Mom Challenge 2013

Just a few quick logistical things!!! -If you would like the max entries for the drawing- you can post the status update (may use with your picture) once a day!!! -Every day for one month email a picture of you and your kids to 30dayxoxo@gmail.com It can be a cell phone picture that you took holding your arm out, a picture on timer, or solicit a child or neighbor to take a picture- only requirement you and a child of your must be in the photo and taken the day you send it!! Or you can tag @photosbyxoxo on Instagram using the hashtag #30dayxoxo PLEASE share this challenge with friends and family as I would LOVE for their to be a MOMMY movement and we break the habit of not being "present" in photos!!! CHALLENGE STARTS FRIDAY NOV 8- but you are welcome to begin earning entries today!!!

MOM Challenge 2013

If new to the challenge must read this article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/allison-tate/mom-pictures-with-kids_b_1926073.html

Last year I posted this challenge thinking a handful of people would participate and fewer would complete- to my amazement and surprise it took off like wildfire and so many moms took part!!!!  As you all may remember I said to whomever completed the 30 days would get a free mini session...unf I cannot do that this year as I am still in the process of keeping that promise-BIT ONE LUCKY MOM WILL GET A FREE FAMILY SESSION!  But after talking to some of my friends who are first time moms they also see themselves falling into the habit of not being in the photos...so I have decided after much thought that in this month of being #THANKFUL (awesome app - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/thankfulfor/id405495466?mt=8) it would be the perfect time to thrust our busy mom-selves in front of the camera and snap away!!!  I must admit that this is a crazy time for me right now but when I emailed one of the moms from last year her completed photos her email response is what inspired me to host this again:

I am thankful to have the pics - they are a blessing and make me laugh! Thanks again for doing the challenge, I have some of my favorite mom pics taken during that month.

Here is what I posted last year that got this whole Mommy Movement started:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/allison-tate/mom-pictures-with-kids_b_1926073.html


After I read this it was just validation that I am not the only mom that feels this way!  For some reason or another us as moms are not in the photos- some of us never feel like we look good enough, or we may not have makeup on, we have ten chins when we take self portraits, or the camera is always in our hands!!

So I decided to post it to my Facebook page www.facebook.com/photosbyxoxo and the response seemed to be universal!!  We all feel the same way and it seemed to be an emotional reminder that we need to get out from behind the comfort of the camera and start to get in front of it!!

I was so excited to start figuring out the details and picking a few moms brains and after listening to our MOPS speaker today it was confirmed that this is something I need to put out there... and the best part is it involves the kids!!  We were blessed with having a Skype lecture from author of "be the Mom" Tracey Eyster (www.bethemomlife.com).  She said many things that were of great value but the 3 principles she spoke on over and over were: BE intentional, BE relational, and BE selfless.  I do not think it would be a stretch in saying that this challenge is going to require us (moms) to be very INTENTIONAL!!


I couldn't stop thinking about the moms responses and this idea of a mom challenge came to me!!  There are challenges for everything..so why not try a new one!!!

I hope this is something you will enjoy and after 30 days it will become a habit!!!  I would LOVE it if you would share this challenge with other moms as I would LOVE to see this a new habit!!  With all the amazing technology out there we want our children to look back and see that we were not only a cheerleader on the sidelines but we were in the trenches with them!!

I am hoping to have simplified the guidelines this year with an awesome widget- After the completion of the 30 Days I will use random.org to pick a winner of a FULL FAMILY SESSION..I will also be adding some other giveaways from other mom run businesses in hopes for people to have lots of fun goodies to win!!!

Day 11

Some of my have feedback!!

Now my kids are reminding me...."Mom....we didn't take our picture yet!"

This challenge is awesome! My husband asked me what it was and I explained it to him-he must have been listening bc today at the pumpkin patch he took the camera off my neck and was super admit about getting pictures of me and my kiddos!!! Thanks {hugs and kisses} for making us mamas make a conscious effort to get in the photos!!

Today Marks Day 10!!

Hats off to all you Moms who have made it to Day 10... I know this is not easy- i suppose thats why it is called a challenge- but I am so happy for those of you who have been able to keep up!!!  If you have missed a day, two, or three I still encourage you to continue to try and make the effort to get it in the picture!!!

I am just beyond overwhelmed by the positive response to this- I know that you guys have inspired me to capture moments that even I have never thought of!!

I want to share this one picture of a friend of mine that is taking the challenge.. she is a mom of 3 her youngest is only 3 months old and her oldest is preschool age!  She is a rockstar and this picture says it all!!  But one of the things I love is that her kids will look back one day at this picture and say WOW- this is how she did it!!

Day 6

Sooo I took a couple of days off- I told you I wasn't very good at keeping up with blogs but I am still going to try!!!

I just had to share this picture.. even though we might not be in the same place as our kiddos- doesn't mean we can't make it fun and document those times as well!!!

DAY 3

I really wish I could look at all the pictures everyday- but so many of you are participating I don't necessarily get to look at them all!!  But I did pick out two from yesterday that really stood out to me- pretty sure they were both from cell phones- so it wasn't the quality of the picture more the quality of what it said!!  These two pictures to me are a vivid reminder of how fast our kids grow up and to savor every moment!!!  So grateful my good friend in the 2nd picture is taking the challenge- her adorable "baby" will be headed off to college next year!!

 A baby is born with a need to be loved - and never outgrows it. 
Frank Howard Clark 

Even as kids reach adolescence, they need more than ever for us to watch over them. Adolescence is not about letting go. It's about hanging on during a very bumpy ride.
Ron Taffel 

DAY 2

Since I am keeping up with this blog thus far (we will see how this turns out) I figured I would use todays post to introduce myself and my kiddos for those of you who do not know me!!

I am the mom of two very active kiddos- 2 year old boy and 4 year old girl!!  I feel so incredibly blessed to have one of each- hoping to add another one someday- but we are in no rush as my husband says!!  I am lucky and they both still nap (which is while I am able to be writing right now).  LOVE my husband dearly- hardest working man I know and yet still manages to be the best DAD and is so present in their little lives and always makes family a priority!!

I LOVE to take pictures and photo document everything- sometimes to a fault- I LOVE walking in the Breast cancer 3 day- I LOVE the Lord and active member of my church, BSF, and MOPs, I LOVE nothing more than being a MOM and wish time didn't have to go so fast, I LOVE being surrounded by family and the craziness it brings, I LOVE all sports but my favorite is playing basketball- I could go on for days but I suppose thats me in a few paragraphs!!

Thank you all for taking this challenge and I LOVE the feedback so far and so grateful that you guys are making this so fun!!!

here is my Day 2 Picture- I coach my daughters 3/4 year old soccer team- CRAZINESS

If you use INSTRAGRAM use hashtag #xoxo30day