Happy Friday!

I wish you could see me in front of my computer right now. I am typing with white paste on my upper lip. No, not toothpaste. It's cream to treat my upper lip which is a different story. All I gotta say is that i'm so attractive right now that I'd beat out all of the Top Model's on Tyra's show without even smizing. In fact, I might even go to class with it on. Oowee!

Anyhow, I don't have much time this morning to blog about all the coolness that I experienced this weekend. I promise, it's coming soon! Tonight, Chris is taking me out to seafood to celebrate hitting the one year mark before our wedding. I'm so excited that I might blow up into a big bubble. Kind of what I look like when I eat shrimp because I'm allergic, but without the shrimp part.

I do wish anyone and everyone a Happy Friday. May you have an awesome day filled with laughter, love, and happiness. Because that is how I'll be spending my day! Tootleloo!

Margot and Me :)

1 year.

1 year. 12 months. 365 days. Today marks exactly 1 year until The Big Day. No, it's not another workshop. One year from today, I'll be marrying my best friend, my soulmate, my love.

This morning I woke up and it was the first thing that came to my mind. It's not because I count down every single day and cross it off my calendar. Ok, I totally do! But it's because Chris is the first person I think about every morning. Maybe it's because he always text messages me with good morning my love. Or maybe it's because another morning brings another day to spend with him. Though he might not be lying next to me, I am greeted with his love. Every. Single. Morning.

I look ahead in the future and can't help but wonder how different my thoughts will be from today compared to my thoughts on our wedding day. Besides the excitement of knowing that what lies ahead will tie me forever to Chris, I know that one thing will stay the same. The morning of November 19th 2010, I'll wake up with Chris on my mind. I'll smile because I know that there will be a good morning my love on my phone. And I'll smile even bigger because I know that the morning brings not just one day to spend with him, but the rest of our lives..

Photo by the awesome Radelle :)

Portraits: Margot

She raised her hand and said she attended San Francisco State. As soon as I heard it, I smiled because she just made it easier for me to come up to her and introduce myself. I was brand new to the ward. She was too. I wanted to make a friend, and that's what we became. Margot is one of a kind. We've known each other since freshmen year of college and have been friends ever since.

Last month, she made the decision to move from San Diego to Los Angeles to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. She belongs on stage, and is pursuing what she loves most. I can't wait to see what the future has in store for her.

Margot, seeing you this weekend made my trip 10 times better. Cubed. You will do great things in life, and I'll always be there to cheer you on. Hope you enjoy these as much as I do. Xoxo

I am BACK.

Hello Blog. I am back in San Francisco.

What can I say about this weekend?

Oh let's see...

how about, there are not enough words in the world to describe it because it was just that EPIC.

I have SO much to blog about so please stay tuned for lots of new posts.

Until then, I leave you with a picture of myself, Jasmine, and my new awesome friend Anda.

Yes, I understand that I look extra 12 year old ish and super tired. It was a long day and it's not good to judge. So, Don't ;)

The Luckiest

I'm sitting here thinking about everything that has happened today and I feel like someone should either pinch me, or pour cold water on me to wake me up.

Earlier this evening, a bunch of us got together in Laguna Beach to get to know each other before the workshop. As we all gathered on the beach to do a shootout, I couldn't help but feel like the luckiest person in the world. I am so happy to be here, and I am so grateful for all the amazing people that I've met tonight. I am inspired beyond words.

Tomorrow is the workshop. I can't wait to blog everything that has happened down here. I can't wait to blog about it all.

And because a post is better with a photo, here is a preview of the shoot that I did yesterday :)

P.S. Jasmine joined us for dinner tonight, and even bought us dessert. More on meeting her later. BUT she is the sweetest person on the planet. NO joke. I didn't shed tears, but I was definitely screaming with excitement inside :)

I'm on a plane right now.

Greetings from however many feet up in the air :)

Chris and I are on a plane right now. Free internet on Virgin America til January. How awesome is that? SUPER awesome.

But I am so excited to be headed to the OC right now. This weekend will be amazing, and I can't wait for the workshop on Monday.

My Little Man

Chris and I headed to San Jose to hang out with my parents for a bit. I love seeing my parents. But I'm not going to lie, whenever Chris and I head to San Jose we are always in for a treat with my little brother. I can't believe that he is almost 4 now, and probably the most talkative little kid I know. Tonight while at dinner, after the server dropped off our check he looks up and says, "Thank You So Much!" Bout made my entire year. Here are some photos that I snapped of him. I taught him how to pose in the 1st picture, and because he is a little ham he followed my directions. Gotta love him.

Mom and Dad, these are for you. Love you!

P.S. In exactly 7 hours, I'll be at the airport headed to Orange County.

Happy Saturday!

Quote of the day

The most successful people in life are the ones who walk in love and step out in faith…. they are the ones who aren’t afraid to take big risks. -Sarah Rhoads

Happy Friday!

Thankful Thursday

If I could describe how I've been feeling lately, I'd say stressed, and exhausted. Yes, it's true. But behind the stress of school, and the exhaustion that comes with work, school, and deadlines...I'd honestly have to say that I feel more blessed than anything else.

The weekend is coming quickly, and the day I've been waiting for is coming around the corner. No, not my wedding day. But the Jasmine Star Workshop. To be honest, after I signed up I had a little meltdown. I cried and I told Chris I quit photography. I had the chance to see all of the fellow workshop attendees' work. They're all very talented, and all absolutely amazing. I was scared. Terrified. Shaking in my boots. I felt like I didn't belong. You know. Sort of like the school freak trying to fit in by trying out for the cheer team.

But what I didn't remember at the time was that this whole process isn't a competition. The very reason I signed up for the workshop in the first place is to learn. I often forget that the beginning is always a struggle. Especially in this business. You either pull through or you don't. And I...I pull through. Because no matter how many times I quit and cry, this is my passion. My dream. I'll pursue it even if it means I fail because at the end of the day I'm happy. If I'm happy, then I consider myself successful.

In a few days, I have the chance to meet and learn from Jasmine and 19 other amazing photographers. I'm no longer scared. Terrified. Definitely not shaking in my boots. I'm excited to make new friends. Learn from the best. But most of all, be inspired to keep on truckin. I am so thankful to have this chance.

So this I leave you for Thankful Thursday...

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."-Eleanor Roosevelt

Tied Knots: Troy & Maren

I know this week is crazy, but I couldn't help but blog these. wish I had time to blog the reception, but maybe that's for later this week.

Happy Monday!