{sneak peek pt.II} ~ mini valentine session

there was laughter, there were tears
all in all, it was in good cheer

each star knew it was their time to shine
one by one, they sat in line

so special in every way, they all did their part
in making their mommy so proud, of their {little hearts}

tutus, ballons, & hearts galore
it's time to play, let's head outdoors

now, valentine's is just a week away
time to share our love with a {sneak peek} today!

i never claimed to be a poet, so i hope i didn't knock anyone off their chiar with my cornyness! but really, with a group of cutie-pa-tooties such as these... i couldn't hold back! i must admit though, back in the dayssss, i was a pretty soulful and legit poet. my rhymes cut through the core and then some! as a matter of fact, i think i'll dig them out, dust them off, and read my mad skillz to my man tonight. he'll like 'em! it's a part of marriage i dig. you get in to what the other likes.

do i enjoy or even like the video games he still plays? no. i actually don't aaprove of them. but do i sit there watching him, cheering in the sidelines - sis boom ba! do i let him know with a panic yell, "behind you babe!!!!" do i lend him my beloved macbook pro so that he can show off his mad skillz on the virtual ones and twos? yes, i do. why? because that's love. that's a partnership in marriage. there are times when he would sit by me, watching my shows: clean house, jon & kate +8 (when they were still normal and sane. they no longer make appearances in our house! lol!). recently, it's been guiliana & bill (love 'em!), & of course, my dog whisperer. heck, he's even brought me to a cesar millan book signing and speaking engagement/ seminar (not that i needed it. nor was i a cesar millan stalker. he was just feeding into my dream of one day owning my own dog psychology center. don't hate people!) now that's love!

how will you share your love with that special lovey in your life? will you cheer him on or cuddle her up?

God made us perfectly in every way... we're a reflection of His awesome and magnificent image. this is why we're so capable of loving one another. let your love shine through you and reflect unto another  person in your life. refill and refuel your spirit with kindness and love and let it permeate throughout your household and spill unto your daily life. {love one another} each day like it is your last!

i know of another love. greater than that of my husband & child....

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

thank you Father, for loving me so much, you sent your only Son to die for me, so that i can live.

{sneak peek} little valentines

i was shot with cupid's arrow yesterday and at once, i was smitten.

the frills, shrills of children's laughter and yes, cries. the twinkle in each eye. the tutus that danced its way to my beating chest. and the smiles... oh the smiles that melt gold. precious in every way, shape, and form. i was hooked and loving every minute i was in their presence. i may have overstayed my welcome, but it was worth every moment. especially when i returned home to view each and every image. ahh.. again, i was shot... with cupid's arrow.

xoxo

Loving Hearts Captured Photography

little mr. giovanny ~ "my gym" fun

seriously? who doesn't enjoy a little tumbling fun? especially during the formable toddler years? the interaction tailored for our favorite little ones are phenomenal and the reaction received from

our little hearts are breathtaking!

my hubby's, cousin's, first-born son (did you follow that?), giovanny, had his 3rd Birthday party at My Gym in Rancho Cucamonga this past weekend and to say we had a good time, is way below the standard when describing your experience at such a place. we not only celebrated a super-fantastic boy's birthday, but we did so as kids ourselves.

we sat in a circle around the red, well, circle and followed the gentle requests of the instructor. i finally was able to show off my skills at "head, shoulder, knees, and toes" to others. jorge and aly have become immune to my performances already. i know! tragic!

this was also, aly's first time at participating in games and activities with other children her age and the brilliant sparkle in her eyes, when she finally woke up, was beyond priceless!

here's the birthday boy, fully enjoying with uninhibited laughter as his day progressed:

all smiles here in these two photos:

the kids, contemplating their next moves:

aly's first encounter with the ball pit (pure joy for mom & dad!)

here's little sean, peeping over an overgrown, green obstacle:

one of jorge's cousins also brought her puppy-dawg and there were many takers in volunteering to puppysit sparky as the children played inside. sparky's (human) parents are also the proud owners of sparky's pet grooming, now serving 3 locations in the westside. we've brought both of our furkids there and they came out sparkling and shiny, smelling sweet enough to eat (of course not really eat. hello!).

check them out and make an appointment. they have nothin' but sheer love for your pets!

they were told to do "funny" faces for this next shot... clearly, some have practiced this! job well done!

let me explain this next one because i don't normally take shots of the back of cakes, especially one so yummy and scrumptious as this one was. but everyone was asked to go to the lobby (clearly, behind the cake) so that the celebrant and his mommy, daddy, bro & sis were the only ones in front of the cake. hence, the back of the cake shot! so here it is. the super mario brothers cake.

 may i add, it was definitely super! hit me up if you want a cake like this! another one of jorge's cousins made this cake, among many others, and she does an exceptional job on each cake's details,

finger-lickin' taste, and presentation!

http://lovingheartscaptured.blogspot.com/

little mr. {stud} markis

ladies, be still your heart! this little guys is a ladykiller. my hubby was glad our little aly wasn't around when i clicked away at an improptu session with markis. this was actually at his mega gorgeous mama's baby shower. he stole the limelight for a little while from her, but check her out at my mama's post to see where he get's his stunning looks from. his daddy may contest... they all are a very fab-tastic family!

and the kid's got style to top it off! he was a child's photog's dream!

thankful or just full?

(sorry for the repetition of photos above... I was only trying out different layouts for our cutie clients)

I can't belive I've been out of touch for so long....

Being sick was no walk in the park, but "In everything give thanks" and in this, I do believe that ALL things, good and bad, happen for a reason. Everything in God's own perfect timing. He knew I needed rest and to be still and rely on Him for all things. The only way to do this, was well, to get sick. My Creator knows me better than I know myself and because I am so hard-headed and ignored all other signs of needing rest, this was the only way. Even if this did mean I had to be out of touch, out of sync, and just down-right , OUT altogether. And since recovering from my (unable to speak and comprehend anything) illness, times for us have been B-hee-zee!!

And since there seems to be a trend of thankfullness in this post, HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Being thankful and grateful should be a way of life, everyday, not just to be "full" from our Thanksgiving feast (that too... as long as your not counting your calorie intake). Here's a challenge, start up a journal, a blog, or take notes on your daily calendar and jot down an "I'm thankful for __________ today." note or passage to help us all reflect and not be so absorbed in this crazy thing we call "life."

So, to commemorate the beginning of our "Thankful" all-four season, daily holiday, here's what

I'm thankful for today.

I'm thankful for (too many things actually, but I'll narrow it down to a couple of things for today) my hunky hubby,Jorge and our daughter, Aly and the ease of her personality. We finally decided that she needs to sleep in her own bed in her own room. Dreading for this day to come because of all the horror stories we've heard from parents who waited until their babies were no longer babies. Toddlers. Sure the first night we (well, actually I) decided to, it was 1:30 a.m. (yes, you read right, 1:30 a.m.) her first waking up hour to appease herself by snuggling with momma. It was my last straw and then and there, she was moved to her bedroom. Uh hmmm... yeah. This should NOT be done in the middle of the night! I paid for it that night, but surprisingly and with a sigh of relief, the following nights were a breeze. A breeze laced with the alluring and calming scent of lavendar... in case she decided to put up a fight. Ah ha! Sweet smell of victory was ours for the taking!! Baby #2... BRING IT ON!!! Well, we're not preggo or anything. Just being a little too confident in our parenting ski-illz!!

So what are you thankful for?