wait to see how we all grow together! (Thank you so much for the advice- you know who you are!)
- 5 people of influence in my life (Only 5?!!):
- My husband (theres too much I can say about how he influences me daily, thank you love)
- Ashley Behn (You’ve always believed in me, from that frantic first email years ago!)
- Natalie Dawley (you are such an incredible Christian woman, Im so blessed that you are such an integral part of my life, and that I can call you a mentor!)
- Kay Beard (oh my goodness, I could listen speak about the Lord for hours and hours, Im so grateful to have met you through BSF, and I know I can always call you with anything.
- Terilyn Brown (I have no idea what made yall request to rent that chair, or like my page, or want to start a friendship with me, but Im grateful you did. You {and Koby} have given me so many projects and images to be so proud of! Thanks for making me “step up”!)
- 5 Places I went:
- California for our vow renewal
- Shreveport for regional finals with Adfed (school advertising club I’m in)
- Washington D.C. for Adfed again
- Houston (a million times!)
- Kendalia, Texas to the Brown Ranch, where a fantastical wedding will take place (yes thats a new word I made up!)
- 5 Ways I served:
- Teaching and attempting to subtly mentor the girls I teach
- Decorated for the Hope Women’s Resource Clinic annual charity gala
- Made toiletry kits for LOVE Lunch sack ministry
- We hosted our Sunday School class Christmas party
- I’ve begun the first steps in starting a small Bible study for some teen girls I teach.
- 5 ways God provided: (goodness, only 5 again?!)
- He provided the means for us to renew our vows in California and bring along our dear friends Emily and Russ
- He continued to provide a stable job for K, a roof over our head, a warm bed to sleep in, our health so we could work hard, the means to pay our bills, this list could go on and on.
- He provided some financial reimbursement from an accident I was in last year, and we were able to put it on our savings!
- Continues to bless me with an awesome, loving, supportive, and passionate husband and best friend
- He provided safety for thousands and thousands of miles we both traveled together and apart from here and there!
- 5 Accomplishments in business:
- Designed the first editorial shoot held in the brand new Chateau Cocomar, that resulted in being added to their Preferred Vendor list.
- Began charging more appropriately to compensate for the passion and dedication I put into each bride’s big day, and also help support our family.
- Invited to do some editorial styling for Weddings in Houston magazine (which is ultimately what I dream to do full time!)
- Pushed myself harder than before to further the design and floral in hopes to give each bride and groom a unique experience with TMD.
- I realized that even though I so badly want to produce the caliber of weddings seen from David Tutera, Colin Cowie, and Preston Bailey, and other vendors in our market, that I’ve only been doing this for 3 years, and Im only 25! I have SO much to learn and a long way to go, but man I have accomplished a lot in these 3 years, and Im dang proud of it!
- Fears I overcame:
- Producing the photo shoot at Chateau Cocomar.
- Charging! To compensate for my time, designs, time away from K, passion, dedication, and making TMD an actual business not a hobby.
- Saying no to opportunities that just take time and focus away from what really matters.
- Working with Weddings in Houston magazine and their stylist of many years for a 27 hour (2 day) photo shoot for their new issue.
- Deciding to participate in my first Houston wedding show, and designing eye-catching booth display.
- Best Projects:
- Weddings in Houston magazine shoot
- Literary Shoot at Chateau Cocomar with Archetype
- Outdoor boudoir shoot with Archetype
- Round Top “Treasure Your Love” with Christa Elyce Photography and Two Be Wed.
- 5 distractions:
- Other people’s work and accomplishments
- My crazy mind, no warning when a new idea will hit!
- TMD when its time to be a wife at the end of the day!
- 5 Things Im thankful for:
- My Lord and Savior and His patience with me and grace and the many blessings He gives us each day.
- The husband! How can I not be- he knows what hydrangeas, lisianthus, peonies, seeded eucalyptus are, can make boutonnieres, centerpieces, and can tie a darn good chair bow!
- Our marriage. When K returned home from Iraq 7 months after our wedding, we began praying together in the mornings and at night- on our knees by our bed holding hands. This is the biggest and best blessing for our marriage.
- The growth of my business and the opportunities that have come my way.
- Our health. Physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually so that we can both work as hard as we do together and separately in our day to day lives.
My heart is so full after doing this worksheet, I encourage you to do it as well! Go to their website and download, and post it somewhere so you can remember what God has done for you!
Thank yall so much for supporting, loving, encouraging, and “liking” me on this crazy journey called life! I am so ready for 2013 its not even funny! Open heart, open mind, and open arms!
See yall on the flip! Happy New Year!
xoxo, Tamara