One of THOSE posts... Sneak Peek!!!

So, if you couldn't tell, I'm still busy.

I'm sorry. I really suck.

Anyway, here is what I've been up to. I had a huge headshot job out in Missouri. So I flew out there for 5 days and snapped my little heart away, taking pictures of what I KNOW will be up and coming actors and actresses on Broadway and Television. These students were absolutely amazing. It was so fun taking headshots for them.

I have also had families contacting me for Christmas card family shoots.

So I've been in my editing dungeon... alot.

But... remember my crush? Well at 10 days old we decided, as in his mom and me and my creative genius SIL (Mandi Wright), to give him a newborn baby shoot. There are SOOOOO many pictures. But I did finally up date my photography blog with some of the pictures of him that I loved.

Here is a sneak peek:

If you want to see some of the other ones click HERE to go to my photography blog.  FYI, I haven't updated that blog for over a year.  I had someone tell another someone to check me out, so they jumped on my blog and reported back to them that, "She hasn't updated her blog for over a year!"  Apparently that was a turn off.  So I am repenting and will be posting there often with families and headshot shoots I have been doing for the past year and a half!  Catch up and procrastination are two things I'm often found doing.

Next post... my story that involves a police officer, me, and late registration plates.

I want to try something new for Thanksgiving whether it be a new tradition such as playing or doing something... or a new recipe?  Any ideas?

Love,

Courage, Faith, and ALS.

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but simply moving on with dignity despite that fear."

Pat Riley

We have found out that one of my BIL's, one we are extremely close to, has Lou Gehrig's disease. News like this hits you hard in the gut. I thought after my sister's baby son's death that I wouldn't be able to cry for years and years, and then one Saturday you are innocently snuggling with your husband and you get a phone call that makes you cry all day long on and off and into the next few days. Then again when you see him. Then again when you see his wife. And on and on and on.

When I found out, my first thought was, "Well how do we beat it." Like it was cancer or something one might be able to win or overcome (might being the important word there). Unfortunately Lou Gehrig's disease or medically known as, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, is still a phantom disease. They STILL don't know much about it. What causes it, how to prevent or stop the process. You slowly lose control of your muscular function until you no longer have movement at all. Your mind and heart remain 100% healthy through the process. Eventually or most choke to death. They do have medication that may or may not slow down the process but for everyone it is different. In most cases, after diagnosis, the person inflicted with the disease has 2-5 years to live. Some have lived longer, some shorter, again, everyone is different. BUT, one never knows maybe he will be the one that lives a very long time. Maybe he won't? The frustrating thing is... you just don't know, know one can tell you... or predict... or anything.

So he lives, day to day. Because right now he is fine besides the few ticks that won't stop. He has his Bucket List. He has his family. He savors his time with them. And life and work continue... until they can't any longer.

From what I have gathered and from what he has said, my BIL does not worry about death, what he worries about is his family, after he passes on, financially and spiritually. He knows and BELIEVES that he will be okay, and that his time away from his family will be short. He KNOWS that his family down here will be the ones where time goes by slower and they will miss him for much longer than he will miss them.

I was sitting in church that Sunday, the weekend we found out, and all of a sudden I thought, "Testing your faith is having to face a loved ones mortality." I don't know why I thought of this, but it seemed accurate to me. His family and him are strong in their faith. They believe in families being forever. They believe the gospel, they have faith that this is Heavenly Father's Plan for them. They are incredible.

If one doesn't really and truly believe and have faith, from what I know in THIS GOSPEL, then facing death is fear inducing and faith breaking.

Although having faith and being strong can still include crying about it, and being scared about it, and not always being okay with it... because we are human, and we feel, and as much as we believe we don't always have all the answers down here, so we soak up what we have and we gather our COURAGE and our DIGNITY to put one foot in front of the other until we find out the rest.

Hope you all have a good Sunday!

Love,

K-nocks...

Like I said last weekend we went to a family reunion on my husbands side!

I camped... that says a lot and re-iterates that it was my husbands side of the family... they are campers...(There's some fine print for ya!)

But seriously... it was a KOA, it had showers and toilets and a pool... I can't complain.

Anyway... I LOVE my nieces and nephews on both sides of the family and I never get to see enough of any of them. But today I'm highlighting one of the coolest little boys you will ever meet!

Meet my Nephew K-NOCKS...

the kid is a walking delight. There is no way you can hang out with him and not instantly crush on him... seriously, I'm hooked. Even when he screamed for a good 20 minutes because he didn't want to go to bed I still wuv wuv wuv him.

You dig?
So we took enough video of him that most would think he is our third child...but NO, we just think he's really cool! :)

Now look at what we captured during the reunion of the little guy...

Here he is swimming:


Here he is trying to knock down one of those punchy bag blow up things... at first the punch bag thing is winning, but K-Nocks wins in the end!


This video makes me laugh of my niece...she looks like one of those zero gravity videos you see the astronauts do... where they can't quite seem to control what's happening to them...


LOL!

So this is my question for you guys today... did the way I "camped" (we were in a tent mind you) qualify as "roughing it" if I'm not a regular camper? Or do I have to poo and pee in nature? Just wondering.

Random Thought Friday for tomorrow... so get your best Random Thought out let's see whose thought makes us LOL and ROFL and LMBO!!! There were MANY last week... but if you're friends with me, there is an infinite number of random thoughts going through your brain, and it's okay if they all don't make sense... let them out in my comment box!

Until Friday!

Love,

If you don't mind keeping him in you prayers

See this little beauty! He's a tough guy. He's minutes old and holding his head up looking around...

He's my new nephew!

We just found out not an hour ago that one side of his heart is over compensating for the other side of his heart and him and his daddy are being life flighted up to a big hospital where they will be performing surgery on him.

I sit here with tears streaming down my face... and a prayer chanting over and over in my heart. It's my youngest sisters baby... she delivered him not even 12 hours ago all natural with no medicine... it took them TWO years and a lot of struggle and heartache to finally get this little tough guy here...

I had another post ready for today... was working on it when I got this news.

So if you will just keep him in your prayers today?

Lots of love guys.

I'm NOT here, but look at my NEW crush!!!

I KNOW I'm not here.

HA! Totally tricked you, cause I'm NOT here. I put my Auto Robot on assignment.

But if I were here.

I would show you my new crush...

Locks of Love has already asked him to DONATE his hair.

I'm such a good photographer I got him to look straight into the camera... either THAT or he happened to open his eyes because he was naked and cold, either way...

And he smelled so good... can I just tell you!

So I fell instantly in love.

And look at those feet... oh my GOSH, look at those cute itty bitty feet!

I would tell you my new NEPHEW's name... but it's HIGHLY classified and if I told you then I'd have to kill you... and I like you guys to much! :)

*comments are off for this post because I KNOW how adorable he is. But if you feel the URGENT need to comment, scroll down to the next post and give me your BEST random thought... and I'll twitter it to make you famous!

Splash Mountain is deceitful!

I'm going to go ahead and show you that I'm not always perfect.

That I don't always have it all together... cause I KNOW that is how you think about me.

That Splash Mountain RIde is deceitful... and I don't know how I feel about that, being that it was at Disneyland.

You start off and everything is happy and makes you feel all warm inside. Then as you progress further into the ride the music gets creepier and the atmosphere gets darker... it's not fun anymore... no MR. NICE BEAR and RABBIT.  TOTALLY DECEITFUL!!!

Then you hit your first Drop... not the BIG one... but a medium size one... and if you are sitting inside the first 3 seats... and have a 6'4" 260 pound mostly-muscle-retired-college football player behind you adding more weight to the boat.  You'll get DRENCHED! 

Then you hit the BIG KAHUNA!!! I'm not gonna lie... it scared me.  My poor little girl!

OH!  And make sure you wear shorts that don't dry and look like you have peed your pants.

Just saying.


OH! and also OPEN your eyes on the drop or you'll look like a goof ball for your INFAMOUS picture! :)

Bet you don't know which one is me!!!  Love ya guys... hope your weekend was FUN!

One hair cut is NOT like the others...

I want to blame my kids sense of humor... his quirky, ridiculous, need-to-make-people-laugh sense of humor on my husband.

But that TOTALLY comes from me.

DCar has had his cousins down here this week.

They are all attending a soccer camp.

(YES, for those of you who have been with me for that long... the BRITISH SOCCER CAMP... the same one I stalked last year because it was necessary for me to soak up their wonderful accents. This year I didn't stalk though... I was twittering, working a real job, and blogging... my life is HARD! :)

And so on Tuesday they come home and announce that it is CRAZY HAIR day the next day.  So my older sister gives them the brilliant idea of shaving their heads however they would like.

My son thought this was the coolest thing EVER.  She pretty much walks on water to him now.

So I told my husband he was on Crazy Hair Shaving duty and I sat and watched So You Think You Can Dance.

And then out walks my little, sweet, crazy-nut, boy... and his two cousins.

Which one is NOT like the others???

Z (on the right) wanted a lighting bolt... E. (in the middle) just a mohawk. But my guy... just wait...

wait for it...
DCar's brilliant idea:  "Dad, I want to look like an OLD MAN with a Mohawk... ooohhh yea" he says as he swings his hips around and circles his arm over his head like a cowboy!

I couldn't see through the tears I was laughing so hard!  I probably should be very afraid for the future of that kid... but I'll think about that after I stop laughing!

Join Candid Carrie this week and see who else is playing in Friday Foto Finish Fiesta!!!

Love,

P.S. Check me out THE REAL WORLD VENUS vs. MARS today also... and I DON'T want to know if your husband isn't like this, it wouldn't be nice.

Thing I learned while at Disneyland...with pictures

Things I learned while at Disneyland... with pictures, but they don't necessarily go along with what I'm saying... and what I'm saying is not in any way, shape, or form in order.

1. Never be on a Diet change your way of life if going to Disneyland... the popcorn and cinnamon get you every time.

2.  Learn that if you want any pictures of yourself... you have to take them yourself-- then try not to go OVERBOARD... oops!

3.  Tell daughter who is TERRIFIED of any fast big ride that the rules at Disneyland say, "If a young child cries on this ride they have to go twice". (My guys doing not MINE BTW)

4.  Hey!  She didn't cry... 

5.  And when we were in line and she saw a little boy crying she looked at me and said, "OH! Mommy that boy has to go twice!"-- it made us laugh for like 5 minutes while waiting in line.

6. lines suck. 

6a.  Especially waiting an hour and a half for Splash Mountain which makes my belly jump in my throat... and gets me soakin wet! Wear something that dries fast... or sit in the back of the log.  

***Yes, I'm part Vampire and sparkle in the sun... now you know my secret!  Note my nephew in the back... he's a little nervous I think! hahahaha!

7.  California HS Senior Days suck.

8.  California Screamin' is so freaking fast, twisty, and free fall-n-ee that you can't really scream cause your throat is in your stomach and your stomach is where your throat should be.

9.  Hollywood Tower of Terror made me have to pee...

10.  No worries, I didn't pee my pants.  Plus I just told everyone I had just been on Splash Mountain... I think they bought it!

11.  You realize while people watching that there are DEFINITELY people worse off than you.

12.  Sorry... that was mean, but true.

13.  Sitting down and watching the HILLY BILLY show at the ice cream sundae place was my favorite part of the day... that's just sad.

14.  Ice Cream Sundae's suck when you are changing your way of life on a diet!

***Please take note of guy in FRONT... hahahaha!

15.  After fixing "It's a Small World ride" it still grate's on your nerves even when it sings it in different languages... that happens to be one of PeePs favorite rides... besides TeaCups.  (Guess who got to do that with her... TWICE)

16.  It's definitely worth breaking someone's leg to get to use the Wheel Chair entrance... just saying...

17.  When shining your pearly whites at the Disney Employee it will put him under a compulsion to give you a GET RIGHT BACK ON SPACE MOUNTAIN PASS after you just went... that's right, you get to walk RIGHT UP TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE...

18.  Space Mountain is still my favorite ride.

***Sorry, you KNOW I had to put this in here... okay, let's continue!

19.  Stop at EVERY bathroom you see... you never know when you will see one again!

20.  When your sister tells you that her and her family are going to Disneyland... definitely CRASH their party for two days... it was a completely exhausting, thrill riding, stomach hurt laughing BLAST!!!

This is off topic:  We ate cherries at lunch and I STILL got it, can tie that stem in a knot... a more mature and age appropriate knot!!! :)

Love,

Shelle

P.S. Check son's who-likes-to-horde-Disneyland-maps-in-his-cargo-pockets, pockets before washing them.

KMART model shot... it's a sickness...

My lil' sis graduated!!! I'm seriously so proud of her.

I'm lucky because my sisters are my best friends. And when they accomplish something big in their life... I feel like I accomplish something also... so it's a good thing!

I hate graduations though, I'm not goin' to lie.  There was a bit of excitement... TWO people were taken out of the graduation on stretchers and I almost got ran over by one of the cop cars!

 It STANK really bad in that gym so I don't blame those who went to drastic measures to escape... wish I would have thought of it myself.

I'm only kidding guys... sit yourselves down.

My lil' Sis and her Hubby.  The thing with my sister is she is as beautiful inside as she is out.  Honestly, it's kinda hard to compete with that.  

Plus she has all her SHIZ together.  The girl has a great mind... she's incredibly smart.

And after a LONG time of trying... she is FINALLY pregnant.  Here is our nice smile shot for ya'll... because what happens next is a sickness we have in our family.  When we get together and the camera is out... it's time for a KMART model shot...

Here's our first attempt... my OLDER BROTHER isn't cooperating... MEN, they are So immature... :)

Again... right on THREE before the pic snaps my brother busts out laughing... and he's laughing at ME... RUDE... I'm trying to get in the MODE (mood-KMART model MOOD)

There's the money shot... if that isn't HOT, I don't know WHAT is! lol!  Look at my Older Bro. LOL!!!  Talk about bustin' a GUT when I saw that.  Tears... people... Tears!

My Grandmother on my Pop's side.  Love her.too.death!!!

Here's the Rents with their daughter.

We are trying to get a Sister shot... the BUTT in the back, my Older Bro... again he's a guy... whattya do???

Happy Graduation... Lil' Sis... I love ya girl... and your lil' boy too!!!

Love,

Shelle

Have a GOOD Weekend!

Lil' Sis

My best friends are my sisters. I love them...even when we fight, which is hardly ever. They also suck...because they both never had AWKWARD stages growing up...like never. They both were cute from the time they were born. See I have TONS of horrible, embarrassing, ugly growing up stage pictures...they just don't. They suck. But I love them. Ya get it?



We are almost NEVER like this. We are always laughing when we are together. They allow me to take center stage, of course, because making people laugh at me is one of my greatest qualities...at least that is what my therapist tells me to tell myself. :)



Yea more like this...Sorry, Dance Masta for squishing your face on this shot...I just LOVE ya so much! :)



Here's the rest of my sisters...the two are my blood...the other two are IL's...but I love them to. 

The only request I had of my brothers was to marry someone who wasn't cuter or prettier than I am...they both failed. Not only are they pretty on the outside...but they also have freakin' great personalities.  They suck also...but I love them also...you still with me?

Well today isn't really about THAT...today is about my Lil' Sis.  My soon to be little mommy sis.  Who just had a birthday.  And because I didn't have my back up picture CD to show you other pics of her...I had to use what I had in my Picasa Web Album...hence, the three pics above.



Lil' Sis...is one of the GREATEST Aunts around. My kids adore her. She is one of those Aunts that takes them swimming and buys stuff for them...and they just think she is the shiz. She is going to be a GREAT mom! No, an INCREDIBLE MOM :)



One of the things I love most about her... is she lets me take pics of her to practice my photography. I envy her green eyes and super nova eye lashes...so I'm always focusing on her eyes!!!



Oh and I LOVE her profile...I'm always saying..."Hey turn your face to the Left..." and then I'll snap her picture...She just has that cute pert nose...I envy that also...sigh.



We hang out...and she doesn't care to be dumb and just do whatever... she is always up for anything.



We talk for hours about whatever...and I honestly don't know what I would do without her being a big part of my life. She is a big example to me with just being who she is. She is honest to a fault and has one of the biggest hearts I know of.



So Lil Sis...I love you. Happy Freaking Birthday!

Now go join others in Friday Foto Finish Fiesta!

And Please eat all your BOILED eggs that you color and don't hide them SO well they won't be found...they leave a terrible smell after a couple of days...I'm just saying...learn from other people's mistakes!

HAPPY EASTER WEEKEND!!!

Love,

Shelle

Excuses...Excuses, but here you go NOW!

So here's my excuse...

I know I promised you one silly picture a day.

But we got into our destination later than we wanted...and so...didn't get a picture posted of us being silly wanna-be Canadians...

So here's a few to tide you over for at least a day...or two...

Meet Paul-Old Skool...
Here's Paul in REAL color--He's top of the line SILLY face...right here. You can always count on Paul for an excellent silly/scary face.

This is my BIL and SIL's job. They take care of Paul and get paid for it. Paul's parents are originally from England...both have passed away, so Paul lives now with My Canandian IN-Laws...eh?

If you ask me...they are hooked up with an incredible job. Paul is a dear...and we love to hang around him because you never know what the guy is going to say...it's great!

PeePs had to do her silly face...she hates being left out of anything!

This is my dear Canadian niece...we don't hold that against her...we love her still!!! :) Don't you just LOVE LOVE the color of her hair? I would LOVE to try that color, but with my freckles...I've decided that MIGHT not be a good choice! :)

Oh DCAR...how is it possible that someone so handsome can look so...NOT handsome. Some of the faces he comes up with scares me...lol!

K-guys...since you have helped me so much throughout the past year...I need you guys to help me out...see my husbands hair...

SEE IT?

He won't cut it. He says it keeps him warm for the winter...but HONESTLY...it's gettin' scraggly. The guy needs to cut it.

I like him best with a FO Hawk...but my man is stubborn...and when he's using that stubborn force against me...I pretty much don't have a CHANCE of getting my way...

and I want to take family pictures...with out the 70's style feathered long hair!

So any suggestions on how to convince him that MY way is the BEST way?

This is MY BIL and my husbands BLOOD Brother...see the similarities??? Nah...either did I when I met him...but they actually came from the same mother and father...it boggles the mind!

Sorry...I just had to sneak this one in...it's not silly or scary...it's sweet.

Sometimes you just need something sweet to top your day off.

Your.Welcome...eh?

Signing off from Canada...

Love,

Shelle