So. I am starting a new "thread" on my blog.
Its called Things That Successful Bloggers Do That I Do Not Do.
Number One of the Things That Successful Bloggers Do That I Do Not Do.
1. Have a life outside of their blog.
That is, they have a successful blog because they have a life. Because they go out and live their lives to the fullest and capture beautiful moments and crazy moments and embarrassing moments and share them all.
Its easy to have an interesting blog when your life is interesting. Right? You can talk about all the exciting places you have gone versus sitting in your house for three days straight.
Although, when you live in Minnesota, sometimes you just have to sit in your house for three days straight.
You can talk about the fascinating people you meet versus the exact same conversation you have with your husband every night when he walks in the door. You can take pictures of lions and beaches and musicians and fountains and friends instead of your dog.
You can intentionally create the joy that your blog portrays.
So thats it then.
Living life to the fullest=Having successful blog.
Seems easy enough. :)
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So I have been throwing around this idea for scenery. I love taking pictures of the kids in the backyard with all its luscious greenery, but I wanted to kick it up a notch. So I got this naive brilliant idea to paint a piece of plywood and put neat sayings on it.
Except the board is so big I have to be really far away to get it all in the picture and then the faces are all blurry.
And is it silly to say, "i am loved" with more then one person in the picture?
This is another idea...
In my fantasy life, my kids would be sitting on the rocks or standing just to the left of the sign posing their little hearts out with big smiles and clean white shirts.
Reality is that no one would even come close to my sign. To busy off (Real Housewives finger quotes here) 'playing' and 'having fun'.
Kids.
Beautiful! I love them all. I'm certainly no photographer, but I think it looks artistic for you to stand far away and have them look small next to the huge sign.
Posted by: Kristin | July 16, 2009 at 09:13 AM
totally cute idea! i love the board. and i have to tell you that as i scrolled down to view the pictures, my mouth dropped open when i saw the cutest picture ever....Audrey & "precious in His sight". OMG! seriously, too cute for words. chunky cuteness! and since i live in the desert, it's especially enjoyable to see the greenery in your photos. :)
Posted by: olivia | July 16, 2009 at 09:30 AM
You have something to do besides comment on our blogs? I'm so hurt. I mean are your kids and husband important to you or something?
Seriously, I've been praying for you. It sounds like you've been crazy busy. And I think those were good ideas. I so wish I could do the artistic stuff you do. I've never quite managed to be good at anything beyond stick figures. And my kids laugh at those.
The "I am loved" board. LOVE IT!!!!! It spoke of God's love for each individual to me. I am loved. Not we...I. What an incredible message to send to your beautiful children.
Good luck on your entries tomorrow. I can't wait to hear how it all went.
Posted by: bethany | July 16, 2009 at 09:32 AM
I think all the pictures turned out great! What a creative idea!
Posted by: Dea | July 16, 2009 at 09:49 AM
I agree, that is just so creative. I'd never have thought of such! It would make a cute calendar if you could get 12 different fun positive sayings.
Have a blessed day!
Posted by: BP | July 16, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Love the photos and the painted board.
Of course you could add the text with photoshop - but maybe that would be cheating?!
Posted by: janmary | July 16, 2009 at 12:57 PM
FUN pictures! I LOVE the one of Audrey, that is just too cute for words! I agree that it would be cute to do a calendar with the different sayings. As for advice to get that last picture to work....I have none, sorry! My kids don't sit still for a second! Maybe you could strap them to the rocks? :) (Just kidding of course!)
Posted by: Laura | July 16, 2009 at 03:06 PM
that is the best use of plywood that I've seen in a long, long time! Cute pics. I am going to be following along in this series of things successful bloggers do so that I can move up from the D list eventually
Posted by: carma | July 16, 2009 at 03:13 PM
I love that sign! Such a great idea.
Posted by: debbie | July 17, 2009 at 09:42 AM
i think you should set up a tripod and pose yourself in front of the "I am loved" board because i think we adults need that reminder sometimes, too. we may not be nearly as CUTE as the kiddos but i'm pretty sure that God is quite smitten with love for us, despite our percieved unworthiness.
Posted by: olivia | July 17, 2009 at 09:43 AM
I love your ideas. I think those pictures are so cute. I still have to get over to the pioneer womans blog. Yikes. I hear it is great.
I have been out of the blogging loop too. Vacations and visitors.
Posted by: He & Me + 3 | July 17, 2009 at 10:02 AM
AMEN!!! Great idea Olivia!!! Now, just to get a tripod....
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | July 17, 2009 at 10:50 AM
I love the huge sign concept - I need to take more photos of my children!
Posted by: Sarah | July 19, 2009 at 09:21 PM
I'm new to this whole blogging thing and I've enjoyed visiting you today!
Posted by: Amy | November 25, 2009 at 04:14 PM
I love the last picture in your post because that is so often how my pictures turn out. I have grand ideas, unfortunately my kids don't so much have the same ones. LOL
Oh, and you don't have to live in MN to not leave your house for three days. We do it here in Indiana too, life stops when there's a flurry. :)
Posted by: Amyisatweetin | February 08, 2010 at 09:25 PM