2014 is looking pretty solid

Yeah, it's been a few weeks. But if you know me, then you know I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off. So - let's go over 2014 thus far.

Went to the great old PA Farm Show... and got the flipping viral plague. Thought I was going to die. Thank God for z-packs. Like seriously. BUT Farm Show was pretty fun. It was wonderful seeing all my old friends and spending time with my family.

Then came Denver. National Western, once again, did not disappoint. From start to finish, I enjoyed it so much. Being back on the backdrop (and in the ring) for ShowChampions makes my heart so happy.
But there is one part of Denver I really just have to brag about... or be giddy about... or whatever.

I am SO INCREDIBLY PROUD and HAPPY and EXCITED for team #BlinnWin!!! Not only did they win the carload contest, but they also were the champion team in the normal contest (that sounds so weird), AND our dear little Cody Doubet was high individual. So so so excited for every single one of these amazing bucs. BUT! Special shout-out to Tagg Taylor for A)being Blinn's low drop in the carload contest - and placing 8th - and B)not peeing himself during the awards banquet. I almost decked him. For those of you who were at our table - you know why. But, no seriously, so happy for this dude! Brice and Joe should be extremely jazzed for their team!! 

Anyway- I know this great group is going to continue kicking butt and taking names at the rest of the contests this spring! Love my #BlinnWin babes :) They deserve all the success in the world. 

So now that I am back from NWSS, I have about a week to "chill"... which includes picturing/videoing calves for the 2014 Texas Reload Sale (website coming soon), finishing editing, doing a bridal session, and two AMAZING senior sessions ;) Sneak peeks will DEFINITELY be coming soon!!!

Oh - and for all my wonderful show babies headed to Fort Worth - GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!! I will see y'all down the road in San Antonio!!!!

***

I'm going to try to post more on this... but, then again, I say that literally each time I blog.

We'll see ;)

But for now, I leave you with a cow yelling at you. Enjoy .....

Another #MCM

I can't even remember the last time I did a #MCM... and seeing as the coach once again proved to be the most amazing husband in the entire world over turkey break, he deserves a My Coach's Moment post.

This one - however - is not of his ... uh ... picking. It's one from my archives. Turkey break marks three years since the coach asked me to come to Bastrop to "picture his cattle" .... or, in all honesty, to meet his family (which scared the poop out of me, considering we had only been talking for about a month... and only publicly dating for about a week and a half.). I guess he really did want me to take pictures, too - but y'all get my point. Anyway, at the time I had owned a DSLR for only about three or four months. And I had only been taking livestock photos "professionally" (for ShowChamps) for about two months. So I was pretty terrible. Well, I thought I was awesome... but looking back, I was terrible.

Which brings me to this version of #MCM. The coach and I bonded - years before we started dating - over our mutual love of cattle. So when he asked if I would come to Bastrop and take pasture shots at his family's ranch, I jumped at the opportunity. He loved the shots and used them as Christmas presents for his parents that year. He still has some of those 'original' pictures hanging in his office. It drives me nuts, because I think they suck. So every time I stop by while he's working, my skin crawls.

Well, anyway, this past turkey break we had a bit of an emergency involving our dear Jessie. She's fine. Crisis over. She'll heal in no time. But back to the point of my story. I planned on taking pictures of the cattle this year like I did three years ago... Well, that wasn't exactly possible. So, after picking Jessie up from the vet on Friday, we went to the pasture about an hour before the sun went down.... Not exactly enough time to see all the babies AND shoot more than two or three groups. But I still got a few... check out one of the shots from three years ago compared to a very similar pose taken this year. No, the 2013 picture isn't my favorite from that night, but I think it's cool from a comparative standpoint. PS- the recent image has not been run through photoshop, lightroom or even bridge. I shoot on jpeg, not raw... because honestly, I'm too lazy to do any kind of editing. I don't remember editing the image from 2010, but I really can't remember.

Thanksgiving 2010 shot

Thanksgiving 2013 shot

Things certainly have changed over the past three years. I mean, we honestly knew back then that we would be married at this point... but I'm not sure we could have guessed that we would be almost exactly where we always hoped we would be, professionally speaking. Don't get me wrong, I still have an insane amount to learn. But, I look at the image taken in 2010 and just have to smile. So much has changed, and I really think I'm headed in the right direction. But, I don't think that would have been possible without the coach.

This holiday season I'm most thankful for having such a wonderful, handsome and supportive cattleman/husband that pushes me to be a better person on a daily basis and is behind me 100%, no matter what I do. He loves my career as much as I do... and I love his as much as he does. That's really something wonderful.

Thanksgiving 2013 shot

It's a beautiful life. Take the time to notice how breathtakingly unique your every day truly is.

Holy weather change

Yes, I'm blogging one post after another. I just couldn't see tying my last post into this one... Johnny deserves his own post. 

Anyway, it's cold outside. Really stinkin' cold. I appreciate the rain, but it is currently messing up some plans. I should be currently at an engagement session with my dearest future Mr. and Mrs. Verette. But no, that shoot has been postponed. Oh well.. I know where she lives. I can capture her (both the amber alert kind and the picture taking kind) whenever I want. Maybe I shouldn't have used the aa analogy. It was a joke. I promise. Please no one send the authorities. 

This weather better clear up before tomorrow... Or else I'll have to reschedule another shoot. And then I might have a panic attack. I only have three open days until I leave for PA... soooo I'm gonna need this chill to chill the crap out like pronto. 

Speaking of shooting.... Whoever nominated me for "Best On Farm Photographer" for the Best of the Barns... is your head okay? No, seriously though - I am extremely honored to even be on that list with some of my favorite photogs. Makes me feel pretty awesome. I encourage all me readers to go to www.bestofthebarns.com and vote for your faves. You don't even have to vote for me, just vote! Oh, Blinn is up for best juco.... sooo ahhh.... *cough, VOTE FOR BLINN, cough* Annnd I guess you can vote for me too... if you want ;)

In other news, another Louisville has came and went. HUGE congrats to Texas A&M for bringing the bull back to aggieland!!! Super excited for them. We didn't quite have the same luck. And Louisville ended in one of the worst ways possible. Like the original coach's wife, Lauren Poe, said... "we will have a lot of "children" in our lives'. That's what the team becomes. They become our children, and our friends. And when one of our team members is hurt, we hurt. The amount of tears that came from me were just a small portion of what was shed from team #blinnwin. We are a family, and watching the team be there for their 'sister' was/is nothing short of amazing. We are all continuing to prayer for our beautiful girl and hope for a speeding recovery. We love you, gorgeous!

Okay, on a lighter note... It's officially the season of giving... so I figured I'd 'give' y'all something... a movie review -

Catching Fire hit theaters yesterday/early release Thursday. And yes, I went. And made the coach go with me. Of course. (Sayde, he kept checking his phone, looking at the time... he was so anxious to get to bryan. It was funny... or it will be in a month or so ;) ) 

Here is my official review - GOOD GOD IT WAS AWESOME!!!! I get weird about book-turned-movie movies. But this one (just like the Hunger Games) was almost perfect. I saw only a handful of differences. But none were huge and didn't change the movie in any major way. It was awesome. Jennifer Lawrence is seriously the most perfect Katniss. Oh, and Johanna... YES! So glad she was portrayed EXACTLY like I was hoping. And the ending... oh my lanta... so perfect. Made me want to reread the series for the tenth time. OH! and the preview for Divergent.... AHHHHH!!!!! March 21st better hurry up!!!

I give Catching Fire 5 gigs out of 5. I plan on seeing it again before the weekend is over. No, coach, you don't have to come.... unless you want to! (Which I secretly know you do)

Okay, I'm about to get ready to stuff my face. #verettepartyof2 and the JoeRathmanns are headed to Fogo annnnnnnd I'm excited!

Oh, and BTHOlswho?

Photo Friday, Awesome Edition

Yes, I've been neglecting my blog. I feel like I'm on repeat with that phrase... sorry.

Anyway... It's friday. Which means I should be writing a photo friday post. And I am... of sorts. It's also my birthday. I'm old, so I'm not going into details on age. It's sad and scary. I literally spent my day editing pictures and watching Harry Potter. Actually, it was wonderful.

That was until the coach decided to remind me that he is the most amazing person in the world. You see, my old trusty camera ( I call her old... she is just a few weeks shy of three years young ) has been acting like a rah-tard for the last few months. I know she just needs to be cleaned... but since her model is discontinued, I started getting nervous. I also knew I eventually wanted to upgrade to something a little more... I dunno... bada$$. The d700 is killer. I love her and I will never get rid of her (sorry for everyone who already asked if I would sell her). But, she ( you're dang right I speak of my camera like it's a child... and yes ... she is a she.... cuz she can be a moody B ) also doesn't have video capability which is something I am looking for. About two months (or more) ago I decided I was going to upgrade to the d4, the billy bada$$ of the nikon pro world. I had been saving up since making that decision with hopes to purchase it potentially as soon as Royal ( ... :) .... ) but for sure before Denver ( .... :).... ).

Fast track to today. The coach tells me a UPS package is coming with my Birthday present - insert excitement - and I will have to sign for it... AKA don't plan on leaving the house on my bday. Cool. I can handle that! Especially considering I made him bring me lunch :) He and Brice took the team to Hagan's .... mildly jealous considering that is the ONE workout I really should have gone to! .... so he wouldn't be able to wait around on UPS with me. I told him it was no biggie, I would just wait until he got back to open whatever the package was.

Or so I thought...

6:30 pm rolls around and big brown enters the driveway. Doorbell rings. I open it to find a cheerful looking guy holding the BIGGEST B&H BOX OF ALL TIME..... B&H??!?!?!?! And he expected I would actually be able to look at it and not open it. PSH!

I beg for permission over the phone. And since it is my stinkin' b-day, I succeed.

And open the box to MY brand new Nikon D4. Oh my lanta. This is real life.

My husband is the most amazing man in the world. I am well aware of the fact that I will be paying him back for this beaut.... but still... holy poo he is amazing!!!

So, yeah... that's my "photo friday"... SO AWESOME!


Now go google the d4... and drool ... or just look for my new edition with me in the ring, at the backdrop or in the picture pen ( ... :) ... ) - JA is BACK!