New Year’s seems to be all about anticipation and resolutions. While 2012 was not without it’s challenges, the year as a whole was nothing short of amazing. It was most definitely a year of learning and growing.

Continuing to work an extra job in addition to running my photography business so that Alix could go back to school proved to be one of the most difficult personal decisions to manage. It taught me a lot about time management and work/life balance—two of the biggest things I want to continue to work on professionally in 2013.

Personally the past year with Avery has been full of joy and challenges and wonder and learning and love. I want to continue to try to be the best husband and father than I can be for my family. Sure I’ll work on eating better and exercising regularly but those are things that nearly everyone wants to do and they’re certainly important to me, but my definition of success is much more about being happy in my business and successful in my marriage and family.

Lastly I want to be more “present” in the moment. This is a big one for me as I often feel like I’m being pulled in ten different directions that need my attention. I want to get back to a more focused approach to everything that really let’s me more fully appreciate the time, tasks and people in my life. That means less cell phone and Internet browsing, less multi-tasking and more attention to the things that are really important.

I have very high hopes for 2013 and I’m ready for what this year holds. A happy New Years to you and yours. I hope this year holds a lot of hope for you as well.

A letter to my daughter for her first birthday:

To my sweetest Avery,

It’s nearly 1:00am. Like most nights you and your mom are fast asleep and have been for hours, and like most nights I’m wide awake with the wheels still turning. Many nights I often have trouble stopping my mind from racing long enough to sleep and tonight is certainly no exception.

The thoughts that keep me up tonight are all related to you and this past year. This time last year we were in the hospital, your mom was in terrible labor pains and we couldn’t believe we’d be meeting you soon.

We were very excited and also very scared. We couldn’t wait to hold you and see what you looked like but we were also afraid we weren’t ready for the challenges of parenthood that lay ahead. I think that’s normal for any new parent but that didn’t help us feel any easier in the moment.

Little did we know that you would be the best thing to ever happen to us. This past year has taught me a great deal about being a parent but its also taught me about being a better man and a better husband (two things I’m working on daily for you and your mom).

The past year hasn’t been without struggles. I’ve had to be more patient, compassionate and understanding. I’ve learned that there are going to be constant trials both internally and externally that we’ll have to face as a family, some smaller than we’ve ever dealt with but many much bigger.

I can wholeheartedly say that you’re worth every bit of it though. My heart is more full than it has ever been and it continues to grow every day with each smile, hug or kiss you give me.

I still can’t believe it’s been one year but if the rest of our lives are even half as good as things are now then I’ll consider us blessed. Something tells me things are just going to keep getting better though. I know this is only the beginning.

“Sweet dreams sweetheart. Daddy loves you so so much.”

Happy 1st birthday Avery Grace.

With love,
Dad

“It takes courage to push yourself to places that you have never been before… to test your limits… to break through barriers. And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” - Anais Nin

2013 is the year I really push the envelope. I’m looking forward to letting go of the self-imposed obligations and fears so that my vision and voice can shine through in my work. I’m excited to push myself harder than I ever have before.

At the conclusion of this stretch I’m feeling exceptionally thankful and grateful for having a roof over our heads and food on the table, a warm bed to sleep in and the ability to enjoy the simple and basic things in life. I know we often overlook these things but many don’t have what we have. Being appreciative of life’s basics is a task I really want to work on moving forward. “There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everting is a miracle.” — Einstein

I’m thankful for all the little things that remind me to slow down and appreciate life.

I’m thankful for friends—they’re family we get to choose. 

I’m thankful for music. Music to me is motivation and inspiration. Music got me through the most difficult times in my life. It was my therapy. It was able to express how I was feeling when I couldn’t. It helped me to understand. It was how I coped. In a good song there is such a profound message that gets delivered in such a concise way. A great song stirs the soul. It’s no exaggeration when I say that there are songs that have changed my life. I hope music moves others the way it moves me. It’s such a beautiful and profound thing that I hope everyone can experience.

I’m thankful for unanswered prayers. I very much believe that everything happens for a reason even if I don’t understand those reasons in the moment (or ever). I’ve learned to relinquish any semblance of control or knowledge, relying instead on doing the best I can each and every day I’ve given and submitting to the bigger plan. It’s not always easy but often times the things that are best for you never are.  

I’m thankful for hopes and dreams and the motivation they instill within me. The future is very bright. 

I’m thankful for my Lehmann family. They came into my life 10 years ago and have been an incredible blessing. On this day I’m especially thankful for my grandparents, Fred and Grace, and the time we get to spend together with them. They are some of the most wonderful people you could ever hope to meet and it warms my heart to know that Avery will be able to grow up and know her great-grandparents (Avery’s middle name was chosen in honor of my grandmother Grace after all).