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!

Jullien Herrera for Barneys New York

Jullien recently did a co-op video for Barneys New York. Here's a few of the looks...be sure to watch the fun, quirky video at the end.

The first look is by Robert Gellar. I love the trendy vibe of the leather pants, jacket & floppy hat; all working together to give a cool, "stand out in the crowd" look.

The second look is perfect for spring. It's by ATM-Anthony Thomas Melillo/J Brand. The mustard colored pants are my new favorite. This outfit can go easily from day to night...just add a jacket and you're ready to hit the town. To purchase these items visit Barneys New York website HERE:

http://www.barneys.com/null/LOOK_20M,default,pd.html

   

I thought you'd enjoy seeing the quirky video for Barney's Co-op: casting by JV8, directed by Daniel Jackson. Watch here:

http://www.barneys.com/Spring-2012-Men%27s-CO-OP-Video/MCOOPSPRINGVIDEO,default,pg.html

My Baby's 17?

Today is my baby boy, Elijah's 17th Birthday. I've been so blessed to have such an incredible son. He's always made my life easy. Since the day he was born he was just the perfect little boy. He was just born responsible. It's never been anything I've had to teach him.

At the age of 5...the night before he was going to start kindergarten, I went downstairs to see if he had everything he needed for the next day and found him packing his own lunch! I told him I was going to pack it after he went to bed and he said, "That's okay mommy, I can do it." He wanted to be prepared and ready for his big day.

As he got older his big brothers would often make him their little slave, taking advantage of his responsible, kind, sweet, loving nature and disposition (as most older brothers do.) They made him pack their lunches everyday too. He never seemed to mind and was always willing to do whatever he could to help his brothers.

When it came time for homework...I would tell him, "Okay Lijey, it's homework time." Only to have him say, "I already did it mommy." To this day, he never has to be told to do his homework. He has an incredible inner drive, whether it's school work, sports etc. He always gives 100% in everything he does.

He has such a caring, love for his family and friends. He never wants to see anyone hurting or upset and will do whatever he can to help people. I'm so proud of my son and truly am so blessed. He has brought so much joy and love into my life. So today I want my son to know that he is loved beyond what words can express. He is such an amazing & special boy. I know the Lord has great plans for him!

Nike Football Combine Last Weekend (He ranked in the Top 88th Percentile of all tested Class of 2013)

Football Parent Appreciation Night

Thank you for being such a wonderful son! HAPPY 17th BIRTHDAY! I Love You!!!

Last Years Football Luncheon

Check Out These Nails!

While in Las Vegas last weekend watching my son compete, I went to sit down and did a double take. A mom had nails like nothing I'd ever seen in person. I'd seen other peoples pictures online before but to see them in person was a little shocking.

I'm usually not a very bold person but found myself so overcome with the urge to take a picture of them that I actually asked her if I could...(normally I would just try to sneak one...lol.) Imagine my surprise  and embarrassment when she said, "NO, you can't." I felt stupid, and just repeated, "Oh, I can't?" She laughed at me and said, "I'm just kidding!" Then held them up for me.

I took the shot and then sat down to discuss them (=needing more info on the nails for this post.) She's been growing them out for 17 years. I asked her if they've ever broken and she said, "Oh yeah, I just glue them back on."

I couldn't imagine trying to function in your everyday life with nails like that. I mean, I think you'd leave yourself handicapped. How do you even put your pants on, button your shirt, wash dishes, etc? I didn't have the courage to get that personal with her...so I'll leave you with those thoughts too.

How about that for some nails?

Highlights

Last weekend we headed to Las Vegas for an Elite football tournament for my son Elijah (NLA Elite 7v7 Passing Tournament.) He joined the Gridiron Academy team recently with his high school quarterback. It was a great opportunity to play with top players from around the country showcasing their talent for the media & college scouts.

Elijah played great! He caught everything that was thrown to him (5 passes in 1 game) & his new teammates were very surprised & impressed at how good he was. They started calling him Wes Welker (a great NFL receiver) which he loved of course!  

His team won every game Saturday & went into Sunday's single elimination round with a bye the first game. Unfortunately, they ended up losing their game on Sunday (Elijah didn't get any passes thrown to him, but started & played the whole game.) It was great to see he earned a spot in the big game.

This weekend we're headed to the Nike Combine 2012 in Long Beach, CA. Hoping that he turns out some great numbers. He's been diligent in maintaining a high GPA & has trained hard in both football & track...he wants a scholarship!!

Elijah Herrera-Junior Year Highlight Video

I've Met My Max

Unexpected!

Last week I went to change my blog photo & was met with a surprise notice...I'd met my "maximum picture" quota on Picasa (the storage site Blogspot uses when you upload pictures to your blog.) 

What? I didn't know there was a maximum number of photo's you're allowed on your blog? Did any of you long time Blogspot bloggers have this happen to you?

I usually like to add a lot of photo's to my posts, but I never knew I'd have to pay for more (ugh.) The reason I love to Blog is because it's FREE and I use it as a sort of journal. When I'm gone one day, my kids can read about my life and daily happenings/thoughts/pictures.

So I went through a few old blog posts and deleted some pictures to make immediate room for my main blog photo. Then of course I had to give in & pay the $5.00 for additional room for future post pics. I know it wont last very long and I'll need to upgrade to the higher $$ amount, but it's okay for now. Just thought I'd give my blogger friends a heads up...you too may soon meet your FREE PHOTO max-so don't be surprised.

It's Officially Mine!

Well it's official...I own a brand new 2012 Nissan Altima! I've never owned a BRAND NEW car and I feel like a little kid at Christmas. It wasn't exactly an easy process, we were upside down on our Lincoln Navigator (aka the gas guzzler.) So trying to trade it in with the current gas prices was a joke. We were out ALL day Saturday, ALL day Sunday (after church), and finally on Monday we were totally blessed to find a place through a friend of a friend who knew the GM of the dealership (thank you Facebook!)

I picked out the color, interior and was surprised to see that it also had a built in blue tooth, along with the key-less entry & push button start (=no more digging through my bottomless pit of a purse.) The car just "reads" that I have my key on me & I just push the button to get in AND start the car...SO COOL! So what do ya think?

Went for silver this time to hide the dirt

It's really roomy!

The push button start

Isn't it nice?!!!:D

Vegas Baby-Palms Hotel

When my sister, Stacy & I were driving home from Utah, she wanted to stay in Vegas so we wouldn't have to drive straight through. I found a great deal at the Palms Hotel on CheapTickets.com and for $20.00 more you could upgrade to a suite, so she told me to book it.

We pulled into the Palms around 8:00 p.m., pretty worn out from driving through a severe snow and rain storm.
 

We valeted the car & had the bell hop take our bags, (my sister likes the special extra's), me on the other hand, I just usually park myself & carry my bags in to save money...lucky for me she was treating. Once inside we were told that our suite was about 100 yards away from the casino in the adjacent building & we'd have to get our bags, get back in our car & drive over there. My sister wasn't too happy & she doesn't hide her feelings very well. The girl at the desk tried to assure her that it was VERY nice & she'd love it. She wasn't too sure but said, "Whatever."

Once we got over there, she still was pretty irritated because we were so far from the casino. But I  told her that I was confident this room was actually a lot nicer. We went downstairs to head over to the casino when we walked right past Travis Barker (from the band Blink 182) and his kids, heading up the elevator to his room in the same building. I said, "SEE, I told you! Travis Barker wouldn't be staying here if the rooms weren't better...he has money to stay anywhere." She said, "Okay, I guess you're right, I thought you were just saying that to try and make me feel better."

The Palms Hotel Suite

Full Kitchen

Loved the bathroom w/jacuzzi tub

Once we got to the main Hotel, we heard a great band playing in the Lounge. We started to head in to sit down when a man in a suit stopped us & said, "Do you have tickets?" Surprised and feeling a little stupid I said, "Oh sorry, I thought it was free." He said, "No but follow me, I'll see what I can do." We followed him to the very front where he sat us at a table for free. The band, Santa Fe & the Fat City Horns was an incredible mixture of amazingly talented musicians. There were also a lot of famous musicians in the audience that they called up. 

Guest singer-Michael Grimm

After they finished, we decided to headed up to the exclusive penthouse nightclub, "Moon" at the top of the hotel. We were able to get in for free (which seemed to be the theme of the night) & always makes things better. It was nice to have some sister time to unwind and let go of all the pent up stress. So all in all, it turned out perfect...thanks Stace, love you!