Welcome!!
Here you will find all sorts of things: tips and tricks, book reviews, stories of my adventures, client features, and so much more!
Jesus Christ is the Great Healer
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we do not have a priest/preacher/pastor that gives a sermon every week. Each week 2-3 different members of each ward are asked to speak on a topic that is selected by our Bishopric- the three men who lead our ward. We’re given guidelines as to how long our Talk should be, as well as direction in selecting appropriate source material. And, generally, each member can expect to be asked to speak every year or so.
Moonlighting for Complete Weddings and Events
I have a confession to make: I’ve spent the last two and a half wedding seasons moonlighting as a photographer for Complete Weddings and Events. For those who aren’t familiar with the term, ‘Moonlighting’ means that you are working a secondary job, in addition to your main employment, usually in the same field. So, why am I sharing this? Well, I want to share with y’all what I’ve learned as a result of this experience!
The Rock of My Testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
When I was in High School, we had something called block scheduling; we had the same four classes every day for the first semester, and a different four classes every day for the second semester, for a total of eight classes- or credits- a year. But, as a band student, I was able to earn an extra half credit per semester by participating in Jazz band. So, by the time I was a Senior, I had enough credits to graduate early- halfway through the school year. My high school was overcrowded, and I didn’t want to be there, so they let me finish early, saying, “We’ll see you in May at Graduation!”
Dar a Luz Birth and Health Center Open House Fundraiser
Located in Albuquerque’s North valley, Dar a Luz Birth and Health Center is the only free-standing birthing center and breastmilk repository in New Mexico. Dar a Luz, as it is affectionately called is also a 501-C3 Non-Profit organization that provides a whole host of much-needed and in-demand support services and classes for families throughout the state. And, recently, I got to be their official photographer for an open-house fundraiser!
Road Trip!! Part Eight: Packing
Packing for an extended road trip is always an adventure, especially when you’re camping. There are clothes to be packed (how many pairs of socks and underwear do I pack?), the tent and sleeping bags, the cooking equipment, food, and of course stuff to keep the kids entertained in the car. I can only share what’s working for me.
Road Trip!! Part Seven: Courage is Deciding Something is More Important Than Fear
I’ve had a lot of friends tell me that I’m brave to be undertaking a six-week-long road trip as the only adult with three active boys. They’ve all also said something along the lines of, “I couldn’t do it. I’d be too scared,” or, “I wouldn’t know where to start,” or, “I can’t believe Justin’s okay with this!” It’s all been said with respect and- in some cases- even a little bit of what felt like admiration. But, the truth is I’m nervous about this trip too.
Road Trip!! Part Five: Car Care and Maintenance
When I started doing my research for this trip, I found all the mommy blog posts on how to pack, and how to keep the kids entertained while in the car. They are some great resources too! There is tons of information on how to pack to make life easier, as well as plenty of car games, and how to get the kids to behave. Their lists and resources are all invaluable.
Road Trip!! Part Four: Keeping the Kids Entertained in the Car
There is absolutely no way that I’m spending 6 weeks or so in a car driving cross-country with my boys without providing them some sort of entertainment- besides all the places we’ll be stopping!- along the way. I hear, “Mom, I’m bored!” at least two times a piece on the 30 minute drive from Los Lunas to Albuquerque. They’re not gonna make it for 11 hours without something to do. So, here’s what we’ll be packing to keep them entertained:
Road Trip!! Part Three: Digital Tools
I hope y’al didn’t think I’d forgotten to update you on our road trip planning this week! ‘Cuz I didn’t. Yesterday was just my birthday, and I decided to take the day off and enjoy my personal holiday (I caught up on some much-needed sleep!). Anyway, this week’s road trip planning topic is covering all the digital tools and apps that I’m using to actually plan this road trip. I have to say, planning a road trip in the digital age is a WHOLE LOT easier than it was when I was a kid… We were old school- we used an actual paper map! It’s also a whole lot more fun, because you find attractions, museums, and parks that you might have otherwise missed! So, here are the apps I’m using to plan this road trip:
Road Trip!! Part Two: Gear Check
Over the years I have accumulated a healthy amount of camping equipment- I own a couple tents, multiple sleeping bags, and my lovingly curated Cook Kit. Like I said, my boys and I like to camp!
Road Trip!! Part One: The Preparation Phase
Y’all, I have probably lost my mind. This summer, I am taking my 3 boys on an extended road trip. I’m loading my 11 year old, 7.5 year old, and 4 year old into our SUV, and we’re gonna camp our way across the Southeastern U. S.
The Fraissinet Family- Private Residence in Los Lunas, NM
Nicole and her family are so precious! When we were discussing places for her portrait session, she sent me a few pics of her backyard, suggesting we use it, and I was sold, so that’s where we met! I love doing in-home (or in-yard!) portrait sessions because everyone is so much more relaxed. It allows me to concentrate on creating a much more personal connection with my clients.
Where Your Dreams, Goals, and God's Purpose Collide
A new month, a new year, and a new decade. This is usually the time of year when we all sit down and evaluate our lives, set new goals, and begin new habits. But often, with in a few weeks- a few months at most- most of us have given up on those dreams and goals, and we’ve reverted to old habits. Oftentimes, it’s because we become too scared to keep going. Suddenly, those dreams seem too big, or too hard. Those goals take more time to accomplish than we thought they would. A challenge gets in the way, and we give up because it feels too hard to overcome- not that we couldn’t if we tried.
Christmas and My Testament of Jesus Christ
Christmastime is- and has always been- a magical time of year for me. I love living in a small town that still decorates the streetlights for Christmas, as well as sponsors an annual twinkle light parade. Oh, and then there is the town-sponsored business decorating contest! And, almost every single year (there was that one year when I was pregnant with Andrew, but we won’t go there), we put up our own Christmas tree covered with Hallmark and assorted homemade ornaments.
I'm a Latter-Day Saint
When I do blog, Thursdays are the day of the week I usually reserve to write about whatever I feel like. I do this so that it forces me to let you get to know me a little bit better. However, there is a part of myself that I haven’t shared with y’all up to this point, most because I was scared. I don’t want to alienate anyone, because I want this community to be a safe space for all of us. But, with my faith continuing to grow, and my circle of close friends changing, I know I need to share this part of my life with y’all as well.
Our Trip to Disney World
Justin, Christopher, Joshua, and I just got home on Saturday evening from an 8-day trip to Walt Disney World with Justin’s side of our family. We went to celebrate my Father-in-Law’s retirement. It’s what he wanted in lieu of a huge party. He paid for almost the whole family (we left Andrew at home with my parents) to spend a week at Disney World! It was an incredible gift to all of us!
A Road Trip and a Lesson on the Value of Photography
About two months ago, I took a road trip with my mom, my grandma, and my two-year-old. I know, it sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, but it’s not. We left on a Saturday morning for a small town in Southeastern Kansas called Yates Center. It took us two days to get there, but we made it. Yates Center is the small town where my grandmother and my grandfather met. Its the town where my great-grandparents and my uncle are buried. Its the town where I spent a few days almost every summer of my childhood. And this trip may be the last time I see the town for quite some time to come.
How Can You Trust Me?
I’ve been reading a biography of Fred Rogers, the guy behind ‘Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood’- you know, the children’s t.v. show we all grew up watching on PBS- entitled The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers by Maxwell King. In reading this book, I came across a quote from Dr. Margaret McFarland who was one of Mr. Roger's professors at the Arsenal Center of the University of Pittsburgh that has made me do quite a bit of thinking.
To Taos and Back: Day Three
I’m sorry to say that Day Three found us heading home early! We were completely worn out from this camping trip, and our one to Carlsbad not even two weeks before, plus a Cub Scout overnight a few days before that! We were all feeling tired, so we packed up and headed home.
To Taos and Back: Day Two
Day two in Taos found us driving to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico to see the National Boy Scout Museum. The drive over from Taos took us through the Cimarron Canyon State Park, and I have to say, it was gorgeous! There were so many places I wanted to pull over, take out my camera, and start shooting! It was wonderful to see such beautiful mountain landscapes, but we didn’t really have time to stop. The boys were anxious to get to the museum as quickly as possible because this was the stop they were most looking forward to on this trip!