As always, Jilliann loves her little play dates with Marec.  This time we were happy to have a play date in Mistee and Ryan’s enourmous beautiful home they’ve recently moved into.  Marec has a huge section of the house just as his play area and when Jilliann layed eyes on it, she was in high heaven.  So much to play with!!

Jilliann and I had so much fun as always and enjoy your company very much!  We look forward to having another play date again soon.

*** And of course we couldn’t forget little baby Jaeger!  He’s growing like a weed but still as cute as EVER!!

Jilliann couldn’t have been more excited to put her little swimsuit on and spend the day outside.  Not only did she have fun in her little pool, but this girl inherited her daddy’s “dark skin” italian gene and can get a tan within minutes and I on the other hand would have to spend weeks in a tanning salon to even come close!!  I’m so jealous!!

But Jilliann and Jackson had so much fun playing outside today and they literally spent 6 hours straight doing exactly that!!  It’s so much fun being a kid isn’t it???

Happy Monday Ya’ll!!!

*** As Jilliann was catching some rays and working on her tan, Wisconsin got a little taste of winter all over again!!  My mom was nice enough to e-mail me some pics of the Ohhhhh sooooo beautiful weather they were having TODAY!!

Thanks Mom!!  Glad we’re not there with you!!!

I have to say that I am one lucky mommy who has been blessed with the most precious daughter I could ever imagine.  By me slowly working into my photographer, I have allowed myself with so much time with my little Jilliann and I couldn’t be more grateful.  What’s so great about my blog is I’m able to document such true moments in my life that I will savior forever and will be able to look back at my “blog journal” and see such moments of joy that occured in my life!

To My Dearest Jilliann,

You have the face of an angel and a smile that shines brighter than the sun.  You give the best hugs and kisses from morning until night.  You truly make me proud!  I cherish everyday I have with you and enjoy it deeply. You are my sunshine.  I love you!

I remember from when I was a little girl my mother always sang to us “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray and did you know dear how much I love you, so please don’t take my sunshine away…….”, but I feel now since I’m a mother of my own that I truly understand the full meaning as to when my mom sang it to me.  It’s amazing how life’s experiences can make you look back and see things in a totally different light.

Thanks mom for always calling me your little sunshine because now I’m happy and proud to call my little Jilliann just that!

After a very discouraging stop at the fuel pump and $125.00 later, I knew Leo and myself needed to trade in one of our GAS HOGGERS for a more fuel efficient vehicle.  Which means no more luxury SUV for me.  Although I was quite saddened to give up my eight seater bus, I just knew that it would only be best in the long run especially for our pocket book.  Because that $125.00 payment at the pump is a weekly ritual for Leo which doesn’t include my supply of gas for my vehicle either.  As much as I would like to point fingers and blame someone or something for the outrageous price increase in our fuel or how our economy isn’t helping much either, but this blog is merely me venting about a not-so-fabulous dealership experience in Hermiston, Oregon.

So Leo and I decided that this morning would be our second attempt in car shopping.  After taking Jilliann to school, Leo and I headed with our coffee in hand to Hermiston, Oregon to their ONLY Ford Dealership in town.  Now I don’t want to give out names since this may be a crucial blog, but like I said, it’s the ONLY Ford Dealership in Hermiston……just so we have that clear.

Now let me just share with you for a second on how much I hate car shopping!  There is nothing more terrifying for me than signing my life away on a vehicle for thousands of dollars, it’s just not my thing.  I can feel myself in the midst of negotiating digts wherein I start breaking out in hives……I don’t know why but I’m just that way.  Leo thinks I need car shopping therapy as well as seeking a therapist for being an emotional shopper.  You girls know what I’m talking about, like when you have a bad day and nothing in the world expect for new pair of shoes could smooth it over…..yep, that’s me!!  Oh sorry, I need to stay focused here……

So as Leo and I approach the dealership and get out of our vehicle, the first thing I say to Leo is - “Hurry Leo run fast and see if the sales guy can catch up with us!”  Because seriously, those salesman are out their door ready to see what we’re here to buy faster than Leo putting his truck in park!  Or that saying you always hear - “They are on you like white on rice” - it’s that bad.  And we all know there is nothing more sickening than a car salesman desperate for a sale!  So anyway, Leo and I chose the car we were interested in (of course the one that got 36 - 41 MPG), and we took it for a test drive.  Now let me remind you that in the midst of looking over all vehicles and choosing the one we test drove, we had yet heard any negoitiating in the sticker price.  Nothing had come up yet.  So we get back and the salesman says to us “Well whatcha think?”, Leo and I of course loved it, not just because it drove smooth or it looked pretty, but because that sucker gets almost 41 miles to the gallon.  Can you believe it. I must have forgot they made cars like that!  I’ve just been driving an SUV that only get 13 MPG for far too long!!  I kid you not!!

Well the salesman says to us, “Well come on in, let’s see what we can do for you.”  Now in my mind I’m thinking, okay, it’s that time where we start talking prices!  You know where you feel your getting the best price from the actual sticker price.  Well my fabulous bloggers, that is by far on what actually happened!!  As I’m trying to forget that I’m inches away from breaking out in hives, I’m actually trying to stay focused because I am a strong-don’t-play-me-for-a-fool kind of girl!  Immediately as we sit down, the salesman hands us some paperwork.  The kind of paperwork you fill out for financing. I give Leo this odd look!  And I look at the salesman, “look sir, we’re not actually here to purchase today, I’m just merely weighing my options and comparing prices.” (the smart thing to do, right)  The salesman says to me, “Well Ma’m (oh wait he didn’t call me Ma’m, that would just be too polite to do something like that over here in West) here in the car business we do things today and today only!!  My reply basically was, “Oh really”, pretty much meaning what the heck does that mean????  But I once again said to the salesman, “we’re really just here to see what you can offer me and then move on to the next dealership and see who can offer me the better deal at the end of the day!”  The salesman says again, “Well I can’t do that, just give you a price so you can go to the next dealership and tell him our price!”  I reply, “I’m not going to tell them the price you offer me, just seeing the better of the two, that’s all!!”

Now let me remind, I am in complete shock at this moment! I have never in my life have ever heard of such a thing!  Was this guy serious??  I mean really!!

Okay, so the salesman says again “Well you see, this is a business and this business is working for today and today only and unless you finance with us TODAY, I won’t be able to get you a quote or an offer price.”  As I’m slowly cleaning out my ears to make sure I heard this gentleman right, “Okay so you’re telling me - unless I fill out this finance paperwork, you’re not giving me a NUMBER on how much we would be financing this car for.”  He replies, “Yes, that is correct!”  All I could say at that moment was OMG, ARE YOU KIDDING ME???  And he wasn’t, that’s what is so scary!  He then proceeds to tell me that it’s just how us business owners have to do business! Oh really I say, well as a small business owner myself, I do not think that’s very justifiable!  That be like me saying to a new client when asking me how much I charge for an engagement session - I’m sorry but unless you sign my contract stating that you WILL book a date and time with me, I will be unable to give you a quote!!”  I even said that to the salesman be he claimed it was completely different on his end! You know, the car selling business because they have such a great name for themselves.

So anyway, as the don’t-play-me-for-a-fool-kind-of-girl……. I got up told him I found his way of business unethical and walked right out the door!!  Even as I type this post, I’m still in shock!  I cannot believe this business rolls like that!  I am not the kind of person who’s out for revenge, but my neighbor Donna told me a great story about a dealership here in town sold a lady a vehicle but to then find out she wasn’t happy with it all.  She decided since they sold her a LEMON - she would stand out in the front of the dealership with a BIG OLE’ sign that said “THEY SOLD ME A LEMON”!!  Love it, very smart woman and I think she just gave me a F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S idea!!

I know this has to be the record for the longest blog post ever, but I was merely getting this crazy and frustated situation out!  And boy, who would have thought that venting through your keyboard would be so refreshing!! 

Thanks for listening and Happy Friday!!!

Today my fabulous mother turned 39, well at least it was the last time I checked! :-)  I love celebrations, but I love them even more if I could be there to join in all the fun!  Birthday’s especially!    Although we can’t be there today to join the celebration, Leo, Jilliann and myself went out to dinner in honor of you MOM and also beacause I was running late getting home and it was much faster to take my family out to dinner than to cook!!  We love you MOM!!

Dearest Mother,

Today is not just another day where you turn a year older, today is a day in celebration wherein GOD created a miracle! My MOTHER!!

No words could ever express just special you are to me.  You’ve always been there to cheer me on and offering support in my times of need.  You’ve been a wonderful mother and deserve the very best.  I wish you more than a wonderul birthday, I wish you the HAPPIEST.

So all the way from Washington State to the freezing state of Wisconsin - - - - - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!  We love you!!

Here are a few pics of week!  I’ve been crazy editing pictures from a wedding last weekend so hopefully I will have some ready for posting by the end of the week!

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!

I have an enormous sweet tooth!  You know the saying us women use “Chocolate can cure ANYTHING”, well it’s soooo true! Anytime I was down and needed a pick me up, chocolate was always there me.  It has cured the “getting over” stage of old boyfriends or when my job was stressful!  Or even times when I didn’t need chocolate but nestled with a handful of Hershey kisses while watching a movie, well they made the movie that much better for me.  I know call me crazy, but I think chocolate is a necessity to life!! 

So now I am happy to announce that I have found something that is more exciting, more enriching, over the top and will knock your socks off……….. that’s right the one and only - drum roll please…….

Okay, so I heard this new song/video “Leavin’” by Jesse McCartney and I so so so love it.  I love every kind of music that’s out there but when a certain song pulls at me and tugs a little, I know right then and there that it “Had Me From Hello”.  So not only is this song my new love, I think Jesse McCartney may be as well.  :-)  He’s totally legal now, RIGHT??

So be sure to check it out on YOUTUBE………….. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYMDXK9ZpxQ&eurl=http

Well it’s been quite the busy week for me, I feel as though I’ve been cracking the books for my ACT’s but in all actuality I’ve actually been cracking the books and researching on how to use my new prime lenses with my camera.  It’s been a whirlwind for my brain cells.  If only cameras and lenses were less complicated.  I mean, you should be able to pop on a new lens, turn your camera on and achieve the perfection in your photographs as you would like……well that is by far the answer to my prayers.

I have some big events approaching this weekend and while trying to perfect the use of my lenses and camera, I’ve neglected my sweet little blog.  But I promise I’ll have some great photos to come.

Here are just a few photos of the week from the very few times I attempted to take some pictures. 

Happy Friday Ya’ll!!!

** Jilliann’s pointing to her little “Bo Bo” on her forehead.  I’ve gone through almost 20 Dora bandaids…..she’s milking it for all it’s worth!!

A few days ago one of the neighbor boys says to me “Gee Jilliann sure is a bossy little girl” and of course my instant reaction was - “You’re darn right she is, wherever does she get it from” as I was smiling from ear to ear.  But what I love most is when we have just our one on one time together outside playing, laughing and making me feel like a such a proud momma.  I guess I think of her little bossiness as a sense of self guidance and independence.  Sure maybe for a two year old it may be way out there, but I like to think of it as that! :-) 

So as we spend our days together and do my little photo shoots with her, I realize once I download her images and evaluate each expression through her pictures….. you wouldn’t know it by her photographs that she’s such a bossy little girl.  Such sweet elegance arises from her pictures that I almost forget when she rubbed a chocolate candy kiss into the carpet, or fed the bunny a Popsicle or even took chalk and wrote on the walls in our sun room…..Seriously.  And every morning as we start our day all over again, all I think about is such innocence she gives off as I get her out of bed and ready for the day.  But of course when 9pm at night roles around I may feel differently. 

Happy Monday Ya’ll!!