Sneaky Sneaky

if only I looked this fashonista!

Today I discovered one more way I have a little of my mom in me...how could I be so lucky!

When I was younger I always remember my mom sneaking into the cupboard, rustling of a wrapper, slowly sliding her face into the cupboard emerging with the look of I've got a secret and jaw moving ever so slowly. When I was little little I didn't get it, when I got older I would sneak into the cupboard to find out just what exactly she was sneaking. Rare occasions I would actually find it, the other times I would spend my time emptying the whole cupboard only to find bitter sweet chocolate and rock hard raisins...YUCK! (I always wondered if she had some secret cupboard hiding the goods...back of course when I had a fun kid imagination..now I'm old and WAY too logical)

Today I finally realized why my mom did that (do you blame her honestly...7 kids I would be downing the little moments of heaven number 1 for my sanity, number 2 because if I didn't eat them all my kids would). She needed a little moment of heaven and she found it through a special little treat, just for her.

Today I found myself distracting the little man while I ever so slyly snuck a treat. My treat of course is never the sweet smooth delight of chocolate (not that I would know since I don't like it) its the fruit snacks I supposedly bought after my little man begged me to get them...ha I fooled him, right?

Goes a little like this....
What? you want Gushers....oooh they are more expensive! (pause) But since you've been such a good guy grab 5 boxes, okay fine let's make it an even 6.
"Wow that's a lot mama"
Its for food storage little guy (let's be honest, not one of those 6 boxes will ever see the inside of my food storage let alone the next week)

Moral of this post is:

1. I get why my mom had "special things" just for her, even though back then I thought it was so "MEAN"

2. I think all mamas need a little moment of heaven throughout the day.

3. Reading back this post I look like a sneaky liar...sweet I rock! (Okay I really am not that bad, I have the sweetest intentions...food storage is a good idea I just eat it before it can ever make it down there:)

*I think the little man might be on to me because when he asks for a fruit snack and I say...oh no they're all gone...tears well in his eyes and he says MAMA you ate them all... TOTALLY BUSTED!

kids are superfantastic

We all know kids are fantastic but this morning I realized kids are more then just fantastic, they are super fantastic.

The last few weeks, okay really March has been a rough month for me. I piled my plate WAY to high and then some pretty craptastic things have happened to me making it all the worse. When I woke up this morning at 7:00am I was grumpy right off the bat. I set my alarm for 5am so I could make the 5:30 session and well we know how that turned out. I was mad at myself and super sad I didn't get the chance to feel some peace in this life of turmoil(SIDE NOTE: this sounds super dramatic, its really not that bad I'm just a stress mania). Oh there's more...I had a photo class that I've been going to (putting stress on myself and my mf) that was looking more and more like I wasn't going to be able to make it (money down the drain, YUCK). I tried to be as happy as I could but I am a terrible actress..(note to self, never persue acting, although at some point I secretly wanted to be on Days of our Lives).

I rushed MF and lil man out the door and turned back into the house feeling totally depleated (its only 8:30am, yikes). Then I hear the door open and in walks my lil man with tears in his eyes. I instantly scoop him up and he tearfully explains that he didn't get to tell me he loved me and give me a hug and kiss. By this time my tears are flowing! That's what its all about, that's why kids are super fantastic. At that moment nothing else mattered. We gave tons of hugs and kisses and he was on his way again.

Thanks lil man, you have no idea how much that small moment meant to me today. I sure do love you and think you are SUPER FANTASTIC!!

Day with Yan

Isn't she a beaut!
Oh baby!! My day with Yan is quickly approaching 2 days to be exact. I am super excited and super nervous. She is quite simply amazing and I am so happy she is willing to mentor newbies like me. I want to be the best so I figure why not mentor with what I think is the best. There are plenty of photographers that are good but there is something about her pics. They are striking, different, and rockin clear.

I don't want to "just" take pictures. I want to capture memories, moments, personalities, and stories. I have no doubt Yan (and a booty load of work) can get me there. It's so exciting to be pursing something I love!! I can't thank my MF for supporting, loving, and pushing me to make this happen. Pics and thoughts from my day with her are sure to come.

WOO WOO!!

I forgot

Lil sis love hate with the grass..so fitting!
So here's the truth, I forgot. For a brief (okay maybe several days) moment I forgot I had this silly blog. I can't decide my opinion on the whole blog thing. On one hand I think they are awesome on the other I think they aren't so awesome. I started this blog just for me thinking it could be my journal, my opinion, my life. Then the crazy idea of comments came in. I tried to pretend I didn't need comments and that the blog was just for me, but then I started to get some and it was over.

Its silly but the comments made me feel loved and who doesn't want that? So I'm starting a new (again) and trying to get back to just writing my life and not checking every 5 min after a post to see if I had any comments (Thanks to those for always sending the comment love, you know who you are).

On a lighter not so wallowing in self pity note I'm following my dreams! WOO WOO! I'm pushing forward with photography and I'm going to make it happen, and one day be an amazing photographer. I dove head first into fitness and will hopefully be teaching some rockin classes someday. Needless to say I'm stoked, beyond words.

For all those lovely people who are helping me learn the art of taking a fantastic picture, one day I will take pictures for them that will knock socks off. Not sure who came up with that saying, as if socks can really be knocked off...anyway! I hope for Ashley that Drake isn't 16 and I take more pooptastic pics of all her other kids :). Poor Ashley, sure hope she sticks with me. Or for Liz she might actually get her pics and I might snap some beauties of her sweet little Jace while he's still little. Or Margie...eek poor Margie. Okay honestly my list could go for quite sometime, sorry friends I promise one day you'll be happy you stuck with me.

MF is hoping I'll be his sugar daddy(with my new found dream catching) and I'm hoping he'll be mine...we might be in trouble. Life is super busy, but super super awesome.

Till next time...go ride or snap..MIH

RPM

Well folks I have a new hero, and a new obsession. My new hero is the Les Mills and my new obsession is RPM. I was lucky enough to attend a training here in Logan. It was an intense 2 day course that trained you how to kick peoples trash on the bike, hello heaven nice to meet you! I love getting my trash kicked and now I get to help give that pleasure to others. Doesn't it sound AWESOME? I've never taught a fitness class but I have serious motivation and passion for booty kickin goodness and the opportunity to change people's life.

I'm still shocked I passed the course since everything was new to me, but I did it! I do have to say Les Mills doesn't mess around. They are serious and you have to be the best of the best in order to become a Les Mills instructor. I have to learn all their Choreography 100% and send a video of myself as well as team teach 4 times before I can be on my own. Oh and did I mention that they put out a new release every 4 weeks where I have to learn a new one all over again..eek! I love that they are so serious and intense, makes me realize I joined the right party!

So for anyone who wants to burn some serious calories, rock out to some kickin booty music, and sweat buckets please join me (well not until April, that's our huge kick off!) at Gold's gym...yes you are looking at the newest Gold's gym employee...WOOT WOO!!!

A small plug for my new place of employment, It ROCKS! The month of March promotion is sign up for a buck and only $28.95 a month.

If you end up joining put my name down so they can see I was worth hiring...hee hee!!

Today I asked for paper

Today at the store (okay fine 2 days ago today)I finally said paper please. Every time the sweet Macey's worker asks me if I would like paper or plastic there is always a moment of hesitation before the word plastic rolls off my tongue. I know deep down I should be asking for paper or buying those "save the planet" bags and bringing those to the store, but I'm a slave. I have become a slave of ease, convenience, and sheer laziness.

I have kids, trying to handle kids and a "paper" bag with no handles just seems crazy. I can barely remember the list let alone the 10 "save the planet" bags I'd need to carry all of the groceries. I have so many plastic bags at home but they sure are nice to pack lunches, super stinky diapers, or soiled underoos.

Today (fine Thursday) all that changed, I finally acted on that moment of hesitation all because of a picture. I love photography, always have. I love that capturing a moment tells a lifetime of stories. This man is amazing, I love his work, and today he changed a part of my life by capturing a moment in someones life.

Here is his goodness for your viewing pleasure: Will it change you?

Smokey-mountain-does-what-we-see-change-us

All of his pics:
Smokey-mountain

The kids are so happy, with so little. What an example they are to me and all of us. I can't wait until I get the chance to travel the world and tell the stories through the images I capture.