Wednesday, December 31, 2014

10 things that changed me in 2014

I was inspired by another blogger to share things  that have help me be a better Kary in 2014...I must first say I am private and dont like to be negative on social media, with that being said, I am not being negative, just real ;)

1. I stepped outside of my comfort zone traveling.  I dislike traveling. This year we went to Mexico and found a new favorite family spot.  Puerto Penasco.  Colorado for David's work party, it was great but missed my kids.  Pennsylvannia. I learned who I am and where I came from.  I was born there and learned so much about my rich heritage and it was inspiring to say the least.Family history research has made me appreciate my family more.  Families are forever, thank goodness. Technology makes it fun. I am thankful for my desire to learn about family history. I am thankful for the opportunity to see new places and appreciate getting out of Arizona even for short times...

2. The temple is powerful and the blessings we get from attending are real.  Being a part of the new temple being brought to the valley inspired me to be a better patron in attendance.  It blesses us. I am thankful for the knowledge the temple gives me.

3.  I went back to college, at my favorite college.  BYU- Idaho.  If you know me then you know I love BYU. Period. I am thankful for education.

4. I read the Book of Mormon cover to cover after being inspired by an app on Instagram.  It helped change my mind a little about my dislike for social media, yet here i am using it.  I HAD to read the Book of Mormon for 2 of my classes and I am so thankful I had to because I got to read it. It was wonderful to get to read it again. . My testimony has grown tenfold. I am thankful for the scriptures that help me in my daily rollercoaster of life.

5. Because of the scriptures, my relationship with Christ, BYU and my husband and kids, trials seemed more  doable.  I have learned that the most important thing in life is to be surrounded by good people, that love and lift us.  There are lots of good people that don't do that.  This year I have realized the good in my life.  We choose to be offended. I do believe to see the GOOD in people, but i do believe some do mean to offend. I have realized that I am oblivious, more than I originally thought. I am less trusting in people, trust needs to be earned.  I am however much more trusting in the Lord.  He is the only one not being persuaded by satan. I am thankful for those that show love to me and my  little family, not hate.

6. I am so thankful for my health.  More specifically for not having 1 shot or an cancer treatments this year.  With 22 biopsies in 2013, 4 being cancer,  No cancer treatments this year was awesome.  I skipped 6 skin cancer appointments because I just couldnt do it.  It felt good to not listen to the doctors for once, but mainly because I am a wimp.  Cancer kicked my rear in 2013. 2014 was good!  I am thankful for good doctors and good medicine.

7. My camera.  I love to photograph humans and things created in this world.  I have captured memories this year, some will never get back. This year I grew in a way I never knew I would by photographing life, and death, more than anyone should and I am so thankful for the trust in all my clients, friends and family as they let me photograph my favorite people.  I am thankful for my NIKON Cameras !!

8. I learned how to find time to enjoy my kids.  I am not a perfect mom, and still have a lot to learn, but my kids give me strength and help me be better.  I love their innocence and honesty. They are real with me.  I wish I remembered what it felt like to be a kid.  They are so pure. I am so thankful to be a mom to kids that that love me unconditionally.

9. Miracles are real.  Miracles really do happen and I am humbled to see it happen.

10. I have my own superman.  Super Dave is what we call him, but he has strength like I have never seen.  He is my favorite. He serves our family endlessly, while working full time, going to school fulltime, being the Bishop and serving endlessly and with great humbleness. We have been together over 17 years and he is mine.  He really is the better half of me.  He makes me better and teaches me and lets me teach him. I am thankful for him.

Happy New year to all my GOOD people.  You are known and loved!  May 2015 find you good.

Friday, December 19, 2014

I love to see the temple...








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I love to Photograph the temple.  all of them.  I decided for christmas to do a big order of them so everyone could enjoy them.  I sold over 100!!! I am so thankful for the temple!

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Pennsylvannia September 2014


I had the opportunity to go to Pennsylvannia with Dave while he had a trade show in Hershey Pennsylvannia.  I was born in PA in 1977 and went back when I was 6 or 7.  I dont remember any of it, so it was fun to learn where I came into this world.   I have been doing lots of family history, genealogy so I have learned alot about...me.  But i really got to learn about me... I did.  I saw lots of sites, but when I saw the grave of my grandfather i never met.  I cried...alot.  I love doing family history.  I have found out more about  who I am it was awesome.
Paul Ivan Hatfield
World war II survivor
Looking for his grave was a needle in a haystack

Some sites from our romantic, fun trip. 
Philadelphia Pennsylvannia Lds Temple.  Gorgeous!

Working Amish farm.

Rowing crews in Philadelphia at sundown...

Independence hall where the declaration of Independence was signed!

 SOY BEANS... Everywhere!!!
Buggy minus the horse

Capitol building in Harrisburg.  I thought the gold statue looked liked Angel Moroni... for real!

Hershey kiss mobile car.  It said kisses so we did.

Philadelphia museum of art  The top of the rocky stairs!

Super cool.  FYI, the Amish scowl at you if they take their picture!

Pretty amish Ladies

Mr. Hershey lived on this street

 Hoopes land.  They owned 600 acres in West Chester.

Hershey plant was so cool.  the tour was awesome and yummy samples.

Hershey's Mansion across from the plant.



Super Dave as Rocky.

Capitol building in the rear
Cemeteries everywhere. Gorgeous headstones

We saw Some of the Hoopes Famly History as well. This is the last remaining part of the Joshua Hoopes Homestead in West Chester. It is on the Historical National Treasure List. the Home was built in 1736. It was surreal.

Abraham Lincolns Hat box.  Unreal seeing these Smithsonian artifacts

Seeing all the things we saw of our Nations capitol made me proud to be an American. So many more pictures to share.
Norristown, Hershey, West Chester, Philadelphia, Harrisburg.  I highly recommend making the trip.



Thursday, August 14, 2014

Mexico...

What a great time we had in Mexico.  These kids were such a blast to be around.  and th view.  Rocky Point has a place in our heart.  Can't wait to go back.

20 years

We went back to California for 20 hours.  that includes driving and sleeping and 4 hours at the High school reunion.  My hubby was nervous people wouldn't remember him.  They did.  how could you not.  It was fun to listen to people about his highschool life.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Mine

  
remember in Finding Nemo all the seagulls would say...mine...mine....mine.... Yup that is how I feel about this handsome guy.  He fixed the radio in my car this morning.  My new car that keeps breaking.  Love him

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Paigeeeee

This darling girl has been a part of our life for so long.  She was little when I met her.  She is a senior.  I was so lucky to spend the afternoon with her.  Look at the sky by the end of the photo shoot.  I feel blessed to know her.  She is such a doll. 

 Ethan was our photographer and told us how to stand this was the result!!!!

Important

Who are the important people around us?  I am thankful for the ones who make me important in their lives,  That makes them important to me...

Thursday, January 16, 2014

revisit..return.. renew

I have been busy with starting school and the new year and life.  My resolution for this year is to organize something every month.  On tap for January...Organize my photos. Organize my website that has been neglected for over a year,   bleh!!!! Do you know I have over 60 thousand pictures on my laptop, hard drives, etc.  The last 4 years are organized. Before that, not so much.  I am however finding little treasures as I revisit and return to memories of our years past and have a renewed faith to move forward.  I forgot I took this. So now i am looking at the dumb I mean lovely computer picture files because lots of fun things are returning to my memory!

If you want to check it out:

on facebook my business page


The Hoopes 5