A little bit of a lately

Life has been quite crazy lately. You know when you're used to having your schedule a certain way, and then it isn't that way anymore and it takes time to adjust to the new? That's me.

I've started a new business, and it has kept me incredibly busy. I'll go into what it is later, when things settle and I have more time to share, but since diving in, its been a little crazy for me. I've been so accustomed to doing school and only school, and not "work" (not that this is work by any means), that having that extra 'thing' added to my day has me wondering how to juggle it all.

I went out of town for a business trip...and a dentist appointment (I like to kill two birds), and I couldn't do school for those two days, I was on the go the entire time. Thank goodness I was caught up but it showed me that I need to find a balance and need to find it fast. And also, I can't be there for everyone at that very moment. That alone is going to run me into the ground, as was the evidence of texting three people at once while pumping gas and feeling frantic.

The past couple of weeks have been so good though! I invited my cute little niece for an "Auntie sleepover". She's almost four and she was so excited having her first ever sleepover, just her, with me. She was an angel the entire time. Even fell asleep within 10 minutes of saying goodnight, which I was really nervous about given she had been bouncing off the walls right before. I was warned she was a 'kicker' but once again, the angel in her came out because she didn't kick once!

We made breakfast together the next morning, played in the backyard, and then went for a Subway before I gave her back to my sister. It was the type of experience where it had me think "I want that." Isn't that what getting through tough parenting times is all about? Those great days - great moments - that wipe away any horrific ones from the day or week before?

I know I don't know, but I'm imagining so to some degree. And remember, I lived with a two year old for three months. I have an idea what its like on a daily basis.

In other "lately" news, I only have two weeks left of school and that's incredibly exciting; not to mention the five week break that follows before Spring classes start. Speaking of, one of those classes will be on the Beatles...yes the music group. My hard earned money is going toward this class. I won't complain (minus the money aspect) since I'll be taking Anatomy 202 right along with it, and will need that 'super easy, no thought to it' class to make it through.

I'll also say another reason why I haven't been around here so much is because I don't have photoshop elements anymore, since I upgraded to a Mac. Watermarking my photos is a huge chore with pulling them through picmonkey online, that I don't do it.

Enough of that rambling. I hope your leaves are changing as mine are. Some of the trees here are absolutely gorgeous!

This was from the Summer in Las Vegas, so obviously, no turning leaves, but still pretty.

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!




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Get in front of the camera

I’m in a couple photographers forums, and one thing I noticed a lot of them say is how much they don’t get in front of the camera. How they take pictures of their kids, their husband with the kids and even their dogs, but they generally stay behind the camera..
a) because in their minds, who else will take the picture
b) they know their cameras best, and
c) which is the most common reason: they don’t want to be photographed. Whether they think they look horrible, unkempt, not where they wish they were physically, messy hair, no make up..and the list goes on.

A high percent of mom’s are never in the shots with their kids because they don’t like the way they look. So years go by with no memory for the kid of MOM.

I am one of those kids. I’ve talked about it before, and there’s no doubt I love my mom (I love you, mom), I just know the other side of it as the kid of having virtually no photos of my mom to look back on. And to be honest, it makes me really sad.

Even as an adult, I probably could count on two hands the photos of mom and me, maybe truthfully one hand.

On Monday, that all changed. I was determined once I found out my mom was getting off work early, to get some nice shots of us. And what was even better, my sister was coming over as well. I didn’t tell either of them until they got to the house, because I’m all for the element of surprise. My sister rolled her eyes, grabbed at her clothes and gave me that look of dread.

I shooed her to the bathroom to use my flat iron and makeup at her will and told her this was happening, so to get to it. (I’m the real sweet loving gentle sister, if you hadn’t noticed)

Once she was all done, I called her out to get some test shots so I could get my camera ready.

And then we got my mom to join. I took some of my sister and mom first and had a ball with it. Those two together are complete goofballs, laughing almost the whole time. Then I got my settings right in the camera, handed it to my sister and had her take some of mom and me.

It all turned out a complete success and I’m excited I have these new photos to cherish. It only struck me after we were done, to have gotten some with my sister and me  …next time.

Friends, moms, sisters, kids, I can’t encourage you enough to get in front of the camera. Freeze time in a photo. It doesn’t matter how you look, it matters that you’re there.

Go. Go grab your mom. Or your kids. Set the timer. Use the remote. Utilize your husband and have these precious moments together photographed for everyone to look back on in fondness.

Your kids will thank you..and if you let yourself, you’ll thank you too.

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40 years later

October is in full swing with the crisp mornings and just perfect afternoons here, and they’ve been so lovely to enjoy. I find myself getting outside on the back patio more and more soaking in the softer sun as I listen to all the little birdies chirp.

The weekend was much of that. The sun, the birds, the constant hunger… I mean… I’ll save that topic for another day.

Today marks a pretty big day over here in this family. It’s a day of celebration. 40 years ago, my parents said “I do”.

40 years ago!

Craziness.

In that time they moved countless times, been through a number of ups and downs, had 4 beautiful children {if I may be so bold to say…not to mention the 4th kid, she really is something extra special..} and 11 grand children.

plus… this little bean

Blessed.

4 year anniversary

I discovered a box of photos and have had fun looking back over their years (if you can’t tell). I’m so thankful they’re my parents. They’re gracious and loving, supportive and encouraging. And I get to call them mine.

Happy 40th Anniversary Mom and Dad. I love you both!

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Weekend roundup

Last day of the month! Crazy this is the end of September…already! It couldn’t have ended any better than how it did, with my family coming to visit. Ok, so they didn’t come to visit me as much as they came to visit everyone, but it was great all the same.

With my brother here with his family and my sister with hers, it was a full house. 8 kids and 7 adults; with the tv on, made for a very loud house, but the giggles and cuddles made up for the noise level. We had taco night Wednesday, a massive BBQ Thursday and a birthday party Saturday. I’m pretty sure that was the busiest my schedule has looked in months… ok, years. It would have been bigger had I remembered I was supposed to go to a college volleyball game with my sister Friday.

Some from the long weekend.

Yes, that would be my mountain man brother and little bitty sister.

It was a great time spent with family with naps in the sun on the patio snuck in. I’m becoming quite fond of naps.

How did your weekend turn out?

Oh Oh and you have to check out this article (if you haven’t heard about it already). It’s about a UT football coach who suspended his whole team. Well the neat thing is, is that I know the coach! He was at my high school when I was there, so it makes it an even greater story, not to mention seeing where he is these days.

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Back to reality

Normal days again over here. I had a sneaking suspicion that his flight would get delayed Saturday morning and secretly hoped for it.. no one likes a 5am wake up call. And thank the good Lord, it was. By 3 hours. So getting a little more time with him was the perfect way to end his time here.

After I dropped G-man off and got back home, I admit, I did very little. Anything that constituted being hygienic was not a priority. I made matters worse better by walking in 108 degree heat for 20 minutes, so its safe to say afterward, it was good I was all alone. though I still get botox, so it certainly wasn’t as bad as it could have been.

As always, his time here was nice. short, but nice. I may have unknowingly fibbed a bit on his excitement for getting photos done, but we made up for that little hiccup in our communication by eating out at the absolute best restaurant in the world…or in my area, any way.

To all my local friends, if you have never been to Schoolhouse Sanger, you must make reservations and go now! Hands down the absolute most delicious restaurant in this area. And this is saying a lot if I’m willing to share a place close to where I live. The food is grown right on their property, they pick fruit right from the orchards across the street, ice cream is made fresh daily from a local creamery, and they create these phenomenal mind blowing dishes in the absolute best atmosphere I’ve ever been in.

We left our cell phones and camera at home, but I was wanting to channel Jenni at story of my life, to share pictures and a review on this place. I’ll just have to return to get my chance.

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A lot is happening soon in my little world that I’m getting mentally ready for. Tomorrow will shed some light on one thing and later this week, I’ll share a little more, but I’m prepping, and preparing and all around excited (mostly) for it all to happen.

While G was here, we made an entire day of driving to the big outlet mall in Gilroy (home of the garlic) and shopped. His suggestion even, so you know it was one to be capitalized on. He gifted me with 3 pair of socks and makeup. I knew I loved that man. We did a lot of mundane things while he was here and I wanted nothing more. Mundane to many is a treasure to me. Sitting together watching 24 and Arrested Development at night, every night is what I relish.

Having him scrub my entire apartment down the day before he leaves (without me knowing), while I’m at work so I won’t have to clean for awhile, is just one of the reasons I’ll keep him.. I mean, love him deeply.

I get to see him again in just a few short days, and I’m eagerly counting down until I see that face again, that most handsome face of his.

What all did you get to do this weekend? Did it get blazing hot where you are?

Random photo of my niece when I was in Utah. I have a lot of catching up to do with this blog. This little darling texts me just about every single day and I can’t say enough how much I love that.

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A celebratory day

Today, my parents..okay, mostly my dad, can now say, “three score” when asked how old they are, because today. is. their birthday! Not just any birthday, but their 60th!

This is crazy. I don’t see them as 60…and I’m pretty sure they don’t either, but I’m so thankful I’ve had the privilege of being in their lives for 31 years, 9.5 months of those 60. In case you’re scratching your head because I keep saying “their”, it is in fact both of their birthdays. My dad is just a few hours older than my mom. I’ve always loved saying that for as long as I can remember.

I’m honored I get to call them my parents. They’re pretty darn awesome, if you ask me.                                                                                   (photo courtesy of my dad)

Happy Birthday to you both! I love you so so much!!

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Jenni’s challenge today is to talk about what’s difficult within my lot in life, and frankly its way too deep for today’s happy feelings, so I will refrain from the inner/outer turmoil of craziness that’s been going on lately in these parts because really, I haven’t quite gotten to the point of being able to overcome it all, so its best left quiet.

One thing that I am overcoming, is this mega yard sale I’m having this weekend. I get in this habit of piling things together and the more I pile, the more I have to add to it, and next thing I know, I’m wanting to sell everything in my apt. down to the curtains that have been on my walls for years and years. I’d rather go without curtains than have to look at their masculine ways for one more day. Serves me right for getting ‘gender neutral’ colors (read: something only a guy would like) because I thought I had to back then.

Oh, if I could talk to my 27 year old self, I’d have so much to tell her.

- If there was one thing you could add to my yard sale, what would you get rid of?

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Not my typical day

Life is back to normal once again. I made it to my uncle’s funeral Friday all the way in Utah, and it was nice. Beautiful weather. The kind where it rains and rains and rains all week and then that morning, blue skies, sunshine and warmth. It was a short service at the gravesite and then we all went our separate ways.

Thank you to everyone who left such sweet comments on Friday. I appreciate each and every one of them. I had plans to go to Las Vegas this past weekend any way, so it worked out in my favor that I was able to move my flight to Thursday to make it in time. And it worked even more in my favor, because I picked up my dad on Friday and we made the 2 hour drive together to Southern Utah.

In true Emily fashion, I was late…to a funeral. Who does that!? I blame the fact I spilled coffee on my top on the way and having to stop at my brother’s to change. They drove on, while I was still getting ready at his house.

After it was all said and done, we grabbed a bite with my brother and his wife and waited at the house for their kids to get out of school. I don’t get to see them very much, so even though they know me, they don’t know me, so it takes a little bit to break past the awkwardness, but thankfully we broke through it and had a great time.

Younger kids are easier..

It’s the older ones that take some time to get through to..

and the even older ones that are down right difficult.
Oh wait, that’s my brother! He wanted me to take a ‘selfie’ of him, not understanding that by me taking it, it in fact is not a selfie, but he hates photos any way, so it didn’t really matter.

We watched my niece play her game, listened to parents scream back and forth at each other and watched the high school girl who umped, cry because of how they acted toward her.

It was craziness, and uncomfortable, but they won and all was right in the world (on our side any way) again. The highlight of that game was my younger niece and I talking in British accents through the last 3 innings. We’re rather good at it. Delicious pizza followed, then shaved ice, then candy, then a movie. And in that time, I broke through with their 10 year old boy. I felt like I accomplished a lot being able to carry a conversation with him.

Is it just me who has a hard time talking to older boys?

By no means was this my typical day, but it was a day that though it started out in grief, ended with joy by being surrounded by children and family and I really think I could get used to that kind of ending.

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Never get the chance again

As it can happen in some families, something happens that causes a divide and sides get chosen. Though I wasn’t in the middle of it by any means, I felt I needed to choose. Neither pressed me to do it, but I quietly chose mine and left it at that.

2 years after making that decision, I’m sad. Both sides mean a whole lot to me and I struggled with wanting to reach out to the other side often, but I never did. I’m embarrassed that I thought constantly over those 2 years to write a letter, to reconnect, to see how they were doing but never actually grabbing the pen and paper and taking that much needed important time out of my non busy life to write. Making excuses and always saying I’ll do it later, I have time to do it later.

My phone rang at 6:30 in the morning and anytime my phone rings that early, its never a good sign. My uncle, the one when growing up would always answer to my ‘hello?’ on the phone, “what are you doing!?” to which I’d reply, ‘talking to you!’, died Monday night.

It was unexpected. to me.

Its been 2 years, I had no idea how his health had been and I never wrote that letter to reconnect with him and my Aunt, whether they would have responded or not (though I believe they would have), I never gave that 10 minutes of my day to write. I had an opportunity over a year ago to email, and yet I stayed silent. It was a very conflicting decision then, one that I battled with for a long time but in the end justified it because I was ‘going to write that letter’.

I still have a chance with my Aunt. but the guilt. the guilt over not talking to my Uncle is there. and it’ll be there for awhile.

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Mental case

I figured in light of my post yesterday, I should continue on with the ‘mind’ theme because in other ways, I’m going mental. To the point of Caddyshack mental. You know, Bill Murray killing gopher mental.

It might seem like the smallest of things (in the grander scheme of people’s many bigger issues) but I’m dealing with ants in my bathroom and I’m losing my mind over it. This isn’t a ‘past couple days’ issue I’ve been dealing with. This is a month after month after month plus 5 more, that I’ve been fighting this battle with the ants.

Many times I think I’ve won. I sprayed, I squished, I stomped and rubbed thinking I’ve eliminated them entirely but within a couple days, another will emerge..then another and before I know it, their pesky little bodies are roaming my bathroom floors again. I have a square of toilet paper devoted to their deaths, yet more continue to emerge.

I leave some of their dead bodies as warning to others, and they just laugh at them and continue their hunt.. their search.. their whatever the heck it is they’re looking for in.my.bathroom! Nothing is there! I don’t get it!!

I outlined my entire bathroom in baby powder, because I heard they take that back and die.. well, one died..I watched it, but all the others shake their bodies like they’re having a seizure, only to brush the darn stuff off and plow right over the line to climb up my wall. Its like they laugh at my defenses.

My next course of action is cornmeal.. I’ve heard good things about cornmeal. And if that doesn’t work, Terro is my last course of action before I lie on the floor and cry in defeat.

Either that or dynamite.. one of the two.

In other {more important} news, 2 beautiful little girls had birthdays these past weeks and I guess I can’t really call them ‘little girls’ when they turn 11 and 13. Our first teenager in the family! Oh boy, things are about to get crazy.

ignore the fantastic blur

Our 13 year old {niece}!

The 11 year old!

I find it a lot more comfortable when I’m sitting on their lap vs them sitting on mine. This photo makes me look incredibly old, but I do like her sweet smile in it, so I’m choosing to take one for the team.

All these birthdays lately only to add one more to the mix tomorrow. A rather notable one in fact!

Happy Birthday to you today… if its your birthday.

Oh, and if you have any brilliant ant killing ideas, I will frantically take them.

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Happy sugar coma

Hi friends, I figured with the overload of candy from yesterday, we’re all barely able to make it through today. I only slightly acknowledge what the real “holiday” is today, but I’m not a fan of ‘fools’ so I choose the sugar coma instead. I have to say, I’m thankful my mom gave me only a handful of the jelly belly jelly beans, because oh boy, I couldn’t stop eating them on the way home yesterday. My teeth were hurting from all that sugar, if that says anything.

Tell me your parents still give you Easter baskets too?!

I actually hit the mother load this weekend. Not only did I get some yummy treats surrounded by grass, I also got a Cuisinart food processor! Excitement abounding over here!! Plus my lovely mom made me a rice heating pad. You know, a towel stuffed with rice, sewn into 3 rectangles.. best thing in the world. Both with follow me to the ends of the earth. Best. gifts. ever.


Saturday, I understood all new moms with their phones. I couldn’t stop taking photos of my newest niece. I would say I took close to 50 photos of her (where 95% were of her sleeping) and 2 videos, all in a span of 4 hours. It only showed me that I will fully be ‘one of those’ moms you’ll see on Instagram. Just warning you now if you’re still around when that day comes.
Another thing I noticed was I didn’t want to give her up. She stayed on my lap, as the pictures show for 3 hours straight. She slept happily on my lap before dinner, through dinner and after dinner. It was bliss! I think I’ll be producing some ultra clingy kids in the future, if I can’t even put my niece down for her nap, I don’t even want to think about how I’ll be with my own kids.

It was so nice getting to see my family again. Spending time with them and eating great food. Going to church with my parents, and making a delicious Easter meal together. It was a great weekend where it was more of a mental memory than a photographic one. Despite my constant niece photos, I left my actual camera alone and enjoyed everyone around me.

How did your Easter weekend turn out?

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Baby feet

Adorable, aren’t they?

The day after I got back from Mexico, I took the long (and I mean long…7 hours long) drive to see my sister and her newest baby. She’s a peanut, this one. A cuddler and a newest lover of the binky.


This peanut is their fourth and their last. I think she’ll fit right into their fun and energetic family. Speaking from a fourth and last child’s perspective.. she’ll no doubt have the best childhood growing up. Us babies of the family have it best, no question about it. She’ll see soon enough.

She’s already pretty loved

I would have willingly driven the whole 7 hours in snow if it meant getting to see my newest and last {since all my siblings are done having kids} niece. Crazy to think they’re all done. 11, I suppose is a good number to stop on.

Have a warm weekend. Its in the 80’s here, so I might just soak it up a little bit. That or stay indoors, in my pj’s on my couch. We’ll see.

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Blog happy

I’ve been pretty happy these past couple days, and its been kinda fun. I realize Monday’s post wasn’t the most uplifting, but I blame writing it on Sunday as the reason, though Sunday really was a good day too. Ok, I blame my choice of topic. I never said I was the best decision maker…though I feel like I have said that and ultimately feel like I am.

hmmm, conundrum.

My point is I think we should make it a point to blog when we’re happy {duh}, because everyone knows and can read you’re happy which ultimately will make them happy {its scientifically proven}.

Monday, my co worker and I had the case of the giggles. Its rare, not gonna lie, but when we start talking about men incapable of making it into the toilet at work and us having to be the one that see and/or clean it up, it just starts a round of giggling to the point of laughing because we’re laughing and then we can’t breathe and our co workers looking at us like we’re insane as we turn a dark shade of red from lack of air.

It was awesome.

That lasted all day long.

..the laughing..not the cleaning up of ‘bad aim’.

Tuesday, I was on a bit of a high. {not that kind of high} Thinking something wasn’t going to happen, then finding out that morning it was going to happen, and arranging all the arrangements to make it officially happen and darn if it wasn’t cool having it all fall into place!

Then {this is my geeky side} I decided to rent a 24-105L lens for our trip to Mexico so I wouldn’t have to lug around my 5 pounder zoom lens plus my primes and I was able to rent it for 7 extra days FREE!! This had me all sorts of excited. One because this lens (by what I hear) is totally awesome and great for traveling and two because 7 days extra free means I get to play with it at home before giving it back. And it was A-fordable!

Speaking of Mexico, I.cannot.wait! Just a few short weeks away!

I have yet to dive into all my photos from my time with my entire family but here’s an outtake as I was working quickly with 10 kids for an impromptu ‘grandkids’ shot.

I’m sure she’ll love this when she’s older. A total framer, if you ask me.

#11 (staying warm in sister’s belly behind the kids) will be making her debut in the next couple of weeks.

What’s got you happy these days? How often do you blog happy?

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