stuff

Ok, first of all, the Knuckleheads Clothing contest is over. They had to end it abruptly at 240am this morning because it was brought to their attention that certain types of contests are not allowed on facebook... like asking fans to "like" a photo in order to vote for something. Apparently their page could be deleted if abuse was reported. I didn't bother to read the rules even though they linked it on their page. I'm sure they wouldn't have done that if it weren't true. Am I frustrated that I was involved in their first (assumption, but pretty sure I'm right) model search and it was a disaster? Absolutely. Is my heart broken a little because I thought my kid had a pretty darn good chance of winning, and he didn't get a real opportunity? Definitely. Am I going to enter their next model search that they plan to hold every 6 months? I really don't know. Tate kept saying he was going to be a model, so I'm glad I got some Knuckleheads things recently for Tate's upcoming 5th birthday (only 3 weeks away!) during the Knuckleheads zulily promotion. I'm going to take him on his own little photo session in his new Knuckleheads duds and let him be a model for all of you. :) As far as entering their next model search contest, I guess only time will tell. Honestly, I think that they have learned a LOT from this contest, and that it will run much more smoothly next time... the biggest thing that would hold me back is that if they do a poll vote, I don't want to have to go back to the same people and ask for their votes again. I feel terrible that this contest was such a mess, and so many people tried to help, but it ended up being a waste of time. I sincerely appreciate each and every one of you who voted for Tate and helped try to bring him more votes! You guys really are the best! 


And speaking of voting and reposting.... I will be printing out a HUGE list of names soon of voters and re-posters, hopefully tomorrow! Tate will be drawing 2 lucky winners who will receive a free session and print package! That's just my way of saying thank you for all the support! (ok, it was a bribe, let's just call it what it is. :) 


So my funny guy Tate was asking me recently to cuddle up in the bed with him and watch cartoons. We were on our way out the door to take him to preschool, so I suggested that we should do that after I picked him up from school that day. He agreed, so I said "Ok buddy, it's a date!" He replied, "Mommy! I'm not old enough to date!" 


I have been so incredibly busy lately... working full-time and running a photography business is time-consuming. I really miss my family. I work nights, get to bed around 4am, get up at 7am to take the kiddos to school, then come back and get Tate ready for preschool. He only goes from 9am-noon 4 days a week. So in that time I'm usually attempting to take a nap (but I usually get distracted by balancing the checkbook or paying bills or, I don't know... shiny things.) Then I pick Tate up, bring him home to eat lunch, he plays for a bit while I try to get some photo editing done, then we go pick the big boys up. Since I'm typically unsuccessful with a nap in the morning, I make attempt #2 to take a nap in the afternoon, before I go into work at 6pm. Todd and I are basically 2 single parents parenting the same kids on opposite shifts these days. Time management has never been my strong suit anyway, so that probably doesn't help. On my days off, I'm constantly working on my photography business... shooting, editing, returning calls, etc. I would give my left arm to have a clean house, a night off, and be caught up on editing so that I can simply sit down with Todd and watch TV for an hour after the kids go to bed. I don't even know what's on any more. I haven't turned on my TV for myself in months. But I'd still give my left arm for it. I'm struggling with making a big decision pertaining to my insane schedule, and I'd really appreciate prayers.... specifically for wisdom and guidance. And maybe a billboard (I'm not very good with signs). Or a 2x4 upside the head would work too. You know, something I can't miss. Anyway, all that to say that if you call me, email me, or facebook me and I don't respond for a while, it's not because I don't like you or want to talk to you... it's because I don't have time for you. :) But seriously, I miss my friends and I do want to hear from you... don't give up on me. I appreciate your patience! 


I need to get up early tomorrow for a morning photo session, so I better close this out now. My goal for this week is to finally dump the photos to my computer from our trip to California at the end of March. (I know, I know! Patience, remember?) When I get that done, I'll post some for you. Good night! 

Round 2 of the Model Search! We made it!

I was literally tearing up at the sight of the list of names of people who voted for my sweet boy during Round 1 of the Knuckleheads Clothing Model/Photographer Search. Yes, I'm a dork, but I'm serious. It means SO much to me to have your support, not just for this, but over the last several months. It's awesome to know that there are people out there who love my little guy so much! The fantastic news - Your votes got us through to Round 2! So here we go again, right? :) Well, the good news is that although we need you to vote again, I'm sweetening the pot! I'm happy to give away a photo session and print package ($261 value) for every 75 votes that Tate gets for this contest! So far, that will be at least 2 packages to give away! We need lots more votes though! He needs to be in the top 5 to continue to the third and final round. (In other good news, we won't need your votes for that one. :) The winner will be chosen from the Top 5 by Knuckleheads staff). At last check, we were tied for 7th. So PLEASE, go vote! 


Step 1: Go to the Knuckleheads Clothing page and click "Like" (if you haven't already!)


Step 2: Go here and click Like.


Seriously, that's all I have to do to be entered in your amazing photography giveaway, you ask? Yep, that's it! And for FIVE BONUS ENTRIES, just copy and paste the link to his photo (the second link here) on your own facebook page and when the little box pops up for you to write in, leave instructions on voting (Like Knuckleheads Clothing first, then click on the photo of Tate to make it bigger and click Like! 


BONUS GIVEAWAY: Knuckleheads Clothing is giving away a $100 gift certificate to one lucky voter! 


So what are you waiting for? Get out there and VOTE AND REPOST! 


THANK YOU!!! 


*Voting ends at noon EST on Monday.
*Photography prize is transferable. No cash value. 
*Photography prize includes a free one hour session, 2 8x10s, 4 5x7s, and 10 4x6s. 

Vote for Tate in the Knuckleheads Model Search!

It's voting week, apparently. Sorry about that. All for good causes though! In our case, that would be a bunch of new clothes from Knuckleheads Clothing for Tate! They are looking for a model/photographer combo... a super cute kid with lots of personality, and a mama who can take great photos of him! So you KNOW I'm in! Tate has a couple of things from Knuckleheads and loves them, so this is a great way to get him more without breaking the bank! And it would be super fun to get to photograph my super adorable kid and have it published. :) So that brings me to you. Begging. Yes, seriously. If you're on facebook, go "like" the Knuckleheads Clothing page. Then follow this link to Tate's photo on their page and click "like". That's it. Easy peasy. And it would mean the world to Tate. At last check, we're holding 7th place out of 425 entries! But every vote counts, and there are lots of entries that are RIGHT on our heels. So please go vote! Voting ends May 11th, then the top 10 entrants with the most "likes" on their photos goes to round 2, which is where the Knuckleheads staff will narrow the finalists to 3! Then each of the 3 will submit one more photo, and the winner will be chosen. We appreciate your effort! Thanks so much! 

Here's a peek at the photo I entered.... 

(Side note: I have some cute photos of him in one of his fedoras from Knuckleheads and was going to enter those, until I realized that he only had one eye back then. I wasn't sure if he'd get a modeling job by me saying "No worries, he has 2 eyes now, and they look pretty close to alike!" So yeah, he only had one eye in this one too, but with that super cute big grin, his eyes scrunch up so you can't tell anyway. It's all good.)

Patrice for Mother of the Year! Please read her story and vote!

So I know I'm WAAAAYYYYY behind on blogging. I've been super crazy busy lately (more on that later), but I wanted to take a minute to tell you about my dear friend, Patrice. Her blog link is at the top of my blog, so I know many of you already know about her. Her little boy, Jonah, has EB (Epidermolysis Bullosa), which is a very rare skin disease that causes his skin to blister and slough off with even the slightest friction (think about how often babies rub their faces, or when they scratch when their skin itches). He requires constant care, including a bath and full-body dressing change every day, which takes hours to complete, and is often painful for Jonah. They can't be out when it's too hot (75 and sunny), as it will irritate his skin, so they are often housebound. He requires tube feedings most days, as his mouth and throat blisters, so that it can be painful for him to eat food by mouth. Jonah is a champ though, and the cutest little guy ever. He gets his strength from his amazing mom, and she gives all credit and glory to God. She is the most fantastic mom I know, and although she has given up her job and "normal" life to give constant care and love to her sweet boy, she knows that she is the one blessed to be chosen by God to be his mommy. 


All that to say, she has been nominated and chosen as a Top Ten Finalist for a Mother of the Year contest in a local organization. She definitely deserves this honor (although she would tell you she doesn't, and that she only does what any mom in her position would do), but I would ask that you go vote for her! There is a fantastic prize package up for grabs, and she would thoroughly enjoy it and appreciate it!  You can check out her blog here and her family's story here.  Please go to this link to vote for this very deserving friend of mine, Patrice Williams!