Taken

PLEASE go see this movie and continue to educate yourself on sex trafficking. It's real and it's going on all over the world. It's disgusting and we must fight against it.

Too Proud with Songs in my head

Last night when Chance and I were at my grandparents house, we talked for like 2 hours before we fell asleep. We talked about our lives and how we really want to start concentrating on enjoying life as we live it; the now. I think too often we've been looking at our lives like some kind of thing to get through, like..."things will be better when we have a house" or "it will be easier when we start to make more money" or "everything will be so much better when we are done with the first year of the business." It's as if we are setting ourselves up for disaster. We are missing out on so many solid moments now, because we are too busy focusing on a future that doesn’t promise tomorrow.

I had an "ah-ha" moment this weekend after pondering life a bit, and it happened as I was praying. I was asking God why he’s been so confusing the last 5 months or so...I mean, I thought because I obeyed Him, He was going to make me rich and famous or something. I thought that I would have a pot of gold or dozens of people waiting to be my best friend at the end of the rainbow, but I was so wrong. In fact, I have less money now, and less friends now than I've ever had. Funny huh? No, seriously it’s really funny because I’ve always had lots of friends and I’ve never needed money. But I've realized why God put me in certain positions. I now understand why our business wasn't successful the moment we launched...I now accept the people and things that have been taken out of my life and I now know that if I wasn't stripped of everything, I would have gained nothing. God knew I wouldn’t have looked His way if things were great…He’s knows I’m too selfish to give credit to anyone else but myself. He knows I was too proud to tell people my faults or the things I was fearing or what a bad wife I was, or how depressed I could get. He knows all that and that’s why he choose to break me down hard before I could really see what I needed to do with myself, my marriage, my life, my money, and our business.

I think everyone needs times like this in their life. Everyone needs to be alone to evaluate their direction and be refreshed, renewed. I’ve been totally inspired lately…and it’s amazing. So inspired that I’ve started to sing. I’m working on writing a song and I’m totally, wildly excited. You know the best part of it all…I really can’t sing, but somehow I sang in front of our friend Chris like it was no big deal. Who am I? I’ve always loved music and singing, but now it’s like something inside of me is telling me to write and sing and groove. I’m obsessed. Don’t you just love how life is so clever?

I’d like to say I’m a bit better now. So, ‘I’m a bit better now.’ However, I still can be a really mean person, to the point where I even hurt my own feelings. It’s like, I didn’t even know I was that mean…but I’m hopeful because God always fills my little heart at the very best time. But can I share something I hear way too often before I loose my nerve? Don’t ever approach us and say something like, “oh yea, you have it easy. you guys don’t really work, you got it made working from home.” That is one thing that makes my ears bleed and fire shoot out my eyes. Yes, we are blessed to do what we do, but it is certainly not easy, and we both work our asses off. Think what you want about us and why we do what we do or don’t do. You can even talk behind our backs about it to make yourself feel better, but don’t ever let me hear it, because I guarantee “it will be unpleasant for both of us”- (Sayid to Ben on last week’s LOST).

Grams and Pops

I won't be able to blog AGAIN tonight because Chance and I are heading to Yosemite Lakes Park to stay with my grandparents. Papa is home from the hosiptal so we are going to make dinner for him and grams. Thanks for all the prayers and good thoughts that you sent his way. He is doing well and resting lots.

Chance and I just got back from our friend, Chris' house. He has tons and tons of cool music stuff over there and I went over and sang with him...and it was SO fun. hopefully we are going to record something soon for our photography website. We will see if it works out...because i'm not very good haha.

Back to Basics

Chance and I rolled back home about 7 tonight. We dropped our bags, changed and went to our friend, Kesley's bday party. We just got home from that and I'm wondering why our little trip to the beach had to go so fast. The coast was beautiful and it was fun to visit with Chance's family that lives over in Paso. I'll be back to the basics...back to blogging tomorrow.

Here are some pictures i took on my phone.

This is Chance's -Grandma's Nut Store! It's so cute...built right under her house. And their property is BEAUTIFUL...they have sooo much!



Here's a picture I took on our way out of Cambria

Twilight

So I'm dumb because i mentioned in my last blog that Chance and I were leaving tonight for Pismo...no. We are leaving tomorrow morning, I don't know what I was thinking...ANYWAY...

OH MY GAAAAAWWWW!!!!! Twilight.



I just saw it. And I loved it. It was so intense! I kept making fun of my friend Nikki for being so into it that she finally had me watch it before i judged her anymore. I think she finished the 4 books in like a day and saw the movie like 7 times. But now I totally see how it can be addicting.

It's like Edward just wants to kill Bella but he doesn't cuz he wants to do her at the same time. Something about that it so romantic...so dangerous, haha.

Chance came home about half way through the movie because he went to this bridal magazine party thing so I stopped the movie and Nikki explained to him what was going on and he finished watching it with us. I told him it was sooo interesting and sexy because Edward wanted to protect Bella, but kill her too, but since he instantly fell in love with her he was always fighting demons inside to not kill her and Chance said, "so? i love you and i could kill you sometimes." haha

Befriend me

Bummer...I couldn't blog last night because my mom and I stayed with my grandma. My papa is still in the hosiptal and someone has needed to stay with my grandma because she just had back surgery. If you remember, throw up some prayers for my grandparents.

I've gotten a few messages/emails from people telling me they read my blog...I love it! Thanks for checking it out. If I don't know you or haven't met you...befriend me on facebook. And make sure you follow my network blog on there too!

Chance and I leave for Pismo tonight. We are headed to do an engagement session and it will be the second e-sesh that we've done at the beach. LOOOVVVEEE outta town shoots. Be sure to check the photo blog when we get back.

Why?

Why am I saying "oh my gaw" now like Jessica Simpson? It's been coming outta my mouth like wild fire. gross.

Cat Groomers

I'm searching for a local cat groomer that will give Geronimo a Lion's cut. The cheapest I've found is 75$...Lemme know if you know of anything better ASAP! Thanks!

April 18th

Chance and I have been having a GREAT time with the photo biz. We love the new people we are getting to meet and the stuff we are getting to shoot. Just wanted to let everyone know that Chance and I will be having a portrait event April 18th. The sitting fee is $50 and 25% of all the proceeds from print sales will be benefiting Faceless International. I'll post more details about it tomorrow. There are six spots and each session is 30 minutes. More to come, in the meantime look up what Faceless is all about and check out photo blog for more info.

Skinny Minney

I found some pictures last night that are about 2 years old and I forgot how cute I was. I mean seriously...look at how skinny I WAS!! the thing is...i don't even remember being this small. I don't even remember thinking I was skinny. WEIRD! I was like smokin' hot. Besides the annoyingly weird look on my face...my bod looks pretty good.






Anyway, this is what I look like now.



I'm not saying I'm obese or fat, but I for SURE am over weight for my structure. About 20 times a year I get on this kick to not eat sugar and diet like crazy and then it falls through because I forget that I can never say no to dessert. Like i never do...seriously. My dad has agreed to start training me once again and hopefully i will be on my way to being a healthy weight. We will see...

Wedding Season

I’m really excited to announce that Chance and I will be shooting our first wedding for the 2009 year in about 10 hours. Brain and Ashley will kick off wedding season with a bang...I just know it. After that, we have weddings booked almost every month until the end of the year...sooo excited. If somehow you read my blog and don't know what my husband and I do for a living...check out our website or the photography blog. Oh and Chance posted some new pics of me on our blog yesterday. We had a fun little shoot. Check it out.

Friends feel gooood

This week I've been really blessed to spend time with some girlfriends. Even though I adore Chance, life can get a little lonely with just the two of us. I'm so glad I got to reconnect with some of my girls over this past week. I went out to lunch 3 times to meet girlfriends! How lucky am I?! I also got to hang out with my friend Lisa and take some pictures of her on a beautiful day. Check them out on our blog. Nikki and I went to Mimi's and a movie, Brandy and I gabbed over a long lunch at Elephant Bar, and today Jen and I caught up at Mr. Sushi. Thanks girls...I love you all, and it was great. Not only did i get to hang out with friends, but I got an hour FREE massage from my favorite sister, Jenny Pauline and ALSO got my hair did today.

Tomorrow should be more low key...but i've definitely been spoiled this week. Definitely.

Here’s a picture of my hair so far. I say so far because I’m in the process of dying it blond, but since my hair was so dark and red before, Jenny has to do it in 3 phases. I can’t wait to see it when I’m done!

Weird Feeling

Today I had this really weird feeling for the last part of the day. I don't know why, and I've been trying to figure out why i would be feeling funny, but i can't figure it out. This feeling isn't really a good feeling either...so yea...it's basically a bad feeling. I want it to go away and i reeaalllyyy want some peace with whatever it is. Prayers are welcome.

Newly designed website.

Since we finally finished the look we wanted for the website and everything, i'm hoping chance will now let me decorate our house. We designed this site together and i think it has a good vibe going on with our style and stuff. Let us know what you think. I did some of the illustrations...it was fun. Go to chancejamesphotography.com and browse around.

What's up pussy cat? Whoa whoa whoa

ya dig?

Mark's Breakfast Bars

So my Dad made up a recipe for these AMAZING protein bars...like seriously...really good stuff. All protein or breakfast bars that i have tried have seemed to have a weird after taste, or some weren't that good for you in the first place, but THESE my friends, these are VERY good for you and no funny after taste.

For those of you who don't know my Dad, he is a personal trainer at a local gym. He knows his stuff...and his clients are now paying him to make these breakfast bars for them because they are so delish. If you want to try them, let me know, or if you just want to buy them...they are 8 bars for $10. Seriously...that's like $10 for 8 days of breakfast, or snack or whatever, and it's GOOD for you! Completely Organic and completely delish. Mark Bars...get your hands on some today.

So far he has two kinds, Peanut Butter Bars or Cinnamon Raisin.

I gotcha

You didn't think I was going to get around to blogging today, did you? Well I did! We've had a busy weekend so far...we are watching a two year old over night, and it's so weird how we already feel like we are parents. But, i'll tell you...Chance is going to be the BEST dad in town. He's ready for everything now...and to see him be so patient, aw it melts my heart.

I've had a lot on my mind today. Some good things, some not so good things, but all in all i'm happy to be alive, i'm excited to do what i do and i'm still stressed, but so thankful that God is guiding me along this crazy path that Chance and I have taken.

I'm a little coo coo right now because i have a trillion little things on my mind so i will just leave you with a picture of my precious little Moes. I took it tonight on my iphone.

How could you not love that little face?!

Whatever

new photo website in two days...

THIS is the place to be

I don't want to write anything tonight. So to keep you entertained i'll send you to another blog for now. And if i HAVE to send you somewhere else for your blog pleasure just for one night, it would probably be THIS blog. Not because he's funny or anything, he's actually super annoying; always referring to himself as a PROFESSIONAL WRITER and stuff. He's always making all of us other bloggers feel less than because we don't know how to use grammer correctly or because we don't have a DOT COM at the end of our domain name...like somehow that makes you a PROFESSIONAL WRITER! gross. But i guess he's pretty ok...just for tonight. So if i can't write a blog today for your reading eyes, i would send you there...or here.

And since our photography website isn't done i can't tell you to go there yet so instead, go HERE.

And if i could give you one piece of advice tonight it would be, make sure you come back to my blog tomorrow. Thank you, and goodnight.

I won't tell if you won't

Sometimes I have a lot of readers and sometimes I don’t have a lot of readers. The only conclusion I have come to is that my readers are embarrassed to be identified. They don’t want to visit my blog too much or comment because someone might catch them. That’s totally ok…I can totally relate. It’s just like how I’m afraid to be identified while buying tampons at Target, or the kinda nervous I get when I buy a People’s magazine and have to hide it so Chance doesn‘t see me reading “trash.” I understand the whole not wanting to be noticed thing. It’s ok…I’ll be your little blog secret. You just have to promise to keep my secrets…like the time that I bought a 300 puppy and told my parents it was free, or the time I almost pooped my pants when Chance and I went on our second date, or that time I shot that guy…I kid of course, I just stabbed him. I’m KIDDING! Lighten up!

Almost all the blogs I stalk know that I stalk them…there are only a few photography blogs that I’ve visited that I haven’t commented on…but every other blog I read, people know I’m there. EXCEPT this lady. I don’t even really read her blog actually. I saw her on Good Morning America or something like that once and her blog is soooooo popular that it pays for her family to live. She runs advertisements on her blog and it supports her family. After hearing of her success I immediately went to her website to see if I could just copy everything she said so my blog would be popular. I tried to steal her blogging style, and maybe just act like I was really dooce.com. Whatever. The only thing I remember reading is letters she wrote to her 5 year old daughter every month, so I thought huh, that’s gay…but it might work for me. Since I don’t have a daughter, I will write to my only child…Geronimo, my Himalayan cat.

Dear Geronimo,

I remember when you were a wee little cat, actually I'm lying. I don’t remember when you were little because I saved you from the S.P.C.A. and you were already full grown. You looked at me with that snaggle tooth and I knew it was love. When we brought you home you really smelled, but we loved you like our own.

Your butt still really smells just like it did the first day you came home. We wouldn't be the same without you, or that smell.

Oh yea, I almost forgot to thank you for the perfect little "gift" you left us. It was the perfect "accent" to our off white couch. I'm sorry, next time i'll be sure I don't smack you so hard when i find it, but remember, you're a F*&^ing cat.


I love you,
Mom


(I hope someone recognizes those last two sentences)

Now if I get more readers after this post…I will know I did something right.


And this dress was thrifted…
I got it for 1.25 ahhh yea!




And I made this headband tonight SUPER FAST…I LOOOOVVVEE IT!

Anything 1920s 30s 40s or 50s

I looooovvve the 1920-50s. Something about it is very nostalgic for me. It’s kinda funny saying that because I’m only 24 and I’d probably die if I lived in a time where there was no internet or air conditioners. Just those two things alone would make me want to kill myself, any who…I love feeling like I should have belonged in that era. There’s something ingrained in my heart that screams for that old Hollywood style and the old fashion. It’s been embedded in my brain that I would own one of those houses with the crown molding and hardwood…and then decorate it like your grandma lives there. I would totally decorate our house like that, but my husband is too mod(ern). So we just haven’t really done anything with it to compromise haha.

But seriously, when I was younger…like maybe 6? My dad and I would watch “Andy Griffith” and “I Love Lucy” EVERYDAY before I went to school. Seriously…I still remember this and I loved that time. I fell in love with Lucille Ball and I’ve been a fanatic ever since. I would go to my Nona’s house (Italian grandmother) and hear those old songs playing throughout her 100 year old house. Frank Sinatra was ALWAYS PLAYING or the oldies station always on. Then I would go to my other grandmothers house and watch old musicals like “White Christmas” and “Singing in the Rain” and other old movies with her all day. I would play with her old jewelry and old clothes that were in the trunk at the end of her bed. Just thinking about it brings me back. I get excited that these styles are slowing coming back around…the whole ‘vintage’ thing…I’m diggin’ it. Something about the fashion is sooo girly and beautiful. I feel like this style is part of me, like I grew up with it.

This picture made me feel like I was looking at one of those glamorous movie stars like Lucile Ball in her time. It was taken by Rodney Smith and his stuff is …what’s the right word? INCREDIBLE.

Also, I think this is the prettiest girl I have ever seen and I would like to be her. Thank you and goodnight.

Sacramento

We had lots of fun in Sacramento. We got home about an hour ago and I did a quick edit on some of the pictures I took. Also, check out our photography blog for more pictures that my hub took. Enjoy...

No time...

...to blog. We are in Sacramento having fun! We'll be posting photos on our photo blog soon.

Allowance and Mini Vaca

We are leaving to go to Sacramento tomorrow. I’m really excited about it. We’re only going for the night, but we are going to try to get a full two days in. Both of us haven’t been to Sacramento since we were young, so we decided to go! We’ve been talking about how we need to take advantage of the time we have and explore more…we would love to travel the world, but right now our wallets are a little restrictive. BUT we are blessed enough to have family and friends who live in Newport, L.A., San Francisco, Portland and Hawaii. For now we are setting up little trips here and there to go to Newport, and San Fran, and hopefully Portland. We’re still praying about Hawaii…haha. Anyway, we are blessed…I’ve been feeling that so much lately.

Oh. And now I have an allowance, and I love it. It’s totally teaching me to be better with our money. Chance is giving me 80 dollars a month to spend on whatever I want. He gives me a 20 dollar bill each week and it’s SOOOOOOOO hard not to spend it on the first thing I see, but I’ve been learning the value of money. My past with money hasn’t been so great. I had and have (we are STILL paying it off) credit card debt…and I don’t even know what the heck I bought?! Apparently I had to have it though. So the allowance thing is great…it’s only been a few days and I already am SUPER careful about it. I want to make sure I get the best thing for my buck. It’s fun.

And lastly, I’m working on more headbands and crafty stuff…can’t wait to post pictures. Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead…goodnight world.

About Us

A few nights ago Chance and I sat in Teazers and enjoyed a cup of tea. Chai tea and crème tea to be exact. We needed to write up some stuff for the new website. We had decided to each write some ideas down for the “about us” section on our website. And if you know me at all…you will be able to tell which sample I wrote and how funny I thought I was.

Sample 1:
We are a husband and wife photography team. We find the art in creating something in the camera frame. The passion that we have is something that is unique and inspiring.

Sample 2:
We are a husband and wife photography team. We are extremely good looking, wickedly funny and really sexy. You will be cooler because you hired us. So hire us ya sons of bitches.

***Disclaimer- sometimes I think cursing is really funny and sometimes people tell me I’m going to hell. Then I tell them…that kind of cursing is not really funny.

So grateful

Today was such a beautiful day and I’ve been so thrilled that it’s been nice and sunny outside without being super hot. I think we get like 2 weeks of nice weather in Fresno, so I’ve been doing my best to soak it in. We went to Fig Garden today and walked around with Phoenix…he’s such a cutie. I still can’t believe my life sometimes…I feel like I’m being tricked…like I don’t deserve to have the kinda life I have. And the reality is that I don’t deserve it at all, but God has so graciously blessed me with it and it’s unreal.

Chance and I get to work from home and do what we love. We get to see each other all the time and we get to make our own schedules…we are so blessed. I never, EVER want to overlook this and get comfortable with it because it’s too precious and too amazing to take for granted. I am overjoyed at this point in my life and more in love with Chance everyday.

Sexy Shoes

I posted two blogs tonight because I didn't post one yesterday and I really want to blog everyday...just for myself. weird i know. Anyway, remember me talking about Polyvore.com? DELICIOUSLY FUN! here are some shoes i gathered in the first ten minutes of playing with it.


shoes - by dominiquerose on Polyvore.com

Mandolin Rain By Bruce Hornsby

This is SUCH a good song...I love it so much.

The song came and went
Like the times that we spent
Hiding out from the rain under the carnival tent
I laughed and shed smile
It would last for awhile
You dont know what you got till you lose it all again

Listen to the mandolin rain
Listen to the music on the lake
Listen to my heart break every time she runs away
Listen to the banjo wind
A sad song drifting low
Listen to the tears roll
Down my face as she turns to go

A cool evening dance
Listening to the bluegrass band takes the chill
>from the air till they play the last song
Ill do my time
Keeping you off my mind but theres moments
That I find, Im not feeling so strong

Listen to the mandolin rain
Listen to the music on the lake
Listen to my heart break every time she runs away
Listen to the banjo wind
A sad song drifting low
Listen to the tears roll
Down my face as she turns to go

Running down by the lakeshore
She did love the sound of a summer storm
It played on the lake like a mandolin
Now its washing her away again

Listen to the mandolin rain
Listen to the music on the lake
Listen to my heart break every time she runs away
Listen to the banjo wind
A sad song drifting low
Listen to the tears roll
Down my face as she turns to go

The boats steaming in
I watch the sidewheel spin and i
Think about her when I hear that whistle blow
I cant change my mind
I knew all the time that shed go
But thats a choice I made long ago

Listen to the mandolin rain
Listen to the music on the lake
Listen to my heart break every time she runs away
Listen to the banjo wind
A sad song drifting low
Listen to the tears roll
Down my face as she turns to go

Professionally Thrifted 1st Post

LOVE LOVE LOVE this ring. It's soooo fun. I found this little beauty a few weeks ago and I'm falling more and more in love with it everday. It goes well with jeans, or a fancy outfit because it sparkles to the heavens.

All items I post will be for sale unless marked otherwise. This is going for $45

Enjoy looking at it...this picture doesn't even do it justice.

i wanna

I think i wanna blog everyday now. there are soooo many things i think i need to be blogging about and so expect lots of more blogging. blog on. Also, my husband is updating our Photography blog a lot more now so be sure to check it. We will also be done with our website this week so check back on that too. k, blog on.