My Well-Behaved Monsters

I often have trouble convincing people who have met my dogs that they are usually well-behaved. They tend to get...excited...when visitors come over. This is mostly because we have super sweet friends and family who are nice to them, which then causes the dogs to go, ummm, crazy! Jumping and annoying monster dog behavior. We don't have people over often for that reason and when we do, the dogs usually stay upstairs.

What we really need is for people to come over JUST to help us train the dogs to be better behaved with guests. Any takers? =D

Anyway, here's some proof that my dogs do, in fact, relax the majority of the time they're home.



A BIG thank you to Rudy for my new Flip video camera. :) I'm afraid I'm not especially great at filming yet, but I'll be practicing a lot in the future.

To A New Beginning

Exactly 6 months from today, I will be in San Diego, celebrating love. My love for Rudy.

Rudy and I have spent 5 of our 25 years of life together. It's hard to imagine what life was like without him. 5 years is a long time and we've become incredibly comfortable in our lives together. I love that. And it's true, living together has made it so we're already, practically married.

But getting married means more to me than our commitment to one another. It means a day where we get to really celebrate how much we love one another. To concentrate on us. It's our new beginning.

Our first beginning, 5 years ago.

I think we've aged well. :)

(Photo by Kamee June Photography, unedited)

Bite Him On The Nose

I catch myself talking to my animals all the time. And yes, I know that they can’t understand the majority of what I’m saying. They do know words like outside, potty, treat, dinner, bubbles and laser. Boy do they know laser. But every morning before I leave, I give each puppy pets, a kiss, and tell them to be good.

Well, a couple days ago Dusty had an unfortunate accident in our closet. He was really difficult to potty train and isn’t the, bark in your face when he needs to go, kind of dog. He’ll talk a little, cry a little and basically just…stare at you until you take him out. This can be a problem after I leave for work in the morning. Rudy typically sleeps for at least 30 minutes, sometimes hours, after I leave and the puppies get to sleep in those days too. But Rudy is a heavy sleeper…especially in the morning. Nothing will wake that man up. I’ve literally thrown the dogs on top of him, had them lick him and sniff him for minutes, and he still won’t wake up. So the other day, Dusty had to desperately go outside and couldn’t hold it in. I’m guessing he used his usual, I need to go potty cues, and when those didn’t work, he decided to hide in our closet to go. Poor puppy knows he isn’t supposed to go in the house, but when he couldn’t hold it in anymore, he found a place that perhaps we wouldn’t mind.

My shoes are on the floor in the closet. My adorable puppy had his accident…on one of my shoes.

I’ve been as careful as possible to make sure that Dusty does both of his businesses in the morning when I take him out. This morning though, he didn’t want to go. So, my pep talk went something like this:

Me: Dusty, be a good boy today. If you need to potty outside, you wake daddy up. Bark loudly, jump on the bed, lick his ears, bite him on the nose…do whatever it takes to get him up. Just don’t go on my shoes again.

(iPhone Photo)

I suppose it’s a good thing Dusty can’t understand me, or Rudy might be very angry when he wakes up with Dusty’s mouth attached to his nose.

Have a great week!

Andrea

I had a change of plans this weekend. Lovely Autumn wasn't able to make it, so I had to recruit new models...so my rental wouldn't be wasted. ;)

Meet Andrea.

She's Rudy's sister and one of my bridesmaids. She looks, so much like Rudy, it's really kinda scary. In fact, the whole family looks alike. It's a good thing they're all gorgeous people. :) And if my future babies end up looking exactly like all of them, I won't mind at all.

Good Things To Come

Look who I get to photograph this weekend. :)

Also, somebody is having a birthday on Saturday. :)

Lots of photos to come. :) Happy week!

O' Christmas Tree

Three years ago I moved into my first condo with a roommate. Three years ago I also bought my first Christmas tree. Although I love real trees, I bought a fake one because I figured it was more economical. I put my tree up that year and two weeks later, our condo flooded. It was a mess and I won't go into it. But, I had to take my tree down before Christmas that year. The year after that, at a new condo I lived at with Rudy, we had Pepper and Dusty. Pepper just turned a year old and Dusty was 6 months so I figured it was safest not to put up my tree. The year after that, we moved in with Rudy's family, so again, I didn't put up my tree.

This year has been the first chance I've had to really get use out of my tree. I love Christmas and I love things that are pretty (probably why I love photography), so a Christmas tree is one of my favorite things. Two weeks ago, I decided I couldn't wait any longer and I spent a day decorating my tree.

It makes me happy. :) Enjoy your weekend!

Engagement Photos

I think engagement photos are so fun! It's a chance to get to know your photographer, kiss and cuddle with your fiance and feel like a rockstar for a couple hours! This is the second professional photoshoot Rudy and I have had and this time, I really wanted to go all out. I'd never had my hair or makeup done professionally before and I've noticed in engagement photos (because I stalk many professional wedding photographer blogs and look at A LOT of sessions) that your hair and makeup can make a huge difference! So, Kamee (amazing photographer who took all of these photos) suggested contacting Katrina (seriously talented hair and makeup artist), which I did, and I'm SO happy I did! Katrina is super sweet and oh my goodness, can she do hair and makeup or what?

Kamee, Katrina...thank you so much! I had so much fun feeling like a rockstar. I'm lucky to have you two on board for the wedding!

Rudy, thanks for being such a good sport. I know the Giants were playing during the shoot and we missed any sort of Halloween fun, but you didn't complain once. I love you!

3. Dress

1. Photographer
2. Venue
3. Dress

These were the 3 most important things to me when it came to planning our wedding. I'm sure Rudy doesn't quite agree with me here. His list is probably more 1. Music 2. Alcohol 3. Honeymoon. ;)

After booking our fabulous coordinator (which has proven to be my best decision yet!), I booked our amazing photographer and then I booked our awesome venue (which I'll post about soon). But when it came to the dress, man...I was crazy nervous to go shopping. I was terrified that I wouldn't like how anything looked on me. I'm not the most confident person in the world, especially when it comes to my body and on your wedding day, you're supposed to feel great about yourself. So, I was scared.

Luckily, I took an amazing support group with me when I went shopping in July. When the size 2 sample didn't fit...it was okay! I still had two sweet sisters, my wonderful mama and my wookie (best friend Autumn) to help me see what I would look like with the dress in my size...and to remind me that pretty isn't only a size 2.

First, forgive my hair. Trying on a ton of wedding dresses kind of gave me a workout and I wasn't concerned with how my hair looked in these photos. :) Second, this isn't my dress. But, it was a VERY close second! If my budget allowed both my dress and this dress, I would have purchased it in a heartbeat. This second place dress was definitely me and absolutely fit our venue and theme.

However, this dress just didn't quite make me feel as pretty as the dress I did choose. There is something about my dress that just felt...perfect. :) I think it's a dress that Rudy will love and understand as well.

So, overall, my dress shopping experience was a great success and I couldn't be more happy about my top 3 wedding choices!

Big Fresno Fair

Every year, Rudy and I make sure we go to the Big Fresno Fair. It's really our only tradition. We eat a bunch of fatty foods, look at all the exhibits (I always say that the next year I'll enter the photography competition), and take photos in the photobooth. The fair isn't anything special, really, but I love it because it means spending time with Rudy and remembering that we've spent another year together.

This year, the fair was extra special though because we got to go with our friends, Chris and Jenny who live "up north" as us central Californians say.

This was also the first year that I saw horse racing! I swear, with Rudy's size and athleticism, he was born to be a jockey.

I'm already looking forward to next year's fair...maybe Rudy will finally win me a goldfish!

Happy Thursday!

Life is Good

Poor blog. I've completely neglected it.

Good news is though, there hasn't been too much going on lately to blog about. My mama moved up her wedding date to January 8, so I'll be posting details to that soon. Rudy and I took our engagement photos this past weekend, so those will be posted in the coming month as well. We took our annual trip to the Big Fresno Fair with our friends Chris and Jenny a couple weeks ago, so I'll post about that soon too.

Life is good. :)

We're all supporting the Giants, even the puppies. :) Well, all except Belle, who refused to participate because I think she's a Dodgers fan. Go figure.

By the way, I took this photo on a timer on the FIRST TRY. Can you believe all of us are looking straight at the camera? Pepper is even winking at the camera! It makes me so happy. Have a wonderful week (just in case I don't come back until next week)!

Moving On

Rudy and I moved in with his parents a year and a half ago. Our lease was up on the condo we were renting and I was planning on quitting my job to student teach, which meant we wouldn't be able to afford living on our own anymore. Rudy's family was incredibly generous letting me live there with them and I honestly appreciate it more than they can imagine. However, living there was NOT easy. I hadn't been under parental supervision in a really long time and there were A LOT of people living in that house. You can imagine all of the complications that came with having to share a bathroom with 3 boys and a teenage girl.

I wasn't only desperate to get a job because I was bored out of my mind being unemployed, but getting a job meant we would finally be able to move out again. Have I mentioned how much I love my new job?

Well, last weekend, Rudy and I moved. It was, quite possibly, the best day I've had this year. Although unpacking is going very slowly and starting over is pretty expensive, I'm so happy. The fur children are adjusting quite well too. Belle has made herself at home, looking out every window and picking on Dusty whenever possible. Dusty is working on being adorable and behaving wonderfully...which he is being very successful at.
And Pepper, well...it's always about Pepper, isn't it? Pepper is being a DIVA. She's absolutely refusing to potty on the dirt outside. Every once in awhile she's desperate enough and can't stop herself, but for the most part, she will hold it and just stare at me when I take her to the dirt. The plan when we found out we could rent this place, which doesn't have a yard, was to get a doggie door out to the patio and the puppies could potty in the dirt when we're not home. With Pepper refusing, I don't want to risk any accidents inside, so she and Dusty have been staying outside when Rudy and I are gone.

On top of the constant potty struggle (I usually give in and take her to the grass on the street), Pepper has also discovered the windows.

She's rather enjoying looking out and barking at, well, everything. I swear, that dog needs some private obedience lessons. Thank goodness we have one good dog.

The Swimming Pool

So, my sister has this friend. This friend has a dog named Max. Max is a super sweet and sensitive German Shepherd. Sometimes my sister house-sits for her friend. I've taken both Pepper and Dusty over there on different occasions for a play date with Max. Dusty didn't have the best time...he prefers to play with people. Pepper had a blast on her first play date though.

Recently this friend put a pool in the backyard. I was SO excited! Probably more excited than they were! Because I was willing to bet since they had Max, that they would be willing to let Pepper come over and play and swim in their pool the next time my sister was house-sitting. I was right!

This morning, Pepper and I went to our play date with Max and the pool. First of all, Pepper was a big ol' brat. She totally picked on Max and stole the ball from him. She's lost play date privileges until after traning #3 which we're scheduling soon. Other than that though, she was a TOTAL CHICKEN with the pool! The pool had a few levels and she would get in the water on the step level, but she only actually got into the deeper area a couple times (with some "encouragement" from me). When she was in the deeper area where she had to swim, she would swim to the edge and then get stuck because she couldn't pull herself out.

I think with some more practice (after she learns to be a more polite friend), she will figure it out.

Oh, Pepper...

Darin and Brenda

Let me start with Brenda. Not only is she drop dead gorgeous, but she is also the nicest person I think I've ever met. Did I mention she's smart too? It's kind of not fair for one person to be gorgeous, sweet AND smart. Fair or not, I'm so happy that Darin found her because that means I (I'm totally selfish) got to become friends with her.

Darin, you hit the jackpot with this one. I suppose Brenda hit the jackpot too. ;)

Thanks again, you two!

Lucky Me

About 20 minutes after I posted my last post, I got a call from my (now) employer! I was offered a job and didn't hesitate to take it! I just have to say, I am feeling SO relieved. When I was working at the zoo, I found it to be boring and easy. I hated the 8-5 schedule and complained all the time. This time around, regardless of my hour commute or 8-5 schedule, I'm promising myself (and I never break promises) that I'm going to always remember how miserable unemployment was and be incredibly grateful that I have a job.

I'm one VERY lucky girl.

Yesterday I had to pleasure of taking photos of two of my fabulous friends, Darin and Brenda. I may have had to bug them a bit...okay, A LOT, until they agreed...but I'm happy to say no restraints were needed to keep them around for the hour of the shoot.

Seriously though, they were so sweet to let me take some photos of them for their one year anniversary and I'm super happy with how they turned out! Here's one for your viewing pleasure...and more coming later this week.

372 Times a Day

I think I need to become employed VERY soon because I've become incredibly obsessed with my cell phone. Today, my phone turned itself off for no reason and I spent an hour trying to talk myself out of the thought that I might have missed a phone call for a job opportunity. I also think I must have checked my email, oh, 372 times today.

Is it unprofessional to call and demand they give me a job? Or beg? You know, for the sake of my cell phone. Because at this rate, I'm positive I'm going to break it from overuse.

Maybe I should just take him to interviews because it is pretty darn difficult to say no to this face.

An Overly Emotional Pushover

While visiting my sister and helping her clean (because I'm a weirdo and actually kind of enjoy cleaning), we were chatting about relationships.

This conversation led me to the realization that Rudy and I are complete opposites for a reason. See, I'm a pushover. I'm also far too sensitive and worry WAY too much what other people think of me. Although I'm never going to be completely cured (and if I'm being honest, I like these qualities about myself to a certain extent and don't want to be cured completely), he has helped me become a much stronger person. Sometimes I say no. Sometimes I talk some sense into myself when I'm being overly emotional. And sometimes, sometimes I even do something knowing that somebody will be upset because it's the right thing to do for me. If I were to be with someone who was similar to me, yes, he might understand me better...but, I don't think he would help me become a healthier, happier (more happy?) me.

I'm a lucky, lucky person to have found someone who compliments me so well. I love you, Rudy.

36 Wedding Photographers

Yes, I'm obsessed with photography. I've loved taking photos since I was really young and some day (hopefully soon), I'll have the means to put that obsession to work.

This obsession drives me to read a ridiculous amount of photography blogs, mostly wedding photographers, every day. I have a "photography" folder under my bookmarks that contains, oh, 36 blogs right now....and this is a NEW computer. I know I don't even have 10% of all the crazy talent that's out there though.

With all that talent, I thought it would be incredibly difficult to choose a wedding photographer. And I'm positive that if I chose any of those 36 photographers, I would get amazing photos on my wedding day. However, it was actually really easy to choose a photographer because this particular photographer just so happens to be one of the nicest people I think I've ever met. Add talent and making me feel great about myself (yes, that is totally a requirement), and we've got a winner!

Meet Kamee from Kamee June Photography!



Photo credit: Kamee's blog

Last year I decided I really wanted photos of me, Rudy and our puppies. After doing some research and falling in love with Kamee's work, I set up a shoot and a couple months after we drove about 8 hours (round trip) for a day to get photographed. It was totally worth it! Kamee was so sweet and made us feel totally comfortable.

One of the photos from our shoot last year.



I'm so excited about our wedding and knowing Kamee is our photographer just makes it that much better! Check out her website and blog for some eye candy! You won't be disappointed!

Kamee, hopefully we will be more chatty (Rudy is especially shy) this time! ;)

Job Interview

I'm unemployed. Not a huge surprise to anyone who reads my facebook. Ever since I quit my position at the zoo to student teach, it has been really difficult to find a full-time position. It is seriously driving me crazy. I'm bored out of my mind!

However, after three months of searching, a billion applications, a million resumes and a thousand cover letters, today I'm going to only my second interview. This particular position is clerical, which I'm totally happy with and an hour away, which I'm not as happy. But, I'll totally take it!

I always get so nervous just before an interview. Certainly not because I'm afraid of the people or the job, but because I put so much pressure on myself to GET the job. Especially right now, where stress is becoming a huge factor in my life because of unemployment. I tend to not let myself think before giving an answer to a question and just babble on (okay, I do this ALL the time) and on and say whatever pops into my head.

I have to admit something, though. I don't just get nervous at interviews. I'm BAD at interviews. I totally am. I like people and I know I'm personable and I know I can do well in any job I apply for but I have a really hard time fighting my nerves and explaining myself. I come off either sounding too young (okay, I sound young no matter what) or a bit unsure of myself because I'm a little afraid to say what I'm good at for fear of not living up to it. What if I'm not really very good at something that I think I'm good at?

I'm hoping by writing this and admitting these things to myself that I'll give myself the opportunity to improve. I WILL slow down, be myself and be confident in what I have to offer an employer.

Interview is at 1 PM. Wish me luck!

Here's some cuteness to brighten your day...or just mine. :)

Dresses of the Bridesmaid Kind

My mama is getting married. Her fiance's name is Rick. He's a really nice guy and it's incredibly apparent how much he adores my mama (although EVERYONE adores my mama), so that makes him totally acceptable in my book. Rick has children as well...three girls, which makes their daughter count together a whopping seven!

Instead of having traditional bridesmaids and groomsmen, they've decided that their daughters will be their wedding party. One daughter won't be able to make it to the wedding, so there will be six girls, ranging from age 12 to 30, in the wedding party.

Because all of us ladies vary in age, shape and size, we want to each pick a dress that flatters us but follows a basic color scheme. These are all dresses that I LOVE and could see myself or one of my sisters wearing. :)



Dresses by French Connection (top left only) and Mod Cloth.

I'd love more online, budget-friendly, shops to look at! Any suggestions?

2011 = The Year of Weddings

So (Oh yeah, I start A LOT of posts this way), I'm getting married in June and my mama is getting married in February. Not only am I planning (well, I have help) my own wedding, but I'm super excited about helping plan my mama's as well!

Because weddings are fun and beautiful and exciting, I thought it would be fun to share details of mine and my mama's weddings throughout the planning process. Now, I'm not going to include every detail here. I do want sooome things to be a surprise. :)

First, let me introduce you to my wedding coordinator, Courtney Tibbets!


Photo credit: http://dapperimages.com/

As a frequent wedding blog reader, I've known for awhile that I wanted/needed to hire a wedding coordinator. Weddings are A LOT of work and seriously, I don't handle stress well. So I did some research and found Courtney. If responding to my first email in like, 2 hours (or less) wasn't enough to convince me, she was professional, bubbly and seemed like a great fit for us.

Rudy and I have been engaged since January and I wanted to start planning RIGHT AWAY. Courtney has been such a great help already and hasn't once told me that I'm ridiculous for planning so far in advance or asking dumb questions.

The hardest part so far...waiting! I want to order invitations and taste some food and buy centerpieces and shop for bridesmaid dresses. Come on 2011!

Belle Kitty

My poor kitty is just miserable.

The Cerda family got a new kitten about a month ago. Although Belle has adjusted well, which we did NOT expect, she desperately wants a space away from the kitten's constant playing. With a neighborhood that lets little dogs run around unaccompanied by their owners (although don't get me started on that one), I don't want sweet, friendly, trusting Belle to run around outside.

Yesterday it was seriously, a beautiful day, so I put the pups outside for about 4 hours and Belle was happy to come in the room and hang out with me. Although she spent most of her time looking out the window, I'm hoping that time away from the crazy kitten was enough to keep her from going completely insane.



She sure is pretty.