The Important Things

Today I read a blog post from a photographer in Michigan. Her husband, who is younger than I am, was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor in his brain that will significantly shorten his life. As I was reading the post I was struck so strongly with what is really important in this life.

I LOVE my job. It makes me so happy that I get to get up everyday and do something that is so fulfilling to me. I feel so blessed. But that is not what is important in this life. My husband and my family are what is important and not wasting one second that we get to spend with them. Life is so fragile. Carlos is my entire heart and soul, and maybe this is a little too personal, but it's true. I really don't think any two people could love each other more than Carlos and I (I really hope everyone feels that way about their significant other). I don't want to take a second of it for granted. It's too wonderful, it's too special.

This week we planned a trip to San Francisco. I have never been there and Carlos lived in the Oakland area for 2 years and has wanted to go visit for a long time. I booked a wedding there and we decided to make a trip out of it. But after that, I booked 2 more "destination" (out of town) weddings for the weekends preceding it. Plus...my family had planned the beach house trip for the 1st week in July. So as we were driving home from Santa Cruz last week and then again from St. George this weekend I wanted to cancel the trip part and just fly up for the wedding, but we didn't. And today I am so glad. Even though all of this came at one time and both of us feel so behind with work the time together is more important. We can catch up with work, but we will never get back this time together.

Read the blog entry that I read, and read down the couple of posts before where she is talking about his diagnosis, she is a much better writer than I. It really made me take a step back and be more grateful for what I have.


I snapped this picture of Carlos on our way home from our Santa Cruz wedding in Cambria along Moonstone Beach on our early morning walk. So beautiful and peaceful.

Soo00...I will be in San Francisco/Oakland until Sunday. I will have my cell phone with me and possibly the lap top (it died in Santa Cruz, but we got it working, but it is still wounded). Most likely phone calls and emails will be returned upon my return. And then it will be business as usual. :)

On a lighter note, my brother emailed me this video and I loved it! What a cute couple!



And I have to add this one! Holy wedding party! I don't think I've ever had clapping at the end of a procession. Check it out (there are annoying advertisements at the beginning, just to warn you).

Nick and Erika: Engaged!

What a cute couple Nick and Erika are!!! We met up at the B-E-A-UTIFUL Balboa Park in San Diego for their engagement session. I love that place! There are so many awesome locations. Check out this adorable couple!










Don't miss their fun slideshow, click HERE.

Out of Town...Again & Mark and Kate are Married!

Yes folks, I am headed out of town again for a wedding in Southern Utah. I am mentally preparing myself for heat, but it should be beautiful! I will be back Sunday night, but, since our lap top decided that it was going to crash on us our last trip, we won't have email, but you can call my cell (909.297.3251).

Mark and Kate's wedding was so beautiful! It took place at Calamigos Ranch. That is one of the most beautiful venues I have shot at, amazing. It didn't hurt that Mark and Kate are one hot couple!

John and Megan: Married!

In my car it said it was 105 degrees! Yes, it was a scorcher on John and Megan's wedding day, but that didn't stop anyone from having a great time. John and Megan were married at Tennessee Gardens in Redlands, it was just beautiful. We went to a park that was by my house, it was the first time I had used it, I wish I had used it more! Here are some of my favorites.

Out of Town!

Oh my goodness, this is a BUSY month! Not only do I have a ton of weddings, but we moved, my ENTIRE family came from all over and we spent a week at the beach, this weekend I am going to Santa Cruz for a wedding, next week we are in Utah for a wedding, then the next weekend we are back up in the Bay Area for another wedding. I am so excited, but I get tired just thinking about it!

We are leaving tomorrow afternoon and we will be gone until Tuesday (July 21st), we are going to take the scenic route home from Santa Cruz. I am so happy because we are going to stay in one of my most favorite places in the world, Cambria, I love it!!!!! We are staying right on Moonstone Beach and it should be just delicious. I will have my phone and email and will be checking it regularly, so I can still be in touch.

I thought I would leave you with some pictures of our beach house vacation with my family. We had so much fun, we have been staying in the SAME house off of 15th Street in Newport Beach since the early 70's, before I was born (just clearing that up). So many fun memories and it is fun to share it now with the husbands and nieces and nephews, gotta love tradition, even if it is a 10 mile walk to Balboa Island to get a hippo cookie :) .

Just so everyone knows, I don't take my professional camera on vacations, it stresses me out too much, so THESE ARE NOT PROFESSIONAL PICTURES. Scroll on down for 2 new weddings I posted yesterday.

Oh my! She is just the cutest thing EVER. My little niece, Eliza, I really wish they didn't live so far away!
Yes, peeps, I am that white. But this is the first time I have even put a bathing suit on in 2 years, but check out my wedding farmer tan. Awesome.

My cute nephew. Both of my nephews are such studs, little blond haired, blue eyed stud muffins. Their parents are going to have to beat all the girls off with a stick.
It is a firm family tradition of walk (or ride bikes) to Balboa Island, across on the ferry, to get a hippo cookie or a Balboa Bar. Carlos and Nate (my sister's husband) aren't as stoked about the walk as the rest of us are. Hahaha. It's tradition boys.My obsession, hippo cookies, I love them!!! (My 3 year old niece took this picture, not bad at all)
Megan, one of my nieces, taught Carlos how to boogie board. I felt like such a mom, I had to yell at them to come in closer to shore so the yellow boat wouldn't pick them up. :)
My sis and me. I REALLY wish she lived closer!
My brother-in-law rented us kayaks, we paddled around in the bay and had a blast and a good workout.
Let's end with precious Eliza. She doesn't know how to take a bad picture and she's only 2.

Have a great weekend everyone!