miss you rodeys!

my sister Gloria, husband Mike, and five kids came and stayed with us in June. A huge treat, since it is a 24 hour car ride away. ouch. We had so much fun. We love you guys!!

(only ammon is missing in these pics)

Dallen, Landon, and Lizzie were throwing stuffed animals back and forth, and ammon was hysterical laughing. Why is a baby's laugh the most wonderful sound on earth? When we were in oregon for dave's family reunion, and swimming in the hotel pool, Lizzie had ammon laughing so hard with her goofy faces. The whole pool area couldn't help but watch and smile. It was an amazing thing. Seriously, you absolutely can't not smile when a baby is laughing with all their sweet innocent soul.

Rachel and Kennedy are only two weeks apart in age. Both the oldest daughter in their family. Both a tad on the dramatic side. They have always been close.

I took a ton of funny pictures of them together being silly. Those two apples didn't fall far from the tree. glor and i couldn't resist being silly too.

some engagement pics. smile.

suck it in mamas.

Gloria and I have been through a lot together. We always shared a room growing up. When she needed a bra, I broached the subject to mom. I supported her having to blaze the way as the oldest daughter. She did everything first and then was there for me to do the same. From trying out for cheerleader. She helped me make up my routines, and critiqued me endlessly. Applying for college. I had no clue what to do and she helped me every step of the way. Preparing for a mission, she was up til late the night before I entered the MTC (missionary training center) sewing skirts, and helping me pack. I hate to admit , but she even snuck in the night before I left for Italy with her old missionary tag to again help me pack and encourage me. She watched out for Dave while I was on my mission, and was there on my wedding day driving us to the temple, telling us funny stories about how nervous her and Mike were on their wedding day (they couldn't find Mike in the temple, and the temple president had to find him and talk with him. classic) , so we wouldn't feel so nervous. She was who i called every day begging for help, comfort, and answers to how long this whole morning sickness thing lasts. She was there when i realized that marriage is stinkin' hard. I was so shocked that Dave would even get mad at me. Yes, my friends, I was a bit idealist. Every step of the way, she has led the way, and helped me laugh through the good and the trying. I really couldn't ask for a better sister, and I appreciate her so much.

I LOVE YOU GLOR!!

So glor, remember how when you moved to Japan we moved there too so we could live by each other? Wasn't that nice of us? I'm just sayin'.

p.s. poor dave and mike i didn't get a photo shoot of them together. Wouldn't that have been special. smile.

pps. Dave flew out yesterday for Korea. I was so sad. and yes, i called gloria, and we laughed until late in the night.

so sad

I feel sick to my stomach and i am really trying to not cry like a baby. The movers are here. I don't have words. I am at the last second throwing on the "to be packed" pile sentimental items that don't weigh much. Mostly pictures. I feel so sad. I did laugh when I looked closely at this picture above and written on the box is "scale". They packed our scale that we had sitting by out things in order to weigh them. Too funny. It is pretty heavy too. I hope it doesn't put us over the weight limit. ha.

At least, I can rest assured that our few items are in safe hands. I mean, they must be experienced, look at the condition of this "thing that I can't remember the name of" above. ha

I have been counting down the days left that I had to sleep in my bed. I love my bed. Have I ever mentioned that it is the first thing that I usually say in my prayers every night,"thank you for my cozy bed." Seriously, I appreciate it that much. I told dave that I was going to lay on it until they pack it. But then, I got caught up in a frantic rush of what precious item am i forgetting to bring. Because let's face it, I have a feeling that I won't see anything for 5 years, at least. You see, we plan on going to Europe after Korea. So, as dave watched the tears roll down my cheeks (and tried not to laugh at me) as I watched them pack, he said, "why don't you go and lay on your bed?" So I did, and I let the tears rolled down my face unashamed, and read my scriptures. And thought about all the things I should be doing instead of feeling sad, like going around and passing out books of mormon to everyone I see ( i have a pile on my shelf for just that purpose). Or asking them if they know the purpose of life, and giving them a card with the web address mormon.org that has the answer to that question and many others. You see, when I move that is usually my biggest worry. Whether I have shared the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone that I could have here. It's like this was a city that I served in on my mission. And to be honest, it is if you look at the bigger picture. My life mission. Unfortunately, the answer to my question is no. I didn't do all that I could. But I tried. I hope that I have done some good. That I have blessed some people's lives for the better. That I have helped someone on their way. That I have eased a burden or two. It is just never as much as I hoped it would be. You always think you have more time, you know. More time to follow that one prompting that you have ever so often, to call "so and so", or to write a note to someone you have had on your mind. To invite a special family over for dinner. To invite a friend to church with me. How does time past so fast, and how can i squeeze in all that I missed in the next few weeks?

So, if you are reading this and you have thought of some of the promptings that you have had, don't put it off. Get to it. Learn from my mistakes. I have to make peace, as always, that I did the best I could. Yes, it could have been more, but it keeps me humble right? I have a lot to keep me humble. But that is another post. ha.

They have taken my bed now, time to move on and get back to the work of life, and the joy of life. But, I think I need a pedicure before I get real serious. ha ha. Have a great day my dear friends.

P.S. This was left at my house from Kami's baby shower. Anyone? Claim it soon, or it may be in my huge garage sale that I plan on having August 13th. More on that later as well.

i guess i can ignore this no longer.

I must pack. We ship tomorrow 1750 lbs. by boat, that we will get in two months. So basically, our mattress, a couch, a t.v., crib, high chair, my violin, a few kitchen items, and some board games. Then we will each get to pack all we want into two of these bad boys shown above. Won't that be fun traveling with 16 of these plus carry ons? Aren't you jealous? ha.

Dave actually needs to leave July 26th. They said that he needs to come earlier. We have to fly space available on a military flight out of Seattle, and there won't be openings until after the middle of August. Which means, we have to wait to come until then. The movers come to pack up the rest of the house to put in storage August 17-19, and we fly out the 20th up to Seattle. How does this always happen that I am left to do this on my own? Hmmmmm. It will be nice for Dave to get there first, and get a place for us to live, a car, etc. My only criteria for him to follow is to make sure that it all has great air conditioning. I am so psycho about that. That and cigarette smoke. I get real crazy when people invade my breathing air with their smoke. Just in case you were wondering. I am sure that no one smokes in Korea, ha ha.

Lastly, an invite. Natalie Kidd and Ahlena Black are hosting (at Natalie's) a going away party at 7pm this Saturday night. All are welcome. Please come, I want to see you, and take your picture (I've given you fair warning. smile). This is going to be a hard move. I hope you all know how much I love you, and will miss you!!!! email me for her address if you don't have it.

heatherives@yahoo.com

workshops for photographers

People ask if I mentor. Of course I don't. Do you really think I am organized enough to do anything of the sort? ha. In fact, I am for the most part closing shop as far as photography goes. I've moved on to other things for now. Really soaking up every minute with my children, who are growing up way too fast. And I am loving doing my essential oils business. Ooh, they are so delightful and wonderful. And other random little things, like moving to Korea. So, now it is just for me, if I want to, and for a creative outlet. Perfect, right?

But, here are the recommendations that I give when asked. Number one, learn adobe photoshop first. Take a course at a local community college to get the basics. Two, suck it up, and spend the big bucks to go to a really good workshop. You will learn and grow as a photographer in a huge huge way. That is if you are really serious about making a living, or being a professional quality photographer.

My suggestions for workshops. Pick a photographer that you are drawn to their work, and you admire them as an artist, or their style of doing things. Don't go in with the mindset to just copy them, but to learn and then incorporate it into who you are as an artist. Usually the big names travel around so I happened to hit two that i liked both in San Diego. First was Brianna Graham. Boy, was that a humbling experience, but I put on my big girl face, pumped up my confidence and really pushed myself. It was great. Next, which I highly highly recommend is the "love affair workshop". The next one is in September in Texas I believe. Why I love this one is because it is like four workshops in one. You have four amazing business women with different strengths and talents to pull from. They put on a pretty amazing workshop. You get one on one mentoring as well, which is great! For lots of good info anytime check out Davina Fear's blog she regularly interviews photographers and they give great advice. There are more then 70 on her side bar to peruse. Great info. Also, she has wonderful kits for your business at a reasonable price. Millie Holloman, has a great organizational kit called "get it together" i believe. I am hopeless though. I would need to hire help to truly get it together. Maybe I would just have them follow the program. ha.

The picture above they had on the love affair workshop website. I realized that this is a picture from the workshop that i went to. I am so famous. ha ha. I am on the back row, second to last on the right.

The last workshop I was signed up for and had to cancel was the Kevin Kubota one that they do every year up in Oregon. i was bummed. Maybe some day.

There are others like Amanda Lyon, and lots of people in Utah of course, the photographer capital of the world. smile.

So, I hope this helps.

ammon 8 months, almost

For a few days ammon was sick and miserable, and consequently, so were we. We are so not used to a fussy unhappy baby. It was awful. I know you feel really bad for me right? ha. I kept thinking, maybe he is just teething. Then I realized that this has happened three times in a row on the three trips that I took with him. By the end of the trip he has a fever, vomiting, and isn't sleeping well. You know what that means? I seriously changed my plans for the rest of the summer.

I am happy to report that ammon is back to his usual and happy self! (me too). Routine is a wonderful thing (within reason, ha). He is really loving these teething biscuits that I got him, and happily chomps, and slobbers away on them. We have all rekindled our love affair with this little ray of light in our lives.

He is also back to being my workout partner.

And back to hangin out with dave. I was loving how they were playing together the other day.

I love how he tenderly touches peoples face to connect with them. It is so sweet.

oh, he caught me taking pictures.

but was distracted by someone he really really loves.

i love this super happy excited face he gets when he sees someone in his family.

Like jacob for instance.

We love our happy slobbery boy.