HEY STOP TALKING-YOU MISSED MY SHOT!

THE WAVES WERE SMALL BUT THEY MADE THE BEST OF IT!

I'm loving having my middle son Jullien here visiting from New York for a whole month, not much time left though…he's leaving on the 16th. I know he's happy to be here too…especially when he gets a call from his friends telling him that it was 3 degrees in NY this morning.

So in the spirit of our California winter, here's some shots I took of Jullien and my hubby. Let me just brag a little and say that I'm a good mom and wife, spending my day waiting around to get that "perfect shot." Heaven forbid if I see someone I know and start talking (like on this particular day.) Jullien (my loud mouth son) yells up to me, "HEY, stop talking and take pictures…you missed my last wave!"

REALLY? 

The things I do for my family. I can't even visit because I might miss a shot!!! I've created monsters!!!LOL! So here's a few shots that I didn't miss.

CHECKING OUT THE WAVES

HE'S EVEN MODELING WHILE SURFING! HAHAHAHA!

Now this is the one reason my family doesn't like surfing close to the pier…it's a constant battle to get position. If someone thinks you took their wave…your peaceful day can turn ugly very quickly.

MY HUBBY TELLING JUJ HOW HE FELT WHEN SOMEONE DROPPED IN ON HIS WAVE-LOL!

JULLIEN IN THE MIX

My hubby was pretty upset that I wasn't in a better position when he caught his, "WAVE OF THE DAY." Most of it was blocked as he headed under the pier.

 After each wave they discuss how good they did!;D

FATHER/SON TIME

YES WE ARE VERY SPOILED WITH OUR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WINTERS!

Happy 14th Anniversary To Us!

14 years ago I made a decision to marry my best friend. It was a crazy beginning with lots of ups and downs trying to blend our 6 kids into one big happy family. I wouldn't change one thing. Through love, patience, and God...we have weathered the storms together. Blending two separate lives into one. It was the best decision I ever made! Happy Anniversary Anthony...I love you with all my heart! You're my dream come true!;) 

Monday at the Beach

On Monday...a perfect, gorgeous day in Southern California, I went to work and found out one of my bosses was sick and wouldn't be in so I ended up getting the day off. I headed to the beach and spent the day writing and taking pictures.

It's so wonderful to just sit and enjoy nature. Here's some of God's beauty.

This cluster of birds flew in circles & then landed directly in front of me

 

 

 

 

My hubby stopped by to visit me

 

 

BLOOM WHEREVER GOD PLANTS YOU!

In the Moment...Neglecting!

I miss my Blog!

I used to post every couple of days. Writing about random things that happened to me during my week, but since I decided to post about all the MUST SEE places in Maui, I find myself needing more time than usual to post the best pictures out of over 300+ that I took AND find the mile markers to coincide with them. No easy task! Especially since my next post is my FAVORITE spots.

Then there's my book to finish typing, pictures to download, Bible study, weekly Prayer requests/story's to get out, football games, team dinners...etc., etc.

The problem is I enjoy them all and in the moment...I can do them all. But time is stingy and seems to get in the way of all I need to do...I need more of it!

My hubby tells me I always put too much on my plate, over-committing myself. He's probably right, but I get excited about things...in the moment...feeling like I can accomplish everything I've said, "YES!" to.

So something has to give...and it appears, to be my Blog lately.

I'm Still Here

I've been really busy and having so much fun. I haven't blogged in a while but yes, I'm still here. My parents are in town...YAY! I didn't want my blogging friends to think I disappeared. I'll be posting some pics of our adventures...because you know how I like to be on the go.

Short post because I'm heading out to run some more errands with my mom...Stay Tuned!

Hey, It's Me!

I haven't updated on my son, Jullien Herrera, who is a model, (Red Model Mgmt) living the jet set life that I can only dream of. He recently returned to New York from Paris & Milan. This time around, I sent him off with a new camera (Christmas present that I told him is a must!) he was required to take pictures for me. He said it was really hard because he had so many castings and spent his time running around trying to find the places & communicate with the French and Italians for help.

Milan Agency-.Fashion-show card

Paris Agency-Marilyn MGM-show card

But he managed to take a whole day in Paris and said he got some AMAZING pictures for me. Unfortunately he dropped his laptop & now it wont turn on...so I'm still waiting for him to get it fixed and send me my pictures!

He has been to Paris before but this was his first time in Milan. As he stepped off the plane & walked through the airport, he was surprised to find this huge picture of a campaign he did for Sisley, shot by Terry Richardson, in the store window.

Jullien Herrera for Sisley Campaign
photo by: Terry Richardson

He said, it felt pretty cool and a little weird seeing his picture in Italy. He stopped to snap it with his camera phone to send to his mommy (yes I love it!).

Unfortunately he had to return a little earlier than expected, and wasn't able to do the Paris shows due to the passing of a friend that he went to High School with. He'd just hung out with her over Christmas. He was pretty shook up. He's had a lot of friends pass away and it never gets any easier to handle especially when kids are dying so young, and needlessly at the hands of prescription drugs and alcohol.

He's doing much better now and is back in New York with his girlfriend, Nichelle (also a model) and his comfort zone, which helps when you need support.

Jullien & Nichelle (Central Park last summer)

He's continuing to work and go on castings...New York Fashion Week's coming up.


more Sean John




photos by: Vincent Dilio

He will be heading off to Hong Kong in a few months...more pictures for me! yaya! What wonderful life experiences for my young 19 year old son!

Walkabout

Yesterday my lunch plans with my sister fell through so as I was leaving work I remembered I had my camera with me. Rather than grabbing a quick bite to eat and heading home, I decided to go on a little walkabout.

yeah, ummm...think I'd keep my distance without this warning!

million dollar homes overlooking the bay, Newport Beach, CA.
(Orange County)

rabbit's in the thicket

Not really dressed for the occasion (work clothes and high heels), I sucked it up. Directly across the street from my work is the Newport Beach Back Bay (ocean filters into wetlands). It's beautiful and I drive by it everyday...but I've never stopped to walk through it.

The view was amazing, it was sunny and crisp outside, the birds were everywhere. I continued walking, dressed up and out of place, as people jogged by, rode bikes, and walked their dogs.

Giant White Egret (Newport Beach Back Bay)

I almost walked right past this Giant White Egret. It was hidden well in the brush, then I saw it moving ever so slightly, head upturned towards the wind, it's long neck swaying gracefully back and forth.

After taking tons of pics of the bay & birds, I decided to stop at a couple parks that I also drive by on my way to work.

I was now in photo mode and it felt good to get some creativity out.

My final stop was a park with mounds of dirt and hills for the young competitive bicyclists to race and jump, capturing one of them through the thicket...

As I headed back to the car, after tromping in my heels through the bushes to get some cool shots, I came out to THIS SIGN...

Hmmmm....probably would've been good to see BEFORE I walked through there! It freaked me out, I mean, I live in the middle of a big city...who would've thought there was rattlesnakes in our parks~obviously not me!

this little guy was on the sidewalk in front of me looking
back at the bushes...obviously scared to death too!

It's so cool to see the things just outside your door...