One

Elija's B-Day

August 25, 2007

Happiness Is . . .

enjoying a delicious anniversary dinner and coming home to a surprise cake baked by your step-daughters and gifts purchased by same lovelies.

Rock Stars

Following Directions

2007

Ashley following step-by-step directions.

Keyboard

Ashley '07

The end result, a bench to hold her keyboard.

Greener on the Other Side?

Not My Plan

For so long, I wanted to give her a piece of my mind
How many different times had I rehearsed that brilliant one-liner
You know the kind that can leave someone with their head spinning

I wanted her to know that I could match her anger and her energy
but, basically, I just wanted to shut her up

But that wasn't the plan because when I finally got my chance
I replied with a simple, "You're welcome" to her "Thanks, Alex."

That was not my plan. It was His.

Downtown Los Angeles

August '07

Los Angeles

Olvera Street

August '07

Los Angeles

Olvera Street

August '07

Lawyers

August '07

Windows & Doorways

August 2006

Abandoned

Alcatraz, San Francisco
August 2006

The feeling of being abandoned is a scary thing because it never travels alone. It brings with it feelings of being discarded and unloved.

What's that I smell?

Mona

Pinatas

May '07

Umbrellas

Venice Beach
2007

1 Hour -- Same Spot

Venice Beach
2007

1 Hour -- Same Spot

Venice Beach
2007

Ice

What we do for entertainment
Summer '07

Dinner

August '07

Yes, I'm a softy

I suppose I've always been

When I see you, I see a little girl who grew up in an environment with no boundaries,

no consequences, and no accountability

But, you will teach me not to be such a softy

Because if I let you continue, you will end up making bigger and more serious mistakes

And I care too much to let that happen

So, I'll have to help tighten the lasso and lay down the law

You aren't going to like it

You'll bitch and complain that your life sucks

But, I don't care

In the end, you know

You're the one I'm rooting for.

Waiting

Alex
Summer '07

Pool Shark

Jonathan -- 10
Summer '07

Cooling Off

Dog Days of Summer

Ice
Summer '07

Domestic

Jannette
July 2007

What you can't tell from this picture is that my friend Jannette is barefoot. Does it get any more domestic than this? Kitchen + Barefoot pregnant woman + Serving coffee = domestic bliss. Gustavo is in the belly along for the ride.

Blessings

Carlos & Jannette
July 2007

Lazy Summer

Armando & Ashley
July '07

This is one of my all-time favorite picture of Armando and Ashley. I get this overwhelming feeling of safety and trust whenever I see this picture. Armando's crossed arms remind me of someone confident. Of someone standing watch over his most precious commodity. The way Ashley is curled up beside him tells me she knows her father is standing watch.

Baby Blues

Sam
July 2007

The Paul Newman of his generation! I realize that Sam's eyes look pretty good in this picture but, in person, you can easily get lost in them. Not only are his eyes a beautiful shade of ocean blue that makes you wish you could dive into them, BUT the kid is a real charmer too.

Natural Beauty

Maddie at 16

The day this picture was taken, I spent the afternoon with this lovely faerie girl and two of her friends. Maddie's mom and I share the same sentiment -- we each wish that we had been the kind of teenager that Maddie is.

She's not only a beauty but is wise beyond her years. A true old soul. It took me over 30 years to understand the bigger picture of life. At 16, she already gets it. She's brilliant, I tell you.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Summer 2007

Where There's A Will There's A Way

Thinking

Jaylene 6/07

Sometimes all we need is time alone to think and untangle the mess.

Aquarium

San Pedro
May 2007

Waiting

May 2007

Strolling

Mother's Day 2007

Happy Birthday

Venice Beach, CA
2006

Lots of chaos going on in your head. I hope and pray that you find your way out of it.

Love,

Your Sister

San Pedro Aquarium

A Romantic First Dance

Mark & Dana
May 2007