This past weekend I spent an afternoon with her, a little spa time for her and lunch for her birthday. Most of the time I spend with her is just listening, but this time around our conversation turned into more like girl talk, big laughter and a good mother and daughter moment. See for yourself.

Mom, November 2010

Me: “Mom, I almost took you to one of those Korean spas where nudity is a must… so glad I did my research otherwise that is where we’d be going right now.”

Mom: “What? I’ve never heard of such thing. You know a man was behind that idea and he’s laughing, having a good time somewhere watching the video from the hidden cameras.”

Me: “OMG! I wouldn’t doubt it, mom. Isn’t it crazy that the idea of being naked would be relaxing? Don’t get me wrong I’m comfortable in my own skin, but I don’t need to see nobody’s nakedness at the spa!”

Mom: “Crazy is the right word, but I’m not surprised. There are always woman comfortable with nudity, just look at all the young and grown women walking around with their chest and booty out like they’re for sale. They have no idea how ridiculous they look. I’m so glad you never dressed like a floozy. And I’m sure your dad is thankful too, that is the most embarrassing thing for a father.”

Me: “Mom, I don’t think both these things are related. I don’t think someone is a floozy because they go to a nude spa. Just don’t think it’s a good time. For the record, I did dress like one a few times when I started going to clubs at 18. I quickly learned that men as it is gawk at you, I don’t need to bring more attention to it. Especially that kind. It just doesn’t look cute, first impressions are everything. Thank you though for giving me great self esteem, to respect myself that much. You were always a good example of that.

Mom: ” I’m so proud of all your accomplishments, you always were a fighter. It’s a good thing to follow your dreams and be ambitious.”

Me: ” Thank you mom. I’m glad that you and dad always taught me to have an opinion and voice it, research my facts, a love for reading, politics, gardening and to have confidence in myself. Oh, but most importantly how to be a good cook. You have no idea how much that has come in handy!”

Mom: “I’ve been thinking. You really would make a great mom, when are you and Kris having children? I want grandkids now!”

Me: “Mom, that is so mean. I don’t know, don’t have time to think about it. Maybe I will and maybe I won’t. You have three other children, go pressure them.”

Mom: ” I hope the first one is a girl and has curly hair just like you. “

And that my friends is the random, funny and sweet conversation I had with my mama. It is very rare and so I wanted to document it and remember it. Like forever and ever. Although, her pressuring me is pretty mean, right?

My sweet little cousin Diana, so cute and darling it kills me.

My dad helping out my aunt in the kitchen, he loves to cook even in someone else’s kitchen.

Love these, already have some plans for these. My mom is going to love them on her wall in the dining area.  ;)

Yes they are sober, just pure natural fun here.

This was a good night. It’s great seeing my mom and my uncles so happy and truly enjoying the family the way they know best, dying of so much laughter it makes you cry. For as long as I can remember this has been the case, one of the reasons I loved going to Mexico when I was a kid. Never a dull moment. I am so blessed to have them in my life and to have learned that no matter how tough life is, you must embrace it with lot’s of smiles and laughter.

Happy Tuesday!

My daily work and home routine is out of balance, but all worth it to spend time with family, always. Also had the opportunity to second shoot a wedding in San Diego this past Sunday and grab breakfast with my good friend Shelina, amazing weekend.

The beaches are so beautiful right now, I love October.

Newport Beach. All SOOC shots, no time for processing and I think they look great just as is.

Laguna Beach this past Saturday and mom even got to enjoy the day with us.

I’ve got some great photos of the whole family during our bbq this past Saturday night, so I’ll be back to share those.

Unfortunately I didn’t take many photos as I was hosting and cooking a lot of the time. I snapped a few here and there, I need to get better at this.

Menu: carne asada, lime chicken wings, guacamole, rice, beans, potato salad, roasted corn & red peppers, watermelon for dessert (all homemade, of course).

I hope you all enjoyed a good mother’s day with a great mama in your life.

Excited about the week! My sweet grandmother is in town, so I’ll be spending some time with her, a few mixers to attend and prepping for a family shoot this weekend at the beach. I’ll be back with wedding photos from the last wedding I shot a few weekends ago, have a lovely day!

I made sure we had a good start by making a yummy breakfast and coffee and let me tell you, Kris gets excited over a fancy breakfast. Otherwise it’s our usual cereal, yogurt & fruit or oatmeal (easy, healthy and satisfying), but it doesn’t compare to blueberry, multi-grain pancakes. It just doesn’t! Then we cleaned up house, it’s always nice when we can do it together because it’s done in a snap, plus there’s nothing hotter than a man dusting, no?

Later in the day I managed to go to my parents just to visit and talk to my dad about his upcoming surgery, dreadful, but I’m glad we talked about it and discussed all the info and references. Afterwards we went outside in the front yard since it was nice outside and watched mousy play and run wild. It was one of those days where I felt accomplished and emotionally satisfied, like I said, it was a good Sunday. I wanted to capture our home since we had just cleaned up and it was looking extra sharp, so here we go.

Our dream catcher. We picked it up in Sedona, AZ earlier this year and p.s I think it works!

I love our dresser. It’s mostly my jewelry, but he takes up most of the closet, so we’re even.

My beautiful mini herb garden: thyme, sage (2 types), parsley, basil and rosemary.

Mousy, doing what she knows best.

My dad with his 5th child.

My beautiful mother (sorry about the shadow on your face mom). When I grow up I want to look this good without make-up!

Tonight I made chicken tortilla soup. Sometimes I omit the tortilla strips and add avocado to each plate, but it’s still delicious!

I’m trying to get some major stuff done around here to start off the new year well, plus try to get into the holiday spirit… it’s just not in me this year. Partly because my dad won’t be around for x-mas, but also because I’m scared of what the future holds over things that are out of my control. I need to learn to let go of that, surely but slowly.