Isn't it HOT?

I get asked all the time the same question about living in Arizona:  How can you handle living there...isn't it HOT?  Well...I always remind them that it's not ALWAYS hot here...just a couple of months out of the year it's hot, but we stay inside out of the heat and enjoy our air conditioned homes! (Or in my case...I spend a lot of time outside in the pool!!)
BUT one thing that I absolutely LOVE about living here is the weather the other 9 months of the year. While all of my other friends are complaining about the cold & rain & snow we are outside playing in the backyard or at the park. In flip-flops...and shirtless. (at least the boys are shirtless)
Because c'mon....who wouldn't love to be outside in February riding their bikes in 75 degrees?

daydreaming on his bike

cute little feet

Happy weekend!

Loving. Living. Enjoying.

This year is all about reconnecting for me. And the first people that I have been doing this with have been the two that I am closest to. We have been making many, many trips to the park. Going to movies and museums. Date nights. Movie nights. Going for walks around the block and riding bikes out in front of the house. Snuggling on the couch and playing board games. And just enjoying time with each other.

I feel so content with my life and where I am going. I’m making choices that are having amazingly positive impacts in my life. The closeness and love that is in our home is almost palpable. And it feels amazing.

So this Valentine’s Day I’m actually lucky enough to have two Valentine’s…and my heart is full. Full of love. Full of positivity and possibility. Full of life.

I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend. And I hope that you fill it with the people that you love. We will be having a family movie night tonight, date night tomorrow…a visit or two to the park and some bike riding. And most definitely there will be some snuggling and laughing and tickle fights. And love. Lots and lots of love.

Busy. Busy. Busy.

I have been so busy living my life that I haven’t had time to write about it on here! It has been a complete whirlwind for the last 2 weeks and I think that I finally have time to catch my breath!!

First off was a quick trip away with just my hubby and I to Laughlin, Nevada. It was the first time that I had ever been there and my husband hadn’t been there for almost 15 years, so neither of us were really sure what to expect. It definitely was NO Vegas…but there was some gambling & drinking, so we had a great time. AND it was really, really relaxing. Which was something that we both desperately needed. It was nice to get away by ourselves for a couple of days….just to enjoy each other, take our time doing things and feel no rushing or responsibilities for a couple of days. (And we walked away with all of our money, not losing one dollar to the casinos! Score!!)

The day that we got back from Laughlin, we had 3 hours to pick up our dog from the boarders, go grocery shopping, do laundry & get our house ready for house guests! A college friend of ours from up in Washington State came down with her family to go to her grandparent’s 60th anniversary party. Since we hadn’t seen each other in almost 3 years it was so nice to get to spend some time with each other…and the trip was made even better because our kiddos really got along and had fun with each other! (We even managed to squeeze in a fun four-generation family photo shoot with her family, her parents, aunts & uncles and grandparents! I LOVE being able to capture special moments like that!)

Finally…the trip that we had been planning for a couple of months came. The big trip to Disneyland! We had just 5 days between our house guests leaving and us leaving to go on our trip. So needless to say, I have been...

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!!

Photo Shoot Giveaway!!

 I just wanted to let you guys know that I am having a giveaway for a FREE photo session and print package over on my business website! Check it out here! 
The contest will run until February 4th with the winner announced no later than February 11th, 2012!
Head on over and enter!  Good luck! 

FIVE

 Today my baby turns 5.

 

My baby boy is 5.

 

He. Is. Five.

It doesn’t matter how many times I say this out loud or to myself, it just doesn’t seem to be real. I seriously cannot believe how quickly time has passed. It seems like just yesterday that I was pregnant and waiting to finally meet him.

But the last 5 years have been filled with so many fun, amazing memories. And I couldn’t have asked for a better child! He is smart, funny, witty, caring and sweet. 

 

Man, I just love this kiddo. And I can't wait to get home to celebrate his birthday with him!!

 

 Happy Birthday Caleb!!!

My parenting list

My son's birthday is coming up. And it's his 5th. Over the next year he will start at a new school. He will continue to grow both emotionally & physically and become more mature. He will need me less and try more things on his own.

He is on his way to developing into the man that he eventually will become. Over the past few months I have been carefully watching my baby grow into a little boy. He has strong opinions and loves reading and learning. He is sweet and kind and loving...he is oh so very loving. Hearing his sweet voice from the backseat of the car say out of the blue "mommy, I wuv you." well...that just melts me and makes me want to freeze that moment to replay over and over again. Especially when I'm having a bad day. And I am proud of him...so very, very, proud.

Over the last few months, I have found myself writing little notes in my cell phone about things that I want to make sure that my son knows. Things that I want to make sure that he learns about...a list of things that I really believe that if he learns as a child will make him into an absolutely wonderful man when he's an adult. It's not a complete list by any means. And it's not the list that will fit every child. But it consists of things that I believe are important.

1) Getting dirty is ok. It's why god made showers and the washing machine. Plus it's one way that I know that you have had as much fun as possible doing something!

2) Don't be afraid to love or afraid to tell people that you love them. And your father and I hope to hear those words come from you in our direction often.

3) It's alright to show emotion. And it's alright to talk about how you feel. I will do my best to help you learn how to do this. Being a good communicator will help you go a long way when you are an adult. And your future spouse will thank me.

4) Hugging is good—actually it's expected in our home. I know that out in the real world that physical touch is not always acceptable, but when you care about someone one of the best ways to show them is by touch…and hugs are one of the best way to do that.

5) Asking why is always acceptable. And I will always do my best to answer with a "real" answer, not just a "because I say so." When I don't know the answer I will find it, with you right by my side.

6) Don't be afraid to be goofy or silly - There are times that we just need to dance to get the silly's out of our system!! (And I LOVE our dance party Sundays!!)

7) Helping mommy or daddy is always appreciated. It's how you will learn how to do things…like fixing things, building stuff, cooking, laundry and dishes. It's one of the things that will help you to be an amazing man and husband in the future.

8) I will always be your cheerleader. For your wins and your losses. I will keep scrapbooks of your life and show them to your prom date. I will brag about you to my friends and on my blog. I will post photos of you on Facebook and I will be there for you every step of the way…cheering you on in your life.

9) You will lose sometimes and it's not the end of the world. Regardless of what other people say, not everyone is a winner at everything. There will be times when you will lose, but your daddy and I will always be there for you. You won't be alone and we will always figure out how to learn from that loss and what to do better next time. And we will teach you to never give up. Never. Ever. Give. Up.

10) We will travel together and see this beautiful world. Your daddy and I will do our best to give you the chance to explore places, both near and far. We might not get to everywhere we want to, but the places that we will go too will help us to make special memories together. And travelling will open your eyes to what this amazing beautiful world has to offer.

11) Your father and I will always be your home base. We will be a solid rock on which you can always land. We will be there at your sporting events, will come to your class parties, we will be there when you call out for us.

   

"Love"ly photos!

Back in August we had some family photos taken. And mind you...having your family photos taken in August in Phoenix in NOT easy. And the fact that it rained overnight and in the early morning before our photo shoot made for some wonderfully humid sweaty weather! But we prevailed and I was so happy with the results. I've been meaning to share them on here...mostly because I almost never ever post photos of myself. But this is a new year...and it's all about reconnecting, right? 

  The photos were taken by the talented Justine Miller from Mesa, Arizona. And I just LOVE how they turned out. (yes...pun intended!!) They were taken in Scottsdale at Scottsdale Civic Plaza where this wonderful sculpture is. And now I want to take some of my own clients here...especially for an engagement shoot!