Engagement Photo Session - Austin, Texas

I need to play catch up on my neglected blog....I have a slew of going-ons in our life to tell you all about!!! 

But, right now, I want to show off some of the engagement pictures I captured in Austin, Texas at the beginning of March.  This couple is adorable and these pictures came so easy for them....not alot of work on my part.  That spells L.O.V.E. to me!!!! 

Enjoy!!!  And please.....I'd love any and all feedback....the negative and the positive.  I am still learning and I'd love to hear your opinions. 

I'll always remember... I'll never forget, how you took my breath away, the first time we met. No matter what happens... no matter what we do, I'll always remember the first time I saw you.

work shake up

Oh 2013....bringing on the anxiety already?!?  There is a shake up going on at my work this week and I am asking for prayers, good vibes and thoughts for me.  I will update later.  Oh, and if I could turn the below image into my full time working environment ...that'd be great!  Could you work on that for me???

{via}

Because I like to live free, with no worries.  Which in reality is not possible.  But I just truly want a drama free work environment and in life I really focus on that!  This is out of my hands at work.....

{via}

So today, my plan of action is as follows: 

{via}

....life had taught me undeniably 

that surrender, in its place, 

was as honorable as resistance, 

especially if one had no choice. 

~ Maya Angelou

my Honey...my warrior

Warrior: Honey

I see a true warrior as someone who strives to be the best they can be at all things.  A warrior is someone who lives to a strict code of honor and lives life to the fullest in full awareness and without fear of the unpredictable nature of life and of the constant presence of death.  Death is not to be seen as something to be feared but only another part of the journey and therefore as with all things it is to be faced with honor. 

May You Rest In Peace 

Sunrise: 10~31~1920

Sunset: 10~11~2012

To be a warrior is not a simple matter of wishing to be one.  It is rather an endless struggle that will go on to the very last moment of our lives.  Nobody is born a warrior, in exactly the same way that nobody is born an average man.  We make ourselves into one or the other. 

~ Carlos Castaneda

I instagram'd it!

So I took a leap.  It only took two years and now I am an instagram-er...

{via}

So come and find me... MELIFAIF...

{via}

And if you have one, let me know so I can stalk follow you back.  Happy instagramming. 

young and old, happy and sad

Young:  Layla celebrating her 5th birthday in T minus 8 days.

Old:  Helping my mom celebrate her 63rd birthday tomorrow.  And my older sisters a day before Layla's. 

{via}

Young:  Layla's spunky spirit, personality and body.

Old:  What my body feels like.

{via}

Young:  Layla

Old: Honey, my grandma.  Layla's great grandma. 

{via}

Happy:  Layla growing into a beautiful young lady.

Sad:  Layla starting Kindergarten in exactly one month and me having to say good bye to our commute rides together Monday - Friday.

{via}

Happy:  Honey living a long and happy life. 

Sad:  Knowing that I will have to say good bye to that life soon.  

{via}

Happy:  hello!

Sad: good bye!

{via}

Man's feelings are always purest and most glowing in the hour of meeting {young and happy} and of farewell. {old and sad}

~ Jean Paul Richter

slacking and lacking....but now it's time for super DOOPER sunshine!!!

Yes, yes I know....if anyone is still reading here, I am honestly amazed.  To say that I have been slacking in the blogging arena, is a pretty gross understatement.  And lacking in visting my favorite blogs and leaving comments like I usually do.  No good excuse there.  I, myself, am just lacking. 

But, Super Sunshine Summer has kicked me in the arse and got me back to writing.  Even if it isn't anything that interests you much....I am back!

{via}

Me!?!  I feel okay.  I still struggle daily with physical pain.  But, I push through and try to enjoy life as much as I can.  No one is promised tomorrow.  And Summer helps me remember, we are in charge of our own attitude in life.  We can sulk.  Or we can SHINE!  I CHOOSE TO SHINE!!!!

Summer shines in an unbelievable way.  The disease she is fighting would bring most to their knees.  Make most stop a lot of things they do.  Not her, she pushes through.  And through it all, she comes up with the SUNSHINE PROJECT, which I am taking part in for the first time.  Summer....this one is for you! 

Join in and link up!  Basically, you post a picture, a story, anything that brings SUNSHINE to your world.  I can do that. 

And I will start with a silly little word and phrase that my almost FIVE year old said to me the other night right before bed.  Ya'll will most definitely not thinking it is as funny as we did...but it is something I never want to forget and since my Lindsay said, "you need to blog that, for real!" I will!!! 

Layla:  "Mommy?"

Mommy:  "Yes, baby girl...."

Layla:  "WHEN I WAS TWO, I POOPED IN MY DOOPER!"

Us:  *Bust.Out.Laughing!!!!!*

{we giggle alot!}

{Naturally Beautiful shirt via Cotton Laundry which also brings the sunshine!}

Girlfriend, meant to say diaper, but got tongue tied and DOOPER came out!  One of our favorite sayings now.  SUNSHINE!!!

We recently returned from a week long trip to Oklahoma for Layla to visit her SEVEN cousins and for Richard to see his brother and sister.  SUNSHINE!!!

I will post in more detail about that later, because BOY! there is alot to say...and lots of kids, so I will space that one out.  But I did snag a few heart warming pictures that scream SUNSHINE!!

On our way back to Houston I needed to stop and visit with my Honey in San Antonio.  Life is precious, and this sweet soul is slowly withering away.  It breaks my heart. I wish life wasn't cruel like that, but I can always count on her to....bring the SUNSHINE!!!!!

Have a sunshine-y weekend.  Hope to see you 'round these here parts a lil more often.  Cheers!

Manic Monday - 07.09.12

If some people didn't tell you,

you'd never know they'd been away on a vacation.

~ Kin Hubbard

Manic Monday - 06.04.12

Ordinary riches can be stolen,

{via}

real riches cannot.

{via my heart}

In your soul are infinitely precious things

{via}

that cannot be taken from you.

{via}

~ Oscar Wilde

#febphotoaday continued....

Hi!  I've been busy...but I am still snapping away and impressing myself.

And because I am infatuated with our beautiful Texas skies, I did TWO pictures for Day 8 - sun.  I was also giddy because the skies were clear and not overcast as they were for the past week or so. 

{Day 8 - SUN, sunrise}

{Day 8 - SUN, sunset}

{Day 9 - FRONT DOOR}

Join in the fun if ya wanna...

I know ya'll simply cannot wait to see my mug tomorrow....stay tuned!  ha.

finally FRIDAY!!!!!

Ushering in Fall and bidding adieu to Summer.  Happy weekend folks!