JANUARY I finally dove into Photoshop after digging in my heals for years . . . this was my first full edit in PS.

FEBRUARY I took the girls to our church to channel their inner Lindsey Stirling with their violins.

MARCH It was a bitter cold month of winter in Chicago and we did not venture out or go far.

APRIL I was finally getting comfortable in PS! And we popped out for some spring weather.

MAY Tried my hand at free lensing! Still adore this image. Spring was late this year and we were finally able to get outdoors and enjoy some fresh air everyday. We hatched some chicks and wrapped up school.

JUNE I was enjoying the summer after a long, rough year of home educating three children. I made the decision to move ahead and only homeschool the girls; a sad, but good one. The girls and I spent a week in very hot Kentucky at a sleep away camp with our troop, not something I want to do again (but guess who is? and hosting her very own camp as the director, pray for me!).

JULY We attended local fairs and carnivals and thoroughly enjoyed a lovely hot July. I took a large number of images this month and looking back, sadly, edited very few.

AUGUST We finished up our summer with more fun and sun and back to school. The girls were back to the academy mid month and my son went to private school at the end of the moth for the first time in three years. I was sad, but oddly, the days run much smoother with him out of our new homeschool classroom.

I also said yes to a client and took some images of a newly engaged couple. I loved how they turned out! I usually tell everyone no as I am just too busy. I need to stop doing that because I had a great time!

SEPTEMBER I was neck deep in home educating my girls, helping out at the academy, volunteering at my son's school and working! And we hatched some quails! They are so cute! But brutal little beasts when fully grown!

OCTOBER We were feeling the fall weather arrive and I was loving the colors. We spent some time at our favorite apple orchard again. We headed out for a beach vacation and all had a wonderful time.

NOVEMBER Came in with a storm of cold air that surprised us all. We nearly froze over Thanksgiving whilst visiting family. But celebrated with joy and thankfulness for a wonderful year.

DECEMBER Came quickly and went just as quickly. I was ill prepared and really not in the mood to be bothered with Christmas this year. (How sad is that?) The girls finished up their semester at the academy with perfect report cards and we are all taking a much needed break from home educating. They had several orchestra recitals and played at the midnight service on Christmas Eve at our church. This photo below here, one of five that I took on Christmas morning . . . that is it! I'm thinking I was sort of a scrooge this year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I can't believe it is 2015 already!