Weekly Surf:

My grandmother called today to ask me why I haven't written a blog since last Friday.

I think she was wanting to see some new pics of the rug rat. {Isn't she the sweetest!}

I love that seeing her great grand son makes her day!

This week, Dustin & I made the painful decision to hide the Dino from Conrad

(as he has chosen to use it as a weapon and has become increasingly obsessed with it.)

We made the executive decision that the relationship they share had become unhealthy....

He refuses to part with the said dinosaur to perform everyday tasks

like getting dressed, sleeping, eating, rides in the car, & taking baths....

If I try to take it from him,

he scratches his eyes out.

He has been pacing the rooms of the house in search of his lost friend.

I feel sad for him.

Here is a photo of the two during happier times.

Conrad hollering in his room.

A toy I purchased for Conrad 2 years before he was born.

Dustin mid- MOO face.

Jumping on the bed.

Peek-a-boo!

Dustin cooking a middle eastern dish that I craved a lot when I was pregnant.

We made some for my parents and my Dad called him the next day to personally

tell him that it was awesome. My Dad loves to cook too.

standing back to look at what he's built.

His favorite room in the house. His own.

Weekly Surf:

A concept photo shoot by the creative and fabulous Vicki of the city cradle

So glad she asked me to photograph it for her! We had a blast!

Engagement session I shot

{excuse the shameless plug}

If I ever own a store someday, I would decorate it like this

If I could go back in time and RE-do my wedding, I would ask my brides maids

to each wear different dresses like these brides maids did.

(note the awesome vintagie chairs at the reception. Genius!)

I'm kind of obsessed with these metallic sneakers OR these awesome boots

Conrad needs these...

I'm thinking maybe I'd die to have

these celery colored modern chairs for my table.

what do you think?

my ultimate girl crush

{Have a the grandest of grand weekends}

Mr. Yogurt-cup-hand-man!

He's leaning how spoons work and learning that he can fit his whole fist in the yogurt cup....

His mind is blown: 

He's exercising those vocal chords and voices his opinion on just about everything....

He takes his nap in just a diaper and shirt, totally sprawled out and cozy as can be.

On this particular morning, he cried when I took his dino away, so they ate breakfast together.

 They've since taken many baths together and late night rendevous in his crib when it's ni-night time.

(I think that damn dinosaur is a friggin' weapon and wish I'd never bought it! But whatever.)

He's showing me his dino.

Yes buddy, I see it! It's awesome, I know! 

{Have a great weekend.}

Don't leave me hungry for love.

(I apologize ahead of time for this really random blog that doesn't have a point

or one specific topic. Thanks for allowing me this rant of sorts.)

I was on my way home from the park today and heard this song.

which really convicted me and stirred my heart.

Here is a video explaining the song.

I really loved these lyrics:

I look around and see my wonderful life

Almost perfect from the outside

In picture frames I see my beautiful wife

Always smiling

But on the inside, I can hear her saying...

“Lead me with strong hands

Stand up when I can't

Don't leave me hungry for love

Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight

That I'm still the love of your life

I know we call this our home

But I still feel alone”

This week, while Dustin & I argued about whose job was harder, I said in my head, "So I guess you'd like to stay home with Conrad and I'll just dress nice and go to work all day! Would you like to trade me jobs?!" Then realizing what his reaction would be, "Um, YEAH?! Dummy! Of course I'd love to stay home and play with my son all day?!" I didn't spit those words out, but instead my attitude changed right then when I realized how good I have it, and how hard Dustin's job must be. (I'm working on filtering my words before I say them....THAT WAY, I don't sound like a retard as often.)

Here is a photo of Dustin at work (wearing the brown shirt) making sure every one's doing what they're supposed to be doing and collecting soil samples in the desert, sweating his balls off. Poor guy.

Here is a photo I took while "on the job" Going on morning walks to the park and listening to birds chirp, while I get to gush over this happy little face. It's pretty much the greatest job on the planet!

I'm SO glad I'm not sweating my ball off in the desert collecting soil samples today!

Being a Dad is hard. Juggling work, going in everyday with a smile on your face and giving it your all so you can get raises and do well (so you can pay off thousands of dollars in student loans.....) , then coming home with a smile on your face after a hard day, and being everything to everyone who depends on you seems incredibly daunting. I sure as heck would rather stay home with the baby than wake up at 3:30am and work 60 hour work weeks! Go Dustin! You're a better man than I.

The line "don't leave me hungry for love" is so simple and yet something we seem to forget when it comes to the ones we love. It's easy to leave my husband starving for my affections and It's easy to neglect and live as if I'm the only one who matters. I'm WAY better at being selfish than I at at living a life of service towards my husband with the attitude of "What are your needs, what can I do to serve you, and, AM I putting you before myself?" Most of the time I'm looking out for number one. Aren't we all!

That's all we really want when it comes to relationships. We want that desire for love to be quenched. We want to be satisfied and cared for. I think we ALL desire that. I think the Lord has been working on my heart towards Dustin lately and showing me that my marriage isn't about ME. I'm REALLY trying to be THAT wife who makes lists and remembers everything, and makes gourmet dinners every night, but I'm SO not! I was explaining to Dustin that I want to be THAT wife, and I was apologizing for being so crummy at my role and our conversation went a little something like this:

Chelsea: I didn't make dinner again. Don't hate me! I'm a horrible wife and mother! (Drama Queen)

Dustin: Stop beating yourself up! Come here and let me rub your feet, you've worked so hard today!(sarcasm)

Chelsea: Shut up! Now I feel even MORE guilty for sucking! You should be yelling at me or something.

Dustin: So Hey, I'm gunna run to Fausto's for a burrito, since you didn't make me a gourmet dinner!

Want one?!?"

Chelsea: NO! JERK! I'm on that diet remember?! Now I have to sit here and watch you eat a burrito?

Dustin: Well, where's my dinner then?!
Chelsea: I guiltily hang my head and under my breath, I utter:

I'll have a ham breakfast burrito. Thanks.

So on my run last night, after Dustin forced me out of the house to go clear my head (all of these decisions are making me crazy lately. Do we move or do we stay! Ahhhh!) I was praying and the thing that kept coming up in my head was the word GRACE. How important it is to support Dustin when he makes mistakes and love him through his failures. And for him to do the same, knowing that we must forgive and have mercy on our spouse as Christ has shown us mercy. Anyway.

Recently I misplaced my phone in a hotel bathroom. We waited a full day and kept calling the hotel to see if anyone had turned it in. No one turned it in. I went into Tmobile to get a new phone and didn't check to see if anyone had been CALLING CUBA with my phone charging it 200 dollars in long distance fees! I just figured someone wanted the actual phone, I didn't expect someone to go ahead and make expensive 1.99 a minute calls to CUBA with it!

The point of my story is this, I called Dustin today to tell him of the said 200 dollars we have to pay, that we're responsible to pay, and after a loud, "F those mother F'ers who used your F-ING phone to call MOTHER F-ING CUBA!! Who do they think they are!" He calmed down, uttered a few more profanities and collected himself. For my husband to curse like this, shit must have been hitting the fan hard core. I'm not joking. He's got a relatively clean mouth. I was like "WHOA BABE! Whoa!" If he had taken his frustrations out on me instead of Cuba, I would have totally deserve it.

Showing our spouses grace through their failures is hard. I should have been more responsible with my phone. I know this now. God help me, I'm never going to let my phone out of my sight ever again, I don't care if I have to tie it to my neck, I will not lose it again!

AND on a completely unrelated note, can someone please explain to my husband that this purple lipstick and head band DO NOT make me look like a Gothic-gypsy!

In person the lipstick is pretty harsh....but not deserving of the title "Gothic-gypsy!"

what do men know anyway!

Summer Fashion Week:

It was a lot of fun to leave comments and encourage other fashionistas, and fun to get feed back as well!

I didn't want it to end, so I decided to post one last outfit (until fall fashion week!)

I made a lot of new bloggy buddies and can't wait to continue reading your blogs! Yippy!

Thanks Emery for hosting, once again, another fun fashion week!

Today we went to Town Square for free movie day. It was Conrad's first time going to the movies.

He was pretty aw struck and didn't quite know what to make of thevery-large "tv" infront of him.

I wore this comfy skirt (with pockets) and this yellow top.

{I'm pretty positive that my son is the only person who would crack up at the hideous, lips-over-the teeth face his mother is making. The kid can't resist a crazy person bulging their eyes out of their head!}

I am wearing:

Top: Banana Republic (thrifted)

Skirt: H&M

Sandals: Candy's

What are you wearing today?

Surprise Baby Shower!

Here we are waiting for Sarah & Adam to knock on the door for the big surprise! 

They think they're coming over for a simple dinner at our place, Just the four of us....

 Sarah says to me on the phone, "Don't go all out with dinner, we can eat frozen pizzas!" 

Pisha, frozen pizzas!  

We threw a surprise baby shower for our friends yesterday and it was a success. 

Everyone had so much fun and Sarah & Adam were actually genuinely surprised.

 I can't believe we fit 24 people in our house! Wowza! Everyone was so cool about it though. 

They ate and hung out and the kiddos had a little dance party! It was awesome! 

Instead of doing games, we had the parents to be compete to see who could change their baby first and put the baby's clothes back on...little did they know, each baby had a big stinky in it's diaper! (melted chocolate candy bar!) I was thrilled that I found TWO plastic babies at the thrift store! The video of them changing the babies is really funny. After Adam cleans his baby, he puts it's socks on first before the diaper... He's just precious isn't he! 

I don't think she was expecting to see actual POOP (chocolate) in the baby's diaper! 

My darling Amanda who helped with everything, and the beautiful Mommy, Sarah!

Sarah & her Mom Julie! 

(The banner in the back ground was made of paper doilies)

We are beyond blessed to know such wonderful friends.

What a joy.

Summer Fashion Week: Sunday

We had a little "date afternoon" and left the baby with my m.i.l who has been on vaca for 11 days and needed her Conrad fix. We spent the first part of the day at the park feeding the ducks. Conard ran around chasing birds and saying "quack-quack!"He knows duck, but still wont tell me what a doggie says! So frustrating! Anyway. We went to a sushi bar and decided to get take out last minute instead and bring it home. So much for wearing this outfit! We sat around for the rest of the afternoon in our underwear, no big whoop and watched Scrubs while we enjoyed some take out. It was kind of a perfect Sunday.

I am wearing:

Skirt and tank: H&M

Shoes: Target

Necklace: thrifted

Hat: Abercrombie

{What are you wearing today?}

Summer Fashion Week: Saturday

This morning I woke up bright and early to run 7 miles with the ladies. 4am is a bit early, so I drank some Red Bull and ended up burping Red Bull my entire run which was Gross! We got to watch the sun rise over the mountains, which was lovely and the temperature was a comfortable 98 degrees. Dustin and I attempted to go to a farmers market, which for whatever reason wasn't going on today, so we took the baby to the park instead, which was bloody hot, so we got some food at Trader Joe's and came home.  

These clip on suspenders make me really happy!

I am wearing: 

Ruffly-striped shirt: Anthropologie

Shorts: Express 

Shoes: Chuck Taylors

Suspenders: thrifted (fifty cents) 

I am determined to clip them onto EVERYTHING! 

(floral skirt with long sleeve button up next!)

Love them!

Weekends are wonderful aren't they?! 

Summer Fashion Week: Friday

I had a boudoir shoot today. On the drive there,  I was talking with a friend on the phone she asked me if seeing nakedness ever makes me feel uncomfortable, and I said, "At first, yeah, when you have to lift some one's boob up or adjust their lingerie, you don't want to seem "pervie" or intrusive, But now I don't at all. If you've seen one boob, you've seen'em all!" I think her imagining me lifting some one's boob up made her laugh. I was like, "What?! I'm serious! I lift boobs! What's funny?" The positioning of the "girls" can get a little tricky, especially when the subject is posed and can't move them on her own.... 

.....moving right along

 Woman really are some of my favorite subjects to photograph.

So I wore this little number. Comfy stretchy-skinny jeans make it easy to bend. 

And my signature, boring pony tail braid makes me look like a ten year old. It's whatever.

I am wearing:

Jeans: machine jeans

Belt: f21

Necklace: gifted from mom. Express. 

She's always got good taste. you know how she do. 

{Don't forget to check out what the other ladies are wearing today!}

Another pretty lady I got to shoot this week:

This sassy, little red head is Jessica. She needs to quit it. Hot damn. 

Yep, she's my friend, & I love her!


(the photos are a little out of focus, but I think that's just part of their charm.)

weekly Surf:

there's something so charming about a man who can pull off a flower pin
(I heart Emerson Made!)

was totally inspired and convicted by this guy, this week

am I the only one who thinks the "boobie beanie" is hilarious?

i'm in love with these gorgeous summer looks

if I buy it, maybe he'll wear it? Love that color!

I've listened to this song a gazillion times this week.

these head bands are super sweet

personalized banners for a wedding. Genius.

{Have a grand weekend}

Summer Fashion Week: Thursday

{I just wanted to start by letting you lovely ladies know that your comments yesterday, your words of encouragment, and prayers really meant a lot to me. You guys are amazing.

Thank you.}

We spent the afternoon celebrating our friend Adam's birthday at

Sarah's parents house and went swimming.

I ate way too much cake...

Here's what I wore to camouflage my "cake" belly.

(Sorry about the photo quality. Darn you auto focus!)

*I really LOVE the back of the romper.

(Please ignore the statue pose. I'm not sure what's going on with my arms....)

I am wearing:
Romper: Khols

Shoes: Old Navy

Earrings: F21

Bracelet: Africa

And for your listening pleasure, Here is my favorite running song as of late.

*I was going to take a close up of my shoes, but thought you might get grossed out. I've got a missing toe nail. No worries, I painted over the skin with nail polish to fool anyone who might notice.

Summer Fashion Week: Wednesday

I had lots to do today. I took my friend Bobbie to her chemo appointment and sat with her laughing my butt off and making fun of her, telling the nurses that the only way she's been able to cope with her cancer is by delving deeper into her hard-core addiction to the "crack rock". I emphasized the words, "crack-rock" to make sure they knew I was kidding, but she sure as hell got a kick out of it. "She's been hitting it hard", I warned the nurses. And of course, she busted up laughing and I got slapped!

She smiled at Conrad as he toddled around. The drugs kicked in and she quickly started to fall asleep, (lying there for 3 hours receiving her chemo). My humor was only a band-aid and when it was ripped off, I knew the pain of the situation, of sitting in a room full of comfortably padded reclining chairs, the place where those who are sick come to get well, in hopes that their cancer would die. That room was weighing heavy on my heart. I hated her sitting in that chair. This place wasn't comfortable at all. When I noticed that she was almost completely unconscious, I stole a kiss and said "love you."

I'm trying to be strong, but I think I've cried more than she has.

The lump was thick in my throat as I walked out of that hospital with my baby on my hip.

I'm still believing God and praying for a recovery.

(That was earlier this week.)

We had a wonderful conversation today on the phone and hearing her laugh, hearing her affirm me in Christ, hearing her encourage me to pursue Jesus with all that is within me makes me feel like this is what life is really all about. She gives me energy and ignites a fire in me. When I hear this song, I can't help but think of her because she so ferociously loves the Lord and I'm certain I've never seen someone so radiantly, and genuinely BE WHO THEY ARE, and yet completely want to be just like Jesus too. It's like seriously the most beautiful thing in the world to watch.

I've seen people shake their fist at God in anger about the situations that left them feeling like they were given the short end of the stick. I've seen marriages fall apart because of adultery, and parents shun their children because they are gay, or sickness that makes people feel defeated. People have lots of reason to hate God. People have lots of reasons to say "Why would God let this happen to me!" Well folks, I've had lots of shitty things happen to me too, and maybe it's my "child like faith" that says, "God's got a reason for this horrible situation." But, I can encourage you in saying that even when I've been through my darkest of days, He's shown up. He's taken me through it. He is good. My heart rests in that truth tonight. Maybe His fame is greater than mine?

I kind of feel like a faith that says "my life is all about my comfort or my happiness" is a self- based faith that is only going to be leaving you feeling like you've-got-to-take-a-crap-in-the-middle-of-the-night-on-a-camping trip and can't find your flash light-and your toilet papers all used up! Who wants to poop in a bush in the dark?

I'm just saying. Life isn't always comfortable or pretty. It's not about you. It's not about how hot your ass is or how great you are at ________ . You're not that cool! (that was me giving me a reality check. Please ignore and read on.)

Mostly I am just inspired by the fact that Bobbie hasn't yet given God the finger because her of cancer. She's leaned on him hard and has gotten to feel him pressing back into her. It has been such a great example to me. I feel deaf and dumb when I physically see that faith lived out in front of my face. When I see her saying, "Whatever you want Lord. Have your way!" It's just stupid. It's insane and all encompassing to me. It's incredible. I want to just squeeze her shoulders and say to her, "God I love you, you crazy bitch. You're insane!!" (believe me, I've done that very thing! Hallelujah, Jesus! God is so good to give me such an amazing friend.) I'm so so grateful to get to be apart of her healing. I'm so grateful that God hears us when we cry out.

I'm so glad that her tumor is shrinking.

Oh Jesus, heal her! I pray that she gets to stay with us on earth and have tons of beautiful grand babies and I don't care if you think I'm selfish. I want that cancer gone!

On a much more UN-important note, I'm wearing this:

I am wearing:

Shirt: Old Navy

Belt: Gap

Necklace: Khol's

Jeans: Diesel

Flippy flops: Target

I really can't say enough of how good God is.

I'm overwhelmed.

Thank you ladies for praying with me. Prayer changing things.

I can't thank you enough.

Summer Fashion Week: Tuesday

(I like these shorts because the legs kind of balloon out and they're super comfy. 

My Mom was stumped as to what to pair them with, but this blue fluffy shirt looks fun with it.

 Although I kind of think I should be juggling, or balancing something on my head...Clowns aren't the only ones who wear ruffles! Ruffles are in right? )

This was the perfect outfit for the movies. We went on a double date with Adam & Sarah

 to see Eclipse for the {second} time. It's that good y'all. 

{team Edward...}

I am wearing: 

Shorts: Anthropologie (Mom's closet!) 

Shirt: Buffalo Exchange (Mom's closet!)  
If I can tuck a shirt in, I do. I think tucked in shirts make petite people not look like trolls. 
That's what I'm going for with the tucked in shirt. 

Shoes & Belt: Old Navy

*It's really awesome that we can share and play dress up together. But it's TOO bad I can't keep these shorts forever. Borrowing is fun, but owning them and wearing them til' the seams fall apart is much better. So If you leave a comment, her name is CINDI, she's my mom and her closet and sense of style would make you sick. I love her to pieces. I think I should start a blog for her to show case all of her adorable little outfits.... 

Thanks Mom.  


{Don't forget to check out what the other ladies are wearing!}

"What does a duck say?"

We stopped off at McDonald's Sunday morning and got us some good greasy breakfast, laid a blanket down at the park and fed the ducks some breakfast too. One of the best things about being a mom is when you see your baby learning things. When we saw the ducks, Conrad kept repeating

 "Quack quack!" It was kind of-seriously adorable. 

{Clearly, He's a man on a mission with those two fingers pointed.}

I don't care if he pulls my hair while he hugs... The kisses and hugs when his arms reach around to squeeze my neck give me the most incredible feeling in the world.