Summer time just screams vacation-brain doesn’t it?  I can honestly say that this year is the first time in about 4 years that I have allowed my brain to go into that mode.  It’s sad to say it, but oh so true.  I have been so concerned with getting this business up and running I really have not let my mind slow down.

Well Key West did it to me.  Ever since shooting Sarah & Beni’s wedding down there I have not been able to get back on track.  Vacation-brain is in full effect…that mixed with the fact that summer’s are TORTURE for parent’s of small children, this blog has been put on the back-burner…kind of sad, but it is pretty low on the totem pole when there is so much else to take care of.

But I couldn’t resist…this is what’s been happening around here:

Joe and I got to work and escape 2 weekends ago on the tiny island of Key West.

We slept, got to work out WHENEVER WE WANTED, ate, biked the whole island, ate some more, got late night snacks…oh wait…did I already mention eating?!?

Key West has some AMAZING food.  It has a little too much party-time for our taste, as well as the sweat factor is worse than Houston (never thought I would say that one)…but it is a cute little island, with awesome people, everyone knows eachother and can tell you all about the other, incredibly walkable and oh ya, did I mention great food?

It is not a beach town…it is a port town…go there if you want to fish and waterski…and eat.

So, thank you Sarah & Beni for the “excuse” to get away to the Keys!  We had a fabulous time!

What a great time to get away with my man.  We so needed it and were sooo thankful for the helping hands in watching our boys to make it happen!

Being a person who does not turn my brain off is both a blessing and a curse.  It makes me driven.  It also makes me forget what is really important in life.  Joe and I can honestly say this has been the hardest year of our marriage.  I know I spoke to that effect on our 6 year anniversary blog, but really I cannot hide it..nor do I want to.  Being a wedding photographer allows us the most amazing opportunity to get to be with new couples.  We have the amazing blessing of pouring into their engagement and LOVE to do so.  It is a blessing for them and a blessing for us in return…God is so good at that.

I love being vulnerable with all of my couples.  Joe and I are always real and candid.  Why wouldn’t we be…our marriage is not perfect…no marriage is…Joe and I are both human…and he sees ALL of my faults.  It really sucks…but it is really cool because he sees them, he still sticks with me and he CHOOSES to love me throughout.

I love that story.  I love that he chooses me and I choose him.  I am so thankful for our boys…but our boys will leave one day…Joe never will…we promised eachother that…and promise which we now know can be easily broken…we have seen that light this year and understand why people choose other paths other than staying together.

But here we are…learning as we go.  Remembering what is important…which is not a pesky blog.

I am so thankful for Joe.  Joe chose me.  I chose him. We will make this work…one day at a time!

And seriously…how could I ever allow a guy to get away from me that is willing to do silly videos like the one we forgot to post yesterday…so enjoy:

We love you Sarah & Beni!! from Kelly Hornberger on Vimeo.