Riblet

So I didn’t have the greatest day off ever, but I came out being thankful in the end. I'm also thankful my mother was in town, or I'm not sure I would've gone into the doctor! I found out I have a locked rib. Hurts to breath, move, cough, but I’m so thankful it didn’t turn out to be a problem with my heart like I thought it was because that's where the pain seems to be located. Just waiting for anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxer to begin working. Back to the doctor Tuesday. Again, just thankful for the doctor’s knowledge of what was wrong. He didn’t need to run expensive tests or X-rays, and hopefully he’ll be able to help get my rib back in place. Until then, my given nickname is now McRib. Riblet is also now added to the list….thanks Victor.

Ice Cream Paint Job

So I took my sister to a movie last weekend and before we went in we decided to leave our huge purses in the car and only take what we needed. While digging around in our gigantic suitcases we call purses and finding everything but what we were looking for I proposed that we have a contest to see which of us had the most random thing in our purse. Being the nice sister I am I let Amanda go first. She peered into her bag, took stock of her ammo, then looked back at me and nonchalantly states: “Hot Wheels.” Then she looks at me with a look like “what you got girl?” I look at her in disbelief until she pulls out three miniature sport cars, two with custom paint jobs. “You win.” Seriously, unless you are a 4 year old boy or a mother of a young boy, you shouldn’t have Hot Wheels in your purse, pocket, or suitcase! But that’s my sister for you. And who has time to paint them??? Apparently my sister’s teachers need to assign her more homework for study hall. Just kidding sister! Love you ~

Skipping Town

So I was chewed out by my cousin Natalie for not blogging…..she’s always good for a swift kick in the butt ;) Thank you dear. I have a lot to be thankful for this past year and I need to make the time to document it for myself!

I had a rough last week. Work was very frustrating, and by Saturday evening I’d had enough~ I feel bad now for those customers who were unfortunate enough to come across me in my last hours of work. JK, I was decent…. I jokingly mentioned hopping in the car and getting out of town in hopes that it would remove me from my bad mood. Surprisingly Victor, my boyfriend, excitedly agreed we should and so we were off right after work. We went to Sioux Falls to do a little Christmas shopping and try a restaurant neither of us had ever tried before.

I entered the Magical world of Best Buy and was able to hold the Canon 5D Mark II in my hands for a few moments in time. *Sigh* ~Drool~...hold on let me clean that up....whatever it's useless, I'll just keep drooling. and saving!!! Victor thought he was going to have to pry the camera body from my hot little hands, but I was able to hand it over under my own power. (Not before I named it, kissed it, and promised it I would return for it!) Harrold’s Camera was fun too, and the people there were so nice! I will definitely go back to do business there as there is not a lot offered in A-town. Artz has always been nice and helpful, but Harrold’s actually had more product to hold and get a feel for before you buy.

Victor and I enjoyed a nice walk on one of the last really nice days in the fall, and I couldn’t resist snapping just a few pics of him. And I see he got one of me…I think I smell a second shooter in the making! WHAT?!?!?!?!?

Discipline Is Remembering What You Want

Discipline is remembering what you want. How true are those words? That is a quote from David Campbell. While it sounds so simple to take in, if you think about it, it's really profound. We all say we want things. We want to lose 10lbs. We want to make more money. We want to a sense of security. etc. How badly do we want those things? Badly enough to remember them on a day to day basis and make ourselves choose to do things that will bring ourselves closer to their reality?

I needed these words today. A simple kick in the butt that would leave a lasting boot impression on my behind! Ya see...... My entire life I have seen myself as "the big girl". All through high school I compared myself to classmates and other girls my age. I constantly tried to stop and thank my Maker for creating me as the person I was, but jealousy seemed to take over more often than I'd like to admit. This year I have made commitments to living a more healthy lifestyle, and enjoying it! This week has been a struggle for me just to go to work. I laaaaaaaaaaackkkkk eeeeennnnerrrrgyyy. I haven't been to the gym at all either. Coincidence? Probably not. I've just told myself..."I'm so tired, tomorrow will be better". but guess what??? It didn't get better. Who'da thunk? So I went. It wasn't my best, it wasn't my worst gym session. But I WENT. I feel good. :)

I remembered what I want. I want to be healthy and live a balanced life. Dragging my butt to the gym is a choice I made today that will help bring myself closer to this reality. Tomorrow's goal....giving up chocolate. What? You believed that? What kind of people are you? ;)

As soon as I got home I snapped a shot of my gym shoes. I want to be a professional photographer. How will I bring myself closer to that goal today? P.R.A.C.T.I.C.E. gulp...yup!

So why am I blubbering on about all this? I am posting this to remind myself. To remind myself what I want. "Tell me what you want, what you really really want!" Ooooohh, so sorry about that. Total flash back to 4th grade and my Spice Girls CD. YIKES! Won't happen again, promise.

This is me all out there. Open, honest, full of flaws. And happy:)

Have you had your miracle today?

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. There other is as though everything is a miracle." ~Albert Einstein

WORD Albert! :)

You can see more little miracles and more pictures of Baby "A" here.

Cody & Kari Engagement

These high school sweethearts will be getting married this October. Congrats you two! I had a great time shooting with you and I have to thank you for being so laid back and fun:)

You can see more of their session here.

~California~

Thank you so much to Victor Martinez and his wonderful family and friends to invited me into their home and made me feel so welcome! Despite having a terrible throat infection and spending 3 hours in Whittier's finest Urgent Care :(, I had a great time getting to see many things that are soooo California. The "happiest place on earth" anyone?? :)

• Dodger game - check (Dodger Dog - check!)
• Disneyland - check
• Ocean - check
• Angels game - check
• The Magic Castle - check (highly recommended!!!)
  
• Watching a Lakers finals game with true fans - check

Thank you again so much to Victor's awesome family: Arla, Lance, Casey, Scott, Isaac, Dylan, Jasmine, Uncle Dave and Uncle Mitch:) Your state is a beautiful place, but getting to meet you guys was the real treat!

Victor - Thank you for; all the planning you did to make the trip so memorable, sitting in Urgent Care with me, putting up with a sick travel buddy, and most of all for showing me a whole new world. :)

America Runs On Dunkin'

Cinnamon Spice to be exact! I don't know where I would be in the morning without my cup of good ol' Dunkin'. Actually, if it hadn't lured me out of bed this morning I would probably still be there. Yikes!

Is this thing on?

Check check....Hello world! Welcome to my little blog about what else....photography! I can't wait to begin sharing my adventures in photography with you so stay tuned...follow....creep....do what ya gotta do! This is more for me than anyone else's benefit, but I hope to meet you back here soon.