If you get a couple seconds, could you give us a vote? Thanks. 🙂

{Ruari and Bennett}

I am SO unbelievably tired. SO tired. Ruari and I made a trip up to Seattle for Saturday night to meet up with a few blogging friends. I have so many photos to share… but, it’s Sunday night and I need to go to sleep. 🙂 Knowing me… I’ll probably post another blog post sometime Monday. TIME for bed. I hope you all had a lovely weekend too!

 October 23rd – October 28th

Charmaine from Just bits & Pieces.
This weeks challenge: Black and White.
The challenge: The challenge will be based around your children. Take or find a photo of your baby (or kid… or puppy… or kitty) in a black and white photo. This week I’m encouraging you to work with photo editing programs. Don’t let it stress you out! Just play with it and have fun. I’ll include some links to some free editing programs (If you don’t already have one).

Char’s examples of Black and White:

My example of Black and White:

Here are a couple links to some free photo editing software if you don’t already have something:
Picnik
Picasa
Gimp
Pixlr

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There always has to be rules… I know, boring right? But, it’s to help me and you. 🙂 Click on the link for more details… Each entry does need to link back to my blog… Click here to see last weeks winner… All photo entries need to be in by 11:59 PM Pacific Time on October 28th…
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Winners so far:

• Fall: … And, then she (snapped) …
• Black and White: … no one yet …
• Halloween: … no one yet …
• Food: … no one yet …

♥♥♥♥♥♥
If you have an Etsy shop and would like to give away an item as a prize… please drop me a line! I ♥ sponsors and will show your shop some love for your contribution. 🙂
♥♥♥♥♥♥

Click here to see last weeks winner of “Me and Mama”.

This weeks guest judge: 
Tez from: Not Always Picture Perfect.
This weeks challenge:  
“Fall“

Chosen by Tez:

• 1st: And then she (snapped)

Why Tez chose this photo: “There are so many things about this photograph that I love; the lighting, the crop and composition, the contrast between old and new, the sharp focus and depth of field…but the main thing that makes me keep wanting to look at it again and again, is the fabulous use of complementary colours…a really stunning image!”

Congrats! Please feel free to grab a “fact: I’m awesome … #1 winner” button below. Because: you ARE awesome! And, thank you SO much for participating!

<a href=”https://thepapermama.blogspot.com”><img src=”http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/5084702563_b6c1682861.jpg” alt=”The Paper Mama” width=”150″ height=”150″ /></a>

• 2: In the Life of a Davis

Why Tez chose this photo: “This capture is all about the choice of angle for me…it just screams  ”I spy with my little eye…a dinosaur out for a stroll!”  I love the repetetive natural textures, the vintage/seventies wash, and how the subject is still clearly the focus without being IN focus… but most of all, I fell in love with the determined walk of that sweet little dinosaur <3”

• 3: Photo Freak

Why Tez chose this photo: “This portrait manages to do all that a portrait should do; with one little shutter click, it captures a whole personality that makes you feel like you know the person in the shot.  I see mischief and playfulness, but mostly a whole lot of  ”all-boy sweetness”  with a love for oddly bumpy things and creatures…with a sparkle in the eye and those freckles that are to die for :D”

• 4: A Picture in Time

Why Tez chose this photo: “A classic ”Fall Photo”, that grabs your eye with it’s lighting and colour.  I love how the colours of the leaves repeat themselves in the face and jacket, with the distinct exception of the torquoise.  His perfectly framed face is so alive with the crisp air and the fun of fall, it makes you feel like you’re right there with him.”

Why Tez chose this photo: “My heartstrings were seriously tugged as soon as I saw this adorable little guy…even though it’s a posed shot, it still managed to become a candid picture because of his strong personality that shines through!  Beautifully composed with the path leading your eye right to the joy radiating in his face, seemingly from the happiness of having found such a ’treasure’ of nature…and, oh, those cute jeans and sneakers!!!”

<a href=”https://thepapermama.blogspot.com”><img src=”http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5085298170_31cb9fb3a9_z.jpg” alt=”The Paper Mama” width=”150″ height=”150″ /></a>

 My favorites (in no particular order):

• My Life in Sweats

• Lovin Life Photography

• Christine Marks Photography

• Denver to Seattle

• And then she (snapped)

 If you’re one of my favorites you are more than welcome to grab a “Paper mama hearts me” button below!

<a href=”https://thepapermama.blogspot.com”><img src=”http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5084702705_ebcd889293.jpg” alt=”The Paper Mama” width=”150″ height=”150″ /></a>

 
And, we both had a few honorable mentions:

• Forever and Yesterday

• Flat Yeast Bread

• Frogmum

Winners so far:

• Fall: … And then she snapped …
• Black and White: … no one yet …
• Halloween: … no one yet …
• Food: … no one yet …

♥♥♥♥♥♥
If you have an Etsy shop and would like to give away an item as a prize… please drop me a line! I ♥ sponsors and will show your shop some love for your contribution. 🙂
♥♥♥♥♥♥

It’s Day 4 of my 30’s day of truth. Today:
Day 4: Something you have to forgive someone for.

Well, I try not to hold grudges. Sometimes I think back and get frustrated with something that happened and I try to remind myself: it’s in the past. It’s old news. 🙂

My dad is sort of a loser, and I feel like I should forgive him for not taking care of himself ever being able to take care of his kids… but, I don’t really. I don’t even know if he knows about his granddaughter. I made no attempt to tell him… and, I don’t really think he needs to know her. Maybe someday he’ll take better care of himself. I don’t know. But, for now: I feel like I should forgive him, but really… I don’t.

My original 30 Days of Truth Post.

On to something a little more happy!
My 3 picks on Thursday:

1) Craftcult.com widgets.
These are so much more interesting than the old Etsy style widgets. You should check them out! But, check out my shop first. ;D

And, don’t forget that I am giving away something from my shop! You can pretty much pick whatever if you win! There’s a chance to get entries each day (if you’ve been voting for me on Top Baby Blogs, you get 2 entries for each day you vote. Yes, I’m bribing you!). Check it out!

2) Coupons:

• I just wanted to remind all of you: there are 10 days left to take advantage of the Paper Mama coupon with BabyLegs! You can get 20% off of BabyLegs using this code during checkout: PAPERMAMA . It expires on October 31st!

• For Layla Grace: Save an additional 15% off all sale prices during September with our Sale on Sale! Enter promo code SALEx2 

3) I wanted to go back and introduce all of you to a few of my first followers. I have been blogging since 2008, but when I started my “mom blog” I had no idea of this crazy mom-blogging world!

• I found Tia WAY back before I was even married. Back before Charlie. She was the first mommy blog I had found. I was intrigued… of course, how could you NOT be intrigued with Tia? Christopher and Tia
• When Lana started following me, I was so excited! Someone I didn’t know was following me! She has a pretty cute little family. The Mama Trials
• Beka is not a mommy, but she is one of the sweetest bloggers out there. She always leaves the best meaningful and sweet comments. Hold on, love…
• Courtney has a sweet little family. I loved how she introduces a toy and her dog as part of the family. 🙂 LoveLove
• Aly is one sweet lady! She’s always been so fun to read! AlyGatr’s Everywhere.
• Lacey’s obsession with cupcakes and silly humor is always good for a nice giggle! Our Life: Narrated by Lacey. 
• When I found Alysha’s blog I was so inspired! Her photography was beautiful! Supermom
• Chana is so cute. Such an amazing writer. I always feel so welcome on her blog. Mamma Town
• Once again, I found another blog to really inspire my photography. And, she’s super nice. Simplicity.

I could REALLY keep on going. But, I wont. Not today. I want to share more lovely inspiring blogger’s with all of you on another day.

So, let me know when this get’s annoying… ;D But, I’ve slipped to #20. I really want to stay in the top 25. Just a couple clicks will keep me there. AND, you can check out all the other amazing mama blogs out there! Thank you!

Would you believe me if I told you we were in an orchard? 😀

{Henry from It’s a Wonderful Life}

While you’re at it… don’t forget to vote daily!

Don’t forget to check the announcements above! Giveaways and photo challenges!