Riparian Preserve Engagement Session-Desiree & Sharon

These two drove up from Tucson for their session. So grateful they did! We had a blast, laughed 99% of the time! It was a beautiful but hot day and these two were troopers! I can not wait for their wedding in June 2018!

Monday Moments Of Me #130

Oh Boy! I found a new app. 

Let me admit before going any further that I spent way to much time on this app yesterday. It is called "Mandala Coloring."

It is so much fun. It is mesmerizing, relaxing and helps me keep my mind focused!

I think my husband may have gotten sick of me showing him my chosen photo to color, the updates of the progress every few minutes and the finished work of art on all 3 of these! haha

Give it a try! I hope you love it as much as I do :)

Monday Moments Of Me #129

This past week has been a rainy one. Full of storms, wind and rain! It has been a nice change compared to the normal July here in AZ.
My husband and I and our dog went for a drive one of the stormy nights and just before the rain came I grabbed this image with my phone! It was such a beautiful drive and beautiful weather, we all loved getting out in it and enjoying the magic of nature!

Monday Moments Of Me #128

Last Wednesday the husband and I walked around Tempe Town Lake around sunset time. It was beautiful. These are just cell phone images. . . i would have brought my 'real' camera if I had known we were making this stop. haha.
I love getting out and being reminded that nature is beautiful, relaxing and grounding!
It was truly a breathe of fresh air at just the right time in my week!

Justin & Krissy's Shenandoah Mill Wedding in Gilbert, AZ

Justin & Krissy had such a beautiful wedding day! This sweet kind couple make you feel better just being around them! Their new blended family is absolutely adorable. I loved every detail and every moment of this day!

Captured July 7, 2017 (7-7-17)

Venue: Shenandoah Mill
Caterer: Flyin K BBQ
Florist: R Flowers
DJ: Motorcity Entertainment (DJ Jamal)
Cake: A Piece Of Cake
Photography: Micah Carling Photography

Monday Moments Of Me #127

I visited the Young Living Lavender Farm in Utah about 2 weeks ago and I found these guys!
What an adorable idea. Don't you think?!
I love such unique ideas. No need to stay within the lines, or think inside the box!

Monday Moments Of Me #126

Quote of the day:

"The best way out is always through" -Robert Frost-

No matter what the storm holds for us right now or in the future, take it head on, fight your way through and know you are stronger because you did not skirt around the side, above or under it!

A song that comes to mind that I like along the same lines as this quote is by Rodney Atkins called "If You're Going Through Hell."

Look it up and tell me if you like it!
*youtube link here*

Holly & Cody's Wedding at Shenandoah Mill

     Holly & Cody met in High School in 1989 and instantly became best friends. They both loved each other so much but never shared their feelings with one another for fear of losing their friendship.
     After High School they lost contact but they reconnected in 2016 and it felt as though they were never apart!
     Their wedding day was filled with laughter, tears and smiles. The love that was shared among guests that traveled from near and far was so incredible to witness.
Captured June 24, 2017

Venue: Shenandoah Mill
Caterer: Carrabba's
DJ: Platinum Day Entertainment
Cake: Graceful Cake Creations
Florist: R Flowers
Officiant: Caprice
Wedding Gown: David's Bridal

Monday Moments of Me #125

Happy Fourth Of July/Independence Day Tomorrow!!!!!
I believe it was 241 years ago we gained our independence! Can you believe it?!

Be safe, enjoy those barbecue's, parades, pool parties and festivities with friends and family. I know I will!  Don't forget to wear your red, white and blue!

Maybe take a few moments to even look up and read the words on the declaration. . .

Monday Moments Of Me #124

Watch Out World!!!

I am now a very efficient multi-tasker with both my hands free!

I got a surprise in the mail (a gift from my husband) that is PINK. I love it.
It is a wireless Bluetooth headset so I can now have the use of both my hands while being on the phone. I did have a much smaller one by LG but it did not have the best nose cancelling capabilities.
This one makes me not only feel official but look official as well.

My Blue Tiger Elite Pink Wireless Headset is my new obsession.

I can now much easier enjoy:
*working on my computer
*cooking
*gardening
*walking the dog

Yay! Happy Monday! Hope your week is as productive as mine will be ;)

                                                                    *cell phone image*

Monday Moments Of Me #123

It has been about 11 months since moving into the home I am in currently and I finally "dressed" up the front porch!
I found the perfect pink planters at IKEA. I mean, it's MY PINK!!! I was ecsatic when I found these.
The planter stand I found at Joann Fabric & Craft store.
The plants came from Amazon because I do not have a green thumb. At all.
It has made a slight improvement to the friendliness of my front porch!
You are welcome to stop by for a visit :)

                                                              *Cell Phone Image*

Monday Moments Of Me #122

I can not believe today is June 12, 2017. Where is the time going?!

Quote for the week:

"Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains the original dimensions."
                                     -Oliver Wendell Holmes-

With time going by so fast and 2017 nearly half over. . . learn all you can, dream, take the leap, gather up all the new ideas you can!!!

Monday Moments Of Me #121

Oh My! Have I got a story for you this week!!!

Life at home is normal on a fine Thursday, nothing out of the ordinary. Besides that I am currently at home by myself (clue #1)
I decide to do do some dishes. . . (clue #2)
Then out of no where a knife decided to attack me (clue #3)

What do I do?
First, I may have said a few choice words before rinsing the gaping slice out of my thumb under cold water.
Second, I reach for some paper towels leaving a bloody trail along the counter so I can apply pressure until the bleeding stops. Then the OCD in me decides the counter must be cleaned up before anything else is done...
Wow, this cut looks deep I think to myself. I hope I do not need stitches.
Third, I remain calm while grunting with pain.
Fourth, I freak out (ok cry) just long enough for my dog to come make sure I was ok :)
Fifth, I take an ibuprofen even though I hate taking pills because it hurts REAL bad.
Sixth, I text my husband some pictures of the gruesome scene.
Seventh, I scope out my medicine/first aid cabinet and find next to nothing I will need to doctor up my cut.
Eighth, I go find the super glue so I can just glue this thing back together!!!
Ninth, I come to my senses and painfully, one handed drive to Walgreens and purchase about 1 of everything I even think I may need.
Tenth, once back home I sit at my kitchen table where I eat my meals to suture up my bloody hand because that seems logical haha
Eleventh, I proceed to clean the fresh wound with the "Hurt Free" Cleaning Solution. Nope, false advertising. It is not "Hurt Free"
Twelfth, I manage to open up the butterfly bandage and get ready to apply it because I WILL NOT go get stitches! Scary. Then, it starts bleeding again.
Thirteenth, I begin the so called "hurt free" cleaning process again once the bleeding stopped.
Fourteenth, I am able to get on 2 butterfly bandages, some gauze, tape and wrap on the cut.
Fifteenth, I smile because I survived all of this and conquered it on my own!

Now while my thumb is heeling I have realized how important a functioning thumb is. It seems I can not do ANYTHING with out both of my thumbs. My sink is full of dirty dishes, my hair needs to be washed, laundry needs to be done. . . I feel helpless.
But hey! It is a great excuse to just lay on the couch and watch movies!
I have a new respect for my body, how it functions and helps me do daily tasks and I am so grateful to have this experience!!!

Welcome to Dr. Micah's Kitchen Table haha

It may not look bad but it HURTS bad

Oops, do not accidentally re open the wound or else!!!

Phew! Hope this does the trick :)

Good as new?!

Kim and Scott's Downtown Phoenix Heritage Park Engagement Session

Kim and Scott arrived dressed to kill and they did kill it!!! 

Downtown Phoenix and Heritage Square made this session epic. Great cityscape.

The love they share is quiet but strong enough to hear it speak!

I can not wait to share in the memories of their wedding day in November at                                   The Farm at South Mountain.

Monday Moments Of Me #120

Today is Memorial Day 2017!!!

I am Grateful for all servicemen and servicewoman who defend our freedom! Active, Veteran and fallen...Thank You So Much.

It is because of their service and of their families I was able to drive my friend to Colorado and back home to AZ all in 2 days this past week. I love my Freedom.

It was a whirlwind trip with very little stops and sleep but lots of laughing!
I am renewed with energy as seeing all the beautiful landscapes nature has to offer. Breathtaking.
This photo was taken with my cell phone while we stopped for literally 3 minutes in awe of the natural formation. This is Wilson Arch in Utah. More info on the arch here.

Monday Moments Of Me #119

Oh my Mixie girl!!! She is about 10 years old now and when I ask her if she wants to go for a ride her ears perk up and gives me the cutest head tilt and tail wag! I think that means yes!
Bonus for her if I pull into a Dairy Queen. . . she gets super excited because she knows what is coming. . .  a pup cup! She inhales the cup haha.
So funny and so adorable.
                        *This is a very rare treat for her as I know it is not the healthiest option*

Monday Moments Of Me #118

Do you remember last Monday when I shared about the great shopping day, called my mom over to the store I was at and I ended up finding an amazing little sign?!?

Well, I entered a giveaway while there at Kirklands and I won!!!!!! They called me last Monday afternoon and shared the great news!
I was so ecstatic! I won a $50 gift card to the store and a candle! Which smells divine!! Woohoo!!!
Seriously made my week. Thank You Kirklands for the gift. I love it.

Monday Moments Of Me #117

Have you ever been shopping and an item just about jumped into your arms and you felt an instant connection and knew you could NOT leave without it?
I know this may seem crazy, unreal and absurd but this happened to me on Saturday :)

I was at Kirkland Home and was seeing so many cute decor pieces that I just could not stand it. Ideas were running around like crazy in my head of what I could do with it all! I even saw a few items that my mom and I had talked about just hours before so I called her to come to the store and she loved the items and they just about jumped into her arms! This was a good shopping day and a great time with my mom!!

Well, it was near the check out when I saw it. It was a little sign and the words printed on the inlaid metal just SPOKE to me. I immediately picked it up, fought back the lump in my throat and held back the tears. This sign, right now in my life is how I feel. It gave me hope. It made me smile. It made me love. It made me grateful. I felt warm. I felt peaceful. I felt strong. I felt joy.

Whoa! Right? How is it possible to think and feel all of that in an instant from a little sign on the table that you happened to read while walking by? It is as if this little sign unexplainably knew everything in my heart and mind.

The only explanation I have for this it that is was meant to be!

Monday Moment Of Me #116

It is May 1, 2017!!! Where has this year been going?

As the news channels are threatening triple digit weather by the end of this week, I am thinking of ways to be more productive out in that heat!

When it is in the 100's here in AZ it is almost unbearable but. . . when you have a front yard and a back yard that needs, mowing, blowing and trimming the tortuous heat is unavoidable.

Managing the time needed to spend outdoors on these tasks is the key :)

So, welcoming to my family I present my new RYOBI battery powered weed eater/edger and blower I got at Home Depot!!!

I have gone green ya'll! Literally and figuratively. haha!

These are so easy to use, light weight and my favorite part? . . . I do not smell like fuel when done using them!!!

Here is to surviving yard work, in Arizona, in the SUMMER!!! :)