and today, we are all over the place.

[Finn]- small fair warrior

Our boy certainly matches his name.

I generally point my camera in the direction of the sun so that my subject is backlit.

I'm absolutely fascinated with how sunlight interacts with my subject and I'm always trying to chase the sun before it disappears. 

Hop on over to Kate&Kuby's to see this week's installment of The Way I See You.

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I read this article about instagram and how it effects middle school kids, and I having been pondering it ever since.

Not that I'm really on insta that much...I'm kinda hit and run with the dang thing. Every time I try to take a picture on insta, my iPhone screen turns black and kicks me off. Rude. Ha.

My poor little 3G, she just can't keep up with the big kids, the 4's and 5's. 

Regardless of what social media outlet floats your boat, I think what she wrote relates to all social media forums, fb and blogging included.

I do enjoy popping on fb to see what my peeps are up to, but feel like I'm more of a blogger. I need more info from you people. I like the deets. The long version of the story. I like to know all about what you are thinking.

However, that being said, I was deliriously happy when both my sisters posted on fb on the same day.

Back to the insta article.

This really caught my attention:

But, taking it a step further: have you considered that your child is given numerical valueson which to base his or her social standing? For the first time ever your children can determine their "worth" using actual numbers provided by their peers!

They're definitely paying attention. And it's definitely affecting them.

It's not just about assumed popularity anymore. It's explicit. It's quantifiable.
At arguably the most awkward time in their lives, a crucial time of development when they are trying to figure out who they are and where they belong, this is what they're up against. A quantifiable popularity ranking.

Nobody has put it that bluntly before. It makes me just want to scoop up those kids and tell them to ditch their phones and run for the hills. But that is not practical. And after reading her comments section, it's not only kids who are effected. Big people can be affected too...:(

Reminds me of Max Lucado's Wemmicks(wooden people) putting stars on people they admired and dots on people they scorned. But nowadays it's "likes" on people they admire and...nothing...on people they don't admire. I've once heard it said that the most painful thing for someone to endure day in and day out is being ignored. By someone looking right at them and seeing...nothing.

Way harsh. Kids have it rough these days. As with the Wemmicks, the only solution is to go to your Maker every day and see what He says about you.

And practically speaking, if I find that the social media I'm in is having a negative impact on my day or how I feel, then it's time to back off.

Trust me. You will not shrivel up and die without a constant newsfeed update.

I think it's that simple. Know your heart and your limits and walk away if it isn't good for you. Just stop following that person.

I mean, why willingly subject yourself to anything negative? As a teenager, I already experienced that. At this age, why would I wish to relive my high school days ?? It would be lame to stay there.

Have you ever thought "If I was back in high school I would do it so differently."?

I have. I think I'd be so much more bold.

However, every now and then, I still feel like I am right back in high school when I read certain people's blog/fb/insta posts.

And I've decided that when this happens I'm gonna refuse to get sucked into their world. Already, I feel so free.

I am most content when I'm minding my own business anyway. It's been on my heart lately to lift people up and sincerely encourage them toward the Lord rather than being disgruntled over how they{inadvertently} made me feel.

And I'm vowing not to be all judgey about anybody else's social media decisions. I just have to do what works for me.

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Still completely enamored by The Voice.

Midas Whale makes me grin hugely and laugh. And I died when they called their trio with Patrick a "Patrick sandwich". So much awesomeness.


The cute Latino girls stressed me out this week during their battle. I love them but things got a little catty this week with one of them. It made me nervous.

Usher is quite the serious coach. He's turning out to be quite the force.
Shakira is so sweet and cute. I love her.
Blake will literally laugh at anything. Hence, I laugh a lot when I watch the show.

But Adam is still my fav. I laughed out loud when they said he wore "too small" tee shirts. I mean, I LOVE my boys in snug tees so I totally get his fashion sense.
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Twain informed me that when he was born he popped out of an egg.

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I had pink eye this week. So instead of wearing contacts I had to wear my glasses. Girlfriend does NOT look good in glasses. So I stayed inside all week. Ok I lied. I went to Target like 4 times, per ushe.

And kinda bought a Nate Berkus rug for myself as my mother's day present. It was on clearance from $150 to $45. That's like 70% off. I had to at least try it.

Ho. Hummmm. Still not sure. I'm on the fence. Eek!


I am in love with this rug. But it's way(WAY) out of my price range, at $770. Maybe it will go 70% off too? I'm not holding my breath. Ok, I am holding my breath. I could run out of air.