Insecurities.

I like to consider myself a fairly confident person. Except in one area of my life. My photos. I adore taking photos and my ultimate goal is to be able to make my name known as a photographer but I am in constant doubt about my abilities. Is this normal? I don't even know. As I sat in front of my computer for hours while editing my last shoot (an absolutely gorgeous wedding in Utah) I was the most stressed I have felt in a very long time. I would edit a photo, feel good about it, and then instantly want to delete it and start all over. WHY?! Where does this fear come from? Now that I have sent the disc out to the newlyweds I can look at them and feel comfortable knowing that they like them but I still have that nagging in the back of my mind. Ugh. Anyways, enough for now. Just some thoughts. I know someday I will be able to feel comfortable with my work I just need to keep working hard & taking as many photos as I possibly can! If you'd like to see my latest work, you can find a small album here. 

lack of photos.

You know, for someone who dreams of taking photos as a livelihood I reeeeeally suck at documenting our life. Words only do so much on a blog. So I apologize. I know you're all just dying to see our lovely faces... Perhaps tomorrow after my fresh haircut I'll be in the mood to snap some :) Anywho, we've just been busy as ever! We recently took a trip to Utah for a wedding I shot so I've been glued to my computer screen trying to organize & edit the billions of photos from the weekend. I loved every detail of the wedding and I would consider it to be my best work to date. So between work, photos, and trying to work off this nasty marriage weight I've been pretty busy! Oh, which speaking of losing some ell-bees, I could use all the motivation I could get! I've never been great at sticking to working out but this time I am dead set on it so send some positive vibes my way :) also, being my friend on myfitnesspal would be grand, too! Find me, username amyjomartin. Zac is running around being awesome as always. His new company is doing great and we're so excited about it! Their website is up and running so go check it out, like his Facebook page, and send those positive thoughts his way, too (and maybe some referrals? Haha) www.immota.net We are still in our primary calling teaching the 5 year olds which is an adventure to say the least... Last week I had a little boy call me annoying because I made him sit by Zac when he was acting up. Uhhh, thanks? I didn't even know what to say and Zac wasnt paying attention so the little booger basically got away with it. Whatever. I pick my battles other than that we're just stoked that Easter candy is starting to show up in the stores... Tis the season ;) we've been watching a ton of psych and chuck in our few hours we get together. Life is pretty grand if you ask me.

Merry... uh... whoops.

Hi! Yes, I'm a little bit late, but I wanted to write about Christmas. I understand it's almost a month later... so sue me. :)

Our Christmas was absolutely perfect this year. Last year was fantastic but we were running around trying to make everyone else feel happy and loved that we didn't feel like it was much of a first Christmas. So we stayed cozy & warm in Greeley and enjoyed our time together. Christmas Eve we went to the Searle's house for dinner and games, they were so sweet to have us over. Callissa was so generous she even sent us home with some pull apart bread for breakfast in the morning! So we got home about 12:15 (so TECHNICALLY it was Christmas...) and Zac was so excited for me to open my gifts he talked me into opening our presents right then! I think the best part of gifts from Zac is how genuinely happy he is for me to see them. Yes, he spoiled me. Rotten. My very favorite is my new sewing machine! I am determined to take my basic knowledge of sewing and improve it by like, a million. He is truly the best.

As for our Christmas tree, it's a long story but we were gifted a BEAUTIFUL tree from the Searle's but it was way too tall for our little apartment so we had to trade it away. I am a little bit sad but we got a tree that fit & we got to have fun decorating it (and tying up some of the branches with yarn... haha!) I still have sparkles all over my floor though... This photo is obviously before we filled the bottom with presents. Perhaps because we left all of our shopping until December 23. Meh, it all worked out.

Also, last thing about Christmas... I didn't get a chance to send out any cards this year but I created these little beauties and felt they had to be shared. So I sent them out via email and facebook. Classy, I know. Hope you all had an amazing holiday season!

Thoughts on Marriage

Has anybody else been disgusted lately with the world's view of marriage? Kim Kardashian was married for a whopping three months and then it just wasn't "the fairy tale she had hoped for". Are you kidding me!? Then, this morning I was on my Facebook and a girl I went to high school with announced her divorce - she had gotten married this summer. They apparently had "problems they couldn't get over or change so they went their separate ways". I'm not judging their situations, it just makes me so sad. Marriage shouldn't be something that you can just brush your hands off and walk away from. It's a commitment you've made to stick through it, through the fun honeymoon period but then through the real life crap that happens. I don't claim to be an expert, I've only been married for a year (and a half!) and we've had our rough patches. It's not always rainbows and butterflies... (name that song) You do need to work hard and make some sacrifices. When Zac and I got married my dad told me that marriage requires complete selflessness and it took a little while but I understand that now.  Grr. Just, ugh. Like I said, no judgement on anybody's decision on what is right for them but MARRIAGE IS A SACRED THING. End of rant. Commence reading of church talks. 

Eternal Marriage Begins in Mortality 

The Enriching of Marriage

The Latter-day Saint Concept of Marriage

And now, just for good measure, a picture of me and Zac, because I want to. 

* Just as a side note, I grew up with parents that were divorced. I really do understand that there are situations where divorce happens and it's ok. I now have a big, amazing family complete with a step-mom that rocks my socks and I'm grateful that she is a part of my life. She is a positive side effect of divorce. My dad & Melissa's marriage is an outstanding example to Zac & I. 

Musings of a Server.

I have now been a waitress for a year, and what a year it has been... I figured I would write up some of my most memorable moments as a server, they're humorous and absolutely real. I feel like every single person should have to work in food service at least once in their lives so they know how it feels. I think the world would truly be a better place. Anyways, on with the tales...

>When I was a server at Goodwood (a BBQ place in Utah) it was pretty common for the tables to be dirty when people left, not a big deal. It's part of the job. One day though, I had a group of younger guys (maybe 18ish) come in and they all ordered ribs, I'm not lying when I say that the rib bones were literally EVERYWHERE. I don't know if they were throwing them at each other or what but I couldn't believe the mess they had left AND left me a $1 tip. Thanks a bunch, guys.

>I have had mothers breastfeed VERY openly in my section, and when I'm checking on the food at the table, really the last thing I want to see is another woman's naked boobs. C'mon ladies, they're called hooter hiders, get one.

>Almost the same, I've had babies dirty diapers changed on empty tables RIGHT next to people eating. I don't care if there's nobody there right now, people eat food on those tables! Also, please don't hand me a poopy diaper and ask me to throw it away for you. I'm a nice enough person that I will, but I promise I'm trying not to dry heave.

>I had a group of three older mobster guys (ok, maybe not THE mob, but they would fit in.) come in, order me around, leave an insanely small tip but feel like that's acceptable because they left me their HOTEL ROOM KEY. Yeah, seriously. Here's a couple hints- I am fully aware that I look younger than I am, so they could very well be leaving their nastiness to an underage girl. Also, if you want to impress a girl you're hoping to seduce, don't be cheap! Oh and one last one, I'm wearing a wedding ring, you're wearing a wedding ring, DON'T BE A SKEEZE.

>On multiple occasions I've had people offer to buy me "a drink" and when I politely tell them I don't drink they've gotten pretty aggressive about trying to convince me it's ok. Sorry folks, no means no. A complete drunken stranger isn't going to change my morals.

>I got to meet Wee Man from the Jackass movies. Not that I'm a huge fan or anything but it's still a famous person! I was hostessing when he came in to the restaurant to promote Monster energy drinks and so I asked him, "Hey, can I get a picture with you before you go in there? I'm sure you'll be busy" and he just strolls on past me and said NO! I was shocked, I honestly thought he was SUCH a jerk but then he turned around and was like "I'm just kidding, come here!" So I still can't decide if he is nice or not...

>This one is the absolute worst story, and the most recent. Read with caution. The other day I was working a very slow lunch shift and I had an older lady come in by herself. She had a small lunch and 4 glasses of chardonnay while reading at her table. I was in the kitchen when the bartender came over to me and asked if the lady at the table was mine, I told her she was and asked why, to which she replied "She's peeing herself".  !!!!!!!!!! Seriously?! So I walk out to the dining area and sure enough, there was a big ol' puddle right underneath her chair but this lady didn't even blink an eye! She had NO. CLUE. I was in complete shock, they didn't train me for this! I'm not exaggerating when I say I went through a moment of panic at the thought of approaching this sweet lady and letting her know she had relieved herself! I went straight to my manager (who is such a doll! she was a CNA for years and I knew she would know what to do!) and let her take care of the rest. Hands down, weirdest thing that has ever happened to me. The rest of the story is kind of crazy as well, we helped the lady out to her car, only letting her drive because she was staying at the hotel literally across the street but as soon as she pulled out she pulled right into the liquor store next door! We ended up having to get her a cab which she wasn't too happy about but we couldn't let her drive! So odd.

Sooo let's just say I'm pretty happy to be starting my new job as a bank teller tomorrow. I'm ready for something a little more calm and dependable! Wish me luck!

PS, I love serving stories. Tell me yours!

Family Reunion 2011

There is absolutely nothing I love more than the Draper family reunion. I'm so glad I got to go this year even though I was a complete baby and missed Zac like crazy the whole time. It's strange to be there without my grandpa there in his "boonie" hat but it was still a fantastic time. Traditionally there is a theme for the week and this time was by far the best, Spongebob Squarepants - a family favorite :)

Alicia & Kelton

Johnny loved the "swords" or extra large q-tips or whatever you call those things...

Tracy & I got to do a lot of catching up... SO nice! I love her :)

Uncle Randy & Jaidee

Dad & Jaidee with the Spongebob she made him out of pearler beads

Grandma with Jaidee

Ashllyn stayed squeaky clean the entire time we were there. No surprise.

Tani & Michelle or Laughy & Giraffey! They both announced babies on the way while we were there and I couldn't be more excited for them!

Cody playing with glow necklaces.

Do I not have the most adorable grandma ever?!

My New Love

This summer I found an old Canon 35mm film camera on Craigslist for $10 that I couldn't pass up. Here are some of my favorite shots from my first roll of film. I have a lot to learn about shooting in film but I love the look & hopefully someday can develop my own shots!

Independence Day.

Just so we're clear, I celebrate Independence Day, not the 4th of July. The 4th of July is just a date, Independence Day is the celebration of our freedom, our liberty, and the beautiful country that I get to call mine. When I tell people that they usually think I'm nuts, or some crazy stuck up American, but what they don't know is how much I love the United States of America. I am so patriotic. I support my troops, I love the veterans, and most of all, I love my freedom. I will call it the 4th, but I want everyone to remember the real reason for fireworks and bbq's, ya know?

OK, so now that that's out of the way, on to the festivities. I am 100% positive that Idaho Falls has spoiled me in the way of 4th of July celebrations. Every year the fireworks there are GIGANTIC and loooong and set to patriotic music which makes it THAT much more special, but in the past couple years I've discovered that not many other places are like that. Someday I'll take Zac home to experience a real Independence Day.

For this year, we both had to work so we just went over to a barbecue at Brian and Emily's house and then played with some poppers and sparklers. I mostly enjoyed being able to spend the evening with this handsome man... ;)

(the white thing on his collar is a dryer sheet... word on the street is that those keep mosquitoes away.)

My contributions to the BBQ were these lemon blueberry/raspberry cupcakes in the shape of a flag. This is my new favorite flavor of cupcake, just so it's out there.

Zac made "Krump Mama Salsa" all by himself, his exact words when I asked why he wouldn't let me help were "Because someday if you die and I really need salsa, I'll be able to make it myself." Oh, good.

Emily's sparkler heart!

I love how excited kids get with sparklers! I remember it being my favorite part of our home firework shows when I was younger. This is Ashlynn, Taidan, and Brynlee with theirs. :)

And their circles! Precious little children! I love them!

So basically, we had a fabulous day. I gotten eaten alive by mosquitoes at then end but I'll survive I'm sure. Happy Independence Day, everyone! Hope yours were all fantastic as well!

Once Again.

Another move! Seriously. This is our 5th now in 14 months of marriage. But who's counting?

This time we just moved a couple streets from our other apartment, which was nice, but we still had to pack up everything and now unpack it, which is my least favorite thing probably ever.

Here are some quick photos, it's just empty right now but since we plan on being here longer that just a few months I feel like I can actually decorate and get cozy. We'll see how it goes!

What. Up.

Hola! My name is Amy and I never blog. Here are some pictures, at the request of the wonderful Ashley Hanson.

A quick recap:
+We've been married for a year and I made delicious salmon to celebrate.
+Making bread is actually pretty easy and I'm hooked on it.
+I started my new job at the boot grill. And I wear wranglers. Yee haw.
+We picnicked and Zachary is cute. And I love him.
+There were some pretty killer deals on drinks at Safeway so the ratio of drinks to food in our fridge is waaaay off.
+The weather here is gorgeous.
+An egg was stubborn and wouldn't come out of the carton.
+Our little sisters are beautiful AND smart, they are both seminary graduates and will both be graduating high school so soon!

The end.