This is from my very first shoot with FHM magazine. We were on location in a house in Malibu. I remember feeling self conscious about my body (I was not as ‘skinny’ as a lot of my contemporaries)…but everyone on this set were really supportive. I wish I could go back and smack this younger version of me and tell her she was just fine as she was! I spent a lot of my modeling career being told I needed to lose weight or being compared to girls that were thinner than I was. I look at this picture now and think, why was I so hard on myself?! But that is what the industry makes you feel. You’re bombarded with magazine images and billboards and are constantly told what ‘standards’ you should be living up to. And if not, you’re reminded by the people in the business… I was lucky enough that I did work a lot, and eventually the world came to love women and their more voluptuous bodies like J.Lo and Beyoncé. That acceptance was a turning point… Beauty comes in all forms. We have to remind ourselves to love who we are. It’s exhausting spending your whole life trying to be what you’re not. Beauty is everywhere and within everyone. ✨
Just read that the great Franco Harris has passed away. What a sports legend and a great man. In the first photo, we were guests of the Sergeant Major of the Army, Ken Preston, visiting troops while they were training outside DC. And the second is of me with Franco and the great, Mr. Ernie Banks. This was the 2006 All Star Game that I played in with both of these incredible humans in Pittsburgh. (I can’t believe they’re both gone.😔) A funny side note, when I was a kid, I’d hear the name Franco Harris and I used to think he was Frank O’Harris. 😆🤷🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ My husband still doesn’t let me live that down… RIP Mr. Harris. Honored to have met you. 🙏🏼 #immaculatereception @steelers
Just read that the great Franco Harris has passed away. What a sports legend and a great man. In the first photo, we were guests of the Sergeant Major of the Army, Ken Preston, visiting troops while they were training outside DC. And the second is of me with Franco and the great, Mr. Ernie Banks. This was the 2006 All Star Game that I played in with both of these incredible humans in Pittsburgh. (I can’t believe they’re both gone.😔) A funny side note, when I was a kid, I’d hear the name Franco Harris and I used to think he was Frank O’Harris. 😆🤷🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ My husband still doesn’t let me live that down… RIP Mr. Harris. Honored to have met you. 🙏🏼 #immaculatereception @steelers
This past Sunday, Chris assumed command of the 146th Airlift Wing. (The Hollywood Guard!) Most people in their military career never make it this far. He never wanted this position, but was selected by his leaders and he accepted with grace. My husband is a very humble man, and just wants to be a good leader to his airmen and women. He is honest and fair and always has an open door policy for anyone looking for guidance or knowledge. We have been together on this journey for 19 years now and I couldn’t be more proud of the man he is. An exceptional human being, incredible husband, father and friend. We love you babe! And we are so, so PROUD! ♥️🇺🇸
Was cool Mom for the day. I took the kids to @disneyland on Thursday last week…which meant playing hooky from school. 😜 (We had one day left on a four day pass that expired on Friday.) Would do it all over again too! 🥳🎅🏻🎄
Recorded this this morning when I got home from dropping Kaia off at school. Kane is home with me today…trying to get over this flu that’s just lingering. I don’t know about you…but when it’s cold and rainy outside, I like to snuggle up on the couch with a good movie and some hot chocolate in front of the fire! 🌧☔️📽☕️🔥🪵 #pretendpianoplayer
March 18, 2023. Watching the incredible US Navy Demonstration Team, the @usnavyblueangels! These pilots are the best in the world! Years ago, I had the privilege of flying with them at their California training facility in El Centro when I was doing the Best Damn Sports Show. It was an experience I’ll never forget! The last time we saw the Blue Angels perform at Pt Mugu was in 2016, when Kaia was only 10 days old! Kane was only 2 years old, but he loved it then too! And yes, here’s a nod to @vanhalen who used the Blue Angels in their music video for ‘Dreams’…
Starting off the New Year on the mountain! The kids had a great time and it snowed in the middle of the day! We wish a happy and healthy 2023 to all of you!
On Sunday, we welcomed our troops home from a 3-month deployment. It is never easy being away from your family and friends. Missing birthdays and anniversaries and school events. But they do it. I have waited for Chris to come home more times than I wish to recount over the past 19 years. It was easier before we had kids. Seeing the children there Sunday brings all of those emotions back. Thank you to our California Airmen and Women for their sacrifice. It does not go unnoticed. ♥️🇺🇸
Another day and another family adventure! Today it was @unistudios in Hollywood! It was packed, but we still had fun! Going into the Harry Potter world is just magical during the Holidays! Hope everyone is enjoying time with loved ones! I know we’re making the most of our time together… ♥️🥳
Today is a special day. My best friend celebrates a milestone birthday. We’ve been by each other’s side since we were 12. The ups and downs. Highs and lows of life. EVERYTHING. Time and distance don’t matter in a friendship like ours. We might not live physically close or talk everyday, but we can always pick up where we left off. We just understand. And it’s OK. Brandi is my best friend, my sister. She was my Maid of Honor, my witness. We have so many shared experiences throughout our lives…things that we look back on and smile. I hope everyone is lucky enough to have someone like her in their life. HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Bella. Even though miles are between us, I’m celebrating you in my heart today! We’ll see each other soon!!!
It’s so hard to say goodbye to the ones you love. Deployment is the hardest part of our military life. My husband wasn’t part of this round, but it’s still hard to watch families having to say goodbye…knowing they’re going to miss holidays and birthdays and life milestones. Three months is a long time to be apart from your family. Especially when you’re in harms way. These men and women of the California Air National Guard will be heavy on my mind and my heart until they return home safe and sound. ♥️🙏🏼🇺🇸
Went to the PT Mugu Airshow yesterday to watch the @afthunderbirds AND the @usnavyblueangels perform! What an INCREDIBLE experience to see both of these elite demonstration squadrons in one day! This first reel features the flying of the Air Force Thunderbirds. They put on a great show for all of us and reminds me how proud I am to be an Air Force spouse! Enjoy the ride…
I’m not gonna lie…I lost it at this point. And I think Chris got a little choked up there along the way too. Thank you for the beautiful words babe…and I love YOU! ♥️♥️♥️
So PROUD of my girl, Kaia! She is fierce and determined and focused. She just started her journey in Jiu Jitsu, but I know she will do well. She just turned 7 two and half months ago and will only get better… 🥋🖤🤍
Fun times at @holidayroad with @princefish14 and fam! It was cold but we still had fun! 🎅🏻🎄❄️🦌🎁
Had a great time yesterday ice skating with the kids! They started off with the bars for help and then Kane decided he wanted to skate without it. That gave Kaia the confidence to try it too. I’m so proud of both of them for pushing themselves and trying something hard. They would fall and always got right back up. Now they’re asking when we can go back again…but first, it’s a trip up to the mountain to snowboard! ⛸➡️🏂
I’ve been putting up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving my whole life. It’s tempting to do it after Halloween because it seems like everything starts earlier and earlier these days…but I’m sticking to my family tradition. Bring on the warm apple cider and holiday tunes in front of the fire. This is my favorite time of the year! 🎄🔥
One thing we love to do during the holidays, is take the family to see different versions of the Nutcracker. Yesterday we took the kids downtown to the Walt Disney Concert Hall to watch Gustavo Dudamel conduct the LA Phil…but there was a twist! Not only did we hear the classic version from Tchaikovsky, but we also heard some jazz selections by Duke Ellington. It was amazing! This was specifically geared toward younger children and it was the perfect amount of time for their age and patience level! Both Kane and Kaia loved seeing all the different instruments from a different perspective. Hopefully this inspires them to keep playing the violin and cello. Oh, and we learned the pretty bell sounds from Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy come from an instrument called the celesta. It looks like a piano but it sounds like rain drops falling. Pretty neat… Thank you @gustavodudamel for always entertaining us and showing us why we love music. To share it with you yesterday as a family was a real treat! And thank you to the members of the @laphil…you put on a performance to remember!
Kane and Kaia are back on the mat! I was proud of them for training hard and not complaining after a long break and a full day of school! 🥋💪🏼
We took the kids to see The Nutcracker on Saturday afternoon. FINALLY got to see our favorite @tilerpeck perform as the Sugar Plum Fairy! We were sitting in the front row and I’m pretty sure Tiler smiled at Kaia a couple times! Kaia was so excited! It’s an annual tradition that we do with the kids that got paused by Covid…so the last time we saw The Nutcracker was in 2019. It’s so good to get back to the arts! Bravo @tilerpeck, @roman.julian.mejia, @pacificfestivalballet and @bapactoaks
Proud Mama watching her two kids roll. Kane started when he was 4, but missed almost 3 years due to the pandemic. (He turned 9 in September). He’s so happy to be back. As for Kaia, she was about ready to start when the pandemic hit, so she’s just starting her journey now. (She just turned 7 in mid-September). But let me tell you, she already loves it. I’m always trying to keep my kids active. I always told myself, when I had kids…they had to play an instrument (or 2🤪), study a martial art (Jiu Jitsu in our case), and learn a foreign language (they both study French). Of course there is dance and sports too…but the first three is where you have to make that commitment early and consistently. We’re doing it @kennyflorian! Crazy that Kane has grown up so fast! Feels like yesterday that he was born when I co-hosted UFC Tonight with you! 🥋🖤🤍
So I did this today. My daughter woke up and asked if we could paint together. If you saw my craft table (and half of the garage as my husband would say😆), you’d think I was a professional artist. I love to create things…for nothing else than to be an outlet. Creating brings me joy. I know that sounds so corny. But painting is like my piano playing…I do it because I love it. Not because I’m great at it. And that’s ok. I’m a work in progress. And yes, I loved watching Bob Ross on tv growing up. I loved his happy trees while learning about colors like burnt sienna and yellow ochre and titanium white. I’m going to keep going and try more color combinations. Leave color suggestions in the comments…and maybe I’ll try them!✨ ‘There are no mistakes…just happy accidents!’ -Bob Ross🎨
