August 25, 2015

Give this a try, it just might uplift your day!

I hope everyone had a great weekend! We sure did! Our baby boy is officially 6 months (as of yesterday) and finally started crawling, and he's been sleeping a little better in the night. That means more sleep for me and the hubby! Woohoo!

But anywhoo...

I was contemplating what to write about when I came across a video clip from Joyce Meyer--I love her! She's so relatable.

She talks about doing a 1 year challenge of giving thanks. It started back in December of last year, BUT it's never too late to start giving thanks!



I have a nudging on my heart to participate in this challenge. So, starting today (tonight) I'm going to do it!

I think this will help me refocus my days (and attitude) on being grateful for what God has given me. I honestly believe this will make your day a bit more joyful.

Follow me on Instagram (@benpark.studios), to see each day what I'm thankful for!

I'd love for you all to join me in this challenge if haven't started it. And if you did start, but fell off for awhile, then here's your chance to start back up or start over again.

Don't forget to tag me in your photos so I can see what you guys are thankful for and use the hashtag #LetsShareTheJoy


Today, I am thankful for family who is super supportive and helps me when I need it. God knew what He was doing when He placed me with them!

photo credit: Jessica Crews Photography | http://jessica-crews.com
photo credit: Jessica Crews Photography | http://jessica-crews.com

August 18, 2015

It's Finally Happening!!

Hellooooo world,


Okay. So I am all kinds of excited...you just don't even know! Do you want to know why?? Well I'm glad you asked!

Yesterday was a big day for me. I'm talking Washington Monument kind of big!

Okay...I'm honestly over exaggerating but, it still was a great day! Last week, I FINALLY ordered some new camera equipment. And let me just say, it has been loooong overdue. But the day has finally come, and as of yesterday I am the proud and joy filled owner of the Nikon d750 (lenses and a new Macbook pro are being shipped as we speak!)


Check out my selfie skills! Except the top left one, the hubby took that.


For those of you who don't know much about cameras and electronics, this is a big deal! And I am so blessed to have an amazing family who is willing to invest in my business.

A couple weeks ago I wrote about being careful for nothing and going all in, with what God has placed on your heart (check it out here). Which was actually written, before I even ordered my new equipment. But I knew I had to, and I had to start putting in more work than I have ever put in before.

I'm done being careful/hesitant/afraid. I've taken the leap and I'm excited to see where God is taking me!


What has God placed on your heart to do? Whatever it is, create a game plan for it's completion, and...

GET. IT. DONE! 

August 11, 2015

Give Dad a Chance (Dad don't give up)




Hello Ladies and gents! Welcome back to....

Tidbit Tuesday


I honestly wasn't sure what I was going to write on here today. It's been a pretty busy weekend. The hubby was away, So Jeremiah and I went to go visit his grandparents. Of course they showered him with love. Playing with him, when he should be napping...but hey! That's what grandparents are for right??

Anyways...

It's the second Tuesday of the month so I think I'm going to dedicate this one to all mamas and papas out there.

Let me tell you about what happened today.

So our little Jeremiah had been fighting sleep, --  raise your hands if you know what that's like?-- he was extra goofy and cranky all at the same time. I know every child is different, but are there any other parents whose child screams with at the top of his lungs, with all their might, when they are super tired? Well, our son does. It looks as though he's having the time of his life but them immediately follows it with an angry grunt or cry. It's quite hilarious actually.

But back to the story. So he's been fighting sleep and nothing I did was helping, which normally I'm able to get him to sleep pretty easily. Not this time!

So after so much effort I tell my husband can you please try and get him to sleep, I have to do eat and get some work done -- because you, I was procrastinating a little bit. -- Now, my husband is 1 for 200 in getting Jeremiah to sleep. So of course you know there a little discouragement there. BUT because he's such an amazing husband, he agreed.

As I'm making me something to eat I'm hearing my little man cry and scream that high pitch scream just makes you want to take them and hold and kiss them, and say "mama's here, everything is alright now."

Ladies let me tell you something...it took everything in me not to run upstairs and do just that. My heart was racing and I started to get hot (does this ever happen to anyone else?). And I dared not turn on the baby monitor. I wanted daddy to try and do this by himself.

Can you believe once I sat down and started to work, the screaming died down and Jeremiah fell asleep?? Daddy did it! He sent me a picture afterwards saying,

"Thanks to God! One of the best moments of my life." 

I say all this to say, mama...give dad a chance! He has to learn the same way you did. We didn't know what we were doing, but we figured it out. Don't go rushing and swooping baby out of daddy's arm just because they're crying. I remember many nights Jeremiah was screaming at the top of his lungs with me, but eventually I learned what calmed him down and got him to sleep.  And please no micromanaging! If daddy asks for advice, give it to him. Don't go telling him he needs to do this and that, or rock him like this while patting him like that, etc. etc. Give him a chance to figure it out.

Now I must admit, often times I have to literally cover my mouth to stop me from telling Uriah what to do, like a know it all.

And daddies, don't give up! You're not a bad dad. Babies cry. That's just what they do. And they do it with mama too, not just with you. Keep trying, and ask for advice and help if you need it.

Just don't give up!


I'd love to hear some stories where daddy had a victory with baby!

August 4, 2015

Whatever you do...do this to be successful


Tid Bit Tuesday

Sorry for the late post ya'll we've been very busy, and my little man has started rolling over non stop and teething...and gassy (the painful, trapped gas kind) So needless to say I've had my hands full. He's 5 months ya'll! Time has been going by so quickly.


Now on to the subject at hand
I have a revolutionary concept that will just blow your mind. It's something that just messed me all up on the inside. I mean it really shifted something inside me -- Now let me warn you, this is suuperr deep and not everyone will understand or accept it --

Ready?? Here it is -

DON'T...be careful.

Now hear me out, before you totally dismiss me!

Sunday I went to church and the Co-Pastor mentioned a scripture that lit my hear on fire. It was Philippians 4:6. And I tell you what, I could barely listen to the rest of the sermon after just the first 4 words from that scripture. All these thoughts started flooding my mind. Here's what it says:



There are other versions that say anxious and worry, but this was the first time I read it in the King James Version.

Be careful for nothing

How many times have our parents told us to be careful as a child, or for those of us with kids tell them to be careful so they don't get hurt? How about a loved one that is taking some sort of risk, we tell them to be careful, because we want them back in one piece? While all that precaution is nice, but we as Christians don't need to be careful when it comes to the things God has for us.

I have been dealing with some things on the inside of me lately and this came right on time. It's like God was telling me not to hesitate or hold back, but to go and go boldly. Yes we should choose to do things wisely, but I say if we're going to choose to do something (for me it's my business) give it our all. Don't be careful. Don't be afraid. Use the gift that God has given us and don't hold back!

So I want to encourage you (and myself) whatever God has laid on your heart to do stop waiting and making excuses as to why you can do it, and just do it.

DO IT NOW!...or tomorrow at least, but don't let more than 1 day pass!

If you are a follower of Christ, remember He is on your side and He will equip you with everything you need! Trust Him...He knows what He is doing.

Now, I don't need to be careful for anything anymore. I'm going to trust God that what He leads me to, He'll lead me through and to the finish line. It's not an overnight transformation, but it's definitely start. And through Christ I will finish the task!



I told you guys I nit-pick at stuff! What is it that you've been holding back on?