Sunday: Focus on the Savior (with Traci Little)


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I'm a curly-headed dreamer who loves my Savior, adores my best friend called Hubby, and my three children!

I never knew how much I would love being at home full time with my kids, while caring for our home! What a privilege and high calling.

I love to blog, do crafts, take pictures, cook, decorate cakes, and make my home cozy and inviting!

It is my desire to glorify God through encouraging and edifying other women. My prayer is that from reading this blog you will be lifted up and it will motivate you to love God, your spouse, and kids that much more!

Traci blogs over at Ordinary Inspirations.
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LIFE will snatch your remote and push fast forward, if you don't make a point to slow down.  It will whiz right past you before you have time to regret the days, turned into years, turned into a lifetime.



AS an autumn breeze blows crisp leaves away, so does time with its memories of yesterday.




SO pay attention, and soak in each moment that God gives you,




before the sun sets on your yesterdays... and you wish you had a chance to do LIFE over.


OH TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD,
BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT TRUSTETH IN HIM.
Psalm 34:8

Being Myself

Do you ever wonder if who you are is really who you are or is it just a conglomeration of a bunch of people you wish you could be like?

I struggle with this a lot. I come across to people very confident, out going and somewhat intimidating. In a way I think it's just a way of putting up a wall so people don't see the real me.

I find myself as I surf the blogosphere often comparing myself to my other bloggy gals. I see those who are artistic and confident in who they are as an artist, as a crafty mama, as a baker, etc. and they don't seem to question who they are or what their style is.

Over the years my photography style has changed a million times, because I will see another photographer's style that I like and want to duplicate it. I see those who can create their own notecards and sell them by the dozens and I think, why can't I do something like that? I see ladies whose homes are decorated with things that they have created or ideas off of pinterest that they were able to duplicate and I feel like the most creatively-challenged individual on the planet. I read blogs where women have such a way with words that it sucks you into their post making you feel like you are there in that moment with them.

I often think, maybe I should do more posts on being a mom. Maybe I should do more tutorial posts. Those ladies get asked to guest post all the time. Maybe I should write more about my family. Maybe I should start posting recipes or crafty how-to's like how to make a bedspread out of curtains and leftover tree skirt from last years Christmas tree.

I'm not at all hating on those who do that. I think it's awesome to be that creative, but it's just not me. As much as I try to tap into a creative side of myself, it's just not there. I'm pretty plane Jane.

You know what's funny is as I write this post, I know that there are those that will take the time to read it and leave sincere comments, but if it was me coming across a post this long, I'd skim through it to see if anything peaked my interest and then click on to the next blog, because I am just not one to sit and read long blog posts. I am usually just looking for pictures that wow me or an easy how-to edit.

I read a post a couple of weeks ago by a blogger who finally came to the realization that they no longer wanted to try to be a professional photographer because it took all the joy out of photography for them.  That post really hit home for me and I haven't stopped thinking about it since I read it. I've struggled for a while now to get a photography business up and running. I have talked to other successful photogs trying to get tips on how to get my business to grow. I honestly don't know what the problem is. Do I just lack the passion? Do I lack the confidence in myself that I know what I am doing? Are my motives wrong? To be honest, I really don't know the answer to those questions. I'm still trying to search deep within myself and asking the Lord to give me clarity.

For now though, I have stopped pursuing a career in full time photography. I have that faint doubt though wondering if some day I may regret giving it up. When I think of giving it up all together, I then feel like I am left with nothing. No passion. No drive.

Yes, I have my husband. I have my baby girl.  But I think every woman wants something that gives her an identity. Not just so-and-so's mom or so-and-so's wife. Something that is just mine. All mine. That I thrive at. That I excel in. That I am successful at.

At 30 years old I still don't have it figured out and I wonder if I ever will.  I just need to hang a sign around my neck that says "Under Construction" and just strive to be more and more like Christ and not like everyone else. In eternity that's all that will matter anyway...

SHOOT. EDIT. SUBMIT.


Wowza! You all really stepped up your game this week. I had so many tabs open in my browser that were my favorites, so having to narrow them down was slightly torturous. Kim and I both wanted the winning photo as our pick, but since it's my week to pick the overall winner I got to claim it. (hee hee!) Check out our incredible winners!

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I just melt into the days of summer when I look at this picture. Doesn't it look like something straight out of a catalog? Gorgeous colors. Gorgeous selective focus. Love! {Misty}

I love HDR photography.  While I am not certain this is an HDR shot, it definitely has the post processing feel of one.  The color and light in all range of the tones is stunning.  The scene is quite picturesque. {Kim}

I love how crisp and colorful this photo is. Every single detail of this flower is in focus making it an incredible photo. {Misty}

This shot is so crisp and clear.  The colors are bright and I can almost feel the warm sunshine on my back as I view it.  Took me right there. {Kim}

Congratulations, winners! Grab your button!






And this week's #1 winner is:

My jaw is just hanging open. I'm having trouble finding the words to even begin to describe how awed I am by this shot. Every single detail down to the tiny splash of the water is so crisp. The reflection is stunning! I don't think I could ever come close to capturing the gorgeousness that is this photo. Well done! {Misty}

Congratulations on being chosen as this week's #1 photo. Grab your button! You will be in the running to win a fabulous prize at the end of the month.






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Well, it's time for you to submit your entries! Be sure to grab the button below to include on your post.

1. Photo must be taken this week.(Sat - Fri)
2. Only one entry per person.
3. "Shoot. Edit. Submit." button or a link back to this contest must be on your post in order for it to qualify.
4. Link only to your blog post not your main blog url.

 (If you submit a photo you are granting us permission to copy and paste it onto our blogs if you win.)






Have I mentioned how much I love my co-host Kim at Mom Tried It? Go visit her. I promise you will love her too!

Favorite Photo of January



I know I have posted this photo before but Click it Up a Notch is hosting a contest where we post our favorite photo we took in January. This one is definitely my favorite.


Click It Up A Notch

SHOOT. EDIT. SUBMIT. People's Choice Winner!

 
With 37.78% of the votes...
Congratulations, Ansku! Your photo was voted Favorite Photo of the Month of January! Your photo will be featured on the side bar of mine and Kim's blogs the entire month of January as a free ad spot for your blog. Plus you have won a $20 credit to Pocketful of Rosies (you can see samples of her products below). Kim will be coordinating with you and Stephenie soon so you can claim your prize. Congratulations on the much deserved win!

If you would like to grab a button for bragging rights, you will find it below.






Creative Happiness


Never thought I would say this but I actually kind of miss the 365 challenge. I couldn't wait for it to end last year and I was certainly not doing another one this year. The downside though is that I don't pick up my camera as much, I don't interact with my other blogging buddies as often as I would like and I have started to feel a little disconnected. I learned so much photography-wise last year and came so far in my photography skills. I feel I have hit a major dry spell and I have mixed emotions about it. On one hand, I have so much more time to give to my little girl which is awesome, but on the other hand I miss my creative "adult" outlet which is connecting with other photographers. I still don't intend on doing a 365 but I'm trying to think of ways to still challenge myself creatively. So thankful for Ashley's Scavenger Hunt Sundays. When I do participate I feel such a burst of creative happiness participating in something I love so much...photography.

BTW, if you got an e-mail from me stating I am in Spain, I'm not. My e-mail got hacked. My apologies.



What's Up Wednesday!

If you are like me, you stumble across inspiring photog bloggers from time to time by chance through other bloggers, linkups, comments, etc. Well, I thought I would try to make it easier for you by grouping everyone in one place. Instead of opening this linkup to all bloggers, I am only asking for blogs that are geared toward photography to link up below. Just link up your blog's url below and start sending a "What's Up" shout out to your neighbors! That's it!  Linky will be open on Wednesday morning through Thursday evening so get your blog linked up.  Be sure to come back to meet new photogs!

It's not required but feel free to grab my button for others to find their way to the linkup as well.