I am thankful for loving. Loving life. Loving my family. Loving my friends. Loving God. And most of all, loving myself. There have been so many challenges along the way that you think would prevent me from loving again. But I keep on going. I get passed all the hard times and look at the positive things happening in the now. My health, my children, my full time job at Fidelity, my photography business, passion, commitment, drive, that allows me to chug along even when at times I feel I do not have the strength to do so. I have a very supportive boyfriend who puts up with my bickering, my edginess, my busy schedule that takes time away from him and he lifts my spirits up with his kindness, his gentle words, his ever giving helping hand with my children to allow me to make my dreams come true and I am thankful for every single moment. Josh, I really hope that you are reading this and know how grateful I am for giving your all with my family and for supporting me 100% with everything I do. My children love you and I could not ask for a better person to spend my life with or a better Father Figure for my children to look up to. You are my rock. Thank you for everything!!! Right now I miss my mom like crazy while she is away in El Paso taking care of my grandfather, but I am thankful that she was able to retire early and has the time to spend these last years with her dad and with her family that I am sure she missed so much!!! Mom, I’m going crazy without you here! I can not believe I have made it this long without you by my side. You are my heart and soul. You inspire me to push forward. Watching you all these years has given me perspective in life and I thank you for being such a wonderful person and such a strong, loving mother, I know this is a tough year for us. I miss my brothers so much. I miss my father. The table has been and will be lonely this year without them all. I am sure they are all celebrating in heaven at a nice big, beautiful table. I am thankful for my brother Sammy who is still here with us and who I love with all my heart and wish I saw more of, for my brother Eric and my sister Rene who I totally adore and NEED to spend more time with. For my Step-mom, Rochelle, thank you for staying in my life after all these years, even when things were rough, I am glad we overcame it all and that we can look back and joke about it. To my children who have defined me and who have made me who I am today, you mean the world to me and I would never have come this far without you!!!! I hope you know just how much you truly inspire me to do better!! Always! To Angie, thank you for coming all this way to spend Thanksgiving with us, it means so much to Josh and to my family to have you here and it’s been nice for me to actually take a week off of work to enjoy the time sitting in the beautiful weather, talking about life. It has been so refreshing and such a great get-a-way, and I can not thank you enough for being such a wonderful “almost” mother-in-law. To all my friends, you know who you are. Thank you for always being there for me and for making my heart smile! To all my nephews, nieces, cousins, aunts, uncles, sis-in-law, I am thankful for having a great, big, beautiful family to spend my life with. And thank you to all my readers. You guys Rock!!!! I hope you enjoy your day and live every moment like it was your last.

And here is a snap of my brother Michael who just passed away in January of this year. He put up such a strong fight. He was so young, so loving. Thanksgiving was the only day that he was able to get out of the Nursing Home and come to my house to enjoy a nice, lovely feast. I miss you dearly. It’s very hard not having you here today. I love you and I am happy that you are finally at peace and are no longer suffering.

#33 Get rid of at least 15 pairs of shoes (without buying new ones) is now checked off my 101 in 1001

Hi, my name is Denise and I am a shoe-a-holic. Yes, the first step is admitting that you have an addiction. Glad that is over with. Well the admitting part, not the addiction. I find comfort in buying shoes, something about wearing pretty shoes makes me feel alive. A nice pair o’ stilettos to make you feel like a woman (rawr), a nice pair of Jessica Simpson pumps to make you feel sophisticated, a nice pair of wedge shoes to wear with a cute little summer dress somehow makes me humble. I love shoes! I realize that some of these shoes have never been worn and that internet is a problem. If I have had a rough week at work, I don’t eat chocolate, I shop. For shoes. I am not proud of it. I cringe when I even come close to a shoe store cuz I know, it’s gonna suck me in, like a vacuum, a big black hole of nothing but pure bliss. Helloooooo Lovah, Yes. Yes. I am that girl, Carrie, from Sex and the City… except in the dollar amount that I can afford (of course) because Lord help me if I ever have the money to purchase some expensive shoes… watch out world. Carrie Bradshaw will have NOTHING compared to me! So as hard as it was to do this, I am sure they will find a nice home and someone out there will enjoy them as much as I did. I will miss you!!! It was fun while it lasted! You all totally rocked my world and made me feel like a woman and I thank you for that. Sigh. Adios mis sapatos.

Hello Lovelies

These shoes put me in a boot for 2 months and physical therapy for another 2 months and I am barely getting back into heels again. Ouch. Dangerous! (I would rather not talk about this incident).

Gold Shoes. Yum. Need I say more?

It was fun while it lasted oh colorful ones

The next few pair are so beautiful but I never got the chance to wear them because of my injury and do not think I am brave enough to wear them any time soon. So I MUST part from them. Can you hear my heart breaking???

I am very proud to say that I completed #17 of my 101 in 1001!!! It’s amazing how when I write things down and give myself a challenge, how I tend to act on it, rather than saying it and never doing it. Sonia and I decided on lunch and a movie for our Saturday adventure and we had the best time ever!!! We started off with some sushi at RA in Scottsdale, as my prego friend is infatuated with Sushi now that she is prego (nothing uncooked, so don’t fret). She knows not to eat anything raw while carrying her little bambino, but none-the-less she wants the taste, the feel, the goodness of it all. And when her baby demands, you make it happen. Wow. Talk about moody if her cravings are not satisfied. After the lovely meal we watched This Is It, which was FANTABULOUS!!!! Talk about inspiration for those dancers that were chosen for the tour. Wow. Speechless about it all. Definitely a movie to go and see, if you are an MJ fan and need some inspiration in your life or just love dance in general as they have some KILLER moves! Makes me look so amateur. Gosh. I definitely recommend spending some extra quality time with your girlfriends. I know we let life consume us and just never have the time… but seriously… it was so refreshing to get out and enjoy the small things in life that you are just too busy for. So go and call one of your girlfriends today and make that date and stick to it. I promise you won’t regret it. Thank you Sonia for such a great time!!! I have missed you sooo much and my heart was happy to see you and spend time with you. Alone. Just like the good old days.

Big hugs and kisses!

I am so very proud of my son today.  Today marks a new spot for him.  A spot where discipline will keep him in line, dedication will win over his heart and responsibility to be a young adult ready for the big world will be in full effect. 

 Robert played his first year of football his Junior year.  Every year since he was a Freshman we have tried to get him involved in Sports but “he was too busy with friends” to want to try out for anything.  We learned to accept this.  He will come around one day is what we hoped for.  And he finally did his Junior Year.  He made JV!!!  We were soooo very proud of him!  Although through most of the season he stayed on the side lines he was always there at every practice, working out as hard as he possibly could, determined to get to first string.  He never gave up even though I about had it with his coaches for never putting him in the game but for 2 plays.  It was so heartbreaking to see him standing there on the sidelines the whole game when I knew how bad he wanted to be playing.  One day we sat down and had a HUGE talk with him about quitting.  We were ok with it as he practiced so hard all week long to not get any play time.  But Robert was determined to continue on.  He was ok with it.  He knew in his heart that things would go his way eventually.  He had motivation, determination like I had never seen before and it moved me.  Beyond words.  One day in practice he was noticed by a coach, just how well he was doing.  His coach said, “Son, where has that been all season?”  Robert said, “Coach, I have been here all season, you just haven’t been looking!”  You go Berto!!!!!  They decided to play him the next game… and he did EXCELLENT!!!  After that he was in every single game.  He became a starter.  Just like he intended.  Just like he hoped for.  Just like he knew he would be.  Wow.  My boy doesn’t give up.  And I love that about him.  We all need to be just like him.  To follow our heart and continue to dust yourself off if you fail more than once.  You will get there if you put your mind to it.  At the banquet he got the “Most Improved Player” award!!! YAY!!! Robert…. 8th string to 1st string in 5 games.  He was one of the top 10 JV players chosen to get pushed up to Varsity!!! Whoohooooo!!!!  He has been working out vigorously to gain weight and muscle for this opportunity that has been given to him.  He believes he will be the starting Wide Receiver and I have no doubt in my mind that he will make that happen.  Robert, you are such an inspiration to me.  You keep me going in life.  You make me strive to do better.  You give me hope, you give me love, you give me joy and for that I am forever grateful.  I love you with all my heart and you deserve all that you want in this world.  You know that anything you want will always be at your fingertips, if you want it bad enough.  You will have it.  Don’t ever lose that trait.  It’s a wonderful thing to have.  I love you son!!! We are soooo very proud of you!!!!!!

And this people is what a 16 year old eats to bulk up, McDonalds Chicken Sandwich stuffed between 2 Cheeseburgers. Holla!

I heard about the 101 in 1001 from Melissa Jill. I mean how fabulous is this idea?? Write down 101 goals and complete them in 1001 days. I don’t know about you but if I do not write down my goals they never get accomplished. Guilty as charged. Out of sight out of mind. I am very horrible about not getting things done. I am on a mission people!!! Ready, Set, Go!!!! I have things on my list that are as simple as brushing my teeth to as hard as taking candy from a baby. Either way, they are things I have wanted to do but never had the chance to do it. You understand, right? I’m sure you have done the same. I will keep you posted with each item I cross off. How great will you feel crossing off that one thing on your to do list? Big goals, small goals. Its nice just to have goals in general. I can feel it now joy, confidence, excitment, gratification, giddyness and eternal bliss once my entire list is completed! What great feelings. What will your 101 be?? Let me know. Drop me a line. Show me some love.

Good luck and happy goal making!

xo

Start Date: November 11, 2009

End Date: August 8, 2012

1. Learn how to frame my images for my blog

2. Write on my blog everyday for 1 month

3. Give away a free family, wedding, engagment/couple or boudoir session

4. Go to church more often

5. Get updated family photos of my fabulous family

6. Purchase a Shootsac by Jessica Claire

7. Take my children to a museum

8. Read one book each month for a year to better my business

9. Read one book each month for a year for my own personal satisfaction

10. Scout out awesome photography locations

11. Create contracts for clients – completed 11/1/09

12. Be firm with my pricing

13. Find my brand

14. Get a new website

15. Book at least 10 weddings for the year 2011

16. Eat healthier

17. Go to a movie with a girlfriend – Completed 11/14/09

18. Go camping with my children

19. Take the kids to The Grand Canyon

20. Go to Slide Rock in Sedona, AZ with the kiddos

21. Learn how to roller blade

22. Use all my vacation days in one year

23. Start jogging 3 times a week

24. Make a promotional video for my website

25. Put up Christmas decorations- completed 12/11/2009

26. Take the dog for a walk 3 times a week

27. 2nd shoot a wedding with a photographer that I admire

28. Create a gift bag for my wedding clients

29. Join a Dance Class

30. Take Lani to swimming lessons

31. Put all my old photos in photo albums

32. Clean out my closest (get rid of all the clothes that I “say” I will wear again and don’t)

33. Get rid of at least 15 pairs of shoes (without buying new ones)- Completed 11/25/09

34. Join a Jasmine Star Workshop (need some quick fingers for this one)

35. Learn how to master off camera lighting

36. Get married (Yes, I just made this a goal if you don’t write it down it will never happen!!!!)

37. Dance in the rain

38. Have a dinner party with friends, tons of gorgeous details, a home cooked meal and possibly all things Vintage.

39. Take one family trip per year

40. Purchase Totally Rad Actions

41. Go to Justin & Mary’s Workshop

42. Shoot a traditional Indian wedding

43. Conquer my fear

44. Take a class on lighting

45. 2nd shoot a wedding

46. Lose 20 pounds

47. Go to PartnerCon in New Orleans

48. Find my confidence

49. Pray everyday

50. Sign Leilani up for a dance class or anything she would like to join

51. Learn more about Photo Shop

52. Purchase Kevin Kubota Action Tools

53. Join a photography organization

54. Become a destination photographer

55. Go to Hawaii

56. Quite my full time job so I can focus solely on my photography business

57. Watch a sunrise while laying on a beach

58. Purchase Show It Video to post slideshows on my blog or email clients

59. Pay off my credit card

60. Purchase a 70-200 2.8 lens

61. Upgrade my camera

62. Get an assistant

63. Find a second shooter

64. Look at more photography forums

65. Go to WPPI in Vegas

66. Get Quick Books

67. Learn to organize

68. Buy a fashion magazine

69. Become more confident with stage posing

70. Shoot a celebrity wedding

71. Have a girls night out once every few months

72. Go to Napa and wine taste

73. Learn more about wine

74. Have the courage to ask a photographer I admire out to lunch

75. Take nice photos of my mom

76. Take photos of my closest friends and their significant other

77. Take my mom on a nice vacation

78. Get a Mac computer

79. Teach my son how to drive

80. Go to New York

81. Sell all my old furniture and cancel my storage unit

82. Sell my Rental house

83. Get professional photos of myself taken for my blog

84. Have “Date Night” with my love at least once a month

85. Try a new restaurant every few months

86. Shoot a Vintage Wedding

87. Get a Wedding published in a magazine

88. Teach a workshop

89. Overcome the fear of public speaking

90. Read the entire bible

91. Learn a new language

92. Create a shoot that involves lemons, lemonade, lemon trees, anything to do with lemons

93. Frame my art and hang on my walls

94. Cook Noni my Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

95. Be more appreciative of my work

96. Wake up when my alarm goes off without pressing snooze for one week straight

97. Hike a mountain

98. Network, Network, Network

99. Travel the world and photograph what I love

100. Do something each month that will benefit my business

101. Thank God every day for everything he has given me

And because every post deserves a snap..

I’m sitting here on my couch snuggled up with my laptop after a yummy lunch at Abuelo’s with my fabulous family. Just sitting here contemplating on what I want my style to reflect about me. Who I am as a person. What type of branding I want to incorporate into my business. It’s so much harder than I thought it would be. I thought I was a creative person. When I was little I had creativity in writing poems, making homemade birthday cards, fantasizing about designing my own clothes. Now that I am older I feel that finding my own design, style and branding would be a cinch. But oh no!!! Not at all. I know this is the most important ingredient in a business. It’s how people will recognize you, remember you, know who you are by just seeing a logo, speaking to them through your images…. it’s almost too stressful for me to even imagine. I know who I am, I know my personality. I have so many varieties it’s tough to pick just one. I’m on the cusp of being Gemini and Cancer and sometimes ladies and gentleman its a whirlwind. I’m wild, out-going, talkative, sweet and then I’m saucey, shy, goofy and quiet. How do I find a branding that will speak for me when I have such drastic measures??? I need to figure this out quick. While my business is still in the beginning stages so that anybody will be able to pick my photos out in a line up, that’s how different I want to be. That’s how unique I want my style. I can imagine it happening. I just can’t quite put my finger on anything at the moment. My mind is blank. I really should just continue to contemplate on finding my inner self and making things happen. *Sigh* Any suggestions would be lovely. I’m always up to hear any constructive criticism or ideas. Write a few things that first come to your mind about me. (I’m almost positive my comment section still isn’t working but leave me a message on Facebook or email me, I’d love to hear what you have to say.)

And since I do not really have anything to post… check out these lovely photos of another gorgeous Arizona Sunset. Enjoy your weekend!!!

I spend about 2.5 to 3 hrs in my car each day on the long, crazy stretch of road from home to work and work to home. Most days I’m so exhausted I can’t see straight. Most days I wish I lived closer to the city. There are times I wish I could snap my fingers & be home in a jiffy to the arms of my loved ones. But on that long, crazy ride home, just when I feel I can’t do it anymore, I’m tired of the traffic, I miss my family, I want to be home. This is what HE gives me. To let me know that HE feels my pain, my struggles, my exhaustion of the day, HE hears my thoughts, my frustrations and HE lets me know that I am not alone on that long stretch of a road. HE knows how to make me happy. HE paints a lovely picture just for me. Just so I know how much HE truly loves me & that I’m almost there in the arms of my loved ones.

Don’t you wanna just eat up those clouds?? They remind me of Cotton Candy.Yum. With a picture like this on my way home, I can handle just about anything. Pink, I get Pink, my favorite color on my drive home. Oh how I love pink cotton candy clouds. Thank you for being so good to me!!!

My best friend of 22 years is having another baby!!! Little Boy this time around, Roman Fitzgerald, who I will call Fitz. The baby shower was held at her mother/father-in-law’s gorgeous house in Scottsdale, AZ. The weather was perfect, the food was amazing, the company was better than both, if you can imagine that. I had a blast capturing this special moment of hers and can not wait to do her maternity shoot!!! I love you Sonia, you mean the world to me and I wish you all the happiness in the world. Can’t wait to see the new bundle of joy come December 2nd. Muah!

Have you ever felt that you were just too old, too tired and too dog garn busy to go out and enjoy yourself?? Well I have been feeling like that A LOT lately. It’s not a good feeling when you are free from the kidos and all you wanna do is sit on the couch with the lap top and cuddle. I am so guilty of giving my lap top way too much quality time! When my friend Sara asked me to join her and her hubby to a night of ghosts and gobblins, trick or treats and tons of half dressed Scottsdale women… my first thought was HECK NO!!! What the heck am I gonna wear? I still can’t wear heels and nothing cute looks good in flats unless I go as a Roman Goddess. Plus everyone at this party is gonna be wearing next to nothing and I sure as heck am not in shape to fit in to that type of scenery. UGH!!! Of course I waited until the last minute to find my costume. And let me tell you there was hardly anything left. But I managed to find something for the 9th Annual Ghost Ball Scottsdale Block Party @ Axis Radius. I felt a little out of place at first. All these cutesy little 20 some year olds flaunting their flawless bodies around. Pffff…. whatev’s I USED to be just as cute as them!!! Ha!!! Needless to say after about a drink or three (of straight up Cranberry and Ice) I was good to go. Enjoying all the great costumes and the live band took me back to memory lane. Hanging out with wonderful friends and laughing until your side hurt was worth all the fuss. I ended up really enjoying myself to the fullest. It’s been 7 years since I have actually dressed up for Halloween and went out into the town… and I don’t know why I let so many years go by without doing it since. But I do know that come next year… I won’t hesitate on saying yes to a night out in town with some great friends. Friends that make me feel alive. Friends that make me feel young. Friends that make me feel beautiful. Friends that make me laugh. Friends that make you wanna do things in life that you used to enjoy but think you can’t anymore because life takes over. Thank you Sara and Cesar for making me feel young and alive again! For those of you who are just like me… get off the computer, peel yourself off the couch, go out and enjoy yourself. Life is short. Enjoy it while you can. Seriously!!!!

Also a big shout out to my lovely brother Eric for always, always hooking us up when we head out to Axis Radius. You are a lifesaver and I love you so much!!! I don’t know how you deal with that club scene every. single. weekend. Much respect for you babe.

Here are some pics of my lovely daughter earlier on in the day. Yes I made her model her costume for me. Can’t you tell she hates doing it?

Thank you Leilani for always being such a trooper. Mommy loves you girlie!!!!!

And now for the adult fun:

Make up by the fabulous Sara

The girls

Sara & Cesar (Queen of Hearts and the Mad Hatter)

Loved these costumes… serioulsy Frankenstein and his bride. Fabulous!

The boys

Beetle Juice, Beetle Juice, Beetle Juice

Ahhhhh…..

Really A Speed Radar… I know for a fact I got one of these that night!!! GRRRR!!!

Yes people… the Sauceyness came out that night

Who you gonna call???

Great makup by Sara once again!

Ouch!!

The dude from the Hangover. Priceless.

Seriously? I love it! But that’s just me and I am easily amused!

Wow. Good times. You should really go out and try it! xo