The Weston family is pretty great. And talk about a gorgeous family! The boys are hilarious too.
I won’t keep you waiting. (:
Let’s start with my favorite shot of the day.
And of course, the slideshow, with a lot more pictures…check it out right below or here!
Three amazing women, all three with names that start with a “J”.
Look out for the full post coming soon!!
Last week I was walking by a stack of magazines. On the top of that stack was a magazine that showed The Declaration of Independence being shredded and the question “Is it still relevant?” I stopped in my tracks and was completely heart broken at the thought at of the Declaration being shredded.
Is it still relevant? Is it STILL relevant? OF COURSE it is still relevant!!! I was shouting all of this in my head, I was in a place of business of course. I was feeling suddenly overly patriotic, that is, if you can be overly patriotic. I realized as I walked away that it got my blood boiling.The whole point of this article was to point out how much we make a big deal about the flawed Founding Fathers, over glamorizing politicians that just happen to shape our country. If this journalist wrote this article to get people going, he got me good. Real good!
I love this country. I take it for granted all the time. All. The. Time. I know this. But I am also very aware how lucky I am to be an American. I was lucky enough to go to Washington D.C. a few years ago. If you have never been, you must go. It will make you appreciate being an American that much more. There is this energy in the air, that is hard to explain. It was amazing. You just have to go there.
One of the places I was able to go visit was the National Archives. You know that scene in “National Treasure” where they show the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, Constitution of the United States and a few other important documents on display, well it looks like that, just not as well lit. It is dark in there. In order to keep the documents preserved, they must keep the room lowly lit. And I’m pretty sure if a flash would accidentally go off, the 8 or so guards that are standing around would dog pile you. I’m sure you would be forever on the black list of visiting the National Archives. So though it was an extreme challenge to photograph these amazing documents, I remember thinking as I slowly shuffled from historic brilliance to the next, how grateful I was to be there.
It is as faded as it looks. But it is still amazing. Still brilliant and still a part of the reason why we are the nation that we have become. In that document lies one of the most perfect lines ever written. A line called “one of the best known sentences in English language”. I believe in it, because I am able to live it daily. Daily as I take it for granted. I know. I admit it.
I think one of the main reasons why I loved being in Washington, D.C. was because I was humbled. I remember the first night there, as I was getting into my hotel bed (which, side note was one of THE best beds I’ve ever slept in), before I drifted off to sleep. I waited a few minutes to make sure I could hear my sister’s rhythmic breathing that was the sign she was asleep. Worried I would wake her, I decided to stay in my bed, under my covers. I got on my knees, folded my arms and bowed my head to My Creator. I wanted to express my gratitude for the opportunity I had to come to my nation’s capital. To view the articles, buildings and monuments that reminded me that I should not take for granted my rights and privileges that I received at birth.
I had just seen the Washington Monument, the fairly newly (with consideration) erected World War II Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial that night. I was moved. Even though I was among a large crowd of rowdy teenagers, parents trying to keep their kids in line, and a humid evening, I was moved. I stood in front of an over 12 foot memorial that displayed Lincoln’s most famous speech. The Gettysburg Address. I held back the tears as I read the stone cut wall, I didn’t want my sister to start laughing at me. (; But I was moved.
I knew in that moment that I would pray that night, that I would express in the most humblest way I knew how to God how grateful I was for where I was, not just physically but proverbially. I was blessed. I was reminded in that moment that God was real. That great men came before me, before you, to realize that they were not happy with how their life was being lived. And though we all may have our moments of feeling that way, they knew that the only way to change that was to do something themselves. I believe, without a doubt that men like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, John Adams, James Wilson and even later, great men like Abraham Lincoln, were lead by the Creator to have the guts to stand for something better.
A better that I live.
I have become highly emotional over the past month. I don’t know what happen. But when the end of June started to creep up on me (June seriously flew by right?!) and I saw that magazine cover, I knew that I wanted to express in some way how much I love my country and my appreciation for where I live.
One of the last places I visited before I got on a plane, was the Arlington National Cemetery. I am so grateful I was able to visit there. As you walk, you see row upon row of headstones. And just when you think you’ve seen them all, you seen more. It was humbling. I know I have used that word more than once, but it is the only way I can describe how I felt. When I remember this sacred place, I also remember how much I shouldn’t complain. How I need to put myself back into check and remember that men and women died for the opportunities that I have. That are tarnish with self pity and selfishness.
Like I said, humbled.
Happy Independence Day.
More to come of Rachel and Bryan.
Real soon.
Keep a look out!
So I thought I really loved Chris and Morgan, right?! My heart grew by leaps and bounds when I met there families! Now I know why they are the amazing people that they are.
When I met with Chris and Morgan prior to their wedding and I asked, “sooo, who is in your bridal party?” Both of them at the same time took a quiet deep breath and smiled. I don’t know if they realized the both did that, but it made me chuckle. After shooting one of THE most energetic bridal parties ever, I understand now the deep breath. (:
Everyone was a ton of fun, and went a long with my crazy ideas, despite the fact they weren’t sure about them! Thanks fellas!
After we were done shooting photos at the LDS Las Vegas Temple, Morgan and Chris invited me to their family luncheon. Their family made me set my camera down (by physical force…no joke! hahaha!) and dish myself up some lunch. And then I was lucky enough to sit with both sets of parents and some extended family and realize what amazing people I was lucky enough to share a meal with. I was so impressed with how lovely and kind everyone was. Thank you to both the Mills and Keele family.
Here are a few shots from the day….don’t forget the slide show at the end.
As both dads were opening up the doors…there was a tiny problem. The door was still locked!! (: These are the things that make wedding’s memorable. Looooved this moment!!
Let’s try this again! 
Um…gorgeous couple alert! hahaha!
I love when big groups let me get away with the “be goofy” group shot….If you really look for a minute, you will see some hysterical things going on! My favorite is the bottom right corner, the little girl in the black and white flower dress. Sooooo funny!
Little shout out to Chris’s mom…she made all of the bridesmaid’s dresses!! Super cute!!
Favorite shot of the day. No doubt.
And the reason all the fun happened…two people fell in love!! Congrats Morgan and Chris!
Check out the sideshow below for more pictures or click HERE!
