{ Inspiration }

~ Inspire ~

to motivate...to stimulate...to provoke...to influence...to encourage

Thoughts of inspiration have been twirling around in my mind the last few days. I've been trying to search for the answer to 'How do I inspire those around me?'. To answer that question I have to start with where my own personal inspiration comes from.

The source of my inspiration is God the Father. He is everything and without Him I am nothing. My belief in Jesus is the anchor of my soul and the rock of my life. He brings vibrant color to everything around me. Knowing Jesus is total inspiration and that spills out all over the place!

I am surrounded by so many wonderful, beautiful and inspiring people...my family, friends and some soon-to-be friends. They compel me to be a better person. And my fervent desire is that they are likewise inspired by me. I have lived a blessed life but not one without its sorrows or pain. God has allowed me to experience the death of a dream, hurtful betrayal, severe disappointment, the loss of reputation and the right to explain myself, starting life over from nothing and a parent's worst nightmare - the agony of watching my child suffer physically and emotionally.

How I long for people to be able to look at my life and see Jesus' fingerprints all over it. To know that after walking through dark times they can/will come out on the other side. There is reason to hope and to laugh. To inspire others to embrace and be confident of who they are created to be. To accept and glory in differences and uniqueness. To live life to the fullest...all in, 100%, holding nothing back. To smile more and frown less. To laugh more than they cry. To see beauty in the most unlikely places.

Photography is my outlet to express that hope and beauty and zest for life. It inspires me. I love the way once in a lifetime moments are preserved on film forever. The way a glance at a photograph can bring back all the memories of that time...the warmth of a touch, the smell on the air and the pure emotion that filled that space. The way something plain or common transforms into a work of art. The way beauty is captured and magnified for all to see. The way it allows us a taste of something special and amazing and it leaves you aching for more.

Honestly, my life is very full with being a wife and mama, with work and the daily grind. I am unable to enjoy photography as I wish. Often I feel constrained by time, finances and position. I don't want to let these things prevent me from dreaming. And I can't wait for the day I can devote more of my time and energy to photography.

So when I read about Amy Wenzel's workshop I got so excited!! Her story and spirit is enough to inspire the britches off ya, wow! This workshop is the very thing I've been needing and wanting. To be with others who share the same passion and to glean from those who are proficient in this field. To soak it all in and let it be a spring board for my journey. I know, it's a dream but it's my dream. And I hunger for it even though it seems so impossible. I want to go for it and I want those around me to feel the same way about their dreams. To not be afraid. To not give up. To not lose hope...

To be Inspired ~

Oooolala

Erin is the talented and fabulous creator behind The Vintage Pearl and I absolutely adore her jewelry!! She is hosting a very springy giveaway on her blog so go check it out! :)

Can't breathe

EPIPHANIE IS GIVING AWAY YOUR CHOICE OF

A BRAND NEW CANON 5D MARK II!

OR

A $2500 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO SOUTHWEST AIRLINES!!!

Are you kidding me??!! Wow, I'm actually salivating right now...holy macaroni!!!! :D

Giveaway!

Beth from I Should Be Folding Laundry is hosting a FAB giveaway from The Vintage Pearl...

Head over to Beth's blog to enter!! :)

CD Giveaway

The first time I heard the song by Jonny Diaz, 'More Beautiful You', I loved it. I could only think of my 6 year old little girl who is growing up faster and faster every day. I also thought, that must be how God thinks of me too! I can never be more loved by Him if I tried. How amazing is that?!

Jonny Diaz' sound is unique, very light with alot of acoustic guitar background...like a great mix of Jack Johnson, Jeremy Camp with a sprinkle of SCC. The lyrics are very personal and deep, some of my favs from the cd are 'Waiting Room' and 'Nashville'.

I was pretty excited to be contacted about reviewing Jonny Diaz's "More Beautiful You" cd this week...even more when they said I could give FIVE of the cds away! Y'all have 2 weeks to enter to win a copy of 'More Beautiful You'...just leave a comment on this post!

If you haven't heard of him or any of his songs yet ~ check out the YouTube link below, read his bio here or view his personal website here.

Let Love Grow

Beth @ I Should Be Folding Laundry has a fab post about a loving Mom about to adopt 2 children from Uganda! I always get excited about neat things like this, getting behind someone who is doing something GREAT. We support a little guy in Uganda through Compassion so this country is pretty special to our family. Click the button above and go visit Beth's blog too!! :)

Tamron Giveaway

A Tamron 18-270mm VC

The World’s First and Only 15X Zoom Lens!

(Value $629)

For Canon or Nikon DSLR users.

If you use a different camera, Tamron will substitute an appropriate prize.

Must have a U.S. mailing address to win.

The perfect all-in-one lens, Tamron’s 15X zoom lens features VC, a proprietary anti-shake mechanism that gives you a 4-stop shutter speed advantage for blur-free hand-held shots. Shoot confidently from wide to ultra-tele with Canon and Nikon APS-C DSLRs.

Head over to I ♥ Faces to check out this awesome giveaway!!

Contest Ends THIS Friday, August 7th at 8 pm (Pacific) / 11 pm (Eastern)

Winner will be chosen at random and be announced on Saturday the 8th.

CD Giveaway

Need some QUIET?? I definitely do and I'll bet you do...everyone does at some point, especially if you are a Mama! I was recently given the opportunity to enjoy and review a great new CD called Faith, Hope and Lullabies ~ Songs of Worship. This is SO not your typical cheesy orchestra music or shrill tin-y sounding background music. Wow, from the first minute I listened to it I was so impressed with this CD. It is beautiful light and relaxing wordless music, worship songs that I love. My 5 year old daughter loves to listen to music at bedtime...this CD has been in her player since I received it in the mail. :) She LOVES it and it puts her to sleep every night!! It is not only great for your little ones' nap time but also for quieting music for your older ones...or great soothing dinner music for the family.

Click the widget above to listen to the songs from the CD Songs of Worship. Click the widget below to listen to songs from the Faith, Hope and Lullabies CD and hear for yourself how great these CDs are!!

And YES, there's more...the gracious producers have 2 Songs of Worship CDs to giveaway for 2 commenters on my blog!! All you have to do is listen to some of these fantastic songs and leave a comment (by May 22nd) telling me which of the 2 CDs you like best and what you like about it?! Make sure you leave an email address so that I can contact you should you win! EASY!! :) Thanks so much for stopping by...

Happy Things

I totally heart Melissa from The Inspired Room...not only will her home decor ideas leave you inspired but also getting to know this amazing woman will draw you time and time again to her little sweet spot in the bloggy world!

She has put forth the call to share a beautiful life post...a list of all the blessings in our lives. I think it's a great stretch for our hearts to take time out to ponder the many things we have to give thanks for ~ big and small...with a little giveaway to sweeten the post. :)

Here is my list in no particular order ~

1. SONshine and SUNshine...the rainy days remind you to not take it for granted!
2. Faith...the assurance of things hoped for the conviction of things not seen
3. Tender heart talks with my boy
4. A good book that makes me smile, cry and laugh
5. Tea parties with my girl
6. Shared days off with my love
7. Close knit family
8. Laughter with friends
9. Target sales
10. My 3rd baby, Canon Rebel ;)
11. Redbox movies
12. Sleepovers with my nephew
13. Dunkin Donuts Coffee
14. Vacation plans
15. Dreams of our own house
16. Our 10th Anniversary this summer
17. Jewelry...every girl loves some bling!
18. Origins cosmetics and Euphoria Spring perfume
19. Smell of spring...sights of spring
20. Puma tennis shoes and Reef flip flops

Giveaway

The super awesome blog Mom Shots is hosting a giveaway for a sweet camera strap cover from Jessica of Designs by Jessi. She does wonderful work and one of these is def next on my purchasing list...if I don't win one! ;) Go check out these 2 great spots in the web...

Love Books?

Over at 5 Minutes for Books they are having an awesome GIVEAWAY of Books Books and more Books. They are hosting a giveaway each day from April 15-25th as well as a grand prize giveaway of a PILE of books worth over $225!!! :D A Book Lover's dream come true...head on over and check it out!

Heard of Shmoop?

Wow, I'm not really even sure how to describe this website...other than WOW! 5 Minutes for Giveaways is hosting a giveaway and did an intro for Shmoop. A website that is your one stop for studying or learning all you can in U.S. History, Literature, Poetry and there's even a Book Club! Whether you're a teacher, a student or simply someone who loves to learn...you must check out Shmoop!! :)

Movie Giveaway

She's at it again...Kailani is giving away The Tale of Despereaux dvd over at her blog!

I haven't seen this movie yet but I've heard it's a must see!! :)

Canvas Giveaway

I heart faces is hosting a sweet giveaway for a 12 x 18 gallery wrapped canvas from iprintcanvas. Head over to check it out!!

Sweet Giveaway

This chick totally rocks...go check out her amazin' skills and her excellent giveaway!!! :D

Jewelry Lover Alert

Kailani is hosting another FAB giveaway

from one of my all time favorite jewelry designers...

Twisted Silver.

Y'all head on over there and check out Twisted Silver's sweet designs

and the giveaway too!

Planetjill Jewelry

Ok, y'all MuSt.MuSt.MuSt. 

go visit 5 Minutes for Giveaways' 

Planetjill Giveaway!!!  

I think I've got another favorite!!!  :D

Sweet Giveaway

Mommy Daddy Blog is giving away something you’d love to touch; 

a shiny spankin’ new 2nd Gen 8GB iPod Touch MP3 player 

and a $10 iTunes gift card! 

Click here to enter this sweet giveaway!  :)

A Book Review + My 2nd Giveaway!

I mentioned before that a super great publicist from Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists contacted me about my interest in reviewing 2 children's books and of course I jumped on that wonderful opportunity instantly!!

This is the 2nd of the books that I've had the pleasure of reviewing.  It is called 'The Gift of the Christmas Cookie...Sharing the True Meaning of Jesus' Birth' by Dandi Daley Mackall, illustrated by Deborah Chabrian.  

The minute you open this book, you are drawn in by the picturesque illustrations that so aptly fit this tender story of a young boy who learns how to follow Jesus' example of true heart felt giving.  In a time when society is all about "me" this book gently reminds little ones what Christmas is really all about!  At the back of the book is a great little addition of a sugar cookie recipe you can try out and enjoy with your children at home!  The Gift of the Christmas Cookie is definitely a treasure you will want to add to your home library.  

The Publicists have graciously sent me an extra copy to GIVEAWAY to one reader here!  So, let's see...leave a comment and tell me your BIGGEST Christmas wish this year!  It can be for a particular present for yourself or someone you love or something you are really longing to happen...whatever!!  :)  So share away and good luck!  

I will pick 1 winner via random.org 1 week from today.  Don't forget to leave your email so that I can contact you should you win!

Tis the season everywhere!

Anyone ELSE gettin' excited about the CHRISTmas season coming up??!! Although I am a purist and there is NO playing Christmas music until AFTER Thanksgiving...still, I'm gettin excited!!!!  :D Whoohoo!!!  It's a fun time in bloggy world too!  Go check this awesome gift guide out!!!