You are my wild

I've stumbled across a some really beautiful blog posts. I've been waiting for a project to inspire me and I've finally found one i can work on. i'm hoping to focus more on the children in my life in these posts titled "You are my Wild". I am the designated photographer in my family and i mostly likely have more photos of my nieces and nephews than their parents. My hope is to capture them, capture their age, their innocence, while they play and lay and run. I hope to capture their personality.  There are 14 other real inspirational photographers taking on this challenge, to focus on their life that surrounds them. My friend Tara (she just doesn't know were friends yet) describes her reasons to get involved in the project herself, and i found it it to be very inspired. I love her work and am taking her cue. each week i hope to share with you some photos of my life and it's surroundings. in the mean time here are some photos i favor for just regular times.

 you'll see tons of this awesome kid.

and possibly this crazy bunch. You all inspire me!

happy life

Wedding planning!?!?  What a pain in the a*#! How do people do this multiple times!?!?  I honestly have not put any single thought into my wedding, I wasn't one of those girls who planned their wedding years ahead of even finding a groom. It's just not in me. I don't know what dress style i like, i don"t know what venue to use. Thank God for Pinterest! I've slowly gathered ideas and at least some small details about the wedding but honestly- can we just get this over with?! My closest girlfriends laugh at me cause they planned their wedding years before they got a boyfriend!

honestly i can't wait to be married. Future Husband is the greatest man i could have ever found. He is so patient with me and so hard working. He's more into this wedding planning than i am and i am super grateful for that he's willing to take this on even when i'm not. We went to an amazing venue and he listened to my wants and kept that top priority! He asked all the obvious questions and even some i never thought about! OH i am so thankful for him. He on the other hand is probably thinking "What the heck have i got myself into"  one thing i can tell you is this particular place had amazing food!

I know a few things now. I want to be surrounded my family and friends. I want an outdoor wedding. That means we have to pick great AZ weather months, so our guests don't melt. I honestly feel like I've surrounded myself with the most awesomest people in the entire world and they've all been rooting for a happy ending for myself and Jbird. What more can i ask for but a Happily Ever After with Mr. Future Husband?

this was our first picture together. before our first kiss even.

He was sweet as honey then and still today.

i could go on and on about what a lucky girl i am or you can read it here.

truth is i am happy!

my weekend in pics

  
 

 

We had a beautiful, spring Arizona weekend.

(in no particular order)

Prayers for Boston

To the victims and the families, may you find healing and peace. 

May you find yourselves surrounded by loved ones.

May you find strength in the weakness. 

The Lord is with you.

Sweet Surprise

 Day two of our NY vacation in pics.

The day started out cold and the wind was sharp, thank God it cleared up down at the falls. The wind ceased to a tolerable speed and the sun peeked thru just enough to enjoy the day. I'm a true Arizona girl and this cold business is something i am not used to. OK fine, i'll just say it... I'm a big baby when it comes to the cold, but cold and windy?! that takes the cake!

These two are inseparable. 

i love it.

 This new camera business is tricky, lots of features, various lenses, and just knowing how to use it is only the icing on the cake. I feel a deep obligation to myself to learn it more and more and with that come constant use.  I was so focused on getting some good pics with my new toy, I was oblivious to Jon's ultimate plan. I could sit all day with Jon hand in hand for hours just watching and listening to the water rush by.

 Arizona Hops & Vines Fluffer made it to Niagara Falls! 

In efforts to join in on some contest fun we brought a bottle along with us.

This is by far is the most requested AZ specialty from the NY family when we visit, so we're always packing a few bottles. 

 the only group photo... tough to do on this fancy thing, i'm always scared of dropping it.

I was so focused on Jayla understanding how awesome Niagara Falls is and what a beautiful wonder we traveled so far to see and experience together. I don't think she grasped it still. She watched thru the view finder for a while and skated around between the tourists. Maybe when she gets older she will understand it's true beauty.  I handed the camera to my future sister in law to take some shots of us walking towards the bridge...

Every time Jon went right into a ring store I went left. Every time he inquired about a style of ring I conveyed how i really didn't care about style.  I've told Jon till i was red in the face that i want to be truly surprised... yet we still went round on round this topic. THE RING!

    In addition to that little fact we also continually joke about our pending engagement to jokingly setting up one to harass our friends and family who continually pressure us to get married. You don't know this but we have plenty of staged photos in front of Chapels in Las Vegas and town halls in various cities we spend our time in.... so of course in a true "us" moment we staged a fake proposal.  He got down to one knee, meanwhile i prepared my obviously fake surprised actress face for all you friends reading this.  I was thinking this would be epic since it isn't a typical self portrait with my cellphone .... As he adjusted to the one knee i placed my hand out (like they do in the movies right?) and waited for him to gently grasp my hand....

favorite vacation photos

 I could share a trillion photos from my vacation but these are my favorites.

more pictures after the jump.

sometimes

sometimes all you crave is a great sandwich!

via tumblr

Monday Run

I've joined a running club with some pretty awesome ladies. We meet up every Monday night and we motivate each other! I'm most definitely NOT a runner by nature, but someday I'd like to be. I'd like to just routinely strap on my running shoes and hit the pavement a few times a week. I would like for running to be a routine part of my day, a way i choose to relieve stress or be with God, or my thoughts alone.  Today i am not the runner ... someday i will be.
  It's Monday .. lets run!

pool side

would you love this or hate it?

I think i would be terrified.

via Tumblr

Triple Nutrition Miracle Dry Oil

Wanna know my shine secret? 

I love this multi use product, it my new favorite hair and skin oil. It leaves my hair soft and moisturized as well as my body! Run out and get some for yourself. Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Miracle Dry Oil No is the answer to dry damaged hair and itchy skin, the product will take care of both those problems! 

I love being a Bzzagent!

Just be

be happy.

be original.

be weird.

just be you.

via Urban Outfitters

super favorite

i do not discriminate, i love me some coffee. 

via from ny with love

Roots and Boots Festival

 Beautiful sights of the Annual Roots & Boots Festival in Queen Creek Az.  The weather was chilly and grey but we bundled up for a day selling girl scout cookies at the festival. This was a great chance to take my camera out and just people watch. 

 She has the cutest pink boots on, too bad i missed the shot. 

View from the carnival side. Part of being a parent at a fair sometimes... just waiting for the kids to get on/off rides of their choice. I got some unflattering shots of the kids getting thrashed around on the sizzler ... not blog worthy, Jayla will thank me later.

 I loved sitting next to the stage to see some awesomely cute dancers from local performing groups, look at those dedicated expressions! I could not get enough of the costumes! Well done little ladies.

 I really need to invest in some cowboys boots, i sure felt out of place among this environment  I actually envied the cowboys & cowgirls walking thru mud puddles in the rain without a second thought. meanwhile i was hiding out under a tent or umbrella watching my step every few feet.

Then this cowboy came along. Love his smile, he posed without asking.  He's a bonafide heart breaker already. Maybe next year i'll get some shots of the actual rodeo going on.  I learned a few lessons with my camera this time around. Like pack more batteries!!

Oh well I'm better today than i was yesterday.