Tag Archives: Julie Chen
My Pumkin-Poos lost her first “bendy” tooth yesterday at the dentist! He reached in to see how wobbly it was & YIKES! it came right out & she did not even know it. I am still wondering if he really pulled it on purpose or not?! Nevertheless, it made for some great pain-free memories & the tooth fairy even visited our house, bringing 2 shiny quarters to make her day. I love how she truly believes in childlike wonder. It is so sweet (something my other 2 never had!)
Grace & Peace, Julie
This photoshoot was a BLAST! It was one of my “freezing cold” sessions, but the love between them warms the heart. The funniest thing about this session was that before I even got my camera out, the mom turns to me and says, “It’s O.K. if you do not get any good shots. We are NOT photogenic at ALL!” Now, that’s the way to take the pressure off! Ha! And, NOT photogenic?!!! I beg to differ! I love these memories. From these sweet photos, I could not help but create the “sisters” art. I love the way big sis is the center & they snuggle together, leaning on one another. May they always be the best of friends!
My hot winter sales ends TODAY, January 10! Here are the details again: To Redeem This Offer: 1. Have fun browsing my shop 2. Place the print you would like to buy in the shopping cart. 3. At checkout in “OTHER INSTRUCTIONS” write in the name, color scheme & any other details needed of the FREE 8×10 print you would like. Please DO NOT put your free print in the shopping cart & pay for it. I will see your checkout notes & know what you would like & will not be offering refunds for mistaken orders. 4. You may multiply this offer, but it must all be in the same transaction. For instance, you can buy 2 prints & receive 2 free, buy 3 prints & receive 3 free, etc…. *Free print cannot be custom art / Only standard & personalized art is available for this offer *If you would like your paid print to be an 11×14 or 16×20, that is just fine; the free additional print will still be an 8×10 *Again, you must write the free print into the other instructions at checkout; I will not be offering refunds after a transaction is complete. No coupon code needed for the FREE shipping! Grace & Peace,
Now that the holidays are over, I can start showing some more photography & card design work I created for clients. Here’s the funniest card I’ve ever made. This photoshoot was… well…. difficult. I went head to head with an adorable 4 year old & LOST. Good thing his parents are great sports & happily decided to make “lemonade out of lemons”.
I showed the card to my own mom & she said it’s the BEST card ever as it shows real life. So true. It’s great when we can laugh at ourselves & make the most out of a situation. The shoot was in early December and started out at a beautiful park, but it was 13 degrees out. Even my hands hurt in the brief 5 minutes we were out of the car. I too would have had a meltdown. We had to brainstorm & come up with an indoor location and found a beautifully decorated tree to make it work. You guys are great fun & I look forward to next year already, in warmer weather 🙂
By the way, that top photo of the little man does not even truly capture the emotions he was expressing!
Grace & Peace, Julie
I woke up to MORE snow this morning {we are up to almost 8 inches & we shoveled 4 times yesterday & there is no stop in sight}, so I thought it would be a great day to share these beauties with you. I took these photos the week before Christmas & am realizing I LOVE shooting in the snow! This little guy is one of my favorite subjects to photograph as he has such a fun personality & beautiful eyes. If we have another 34 degree day with soft snow & you want some really memorable photos, just let me know! Grace & Peace, Julie
{photo taken in the aspen forest of Rocky Mountain National Park, one of my favorite places in the world: magical.} Perspective: it’s my “word” for 2014 & I pray God does much in my heart through this word & thought process I am hoping will grow in me.
The word has come up several times over the last few months. Many times coming from the wisdom of my hubby after he comes home from the hospital where he encounters death {literally} on a weekly basis. He’ll just say, “Jul, this is a small matter. No one is dying. It’s ok. It’s not that big of a deal…everything will be O.K.” And, you know what? He is right. Who cares if the house is a mess? We HAVE a house. Who cares if work is piling up? We HAVE work that we not only love but enjoy doing!
Yesterday I met with a dear friend who is currently battling stage 3 breast cancer. She & I designed books together for Tyndale House Publishers. We started having babies at the same time & she too has 3 adorable young ones. Through her trial, she is teaching me SO MUCH about perspective. The fact that EVERY day is a gift from the Lord. The fact that despite pain, hardship, and a life turned upside, she has seen the miracles of God poured out over her family in new ways & felt God holding her tight & providing for each step of the way. Most of all, the perspective that all of life is about bringing glory to our great God.
Here’s to what I am praying/hoping for in 2014: PERSPECTIVE that life is not all about ME, but it’s about God & honoring Him & loving others {despite what most blogs I read tell me: they emphasize that it’s all about YOU & YOUR dreams & YOUR desires… yes, in part follow your heart & reach for the skies, but when it comes down to it, I am not called to live a life that is self-serving but rather to serve God & others}.
PERSPECTIVE that this life is short & moving a mile a minute, so slow down & enjoy the little things. I am honestly in denial that 2013 is over & I am freaking out already that next year my youngest will be in school full time. It will be the first time in over 10 years that I will have a full day sans kids at my feet & so I want to soak up all the time I have with my littles as they are growing up soooo fast.
PERSPECTIVE to think about what will last forever {ie: eternal perspective} & focus on those things & not the fleeting, materialistic things of life and hope that a renewed eternal perspective will deepen my love for Jesus & my love for others & make relationships deep.
PERSPECTIVE to be kept in check about my business: that it is all for His glory, in His hands, in His time, for His Word to get out & encourage others. I am bent on perfectionism, success & play the numbers game in my head, which part of that is necessary to run a “successful” business, but I do not want to get bogged down in how I define “success” & have freedom and joy in pursuing this dream… which leads me right into:
PERSPECTIVE in what GOD has for my life & to have a thankful heart & relish in the things I already have & not get caught up in what I do not have. This mainly deals with my weakness in how I compare myself to others, especially other artist moms who are way more “successful” than I am. I pray this year I keep my eyes on God, what He has for me & my family & STOP comparing myself to others, as I know full well there will ALWAYS be others way better than me! ugh. I am sick of this struggle in particular.
PERSPECTIVE to take care of myself: spiritually, emotionally, & physically. I have finally started exercising regularly & hope I keep it up! I also hope to deepen my spiritual practices of prayer, reading the Bible, and worship through giving thanks to my Father. I want to soak up truth every day & deepen my knowledge of the Word both for myself & to be able to answer my kid’s questions.
Here’s to a GREAT & refreshing & freeing New Year! Grace & Peace, Julie
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