Coffee!

It's sometimes funny to watch him drink his coffee. This time, I snuck in a few shots.

Thankful 2010

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'thank you,' that would suffice."
-Meister Eckhart

Gratitude for my wonderful family, good friends (old and new), bountiful food, and joyous memories.

Much love and blessings to those who could not be with us this year.

Hello Sunshine

In less than one year after planting, we are reaping fruit. Pretty little satsumas!

Reason

In preparing the ofrenda (altar) this year for El Dia de Los Muertos, I was searching for old photos stacked in shoe boxes buried in my closet, and came across these hidden gems. Looking at these two photos, I remember this so vividly now. And it brought me back to this happy place of my childhood. I'm not certain who took these photos of my Godmother, her daughter, and myself, but I appreciate whomever did because they captured a moment in time, and preserved a piece of my history.

This is why I take photos.

Wedding in the Riviera Maya

Now that I'm a full-time SAHM and schooling Sophia, in an effort to carve out time for my own passions, I've been picking up my camera more, and I was thrilled to be hired for another wedding gig.

I was fortunate to photograph another wedding in Mexico, this time, on the Carribean side. I had the pleasure of photographing Holly and David's wedding in the beautiful Riviera Maya. It was pouring rain the morning of the wedding, and it stopped to allow enough time for me to take photos of the bride and her ladies (in the midst of strong winds). The dark, heavy clouds were looming and fast approaching again, and fortunately, the rain held off just long enough for the couple to exchange their vows, and for me to shoot post ceremony photos, before it came pouring down while everybody danced and relaxed under the covered dancefloor on the beach. It was perfection. Congratulations Holly and David!

And all I can say is, I love photographing weddings. Absolutely love them.

Importance of Grandparents

It's been so long that I've posted on this blog, I almost forgot how with all the updates to blogger. Over the last few months, I've been recharging, and now there is a nice ebb and flow to our home, and lives.

My inlaws came to town for Domi's Senior Band Night, which I appreciate so very much. Both my parents are deceased, so I treasure the time with Mike's parents, and the simple things they offer to my children. Our generation is a quick and fast one, but children (and teens) still need the knowledge that elders hold, and nothing takes the place of a simple, honest, and pure lifestyle.

La Playa

A shot that makes me happy.

Mi Compañero

Domi didn't realize he'd end up being my "assistant" during the recent wedding I photographed in the beautiful Riviera Maya. I'm in the beginning stages of importing photos and editing, but this was one photo that surprised me, as I didn't even realize I took it, but something about it makes me happy. He didn't complain once about having to stand by my side the entire time to hand me equipment back and forth, and he held the umbrella over me whenever the drizzling would start. Thank you, Domi for being an incredible assistant on this special day of rain dodging.

Revival

In an effort to revive my neglected blog--gosh, SO much has happened  in my life since January (more on that later), I figured I'd start with this heartwarming scene from a wedding I recently photographed, because it reminds me, not only of the new path this lovely bride is embarking on, but also the new path I've unexpectedly found myself facing. And embracing.

Spirit of Place - The Southwest

Over the winter break, after the holidays were over, the boys and I packed our bags and hit the road. We had bad cabin fever, and the desert southwest was calling.  I was planning on bringing Sophia, but her daddy asked that she stay home with him as the long hours on the road could be hard on her.

We decided on our way to Big Bend, that we would visit our hometown. In the past 4 years, this was the first time I'd been to El Paso without having to deal with some depressing aspect of my mother's passing (funeral, helping clear out her house, or stressful courtdate dealing with the estate). When we arrived with the sunset--without any knots in my stomach or a broken heart--I was able to really *see* the beauty of this border town, and feel at peace.

After a good amount of homemade tamales, authentic sopapillas, Chico's tacos, La Terraza, great company, watching the sun set and the full [blue] moon rise on scenic drive, and a walk down memory lane, we headed toward the beautiful Big Bend National Park. 

I feel its important to expose my children to these places of wonder, so they build an appreciation for nature.
The road trip was long, but it wasn't painful. We listened to music, watched several sunsets, and at times, enjoyed the silence. It actually felt like a bit of an escape. From the frenzy of every day life. And there was something so liberating about doing this with just my boys, at our own pace. We all took turns driving (ok, so Jay drove way more than Domi), and all the while, I was overwhelmed with so many incredible feelings.

Of self-awareness, sense of place, connection, and gratitude.




Sunset, El Paso






Terlingua Ghost Town

David and Holly

A while back, I posted photos from a spicy boudoir photo shoot. This time, I was asked to photograph their engagement photos. SO many incredible photos, and such a FUN couple to work with. They even began to dance.