Week 1

My resolution for 2012 is to

BLOOM.

I'm linking up with My 3 Boybarians and her Project 52 Photo Challenge.

How to Bloom

In order to bloom, I need to be planted and well grounded....first in my relationship with the Lord, then in my personal life in terms of where I am headed.  One of my favorite quotes from Seneca says that if a man knows not what harbor he seeks, any wind is the right wind.

I need to seek harbors for:
-my relationship with the Lord through reading and prayer
-building relationships with my kids by spending family and individual time together
-developing my gift of teaching through insightful lesson plans
-writing
-photography

I am also working on two 52 projects.
One is to take a photo a week for 52 weeks.
Two is about doing pushups for 52 weeks in order to work up to 52 pushups.

Do you have any other suggestions for 52 Projects?

One Little Word

What will be the theme to my year?
What word will keep me focused?
What do I need to remember in all that I do?
It didn't take me long to realize my word for 2012...  BLOOM!

I want to bloom as a 

• woman of God, 
• a mother, 
• a teacher, 
• a writer, 
• and a photographer.  

I have been but a bud,

With the desire to flourish.

This is my time,

To embrace newness and change,

And most of all.....

bloom.

The Three Little Pigs

Another adventure begins, and this one involves raising hogs.  Well, I'm not tending to them, but I drive the teenage son to the barn in order to feed them and develop a relationship with them.  Yes...I said it.  They need to get to know their handler so they will follow along, so powdered sugar donuts are involved in this phase. Ours is named Boss, the other one owned by a sweet teenage girl (who happens to be teenage son's girlfriend) is named Gus, and the shared pig is named Wiggles.  This is sure to inspire many photo shoots!  What is the best way to photograph hogs? :-)

What Am I Committed To?

I finished reading my blogs for the day, which included a new one from Jennifer Loudon:  Savor & Serve the World.  Her question today was, "What are you committed to?"  This made me think...deeply....and I realized that I am floundering with putting my commitments to paper, mainly because I don't know what I am committed to other than the Lord, my husband and children, and my job.  But what am I committed to? What is it that I want to accomplish?  

1.  I am committed to learning Photoshop and Lightroom programs by December 31, 2011.

2.  I am committed to taking a photography class in January to increase my understanding of my camera and its uses.

3.  I am committed to learning photography as a career in order to fulfill my lifelong dream of being a photographer by Summer 2015.

Now...pen to paper...posted blog...it's out there and ready to achieve.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!

Although not my favorite holiday (because when I was about 8 years old my neighbor gave me roast beef in aluminum foil instead of candy...why?!), I embrace it for my kids' sake.  This year I found an adorable and easy candy bar makeover, on Pinterest of course, for the preschool party.  Simple crepe paper, google eyes, and chocolate bars turned into Mummies.

Linking up with
Under the Table and Dreaming Sunday Showcase

Guest Post

I'm so excited to be guest posting at A Turtle's Life for Me while she dries out!

My Goodwill Hunting re-purpose was a couple of months ago. Since it has cooled off a little here in Texas, I am getting into the mood to decorate for Fall. This is what my dome looks like now.

This is what it looks like as part of my tablescape.

I think I need to paint another pumpkin and add it to the tablescape, so I am off to craft!

Keep Natalie in your thoughts and prayers.

Blessings!

Kim