15/52 movement

When I saw the theme for this week, I knew I would be doing a baseball photo. Matthew had a game on Thursday. They got their first win for the season and he had a great game.

Matthew sliding into home. He was safe.

That's the "official" photo for the week. But y'all know I can't post just one when it comes to baseball.

Waiting for his turn to bat.



He hit a single.

Then a triple.

He also played the whole game at 1st base and did an excellent job.

I want to thank everyone for the comments on my post Thursday. I honestly didn't expect to get much of a response at all and definitely not the one I did. I have read everyone's comments, several times, and appreciate each one. It means a lot that you all would take the time to respond like you did. If I could give each of you a great big hug, I would. Thank you.

Insta....Friday?

I blame my friend Shannon for this. I don't have an iphone so I've just been introduced to the world of instagram. I must admit I'm enjoying it. A lot. But Shannon is insisting that I participate in something called InstaFriday. So....here we go.


Last week was spring break for us and this was the morning after we got back from our trip to the mountains. And the morning after I downloaded Instagram ;-)


Joshua loves his new bike. He especially loves it if his brother will ride with him. They are having a bike race here. Matthew was kind enough to let his brother win.


Cloud. Cloud is very lazy. And amazingly good at posing for me.


I go to Joshua's school at least once a week. This week he had science for related arts and they have some ducklings. They were so very cute.


Wednesday, Em and Matthew have youth group so it was just Joshua and I waiting to pick Joe up from work.


Dinner!


It's baseball season here so that means we spend at least 2 nights a week at the ball field. This is from last night's game, which Matthew's team won. Matthew, batting.


Cloud, completely annoyed that I am bothering him so early in the morning.


It's a beautiful Friday afternoon here.

I am sparing you all and not posting all the shots I took.

the end

I thought about posting this on Facebook but it's safer here. Not many people come here anymore so it'll be mostly just me with my thoughts. I've also thought about not saying anything at all but I think it's something I need to get out.

I have been becoming increasingly frustrated and this morning decided I GIVE UP. What am I giving up? Photography. More specifically, the thought that I can/should have a business. Everyone and their brother has a "nice" camera and seems willing to do/give everything for $50. Some of them are good. Some....aren't. But I can't compete with that. My time away from my family is worth more than that. I have been working and practicing and learning for....years. And I am still learning. There is so much to know. I know I'm not the best or most creative but I don't think I'm horrible. Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. Oh well, at least I'll have nice pictures of my kids.

I know I'm not the first person to have these thoughts and complaints. I know this is common. And I want to make it clear that I'm not talking about anyone I actually know, either IRL or online. I'm talking about photographers here, where I live.

A couple months ago, Bill Howard was speaking at our church. Bill started Alex's House in Haiti after the earthquake in 2010. Our church has partnered with Bill and Alex's House and I'm very excited to be going to Haiti in September with a team from our church. Anyway, when Bill was speaking that Sunday, I was given an idea. I haven't told anyone about it and I've been dragging my feet about doing anything about it. It's not that I've rejected it. If it's what I'm supposed to do, I'm more than happy to do it. I have always told God that whatever gifts or talents He's given me, I am more than happy to give back and use for Him. I'm beginning to think that this frustration I'm feeling is Him pushing me.

I can't post without a picture. I think I've posted this one before but I don't have anything new and it's one of my favorites of all 3 of them.

spring break

We decided to take a little trip over spring break this year. When we go somewhere close by, it's usually to the beach. But we didn't think we wanted to share the beach with a bunch of spring breakers. So we went the other direction-to the mountains. It was our first trip there and we loved it.


We stayed in Gatlinburg, TN and decided to go through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to get there.



There was a mountain farm museum at the welcome center, which was very cool.


The view from Clingman's Dome

We also went to Cade's Cove

Me and my boys

This is one of three churches there. The Missionary Baptist Church started in 1839 but this building was built in 1915.

Matthew, before our hike to Abrams Falls


It was a 2.5 mile hike up and down the mountain to the falls. And back again. But definitely worth it.

We can cross this one off our bucket list ;-) We hiked a small part of the Appalachian Trail. We saw quite a few people who said they were going all the way to Maine.


Hiking the Trail.

14/52 home

We were on vacation when this week's topic was posted. I could have waited till we got home and taken a picture of our house. But it's just a house. These 4 amazing people make it "home." Wherever they are, that's where home is for me.