I'm leaving on a jet plane...

On my way to the airport off to sip wine, take pictures and RELAX! I have a massage booked at 2:00 in the "Plaza". Doesn't using the "Plaza"make everything sound so grand? "I'm having lunch at the plaza" hahah when I went to NY I was so jazzed to have lunch at the plaza just so I could say that. Unfortunately it was being remodeled into luxury apartment's so I wasn't able to join the cool club of people that lunch at the plaza. Anyhow I gotta get running plane leaves in an hour and a half... I'll make a toast for you my friend's that won't we sitting in gorgeous weather sampling Cabernet Sauvignon ;) See you on the flip side!

The Grass is always Greener

I got this e-mail a little while ago and really enjoyed it...

Someone will always be prettier. Someone will always be smarter.

Some of their houses will be bigger. Some will drive a better car.

Their children will do better in school. And their husband will fix more things around the house.

We must realize we can't have it all,

So let it go, and love you and your circumstances. Think about it!

The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her heart.

And the most highly favored woman on your job may be unable to have children. And the richest woman you know, she's got the car, the house, the clothes might be lonely.

We are taught 'If I have not Love, I am nothing.' So LOVE YOU! Love who you are! Look in the mirror in the morning and smile and say, I am too Blessed to be Stressed and too Anointed to be Disappointed!

Winners make things happen! Losers let things happen!

Be Blessed!!!

It's so true that we all struggle with envy and even jealously at things others may have that we don't. Weather it's possessions, beauty, talent or one of many other things. I always try to remind myself that even though someone may have something I desire I still need to be grateful for all the wonderful things I do have. Hey their might just be someone out there that thinks your pretty great as well and might wish she had some of the things you do!

On this same topic, Liah sent me an article by Jean Thompson that was printed in Allure titled the "Girl of my Dreams" I Love this article!!! I debated actually putting the whole essay up here, but it's too long so here are some pieces of it...

"I saw her again not long ago, while I was waiting for a flight at O'Hare. We were both standing in line for coffee. I was my usual haggard pre-flight self, dressed in athletic shoes, utilitarian black pants, and an oversize linen shirt, already wrinkled. A militant nonchecker of luggage, I was sweating under the bulky weight of my carry-ons.

The Girl I Always Wanted to Be wore a summery white blouse and skirt, cinched with a slim gold belt. She carried a ladylike straw clutch which matched her espadrilles. (My own handbag, selected for its storage capacity, looked and felt as if it were stuffed with rocks.) On her wrists were dainty bracelets; around her neck, some sparkly chains. Most telling of all, the Girl I Always Wanted to Be ordered her coffee and strolled off with it in an amused, leisurely fashion, as if travel were an adventure to be enjoyed, as if it were to be expected that you pulled your look together for the occasion, and that fretting over how to pack
miniaturized toiletries into TSA-approved containers was for lesser mortals.

Now, one vital characteristic of the Girl I Always Wanted to Be is that she is a stranger, momentarily glimpsed. For all I know, the girl in the airport arrived at her destination bereft of her luggage, stamping her well-shod foot in baggage claim, and calculating how long she could manage without buying new underwear. That's not the point.

There's a combination of appearance, attitude, and circumstances that, for a powerful, unwilled moment, makes us want to be someone else. It's different from ordinary envy of, say, catalog models or celebrities. Different also from that mainstay of advertising the pairing of products with desirable scenarios, i.e., if only I could be that happy, attractive person drinking Coke or driving a Lexus. And when it comes to the accomplishments of accomplished women, I'd like to think that I admire them without any dark complications of motive. But the Girl I Always Wanted to Be involves wistfulness, an awareness of our own insecurities, identity as it can be conveyed by style and, perhaps, a sense of possibilities."

"A second truth about TGIAWTB is that she changes over time, mutates along with our chronological age and the prevailing culture. Think about the phase, or phases, you went through when you ardently wished to be called by a different name. In second grade I determined that the most perfect, most mellifluous name in the world belonged to my classmate Lana Joy Jacobs, who took tap-dancing lessons. (Hi, Lana Joy! How did life turn out?) Later I wanted to be Cindy or Candy. (Think cheerleader. Think plaid.) Later still, coming of age in the 1960s, maybe Yasmina or Shenandoah.

In time I came to terms with my own noncommittal monosyllable, to which no nickname has ever adhered. Just as when we get older we tend to make peace with ourselves, inside and out, or else go for the big transformation-the sex-change operation or religious conversion. But the impulse to change, rearrange, or perfect stays with us, fueling entire industries. There's a balance between self-improvement and self-acceptance that we each have to find for ourselves."

I know that was still long but I just had to share this! How many times have you seen that "Girl I always wanted to be"? What was it about her that made you wish to be her? In what ways can you draw strength and love for ourselves by admiring TGIAWTB? I love thinking about things like this. I loved this article because it made me aware of my own feelings when I look at that girl I've always wanted to be and instead of feeling bad I'm not her it makes me appreciate myself even more. Sure I'd still Die to have that tiny waist and Hermes handbag but I'm just as happy in my own skin with my fake Prada from canal street! ;)

Amari + Chase Sneak Peak...

I've been a busy girl this weekend!

Here's a little sneak peak of a shoot I did with Chase and my godson Amari.

Stay tuned ... more to come!!!

Call the Exterminator!!!

Back when I was taking Chase's guitar pictures we noticed this little guy walking across the carpet.

And what did my little guy do???Run away crying? Jump in my lap and scream like a girl Eeewww spider? Nah not my tough guy, he ran into the kitchen and came back with this...

The Ultimate Spider Catcher!

Hahah where do they come up with these things? I was laughing so hard while still trying to catch on camera his excitement over his spider hunting expedition. Because I was laughing he decided to turn the ham on...

Beware little creepy crawlers Spider Hunter Chase is on the job!

** No spiders were harmed in the making of this photo shoot! =) **

"A Love story for your Life"

Randy Pausch is one of my hero's! If you have not already heard of him or watched Randy's last lecture do so immediately! Inspirational is the least I can say about this man. I've watched his famous lecture, caught him on Oprah, ordered his book and am counting down to tonight's interview with Diane Sawyer. I am brought to tears almost every time I listen to him. Just knowing this great man will soon no longer be with us and that his children will soon lose their father breaks my heart to no end. The lesson's Randy teaches are one's that everyone must hear especially parents. Sure he may not be the coolest guy, sure he may not be the most eloquent speaker but his message is one of living your dreams, enabling the dreams of others, integrity and having fun! GREAT life lessons!

"The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough."

You can watch Randy's video for yourself here.
His Blog

Back on the Block

OMG flash back to 4th grade, I'm 10 years old and on hold with ticket master for what seem like hours. My mom said if I wanted to go I'd have to be the one to sit on hold, apparently she had better things to do with her time!

For what you say???

Only the original best boyband EVER! And ... wait for it ....... they are BACK!!! You heard right the New Kids are back! We'll have to wait and see if they're better than ever since the haven't sung in public yet but never the less I am excited. Hahaha!

Let me clarify though I was not one or those obsessed girls that scream and faint and buy everything band related. I bought the cd's and went to the concert and that was it! Ok wait maybe I did start a little fan club with my friends Aileen and Kelly, but we were cool! My friend Amanda had her whole room NKOTB even her comforter and pillows! They were BIG time with the elementary girl crowd. I liked Jordan and my favorite song was "If you go away girl"! Welcome back guys !!!

I have now officially cemented my dork status! ;)

Totally Tubular

A couple of Saturday's ago my friend Liza & I took our boy's up to Snoqualmie pass to the tubing area. We had been planning this trip since December but anytime we where free to go the weather was lousy. Boy am I glad we waited because the conditions were perfect when we finally did make it up. We all had a ton of fun both tubing down the huge hill and also just running around planning in the snow. I was too chicken to bring my camera to the actual tube hill but I did get some good shots before and after the session.

Chase & My Godson Dennis

Dennis' Brother JJ

Dennis with his HUGE "snowball"

My personal favorite! My little snowbunny!

I hadn't been tubing since I was a little girl and we used to have to walk up the huge tubing hill. Now they have pulleys that bring you back up! That turned out to be awesome, I was a little worried about how we were going to get the little guys up the hill each time so the pulley was great. I think Chase actually enjoyed the leisurely ride up the hill better than the fast "scary" one down it.

After our session was over we played in the snow for an hour before chase was done. I changed his clothes and then we pulled up close to where the boys were playing. Here's a few of Chase in the car...

Posing for mommy

Watching out the window

The bossy control freak yelling orders out the window

The other two boys continued playing for at least another hour maybe two until the sun was almost completely gone and it got freezing. 40minutes later, one gas stop and two drive thru windows we were home. WE had soooo much fun the kids loved it can't wait till we go again!

What are your Cravings?

I saw this at the gas station and made my brother take a picture with his phone. Hahaha he was embarrassed because I'm such a dork!

What are some of the yummy things you crave?

*** Come on guys! None of you have craving? How about when your PMSing or even when you were pregnant? I guess i'm the only little piggy***