Happiest of Mondays because... Surprise! A Giveaway!

Hi Friends! Oh, and happy Monday! Seriously... this one is going to be super happy!

Why? Because I have a GIVEAWAY going on today over on instagram that I am super excited to tell you all about!

Please tell me you have all heard of Arvo watches. If not, stop here and go check them out first.

That picture above ^ we're wearing Arvo watches and we both LOVE them!

I have so many good things to say about this company, the quality, what they're all about, their mission, how amazing they are to work with, the endless options you have when you purchase one watch... I could go on and on.

Okay so first let's talk about the watches.

They're are SO beautiful and classy!

My husband and I both wore ours to church today and got quite a few compliments!

The colors we chose will go with everything we put on, and they just add the perfect touch to any outfit.

Also, I don't have to rely on my phone for the time because it has died on me way too many times ha.

The leather is such great quality and very sturdy! I can tell this watch is going to last me a very long time.

I chose this watch because I love how classy and pretty it looks but let me just tell you the best part... If I want to switch it up one day all I have to do is change out the band!

I'm really eyeing that blush pink band... Maybe for Christmas? :)

Hunter is wearing this watch and I LOVE it! Such a perfect watch for a man!

Next, let's talk a little bit about how amazing this company is.

A good portion of the money they make goes to helping fund charitable projects. They have helped clothe the homeless, provide education for girls in India, and helped promote involvement in Utah's refugee program. 

I absolutely love when a company reaches out and gives back, I think it says a whole lot about what they stand for.

This company is based out of the darling Salt Lake City, UT and they are always looking for ways to reach out and help the community.

I could not feel more proud to wear my Arvo watch and support them as they support others.

Have I sold you yet?

Because seriously, I'm loving everything about this company.

So definitely go check out their selection of watches but first, see if you can WIN one for yourself!

Entering is super easy... just head on over to my instagram, follow me and arvo, like the photo then tag your friends in the comments! The more tags, the more entries!

Commenting on this blog post, following our photographer, and liking my facebook page will give you even more entries!

But! It gets better!

You have 49 other chances to win a watch by clicking the hashtag #arvo50 on instagram! 

You'll find that there are 49 other influencers giving away watches at the exact same time!

Yep, Arvo is hosting a giveaway and giving away 50 watches! 

I'd say that's pretty exciting!

You'd think I'd be able to stop there but guys, they are even giving away a hover board!

Like what? I want it! 

I even said I wanted to ask for one for Christmas this year after riding one on Halloween!

It's like they read my mind ;)

Last, but definitely not least, I need to let you all know about the photographer that delivered ALL of the amazing images on this post.

Seriously though, aren't they amazing?

I would love to give credit to the fact that Hunter and I are great models but let's be real here, she told us how to pose the entire time and was such a pleasure to work with!

Mila Adams took all of these pictures for us and I am still in shock that she delivered such amazing images.

That first one, is through a window.

Seriously?? Who gets that great of a picture through a glass window?

Utah Valley Bride published some of her photos from a styled shoot, what a great accomplishment!

If you need a photographer for any reason, Mila is your girl!

Check out her page and book her for your Christmas photos!

You will not regret it!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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Little Miss Oaklyn 6 1/2 months

I actually took my camera out of the camera bag the other day!

Without Hunter even being the one to tell me I should!

It's a miracle ha.

I can't quite figure out why... but after Oaklyn was born my passion for photography was put far far to the side.

Oaklyn was being extra cute the other day and I wanted to waste some time before her 6 month shots (sad, so so sad) so I decided to take some pictures!

What a little model we have!

She loved the camera!

Let's hope she stays that way.

I was oohhing and ahhing at all her adorable pictures and she told me she thinks I should start doing shoots again and she promised she wouldn't cry to much for daddy.

I agreed!

Sooo Utah friends, whatever your photography need may be... let me know and I'll happily schedule a shoot for you :)

aleighjoyimages@gmail.com

Gosh... I love her

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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A Thankful Heart #2 (Round 3)

The weeks have seriously been feeling like days lately. 

I cannot believe how close Christmas is.

I can't believe that baby girl will be here (exactly) 3 months from today!

I can't believe football season is almost over. 

I can't believe 2015 is coming so soon.

Time is just crazy to me.

It always has been, but more so than ever lately.

So, here's to another week in November and another week to be thankful :)

1) My Baby Girl

I'm sure that half of the people I know think that I'm crazy for purposefully getting pregnant at 20 years old about 3 months into our marriage. But to me, she is the greatest blessing already. I really do feel that she is bringing Hunter and I closer together in a way we didn't expect. I love him deeper because we have created a life together. It's still crazy to me, that the two of us will be parents so soon but I really do think we are as ready as we'll ever be. She occupies a lot of our conversations and brings us so much joy. I cherish every sweet kick, even when she wakes me up early in the morning. We have three stockings hanging up right now. When I hung hers, I had to hold back the tears. I'm a mother now, I have a daughter, we are a family of three, and I've dreamed of this day for SO long. She has a name, and has for quite a while, and we really love it. Because we love it, we aren't exactly "announcing" it quite yet because I don't want anyone else's thoughts or opinions to persuade me otherwise. But I will tell you that she is taking my middle name, and it truly could not be more fitting. She has already brought us so much Joy, and I know she will continue to do so throughout the years. We sure love her :)

2) Both of Our Families

I must admit that I was a little nervous as to how getting married will change your relationship with the family you grew up with. I'm so glad that it hasn't changed much and that even though we are beginning a family of our own, we still are close to our own parents and siblings. 

I love going back to San Diego and seeing everyone. I also love when they come visit us! My parents just came for the weekend and it was so much fun seeing them and talking to them. I love the relationships we have with our family members and that they will always be there to love and support us. I'm so excited to see my parents become grandparents and Hunter's to become grandparents (for the 7th time) to our little girl. I know she will love all of them and feel so comfortable with her families. I love that Heavenly Father gave us families and has blessed me with truly the best families out there. 

3) Hot Water, and a Heater

I don't think I've ever been so thankful for a heater than I was on Saturday night. It was 27 degrees with wind at the BYU game. It felt like it was 10 degrees. I really should invest in a heavier coat... We got back to the condo and I could finally feel my toes. Taking a warm shower was the best feeling. I've always loved warm showers but I was SO appreciative of it this weekend. And will continue to be as the weather gets even colder. 

4) Knowledge

Knowledge truly is power and I'm beginning to realize that more and more as I get older. I didn't always try my hardest in school. I wish I could go back in time now and change that. Though there were definitely certain things we learned that I feel I'll never really need in life, there are plenty of other things we learned that I wish I would've paid more attention to. Being "book smart" however, is not the only way to gain knowledge. I'm grateful that my parents took me to other countries growing up and that I was able to see so many historical sights and gain a better understanding of other cultures. I'm grateful for the knowledge I've gained religiously, creatively, and academically. I have been trying more and more to push myself into spending my time learning about all the things there are to learn about instead of zoning out and looking at my phone. I'm also grateful for the knowledge I'm so close to gaining when I  become a mother. 

'til next week my friends!

Also, I'm grateful for all of you that responded to my post about $30 shoots! I'm so excited for each of them!

I still have some slots open before we leave Provo and would love to do pictures for my San Diego friends when we come home for Christmas! 

Email me, text me, or leave a comment to set up a time :)

All my love,

Aleigh Joy 

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Pictures!

Hey Hey Hey!!

Check this out:

I would LOVE to take pictures for any of you!

I'm not limiting these shoots to just those three things... if you can dream it I'm sure we can make it happen!

Shoot me an email to set up a date and time before it's too late!

Also, I am located in Utah Valley

ps. I waited for my husband while he served his mission and I remember wanting to send him cute updated pictures of me and I realllyy wanted pictures of him coming home. If you're in the same boat aka a missionary girlfriend in need of pictures: I'll give you a discount ;)

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The Rivas Wedding!

I had the privilege of co-shooting a wedding last weekend!

Actually, there was another wedding the week before that too!

I can't believe my pregnant body survived, but I'm sure glad it did because I had SO much fun!

Goodness what an adorable couple this last wedding was. 

She is originally from Venezuela and that's all it took for me to be so excited for her wedding day.

Their families sure know how to party, and it was such a gorgeous day.

I had hundreds of pictures to go through but I narrowed it down so I could share a few of my favorites.

Also, if you would like to arrange a shoot to help me build my portfolio, I would love to work out pricing and get going!

I'm in the Utah Valley but would be willing to travel to the Salt Lake area as well!

email me at ajoy94@gmail.com

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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A Much Needed Trip Back Home

Last night I got maybe an hour of sleep.

I was so frustrated that I got up and paced the kitchen... thinking maybe that would make me tired? 

I don't know. It sounded like a good plan at 3 a.m.

I was just starting to doze off when I heard Hunter's alarm go off.

you have got to be kidding me.

Somehow, I still got into work today right on time.

I had to use all my might not to show up in basketball shorts, slippers, and a t-shirt.

I still wore a not-so-t-shirt-ish t-shirt and sweats.

It took at least 15 minutes for two kids to show up.

It took at least and hour for only two more to show up.

And it then only took an hour more for my boss to tell me I could go home!

Hallelujah.

I figured this would be a good opportunity to catch up on our trip back home!

I must say, I love that we both have the same hometown.

I truly do not despise Utah. 

In fact, I kinda like it.

Because of that, Hunter and I decided we might actually be able to end up somewhere other than San Diego when we're older and have figured out where we want life to take us.

I mean, if we can have fun and make friends here, we could do that in say, South Carolina... right? (No we are not really thinking about living there, it just kinda came to my mind ha)

Welllll... then we drove into good 'ol San Marcos.

And, my heart felt full.

I could smell the ocean air, palm trees were right out my window, and of course... Jack in the Box!

San Diego is home.

It always will be, even if we do end up somewhere else for unknown reasons at this time. 

But for now, we are enjoying Utah and we are trying to make the most of our adventure in this home away from home :)

Here's some snaps from our visit with family.

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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