Jullien Herrera-CHAOS Magazine Video

When I sent my son off to New York the day after he graduated high school at 17, I thought it'd be a fun and exciting life experience. He's traveled the world, Paris, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and London, to name a few. He's been in major Fashion Shows, shot with the world's top photographers, appeared in hundreds of magazines and also several videos. It's been a whirlwind with ups and downs that go along with any career. But I'm so glad he's been able to see and do so many things that I never have.

The one thing I didn't expect when I put him on that plane was that he'd LIVE there for years (4+ years and counting.) I guess I assumed it'd be for a couple of years, then he'd come back home and head into another career. But he's made a life for himself over there. He's now studying to get his real estate license and eventually go into commercial real estate along with his modeling (men are able to continue finding modeling work well into their 30's, unlike most women.)

Here's some new magazine pics:

Jullien is wearing the had and sunglasses (far left)

Here's his latest video preview for an upcoming CHAOS MAGAZINE issue:

So it looks like my son will be staying. It's hard to be so far away (Southern California) and only see him once or twice a year. But I know as parents our greatest hope is to see our kids succeed and more importantly to be happy in their profession. I'm proud of him, but as a mother, my heart misses him so much.

GYM...Today Is The Day!

Today is the day. For the first time since I pulled my groin muscle about three years ago and had to get a shot in my butt because I'd gone into a full muscle spasm...I'm going to the gym. I always find some excuse not to go. Whether it's, I'll just try and get into shape while walking my dog an extra mile. I'll do some floor exercises while watching t.v. Or, my personal favorite...moving my elliptical machine from the garage up into my room. I then used it for about 2 weeks and now it just serves as a really good obstacle course to get out of my room.

So today is the day. I've been talking myself into it since yesterday. I want to feel good again. I want to stop having so many aches and pains. I want to find amazing places to go hiking with my hubby and be able to finish the hike without limping the whole way back down!

Wish me luck...

Keep Moving Forward...

Around each corner is a wonderful new adventure waiting to happen. Keep moving forward. Stop looking back, you've seen what's behind. Your change is just up ahead...keep going!

9/11 12 Years Ago Today

Every year as 9/11 rolls around, we all reflect back on that terrible, fateful day. We can remember where we were, what we were doing and feeling the horror of those devastating moments all over again. But this year, I have a whole new perspective. You see in April, I visited the actual sight for the first time. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go at first. It was my very first trip to New York and after taking in the excitement of a city so alive and full of energy, I struggled to decide if I wanted to visit those very real emotions of sadness at the loss of so many lives at the hands of such evil.

 

After wrestling for a while, I decided to go. As I rounded the corner, the first thing that struck me was the close proximity of the fire station to the actual sight.

I couldn't believe it was directly across a small street. It is no wonder that those brave men and women rushed onto the scene, it was their neighborhood, with thousands of people they may have crossed paths with on a daily basis.

We stood in front of the fire station as I snapped some photo's. There was a heavy police presence keeping people off the streets surrounding the sight where the new tower was being built. A girl stepped off the curb onto the street to snap a better shot of the fire station when she was immediately surrounded by police telling her to get back on the sidewalk. Startled and embarrassed she quickly moved back into the crowd. I found it amazing that with the amount of people surrounding the fire station and the memorial wall...there was a very respectful silence. I stood looking at the pictures, reading about the heroes and trying to hold back the tears as the emotions overwhelmed me. Knowing that on 9/11/01, 12 years ago, it began as just another day for those firefighters, everyone in the twin towers and the surrounding areas.

My family and I stood staring in silence, words were not needed, we were all feeling the same thing. I took a moment to silently pray for all the family members of those lost, knowing that a piece of their heart was taken that day.

So today, as I remember my visit to ground zero, I also want to reflect on how we all came together as a country, complete strangers, caring, sharing and lifting one another up in unconditional love in their time of need. What an incredible reminder of the resiliency of people when they are surrounded by love.

MAY WE NEVER FORGET!

Dedicating This Post To Picture Time

Laguna Beach, CA

Victoria Beach-Laguna Beach, CA

I'm currently two birthday posts behind...my hubby's on July 12 and my son Josh's yesterday on August 1st. My birthday posts seem to take me forever because I want to say just the right thing to express my love for my family, along with sharing some fun and interesting memories/facts about them. I also have to find the perfect pictures to go along with it. This usually means digging through my picture boxes aka (huge plastic storage containers that are not in any kind of order whatsoever=story of my life.) So I get a little overwhelmed and continue to procrastinate. I've just been posting pictures on my Facebook page and neglecting my blog.

With that being said, I decided to just dedicate this post to some scenic pictures that I've shot lately...I've been quite the little traveler, which I LOVE! I would spend every single day on an adventure if work didn't ruin my fun!;/

Join me on my escape trips! My visual paradise...

Huntington Beach, CA

Newport Beach, CA

Bel Air-Los Angeles, CA 

Newport Beach, CA 

Victoria Beach-Laguna Beach, CA 

Brooklyn New York

Newport Beach, CA

Central Park, New York

Newport, Rhode Island

Newport, Rhode Island

Newport, Rhode Island

Brooklyn, New York 

Costa Mesa, CA

Victoria Beach, Laguna Beach, CA

Newport Beach, CA 

Victoria Beach- Laguna Beach, CA

Huntington Beach, CA

Newport Beach, CA

Newport Beach, CA

Victoria Beach-Laguna Beach, CA

Costa Mesa, CA

Huntington Beach, CA

Addy Boy is 19!

I have been very slow in posting on my blog and especially my kids annual birthday posts. This is something they look forward to and my Addy boy asked me several times, "When are you going to put up my birthday story?"

So in honor of Adam, who turned 19 on April 26th:

From the moment I met this energetic, bundle of fun at the age of 3, I knew how special he was. He had an incredible curiosity, and non stop energy that constantly kept him on the go and our family running after him. We'd find him in trees, on the top of baseball diamond over hangs, at the park down the street or making a new random friend after we'd try to explain the dangers of talking to strangers. This boy however does not know a stranger...everyone he meets is a potential friend. Someone he can chat with and find out what they may have in common.

I actually love his ability to talk to anyone and would often send him over to ask questions at a grocery store, restaurant, etc. All the things that I disliked doing he had no problem with. It was a perfect fit. All of our kids seemed to like this quality of our little Addy and they too sent him on little missions. He was our little "go to" man...no fear!

This same quality served him well in sports where he excelled in football, basketball and baseball...always giving his all no matter what he came up against!

  One of the most amazing qualities that Adam has is his incredible generosity. He is the most giving of our 6 kids. He will give you his last dollar if he knows you need it without hesitation. For birthdays & holidays, he can hardly contain his excitement. He will come with his wrapped presents a week in advance and continue to try to persuade you to open it NOW! He can hardly wait to see the joy his gift will bring.

When his older sister, Natascha moved into her new house, he immediately went out to buy her some items for her house. When he went to get food with his little brother he noticed Elijah's car was low on gas and had him go to the gas station where he filled up his tank for him. I could go on and on with all of the amazing things Adam does for his family. He has such a big heart to go along with his big personality.

Adam also is a very hard worker. He went out and found a job while in high school and after working at a clothing store for a while, realized that it was way too slow for his BIG personality. He then moved on to become a bus boy and quickly worked his way up to a waiter. This is the absolute perfect job for him! He gets to be on the go, which we all know he can't sit still for too long...along with being able to make new friends and visit with his customers. He makes great money and is also going to college.

We couldn't be prouder of our Addy Boy! He is such a blessing to our family and brings so much joy and life to each one of us.

 We love you Adam...HAPPY 19th BIRTHDAY!!!

American Idol Finale-Part 1-Here We Come!

Woot Woot!! I'm headed to American Idol Finale Part 1 today/tonight!! I was scanning through my emails quickly and deleting junk mail that had slipped through the cracks into my inbox. I quickly hit delete before I realized that it was from "On Camera Audiences," a site I'd signed up for several years ago that sends me all the shows I might want to attend. "SHOOT!!" I thought...I didn't even check what show they'd sent me. Luckily another one came through on my other email...whew! I couldn't believe they actually had tix available, so of course I jumped right on it.

I'm getting ready right now (well after I finish telling you all my story!;) Then off to pick up my sis and head down to the Nokia Center. I love doing out of the ordinary things, and let's face it, who doesn't like a day off of work mid-week?!

I was REALLY hoping to get to see Angie Miller...

(she's been my favorite from the beginning.) Seriously, her voice is Angelic (no pun intended.) She always gives me goose bumps. I really like the other two, Candice Glover and Kree Harrison...both incredibly talented. I just had my fav, as most of you do.

So my prediction for tonight, before actually hearing them sing will be Candice, however Kree's had such a hard life and struggle to get to where she is...she may get the win.

Who do you think will win?

P.S.-normally I'd post pictures of my day but NO PHONES ALLOWED inside...ugh!!!

A Mother's Day Poem: Unshakeable!

I hope you all had a great Mother's Day. I wanted to share a poem my son Jullien wrote for me: 

WRITTEN BY: JULLIEN HERRERA

As mothers we're not given guidebooks, we make mistakes, shed tears, have regrets, wonder what we could've or should've done differently with our kids. In the midst of all of that, we are given the gift of laughter, joy, pride, memories, incredible love and a lifetime bond. We wonder if we've done the most difficult job of our lives well?

My son's poem, brought me to tears and reminded me of the greatest lesson we teach our children; faith, strength and trust in the Lord. As we've weathered life's storms; they were watching, they were learning. They were being shaped and molded, even in the most trying of times and circumstances. As we stood strong when things looked hopeless or impossible...they were learning the valuable lesson that they too could weather any of life's storms and having made it through it...become more beautiful! Thank you, Jullien for this amazing reminder.

I'd like to say Happy Mother's Day to my amazing mom who taught me the important life lessons that I am now teaching my kids. I love you!!