Miranda's belly shots

I think we could all agree that there is nothing more beautiful than a pregnant woman and Miranda is no exception. This hot mama is due any day now with their first child. Pregnancy is just the beginning of the experience. Aside from preparing to welcome baby Kiona, Miranda and Harris are both full-time students at BYU. I admire them both! Thanks for being a good sport. I'm just glad we didn't push you into labor with all the walking and climbing on the tree stump :) I can't wait to see baby Kiona! Love you both

Life Happens

Wow, it's been awhile since I've updated my photo blog and trust me, everyday I wake up with that itch of posting and then...life happens! I'm on my way to getting back into the groove of things but this past month has been a crazy and busy month to say the least--full of tears, laughter, love and lots of prayer. Earlier this month I lost a beautiful niece, Si'iva Journey Auelua and we just said our goodbyes to a dear Uncle. If you know my older sister, then you know what a sweet and gentle soul she is. Lora is someone who has a good heart. A heart that bleeds genuine care, love, and peace to those around her. She will be a perfect mother. Si'iva is her first born and although she was here for a short visit, I learned so much from her. The hardest thing for me was to watch my sister through her pain, sorrow and heartache. Is it weird to say I felt her pain?!...Well I know I've said, "I know how you feel" many times before but this time was different. Although I've never lost a child, I TRULY felt my sisters pain or because of how close we are as sisters, I shared her pain. Maybe not at the same magnitude but my heart aches for her. Even though we understand the eternal plan, I've never yearned for someone to live so much. I selfishly wanted so much for Si'iva to stay for my sister. I couldn't even bare looking at her in so much agony. Si'iva returned home, but I was reminded of the eternal perspective of things. We become so mangled with things of the world and we sometimes neglect the people and things that really matter. In my parents living room stands a picture of the 3 of us girls when we were younger and it sits in a wooden frame. The frame reads, "Nothing comes as close to what we share as sisters." Years ago, I really didn't know the meaning. Growing up with two sisters was a trial in itself but now that we are older and have our own families, it is such a great blessing and I thank my heavenly father everyday for the relationship I have with my sisters. Si'iva has taught me the true meaning behind this saying. We have always been close as sisters but for the first time I felt exactly what this means. There is always great lessons learned from our beloved ones that have passed on, whether they lived for an hour or a lifetime.

Si'iva now works from the other side and our work must continue here. I take comfort in knowing that she now awaits us. Thank you Si'iva for your short visit and for reminding me of all the things that, "really matter." We'll be seeing you. You are OURS FOREVER!

John and Sharla married!

Sometimes life has a way of surprising you, with something or someone. Such is the case with John and Sharla. I met them for the first time on the day they got married! Sharla has a soft gentleness to her, and John is her equal counterpart—with a great big smile that can light up a room. I fell in love with them the moment they walked out of the golden doors, it was a perfect fit. There wasn't a soul who didn't know Sharla and John were two of the happiest people in the world--no, the universe--marrying each other. Their smiles were contagious and if emotion was visible, love would be ooozing from their pores...they were happy, ecstatic, elated. And everyone knew.

John and Sharla met in college at Brigham Young University--woo woo--which made me love them even more! :) John, like every other male needed a little extra push to ask Sharla out. As life would have it--11 months later--Sharla found herself seated at a park near campus with musicians serenading her while John popped the big question. Two amazing souls were uniting and everyone knew.

John and Sharla...I truly felt the love you share. Thank you for allowing me to document the day when God stopped to give you the blessing of eternity. Uela and I left that day so inspired by your love. I felt so incredibly happy to commemorate your lives together and I can't wait to see what the future holds for some of the most amazing people I know!

Just the Girls!

These are some of the young women of the Heritage samoan ward. I was asked to do a shoot for this months value which is "Individual Worth." These YW were so cute and unique in their own way. I loved working with these fabulous girls. They were sooo sweet and kind, which makes me wonder--was I that mature when I was their age?! Hmmmm, I would hope so. Thank you girls for taking me back to my young women days--these will be some of the best years of your life where you will make lifetime friends. Enjoy!

Measina A Samoa

I love Samoan flag day. It happens one week out of the whole year and I especially love seeing the young ones share their samoan culture. This year Devyn, my nieces and nephew participated in an all kids group and they were all too cute. Congrats Measina A Samoa for a job well done! You kids did great.

Devyn-All grown up! :(

This is for my husband and family who give me grief over not having enough pictures of Devyn. I was in tears going thru her pictures. I can't believe my baby is almost 4 and grown up! :( I was just thinking, another year almost gone by. Devyn will start preschool in September and I realized that I don't have a baby anymore--sad!

Devyn has wanted to be so much more independent lately. She has learned to do all of the things I used to have to do for her, and now all I hear is "Mommy, I can do that myself." It breaks my heart to hear that. I've realized that I need to be ready for the years to come and that I will need to keep growing with Devyn. But my attention and care will take on a different form. She will be all grown up sooner rather than later and I'm grateful to share in her simple joys and the simplicity and the innocence of her happiness.

Sweet baby Peyton

This gorgeous babygirl is Peyton Faalolo'i Young Yen, my niece. She's the newest addition to the Young Yen family and we LOVE having her, especially Devyn who wanted to get in on the action during Peyton's shoot. I love you Mama!