Photography Challenge...

So, the weather is Farmington is not being cooperative for trying to shoot anything outside my house for the last several days...so I am pushing the challenge back until April or May...some time when the weather may be more cooperative...today was the 2nd or 3rd day that it snowed in March, and the wind has made it so gross, and dangerous, to be outside...so, maybe next month?

Photo Challenge- Days 2-4

Ok, so I was horrible and I didn't blog my pictures. But I did take them (well, 2 out 3 of them)...

So, Day 2 is "What You Wore". Fun for me because I spend time picking out my clothes and whatnot. Friday morning, I woke up and got ready for work SUPER EARLY! I had to be at work by about 6 a.m. and was not really that excited for my day. It got less exciting as I drove to work in the snow and ice...and boy was there a lot of snow and ice... got to work, and sure enough, once people started going to work (at a more reasonable time than I had to go), they cancelled work and we had a SNOW day! Woohoo! So, I went home and changed clothes...so my picture is of my second outfit of the day, as the snow, ice, and general wetness that those imply made my first outfit unsuitable for photographing. ;o)

I know you are all jealous that I got to spend most of a work day in this....

You will be even more jealous when I tell you I only put the Uggs on once to take out the trash. Mostly, just hung out at home in relaxation mode...until the cleaning bug hit and I cleaned out the guest bedroom closet- it had all the leftovers from the wedding (and I don't mean the food!) and was in serious need of a cleaning and reorg...and my snow day provided just enough time for me to do it!

Day 3- "Clouds"

Well, wouldn't you know that since Day 3, I have not seen a cloud in the sky (so this is my 1 picture I missed). But I did take lots and lots of photos on Day 3. Ethan's first wrestling tournament was Saturday, and while there were no clouds, there were plenty of smiles (and grunts and yells, and all kinds of other rough and tough sounds) thoughout the day. Did I mention he won 1st place? Well, he did. We were pretty proud!

But still no clouds. None Sunday, and none today...clearest weather we have had in ages! Figures!

Day 4- "Somthing Green"

I am not sure if you have ever seen Farmington in early March, but let me tell you, there is a severe abscence of much that is "green" available. I mean, I did just mention a snow day on March 2. I spent most of the day looking and looking for anything that had even a tinge more green to it than brown..and really did not have much luck...and then I thought about it...

I decided that it didn't have to be the color green, it could be green, as in eco-friendly!

So, I took pics of my recently purchased reuseable and recycled grocery bags...

They are made out of recycled water bottles- so now I can even feel less guilty about drinking those since they go on to make fun bags like these! ;o)

I also included my reuseable Starbucks cup- it is huge and I LOVE it...and it is green too! ;o)

Because the weekends are so busy, I feel like the photo quality was not as good, but then again, neither was my lighting. I am going to try and be better about taking them in better naturaul light- which is hard at 10 p.m.!

And I am keeping my eyes open for some clouds!

Photo Challenge- Day 1

Today is my first try at the 30 Day Photo Challenge. I am hoping to learn more and get more comfortable with my camera as I go, and so it is my hope that over the 30 days, my pictures will get better- I guess we will see.

Day 1

So, day 1 starts out with a self-portrait...

So, I thought I would grab my tripod and take a quick snapshot- no worries, right?? And then I couldn't find my tripod... Do you know how much harder it is to take your own picture and not have double chins if you don't have a tripod?? Let's just say that it is a good thing that my camera is digital and I can take over a hundred pictures if I want, and no, I did not actually take over a hundred, but it certainly felt that way. I decided to expand this portrait challenge slightly and so I took a full body and head shot. I am hoping they come out better the next time I try this challenge! But here they are....

Full Body

So, without my tripod, I had to do the mirror shot. I also had just gotten these fabulous pants that gave me that Audrey Hepburn/Breakfast at Tiffany's feel. I absolutely adore them! Thank you Gap!!

Head Shot

The head shot took some time- like I mentioned before, it took a few tries to get it in focus and not have a double chin.

So, it was kind of fun to shoot the pictures, but I have to say, I am looking most forward to some of the upcoming days...check back in!

Challenges and Changes

So, it is the beginning of March…we have been married for 253 days! Yay! But that is not the purpose of this blog post.. since we are married, I am changing the name of the blog, and moving on….to a new focus…our life as a married couple and busy family of 4!!! Which is why I have not posted in so long…we are busy! So, back on New Year’s Day, I decided my resolution was to challenge myself this year…whether it be physical, mental, or just overcoming small obstacles that impede my daily happiness, I would try and challenge myself daily, and hopefully, along the way, find happiness in things big and small, and feel empowered and successful…easy, right?




Speaking of challenges…I have started running. I know, I know…who is this typing from Jessica’s computer?? Jessica running? Was anyone CHASING her? No folks, I have started running…I challenged myself to complete the Couch to 5K program and run in a 5K. So, the first week in January started my official couch to 5K transformation…and I started running. I successfully completed my first 5K on February 18th! Jason even ran with me & my friend, Val. Well, Valerie and I are still in training mode…for the San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon this June!! I start the formal training next week, and have just been making easy runs since the 18th. Who knew this could be me? All from the challenge of running a 5K.



So, we recently got our bonuses from work, and I decided to invest my bonus in a DSLR camera. As such, I am trying to frantically learn how to use it before baseball starts. My hope is to not be shooting in Auto/green mode by opening ceremonies in mid-late April…so I am going to do a 30 day photo challenge (I got inspired thanks to Pinterest & this blog for the actual challenge)..and with that will be posting to the blog each days photos. Here goes nothing!



Day 1 is self portraits…so we will see what this evening brings!! I will post after I get my self portait done!

Trash The Dress

So, there is a trend called "trashing" the dress...which is basically a photoshoot after the wedding in your wedding dress.  Some people actually go to teh extreme of trashing & destroying thier dress...UMMM NO! Not for me. But the idea of a shoot where it is a little more high fashion and a little less worrying about the state of my dress sounded fun.  So, I got a photogrpaher friend to shoot a TTD (trash the dress) session for me...which would still allow me to save or donate my dress at a later date!  Here are some of my favorite shots from it...

Better Late Than Never!!!

Oops I forgot to update with the pics!! Here are a few!!

My Shoes- I did them myself!

My Dress- I Love It!



Our Ceremony









Tying The Knot

Exchanging The Rings

Sparkler Exit

We Are MARRIED!

So, I am WAY behind on blogging about this, but guess what?  WE ARE MARRIED!!  It is finally official and real!  We are married!  Yay!

So, the wedding was wonderful!!  I absolutely had a most wonderful time!  And so did Jason- he was even bragging about it, the planning I did, and how wonderful it was to one of his friends who couldn't make it.  It made me feel pretty proud of myself that even a guy recognized some of the small details and thought it was wonderful!! 

So, the professional pictures won't be back for another couple of weeks, so, until then, I will just have to upload here and there a few preview shots.  Here is the first one...

It really isn't a Polaroid pic, but I love the look of the old Instamatic pics, and so I edited this one just a little to make it look like it.  I will upload some more soon!

Love ya!
Jess