I have always had big goals and big dreams career-wise. I mean, I wanted to be the next Katie Couric for crying out loud. I decided i hated the media world (because of the exact tunnel vision that is so evident in today's media) but kept going to get a degree in mass media/writing and publishing. I wondered for a year, then I found a job.

And then somewhere along the way, I settled. Maybe settled isn't the right word. I became comfortable is a better statement. I had a job that paid decent money and wasn't hard. I used my degree sometimes in my work, and for me, that was okay. Comfortable.

But over the past year or so, I have come to the realization that I don't want to look back in 20 years and regret not taking the chance to really make a living from photography. I don't want Reagan to ask me why I never made a go of it. It's always been a hobby, one that slowly turned into a small business, but I want more. I have been working really hard, learning so much, and investing so much time. I think it is starting to pay off, both in clients and confidence.

My five-year plan is to be a full-time photographer. Full-time. Like a work-at-home momtographer. I want to be able to work and have happy clients and make a good income to help support our family, but still be able to take an afternoon off to go to Reagan's field trips and make treats for her class. I want to be the annoying mom who volunteers for PTO, only to organize a huge school photo for their hallway every year.

Goals. That's what I have. Big goals again. And it feels so good.