Anybody Out There?

So as I did my daily rounds of blog reading I realized something... there are blogs that I have followed for over a year now and some even longer than that... mostly Mommy blogs and I feel like I know these people. Some I comment maybe once in a blue moon... and some I realized I have never commented at all. So why read their blog but not comment? So I did just that... I started commenting.

And then I wondered...

I know mostly family reads my blog and I don't usually share the link unless it's on my facebook, but do you wonder if people out there read your blog and never comment? Seriously... I do. There just might be people out there that do read what I write.

So if there's anyone out there reading... COMMENT! I write this blog mostly for family and for myself but if in case you are reading... it'll be nice to know someone else is there. So comment!

And if you have a blog as well... let me know. I am always looking for new blogs to follow. Especially you Mommies out there that can relate to what I write. I'll be sure to visit you.

Monday Tidbits

I signed Diego up for karate classes! Tae Kwon Do to be exact!

My mother-in-law gave me the money last week as his birthday present to be used for a class or sport. My intention was to put him into baseball. Diego has never played a sport or taken any classes. And my Mom and I both always wanted him in baseball. But when I went to sign him up the leagues were all completely full. BUT he has been telling me lately how much he wants to take karate... so I asked about it and the classes were still open! It'll be 2x a week... Monday and Wednesday for 4 weeks. Not bad!

He's going to be so excited when I tell him about it after school!

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I also went and signed Alayna up for Ballet again. It's been a year since she last took a class! She is very excited about this too. I know I have totally been slacking with the extra curricular activities for them. But now we should stay pretty busy.

She is signed up for the same class she took last time. It's a 12 week Ballet/Tap combo for 3-5 year olds. And this class includes the recital at the end. I can't wait for that! I am so glad that she took my love for dance/ballet and still wants to do it! I remember how much I LOVED being a dancer when I was younger. So all I need to do is gather her dance gear and buy new things if she has outgrown the old. I doubt it though.

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Diego will be 7 on March 27th and Arielle will be 2 on April 4th (8 days later) so I am busy getting started on their birthday party! Normally I start at least 2 months in advance but with so much going on and so many parties we've been having I haven't had the time or the money. But with 3 weeks left I am finally getting down to business!

It'll be a joint party. And I chose and Circus/Carnival theme! Complete with games and such! I hope I can pull off the vision I have in my head in time. I am doing everything on a budget as always so that means a LOT of DIY projects are in store for me but I have my sister and sister-in-law who help me pull it off as always. The more hands to help with designing and cutting the better!

This will mark the last (big) birthday party for Diego. We decided we're cutting them all off at age 7. We'll still celebrate his birthday (because honestly you know I can't NOT do SOMETHING related to a party or celebration) but from now on it'll be him and a few close friends/cousin or a small gathering with cake. That way Arielle and Atalie will now share a birthday party. So I am hoping that I can make this really fun for him... man my baby boy is growing fast.

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And to add to the birthday party talk... I made Arielle's tutu for the party. It took me a few hours but I did it all in one shot! I am so happy with it! I am glad I make my kids their outfits for their birthdays because it's always exactly what I want!


And BTW I am selling my tutus now... along with wands and flip flops. So if you're interested... the website is on my sidebar --->

But just in case... www.curtsie.ecrater.com

What's On My Tube?

Weekends are a great way of catching up on my DVR shows. Usually I have a jam packed planned out weekend... but these past few days have been very low key. No plans. Nothing. So I did just that... snuggled in my bed with my remote and a soda watching my shows.
So I figured I share with you people... What's on my tube:


So You Think You Can Dance: My favorite show of all time! What I love about this show is the diversity of dance they present and how awesome the routines they come up with are. Every week there's something new to amaze me. I jumped off the American Idol bandwagon and never watched it last season. It's just not there for me anymore. There's no passion in the show anymore. There's no emotion. And with SYTYCD almost every dance can touch you. And you can plainly see these dancers are passionate about what they do. This season has been awesome! The top dancer were ALL good... and it's so hard to see anyone go each week. It's so entertaining the show flies by. I love love love love LOVE this show!

The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Season 2 just started last week and OMG it was an incredible one hour.... SOOOOO much stuff happened! Let me tell you about the show. It's about a girl named Amy (shown right) who is 15 years old, a band geek (pretty band geek) in high school, and she ends up pregnant by the most popular guy in school who is nothing but trouble. A rebel kid who is in foster care and has a troubled past. The show depicts a whole group of high school students and their sex lives. Molly Ringwald plays Ann, Amy's mom who is going through a divorce. It's kinda a great show because it really does show everything Amy went through once she found out she was pregant. Telling her parents, going to the Dr, dealing with school and gossip, growing up, maturing, and even deciding if she wanted to keep her baby or have it adopted. The show is funny and real. I laugh and I cry. It's very positive and talks about all the issues teens face when it comes to sex, peer pressure, and family life.

There's a little of everything Amy the innocent girl, Adrian the slutty girl, Grace the cheerleader virgin,

Ricky (the guy who got Amy pregnant) is the rebel, Ben (Amy's boyfriend) the geek, Jack (the Christian Jock), and the parents who are trying to raise them with all their own problems. It's really a great cast!

At the end of the first season Amy decides to keep her baby and she gives birth to a baby boy, who her sister names John. This 2nd season is proving to be as incredible. So much happened in just the one hour season premier! SO MUCH! And it looks like AMy is going to have to learn that having a baby so young is more work than she could have ever imagined and even though her parents love her, she'll need to grow up and start doing things on her own.

If you've never watched it I really recommend it... especially if you have teenagers in your life. Very insightful to the way they think. Tuesdays Nights 8/7c on ABC Family

Jon & Kate Plus 8: I know I know... I shouldn't watch this show. But honestly I can't stop watching. The kids are so cute and it's fun to see how a family with 8 kids functions. Sure they don't show everything but this season is very real. I have cried numerous times watching this marriage fall apart. And I don't even feel like Kate is only to blame. Sure I can agree that they put on a huge front for the sake of the show. But your job is what keeps your family afloat and after so many years of doing the show, without it, they would have a tough time taking care of their 8 kids. It's not impossible... normal people do it all the time. But this has been their job for the last 5 years. It's so sad to see all the stressed in their lives finally get the best of them. You can see Kate wants to continue with the show and her books whereas Jon wants a more normal life now. It's a hard situation to be in... but I can't help myself and still watch the show every week.

16 and Pregnant: This is a show on MTV about young girls who get pregnant. It documents

their pregnancy, up until the birth, and after. Each episode (1hr) highlights one girl and her journey. It's eye opening for teenagers. I identify with the show a lot... maybe that's why I watch it... because I had my first child at 18. The only difference is, these girls mostly don't have a support system, and I always did and still do. It's sad to see how lost these girls are with no one behind them. Interesting show. Some of the girls grow up right away but others try to still be teenagers and think someone else will take care of their child.

So those are the main shows I watch... among other reality TV shows. I love reality tv... no matter how scripted some may be. I enjoy seeing other people live their lives. I guess it's just fun to see how different my life is from theirs. I learn a lot sometimes... and it's quite entertaining... especially all the drama.

CMT Awards!

The CMT Awards are tonight and I plan on watching it with my favorite man... Brad. Paisley that is. I am really looking forward to it. I know I am Latina but I think I should have been a country girl... because I love country so much. Sure I married a Mexican... and we all know Latin men have the sexiest accents, nice hair, and not too bad to look at... but who can pass up a man in blue jeans, a cowboy hat, and boots... who's not afraid to get a little dirty and truly knows how to treat a woman. Yup that's my kind of man!

I'll be back later to give my thought about the show.

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SPOILER ALERT!
Here are my thoughts as I watch the show... LIVE!

The inrto with Taylor Swift was hilarious! I mean... rapping with T-pain? Like I said... HILARIOUS! My husband didn't find the humor in it, but then again he's lame.



Dierks opens up... and he was good. Not who I would have opened it up with... but whatev.

Kellie Pickler still uses her little blonde act... but I can't help but like her. And she looked pretty!

Breakthrough Video:
My Guess - Lady Antebellum
... and I was wrong! It was Zac Brown Band with "Chicken Fried"

It's good to see Joey & Rory out there in the Country Music world. I like them! They are certainly cute!

Isn't it funny that so many people are crossing over into country music? As I sit here and listen to Darius Rucker who used to be in Hootie and the Blowfish sing... I thought about it. I mean we've got Kid Rock, Bon Jovi, Jessica Simpson, and Julianne Hough... ballroom dancer to country singer. Just makes me laugh. But it makes me appreciate all that they bring to country music. Everyone adds a little different something.

Speaking of Julianne... there she is presenting. She looks like a little cupcake!

Duo Video of the Year:
My Guess - Sugarland... since they got a 50/50 chance... haha!
... and I was Right! They won for "All I Wanna Do"... but were also nominated for "Already Gone"
I love me some Sugarland!

Lady Antebellum performs: And good as usual.

Brad Paisley performs! Oh my favorite song! "I thought I loved You Then" Best song ever! And his guitar is so pretty! It's paisley! Get it... get it! Bwahahah... pretty neat! His songs always make me cry! He's up for Video of the Year for "Waitin' On A Woman" which BTW Jr has dedicated to me. Speaking of dedications... the only other song that Jr has ever dedicated to me was ALSO a Brad Paisley song called "She's Everything". That must mean we really like him.

P.S. Jr just told me to go sleep on the couch cuz I said if he was Brad Paisley I'd like him more. Then he said I like Brad Paisley more than him and I agreed.

How funny is it to see T-Pain and Toby Keith presenting together? Haha.

Wide Open Country Video of the Year: (See what I mean about such diverse people in country)
Nominees: Def Leppard & Taylor Swift "Photograph", Kid Rock "All Summer Long", Rehab ft Hank Williams Jr. "Bartender Song", and Robert Plant & Alison Krauss "Please Read The Letter"
My Guess - Kid Rock (Speaking of Kid Rock... he's with Sheryl Crow... is he really? WTF?)
...and Michelle goes 2 for 3!

After commericials Taylor Swift performs... "You Belong With Me". As we all know I am a huge fan! There's just something about her that I love.. and all her songs are super catchy! But she proves time and time again that she cannot sing live. Love the song but very poor and shakey performance. She had her moments though. She's adorable.

Group Video of the Year:
My Guess: Rascal Flatts have a 50/50 chance... nominated for "Bob that Head" and "Everyday"... and I looooove me some Rascal Flatts so my vote goes to them.
... and the buckle goes to... surprise surprise... Rascal Flatts!

Carter Twins... never really listened to them. They're cute. They're twins. They sing. Oh good... commercial.

Keith Urban performs! I love Keith! "Sweet Thing" isn't my favorite song ever... but good enough. I love his voice.
I just suggested to Jr that he should grow his hair out and I could put him in a cowboy hat, jeans, boots, and a tight button-up shirt. Oh and he could ride a horse. He said I didn't marry a cowboy... I married a homeboy! Bwahaha... he cracks me up! I told him he has some white in him... it's not too late to bring it out.

CMT Performance of the Year:
My Guess - Sugarland ft Jake Owen and Little Big Town "Life In A Northern Town"
WRONG! (Okay I had a feeling it wasn't them... but I just love that song) Alan Jackson, Dierks Bently, Brad Paisley "Country Boy"

Female Video of Year:
Kellie Pickler... Martina McBride... Miranda Lambert... Taylor Swift
My guess - My guess is Taylor Swift and as much as I like her... I think that it should go to Miranda Lambert only because I LOVE the song "More Like Her"... such a pretty song!
But I was right... Taylor Swift.

WTF? Sugarland is singing Love Shack! DOUBLE WTF?!?! The B-52's... Haha!!! The CMTs never cease to amaze me.



Trace Atkins performs "You're Gonna Miss This". Now there's a voice! And he looks teary-eyed.

Collaborative Video of the Year:
My Guess - Brad Paisley & Keith Urban "Start A Band"... But Kenny Chesney is my love.
... and they win! Hotness.

Rascal Flatts performs "Summer Night". I don't care for the song... but whatev.

Kellie Pickler performs "Best Days of Your Life"... and I like that song. (I like many songs... obviously) Did you know Taylor Swift co-wrote the song with her? Yup. Just a little factoid for ya.

Male Video of the Year:
Nominees: Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Trace Atkins
My Guess - I love Brad Paisley's video for "Waitin' On A Woman" not to mention that is one of the aformentioned songs that Jr dedicated to me. And Andy Griffith is in the video... great great video! So that's my guess EVEN though Trace Atkins "You're Gonna Miss This" is a really good song too!

Jason Aldean performs! "She's Country" And Keith Urban joins him! Awesomeness! Now I sit here rocking out... hope I don't wake Jr who has now fallen asleep... and if I do OH WELL. Seriously how can you not be attracted to all these great singers with cowboy hats?!

Did the host just say one more buckle to go? Aww man that means it's almost over!

Melissa Peterman the host of the new CMT show "The Singing Bee" is so funny! Her karaoke was funny. Then she goes and kisses Dierks. Funny Stuff.

Toby Keith performs "God Love Her" another great song by another great man!

Now ::drumroll please:: Video of the Year:
Nominees: Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, and Trace Atkins
My Guess - My, my, my... Holy Cow how do I choose. Again I say Taylor will be taking this one... but I think Brad deserves it or even Carrie.
...And I am right again! Man Michelle is the award show queen. I usually can get every awards right... How many did I miss... one?

Oh man Taylor Swift is way too excited. She's cheesy.

The host is cheesy funny. His jokes are funny in a not funny sort of way.

And there's Taylor again singing with Def Leppard now. She's sooooo NOT good live! Someone needs to teach her how to control her voice on stage and while she's dancing.

All in all... a Fantastical show! But I ALWAYS enjoy this show. Goodnight!

Passing Time

How old will you turn in 2009?
I will be 25!!!

Would you date someone 8 years older than you?
Um No. Too much of a gap for me personally. I've only ever dated 1 person who's been older than me. My husband is a year and a half younger than me.

What were you doing at 4am?
Psshhh sleeping!

What were your first thoughts this morning?
Yay we're going to California today!

Are you a jealous person?
Nope. Not in my marriage and not in life.

Is there anything that has messed up your life?
Nope. There have been road blocks I've had to work around but that's about it. My life has no where near been messed up.

Do you have a best friend?
Besides my husband yes I do. One. And only like 2 other real friends.

Where was your default picture taken?
My Grandma's house

What is bothering you right now?
Nothing I am going on vacation... everything else can wait until Tuesday.

Is there any meaning behind your profile song?
Nope... usually just like it.

Do you believe what goes around comes around?
To a point yes. I believe for some people it does. But then again there's some of us who try and do good and constantly have bad luck.

Do you trust people easily?
No. Not at all.

One thing you're looking forward to?
Right now vacation. But after that... summer!

What was the last thing you drank?
Cherry Coke

Are most of the best friends in your life new or old?
My best friend I've known for 10 years... after that my next two closest friends I've known for 8 years and 1 1/2 years.

Do you like pulp orange juice?
NO! I hate it. But I LOVE regular orange juice.

Which could you tolerate more, a sleep walker or someone who snores?
Someone who snores.

Would you ever parachute off of a plane?
Probably not...

Is your birthday on a holiday?
Nope... I mean yes my birthday IS a holiday!

Do you want to hit something?
Right now? No... lol

Is your ex still in your life as a friend?
Not at all.

Would you ever get a tattoo?
Maybe. I am afraid of needles and of pain... not a good combo.

What's your mood?
Full. I just had a huge burrito from Chipotle. Excited. We're going on vacation and will be at Knott's Berry Farm tomorrow. Happy. To be married to the most wonderful man... who finishes packing my luggage and getting my electronics together (computer, cameras, lenses, cables, chargers, ninendo ds, dvd players...) for our trip while I blog.

Who's the last person you hugged?
Arielle right now before I set her down on the ground.

Day been rough?
No just long... anticipation sucks.

Is there someone you want to be with right now?
No. I'd just rather be with in california with the same people I am with now.

Plans for your next birthday?
I want to have me a Quarter of a Century party... but no plans on that yet...

Tell me about the shirt you're wearing?
It's a turquoise tank top... from Walmart.

Do you remember who you liked in 7th grade?
Nope not that I can recall.

What are you up to this weekend?
Tonight - Driving to California. Tomorrow - Spending the day and Knott's Berry Farm! Sunday - Shopping in Downtown LA... Nails... Pedicures. Monday - Coming home but possibly stopping in Palm Springs.

How do you vent your anger?
Usually I scream at Jr even if he's not the one who made me mad in the first place... sometimes I cry... but mostly I scream and yell.

Can you crack your knuckles?
Yeah but I don't like to.

What color is your mouse pad?
I can't remember it's like a Cox one or something...

What time did you wake up this morning?
7:30... same as everyday.

Have you ever left class to do anything naughty in the bathroom?
Ew no.

How many different people of the opposite sex have you REALLY cried over?
Maybe 2.

Would your parents be mad if you were in a relationship?
Um I am in one... I am kinda married...

What was the last thing you did before you went to bed last night?
I don't really remember... I was so tired I don't even remember falling asleep. But Jr said I yelled at him about something... LOL

Do you feel comfortable with answering personal questions?
Sure I don't care.

Do you think age matters in relationships?
It's all up to the individual I suppose.

What will you do after this?
Shower... load up the kids and take off.

Are you open about your feelings or closed off?
Eh... just depends. With Jr pretty open.

What are you listening to?
Arielle babbling away

Are you gonna be home alone tonight?
I will be in Cali will millions of family member in ONE house... okay so maybe only 20 people or so... but to me that's a million... in ONE house!!!

Is it okay if you kiss people when you're single?
Of course.

Would you go in public looking like you do right now?
I just did when I went to Walmart and Chipotle.

What's something that can always make you feel better?
Taking pictures. Or editing them. Talking to Jr.

Do you think your best friend and you will be friends in 10 years?
Yup.

Have you had any beer this week?
I don't drink.

Did you laugh a lot at something today?
Alayna she made me laugh a lot today...

Just Tidbits

~ I am sick... again. These off and on colds along with my allergies are kicking my butt this year. I've been dealing with this for like a month now.

~ Alayna puked all day yesterday and even in my Mom's van. Not a great mental picture? Well I had to live it so deal with it. I took her to her pediatrician and of course she was feeling better by her 3pm appointment. She had puked all day and had nothing else making her stomach hurt. And since then she's been fine and eating again. Yeah all that for nothing.

~ Diego took his Kindergarten graduation pictures yesterday. I can't believe it already? Yup. They only have 7 weeks of school left before he becomes a 1st grader. I'll be back to 3 kids this summer. Gotta start planning some activities to keep us busy.

~ I would have posted Arielle's 1 year progress already but she has her check-up on Monday so I will postpone that until then so I can have all her stats.

~ My Dad and I are working on a business venture. More Info Here. And we'll also be starting a new blog so stay tuned for that!

~ We're going to California for the annual Knott's trip and Ford Car Show. I can't wait. I think Diego and Alayna will have a lot of fun. Alayna was a little younger than Arielle the last time we went so I hope she likes it.

~ Oh and one more thing: Don't forget about my PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG. Show some love.

Photographing the President

I just wanted to share this video. I came across it today and it moved me to no end. First of all I love photographs... and great photograph can emit a lot of emotion. And second it got me thinking.

I've heard so much good things and bad things said about our new president lately and so many people trying to push their values and feelings and politics on other because they think their way is right. That would be the main reason why I hate talking about politics. Everyone has their own opinions and I am not one for pushing mine on others... although I will listen to someone else's point of view, I have my own.

I am a democrat. And I can't say I hate Bush... I just don't agree with everything he did, and said, and stood for during his 8 year term, marked by 2 wars, a recession, and the biggest terrorist attack on U.S. soil.

After watching this video, I thought... I may not like the guy but I sure do respect him for everything he has done for this country. Being the President has got to be one of the hardest jobs in the world. He's not God and he didn't know the outcome of some of his choices. I think it's honorable what he's done. And I think him and Mr. Cheney being booed yesterday was truly unclassy. Standing there and not clapping at all would have gotten the point across just fine... but booing is an ultimate sign of disrespect.

Even with all the disapproval of many citizens Bush remained upbeat and positive. From the looks of it he made the transition of presidential power as smooth as possible. As White House ritual he still left a note for Obama in the Oval Office wishing him well.

I did feel a weight lifting as I watched the helicopter carrying Bush leave the Capitol. But I also feel respect for a man who held a position as high as his and led this country.

http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/2009/photographing_bush/

And to read more about my feelings on Obama and the Inauguration Click Here

Christmas Award

This award was given to me by my Daddy!
"Joe Cool"

And I gladly pass it to Betty:
"Meditations on the next phase"



Here are the rules for the award:
"You must be a true Christmas lover to receive this award.
The person to whom you give the award must also be in love with Christmas.
Link back to the person who gave you the award.
List 5 things that you love about Christmas.
If you can't limit it to 5 things, then keep going till you run out of space!
Pass the award along to as many people as you like.
That can be 1 or 50. It's up to you!
But keep the Christmas cheer going!
Let your recipients know that you have tagged them by leaving them a comment.
Also, link back to the person who gave you the award

1. Christmas Trees

2. All the Lights

3. Wrapping Gifts

4. Seeing my Kids faces when they open up their presents

5. Going to various holiday events

6. Dressing up

7. Drinking hot chocolate late at night with my husband

8. Receiving Christmas Cards in the Mail

9. Believing in Santa

10. Cookies

So I didn't have just 5 things. I love Christmas-time so it's hard to narrow it down!

My Christmas List

Money is tight so I know I won't be getting a gift this Christmas... but I can share with you my Christmas list right? No harm in that! ;) Maybe it can turn into a checklist of "wants" for 2009.

1. Canon EOS 50d 15.1 Megapixel Digital SLR

Isn't this a sweet little thing! I drool everytime I see it at Best Buy. I walk by it

a little, hold it in my hand, and wish and hope that someday it could be mine. I'll take a 40d as well but if I am gonna make a purchase like that ever, I might as well go for the whole thing!

2. Camera Strap

A few of my photographer buddies have told me about My Funky Camera but most have also bought camera straps from Debra R. who sells through her blog. I've heard nothing but rave reviews and they say that her accessories are far more comfortable than other companies, and they're custom made!

3. Camera Bag

Can't have an adorable strap without a cute bag too! I really love fun custom colors like this one from Etsy. There are fun lens pouches that would also match perfectly. How fun!

4. Laptop Bag for my Macbook

Again another Etsy find... I am addicted to that site. It's the coolest! This bag is as big as the plain one I have now but way more fun. And it has better pocket space inside then the one I have. Granted, I may have to purchase a sleeve (the one I have has one built in). But she also makes sleeves! Yay!

5. External Hard Drive - I have one but another one for backup wouldn't hurt. And then a third for storing client's pictures. They have many good uses. Doesn't hurt to have a few. The link is for a Terabyte... but they also have a 500 GB for $78.58... not bad!

6. Sewing Machine - I've taken up an interest in learning how to sew... right now I am borrow my aunt's sewing machine... but maybe if I get my own... I won't be afraid to use it more.

7. Britney Tickets - Don't laugh... this is a real want. Her tickets went on sale last Saturday. I don't care what anyone says I have always liked her. So there. And I have some secret wish that her and Justin would get back together and sing happily ever after. I can dream right? Tickets are expensive though!

But the thing I want the most is to go to school for photography. I want it more than I've ever wanted anything in my whole life... except maybe number one on my list... it's a tie.

I found a good technical school with a very intensive 4 month diploma program. It's in Phoenix and most good photography schools are not local. We went and had a tour. We sat down with people and they talked about the opportunities there. They met my family and encouraged the fact that they would work with me on a schedule to meet my needs. And being that it is not a degree program, but a diploma program, sparked my interest even more. I have 3 kids, and it's not easy to find babysitters. So even though I would be extremely busy for 4 whole months, especially weekends, it's better than 3 years at a regular technical school. Not only that, I am a FAST learner and I think 3 years at another school would drag on for me, I'd get bored if it's not up to my pace. At this school they work at my pace... they gave me a course outline and it definitely everything I want to learn. Up until this point I am a self-taught photographer. I have also taught myself photoshop and programs like that. What I need is someone to teach me the basics of what a camera can actually do, what the settings mean, and still give me a bit more knowledge on the digital editing front. That's exactly what's on their outline. After the 4 months, they still let you work in their studios (which were heaven to me btw), use their equipment, schedule shoots, work with models, help build personal website and give classes on how to run a business, for up to one year free of charge. They help with job placement for the full year as well. I met some of the students there and got a chance to see them in class. (Class sizes are no more than 4-5 people which is awesome) And I got to talk to them and get their feelings on the program. Of course nothing but great things were said. And I talked to a girl that had already graduated and had a job at a local newspaper. I left there feeling so excited.

But all dreams in my world must fade. Since it is a technical school they do not provide nor accept any financial aid. The tuition is $6,000 and the only thing they offer is a financing plan through a loan (same loan my sister has through her school). But it's a credit based loan. It's all they offer. And our credit is extremely destroyed. We'll I've never had credit... but Jr's is very very bad. And we have no one to co-sign for me. So it's either fix out credit (which can take years) or pay the $6,000. And where do you suppose I get that kind of money?

So if Santa could magically fix my credit, get me a job, and fix the economy, I would be the happiest girl on Earth. But for now... I am sad. But my goal for 2009 is to figure out how to go to school and do what I love to do. Until then I have just been reading and researching everything I can on photography. And everyday I am learning something new.

I've Been Tagged!

This picture was taken February 3rd, 2008. It's one of my many pictures of Alayna in the bath. She loves taking a bath (as do my other 2)... and I love how this picture captures Alayna as her true self. Dirty, Silly, and showing her fashion sense. She's a one of a kind and I love her!

"The rules"…

Find the 6th folder in your pictures directory and post the 6th photo in it.

So here are the instructions:

* Go to your sixth picture folder then pick your sixth picture.
* Pray that you remember the details.
* Post it on your blog.
* Tag 5 others, leave a comment to let them know they’ve been tagged.

I was tagged by my Daddy: Joe Cool's Blog


I will tag 5 friends, but please don't feel obligated if you don't have time. I found it only took a few minutes.

Gianna

Tiffany

And anyone else who reads this... especially you lurkers!

Who Doesn't Like to Win Every Now and Then?

Which is why I'm doing this post.



I've been following the Tip Junkie blog for a while and she always has great tips and ideas for everything... from bloggers and Mom-preneurs across the internet. Not only that... I was featured there for some of my creativity and I love to see what others contibute because it gives me inspiration.

Well Laurie started the 12 Days of Junkie, to help promote & feature some of the amazing women who have joined the Mom-preneur Shop-a-thon. There will be two winners everyday for the next 12 days. Oh yeah! I hope I win something because these Mom-preneurs really have some cute stuff.

Click on over and see what it's all about, and enter yourself in the giveaway too if you want, but just so you know I'm feeling lucky punks!

Seriously... I am alive

and coming back soon. I promise. I am not lying. It will be me.

Reading

When I was a little girl, my Daddy used to take me to the Library during the beginning of the summer. He'd have my sister and I join the summer reading program. I loved it more than my sister. I always had my nose in a book. I would read them in a day or two. And the reading program was fun because for every 30 minutes of reading you got to color in one square in the cool chart they gave you. And each time you reached a different checkpoint... you could take it in and you got a little prize. Until you reached the end and got a bigger prize. It kept me motivated and since I already LOVED to read. I would whiz through it way before the summer was over.

I don't read a lot.

No scracth that... I haven picked up a book in over a year. In the past 4 years I have probably only read like 4 books. And that's not an exaggeration.

I can actually name them in order...

Little Earthquakes - About 4 years ago my sister (who reads a lot more than I do)raved about this book. She loved and wanted me to read it. She bugged me for a long time until she finally dragged me down to the public library, checked it out with her library card... since I didn't own one, forced me to get a library card, and made me read that dang book. Needless to say, I didn't like the book. I should have known because, well, my sister and I hardly ever have the same tastes in anything. I am a little bit country, and she's a little rock n roll... so to say.

A Bend in the Road - Last year I fianally had the erge to pick up another book. But I wasn't sure what. I am not easily entertained by books and usually read a chapter and never pick them up again. So one night my husband and I decided to walk to our local Walgreens which is about 10 minutes walking distance from our house. We walked the aisles picking up sodas, ice cream, chips, and more stuff. At the end of the candy aisle they have a little section of magazines and novels. Jr remembered me saying I wanted to read and knowing that I am not easily amused when it came to book... he started reading the backs of all the books, searching and trying to find something I could possibly be interested in. After giving me a million possible books and me being uninterested in any of them... he finally gave up and started to put the last book back. As he was putting it back I noticed the book behind it... and I said, "Oh a Nicholas Sparks novel... I bet that's good..." As I started to walk away he noted the name of the book, A Bend in the Road, and we went home. About a week later I got the book in the mail... along with The Guardian. He had ordered them for me through Amazon and I instantly sat down to read the first one. I had never read any of his books but "The Notebook" and "A Walk to Remember" are two of my ultimate favorite movies. So I had a feeling it was somehting I could get into. And I was right. It took me to days to read it. And I only put it down when I had to. Good book!

Twilight - After reading the previous book I was on a little kick and asked my cousin Alexis, who is the the most avid reader I know, to recommend a book. She let me borrow a book called Twilight. This one took me about a week to read and again another book I just couldn't put down. A different book then the previous one but it was Awesome! It's only the 1st of a 3 or 4 part series. I started to read the second but I was pregnant wil Arielle when I started it and never got through the first couple of chapters. I do want to finish reading it though.



And Monday I started reading The Guardian. I finished earlier today. Such a good book. Again by Nicholas Sparks but completely different from the other one I read by him. Seriously it was a story of love, of tragedy, hope, friendship, and sadness.

Julie Barenson’s young husband left her two unexpected gifts before he died – a puppy named Singer and the promise that he would always be watching over her. Now, four years later, twenty-nine year-old Julie is far too young to have given up on love. She may be ready to risk caring for someone again. But who?
Should it be Richard Franklin, the sophisticated, handsome engineer who treats her like a queen? Or Mike Harris, the down-to-earth nice guy who was her husband’s best friend? Choosing one of them should bring her more happiness than she’s had in years. Instead, Julie is soon fighting for her life in a nightmare spawned by a chilling deception and jealousy so poisonous that it has become a murderous desire. . .

So have you read any good book lately? Any particular favorites you have. I feel like reading another and will take any suggestions! Throw one at me...

SYTYCD Top 18

Ok tonight was kinda ok for me. It wasn't as exciting like last week where I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. And this week I found myself wanting to doze off.

So here's the order in which I liked the dances:

1.) Courtney & Gev
This dance was so pretty it gave me chills. Maybe Courtney was a little more aggressive than Gev... but I really liked it. It was raw.

2.) Kaytee & Joshua
Again.. they are awesome! The only reason it's not at number one is because although it was great at fast and right on... I just like the emotion in the contemporary routine.

3.) Chelsi & Mark
The are oddly perfect! I really enjoy watching them... they are consistent.

4.) Kherington & Twitch
I really liked the performance! It was pretty and Twitch is just impressing the heck out of me! Wow he was good. I knew he would have potential. Beautiful dance.

5.) Chelsea & Thayne
I didn't get the dance at all. It was ok I guess but nothing impressive. They did the routine and will get by. Both are great dancers.

6.) Kourtni & Matt
As much as I like Kourtni, she seems to be struggling! And Matt is still an awkward dancer to me.

7.) Comfort & Chris
Both of them needed to put forth more effort. I was disappointed that Comfort didn't rock it!

8.) Jessica & Will
Will is very good. But Jessica just bugs me now... I don't really care for her or her routines. She drags will down definately though.

9.) Susie & Marquis
They suck... enough said. Marquis is a very good technical dancer but neither of them are good enough.

So you see who I think should be bottom 3 couples... but as for who should go?
That's hard... it's a toss up.

Girl: Susie
Guy: Marquis but I wouldn't be sad if Chris left.

What about you?

Goodbye Rayven and Jaime

Last night I had a chance to gather my thoughts on elimination while watching the whole show again with my Daddy who was catching up from being in Mexico for 2 weeks. And I concluded that the women are definately the stronger dancers this season. None of the men jump out at me and say WOW! They're all good I am not gonna lie... but I am not swayed in any male's direction as of yet.

So I thought ok bottom three couples would be: Matt & Kourtni, Jaime & Rayven, and Marquis & Susie... yes I know Jessica & Will messed up royally... but they would be spared. Ok this was soooo not the case and Marquis & Susie were safe? This boggles my mind!!

My votes to leave were Rayven and Matt. Rayven is good but just doesn't have the IT factor for me... I think she's a great dancer, I just didn't really like her. And Matt... I'll say it again... he's awkward! There's just something funky about him. But of course he stays because he's the only one remotely tall enough to dance with Kourtni. I don't think Jaime should have been eliminated. This makes me sad. I really liked him and don't think they gave him enough credit.

So until next week...

SYTYCD Top 20

OK so I am so happy to finally be able to start watching this show. I've kinda watched the auditions but not fully. Pieces here and there. But once the competition starts I have to watch. So I am kinda taking a page from my Daddy's Blog and doing a weekly SYTYCD post. I will post my opinions and critiques... which I wrote down before I even heard the judges because I don't want to be swayed by them.

These are my opinions on the show: In ranking order from most favorite to least favorite and NOT in order of appearance... (And excuse my overuse of Awesome, Cute, and anything along those lines because I will probably use it)

1. Katee & Joshua's Hip Hop -- HOLY CRAP!!!! Awesome. Ok guys, c'mon after 4 seasons of watching this show, I have to say this was the SINGLE BEST Hip-Hop routine ever. It actually moved me on an emotional and spiritual level. The choreography, the chemistry, the vulnerability, Wow. Katee was definitely the performer and Joshua complimented were the amazing technique. For me, this was perfection, and should rank on some of the best of the series. I was as stunned as Nigel. I completely loved the ending with the exchange of the shirt. Brilliant. Katee just left a sour taste in my mouth after the last show and when I heard they were doing Hip Hop I knew Joshua would do good since he's a popper... but Katee actually left me feeling pleasantly surprised.

2. Chelsie H & Mark's -- I love Mia Michaels. She creates such beautiful pieces and has proven to be awesome time and time again. This was beautiful. She blows me away. I love the balance between beautiful contemporary ballet and kinda quirky. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen.

3. Kherington and Twitch's Broadway -- Or should I say Twitchington? Both of them are really very good! I was rooting for Twitch since he just missed his chance last year. I thought he might have a hard time with Broadway but he did awesome. he was totally in character and rocked it. Kherington is just a natural. She's so cute. They totally remind me of Musa and Natalie from last year who I loved to death too! These two will go far.

4. Chelsea T. and Thayne's Cha-Cha -- It was HOT! Definitely Hot Tamale Train status! Thayne reminds me a lot of Benji! And Chelsea is absolutely stunning! Wow what a great body. The whole dance was great. Lots of energy. Since I have nothing to complain about then I will just say she does need to move her hips a little more for a cha cha. It wasn't enough hip action for me. But it was great!

5. Comfort and Chris's Jive -- Aside from far too much personality overriding technique, I felt this was actually a pretty good routine. It certainly showed Comfort was no "slouch" in the showmanship department. She surprised me because she is a hip hop dancer. Now while I think Chris is not a tree, and I do predict he'd be the boy most likely leaving the competition this week, he really has to bring it, because he is liable to be easily lost in the crowd.

6. Kourtni and Matt's Jazz -- I gotta say this was a little better than the judges said. The choreography was cool. I liked the routine itself. Matt is too gigantic to be up there doing the jive and maybe that's part of the problem. Kourtni is a way good dancer though! I think he kinda brought her down.

7. Rayven & Jaime's Hip Hop -- I have to give them credit for being the very first number of the whole entire season let alone the show. It was pretty good and I think Hip was right to start the show off with tons of energy. I don't have anything special to say about the dance in particular but I do have to give props to Jamie, which the judges didn't seem to at all. He popped, locked, and funked like the best of them. This guy has a lot of energy and is very versatile, and it's too bad the judges didn't see that. The routine itself wasn't that bad, it just wasn't particularly memorable.

8. Courtney and Gev's Disco -- I thought I was watching the same show as Nigel. While he and I agreed about the best routine of the night, I have to say I COMPLETELY disagree with him on this one, and I'm sure America will too. Disco is about personality and lifts. He focused too much on the details of the technique and less of what the couple actually brought. Those two have a great partnership, one of the few couplings whose personalities both shine, and I agree with Mary and Dan on this one. Nigel was WAAAYYYY too harsh. He did almost drop her more than once but the routine was fast and hard. Technically they are not all the way up to par... but it's the 1st week. Cut them a break!

9. Jessica and William's Tango -- Hmm, I greatly disagree with Mary on this one. How can she be saying that Jessica had major technical issues then proclaim them the couple to beat? Do not get that. It was hugely overrated. Yeah, Jessica is pretty good... and I like her a lot, but the character tonight and the technique were not right. YOU DO NOT SMILE GLEEFULLY IN A TANGO! William was good too, but he needs to show more personality I think. I think they could do SOOOO much better.

10. Marquis and Susie -- Its the waltz. Its boring. It was messed up. The only good part of the routine was that Susie actually demonstrated shes more than just a Shakira wannabe. I think she could improve some more. I give her points for effort though. Marquis, WHY WERE THE COMPLIMENTING HIM! I wanted to scream at the judges because he nearly stumbled on his pirouettes and was on the verge of dropping Susie in multiple lifts. Yet they praise him. Wow....just no. This routine gets my lowest score because of so many obvious mistakes that were made.

So that's it. All in all a great kick off show! It's very hard because I didn't completely dislike anyone.
My votes for who to leave?

Guy: Matt or Marquis
Girl: Rayven

Who are your favorites and not-so favorites?

My Posts ALWAYS have pictures...

Well apparently not lately. So now that I am back to my blogging all the computers in my life seem to not want to help me out. I can't download my pictures.

My laptop is broken. It wasn't broken but then my husband decided to mess with it. Hasn't he ever heard the saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"? Ugh. So anyways now it won't even turn on. I believe it has a virus. Good thing I have nothing important saved on to he actual computer... it's all on my external memory. Phew! I am smart... because this has happened before with him. And the first time it happened he lost a half a years worth of picture from when Alayna was a baby including Diego's 2nd Birthday party pictures and much more. I was furious and sad and cried. He thought I overreacted. But my pictures are my life. They tell my story. They tell our story. And I include them in all my posts because they help bring my stories to life.

So back to my point. My laptop isn't working. My mom's acts up. I think it has a virus too. It takes extremely long to get onto the internet. Plus it's old and doesn't have a a slot for me to stick my memory cards into. And if my husband would only install my printer onto my mom's computer like I've asked him many times... then I could use that to download pictures because it does have slots for memory cards. But he hasn't. And my daddy took his laptop to Mexico with him... leaving me with a camera full of pictures... and no one to share them with.

And not only that. My daddy decides that he wants to buy this cool new digital camera, pretty professional looking and all. Not quite as nice as the one I want for $1000 but for the price he paid for his... it's pretty fanfreakintastic! So before he left for Mexico (and if you didn't know... he's in Mexico for 2 1/2 weeks.. the story is here) he left me his brand new handy dandy professional looking camera and told me to play with it. HELLO! Does he not know I've been wanting one for so long and leaving me his in an open invitation to camera jack him? Well if he didn't, which he should know me very well by now, he should consider himself camera jacked and the proud ex-owner of said camera. So keeping my word I have been playing with the camera. We've been to two water parks in few days, I did a baptism shoot, and an outdoor shoot, and random shots of my kids... all to help me practice. I am dying to get them on here but... until Jr helps me out one way or another... I must just sit here and babble about nothing in particular.

Without pictures might I add.

I'm back!

Ok so I went on hiatus... not intentionally but I did. The month of December was a very busy month for me and thus didn't get much posting done. None at all actually.

And the first weekend in Januray we moved to Tucson! Yeah big move for us but it's actually been a very good thing. Sure we miss Phoenix but Tucson is really starting to grow on me. It's very quiet and calm... definately nothing like Phoenix. So we've been doing the family thing. We've been taking the kids out and spending a lot of time with them. It's been fun actually!

Not to mention the new house is nice. Everyone has their own space and that makes us all a lot happier. Jr and I finally have our own room which is nice for a change. Diego loves that he has his own room even though Alayna spends most of her time in there. Alayna does have her own room as well, she plays in there and makes a mess... but she doesn't have the luxuries like TV, DVD Player, Radio, or Vsmile... like Diego does. So she plays mostly in her brother's room. And sleeps in there. The 2 months we've been here she's slept in her room maybe 5 times total.

We also have the other bedroom being prepared for the new baby due in 6 weeks! I am getting pretty excited to finally have her here with us. I'll show you pictures on the progress of her room as I download them.

For now here are some pictures of the house:

The Dining Room

The Living room when we had no couches yet...

Downstairs Bathroom - Plain Still

Alayna's Room

Another View of her room

The Beginning of the kids bathroom

Diego's Room before it was decorated

Our bedroom... Still needs a lot of work... the only room we haven't started on