This week has been a whirlwind week of things to do and sick kids to attend to.  Today seemed to be the light at the end of the tunnel, but another one bit the dust when I found him passed out in my bed with a fever.  Just in time for the weekend, woohoo!  (can you hear the sarcasm?)  I hope this passes fast for him.

On a different note, I will be out of town Friday afternoon through Saturday.  I can be reached by email only during this time.  Meanwhile, don’t forget to keep those Single Parent nominations coming!  Deadline is the 15th.

This is the fifth year for us to celebrate a local single parent. It’s a big job raising kids. Most of us are blessed to have a spouse helping us out, but that’s not always the case. Most of you know someone raising their children on their own. Maybe you are that person. We’d love to help them celebrate their family through portraits. Nominate someone you know, or nominate yourself!

Send your nominations to:  info@mjwphotography.com and put ‘Single Parent Giveaway’ in the subject line.

Tell us as much or as little as you would like about why this person should win.   All entries must be received by April 15th. Winner will be announced on April 30th.  ( for those of you who get the newsletter I moved back the dates because I must have drank too much caffeine when I thought up those original dates, lol!)

This year’s winner will be excited to know that we’ve upped the prize! Our 2013 winner will receive all their digital images (that’s a $1200 value)! But because I am a strong believer that their is nothing better than an actual professional printed image on your wall our winner will also get to enjoy a 16×20 portrait! As always the lovely Trudi, with Illusions for Hair will be donating a hair appointment for the parent and child(ren) complete with cut, color, style, wash…you name it!

You can view last year’s winner HERE.  🙂

What better way to end your work week than to look upon this adorable, smiley face?!  I hope you have an awesome weekend!  Me?  I’ll be playing catch up with my work, painting, ripping up flooring, etc.  You know all the FUN stuff you’ll all be jealous of.  If you want to come join in the fun let me know!  😉

Last week I got to send an exciting email to let a single parent know she won this year’s giveaway.  I always love doing that!  Like every year I wish I was able to do this for every single person who emails in their story, but I’m so happy I can do it for one.  In the years past I’ve been a bit faster getting this blog post up, but I’ve had some interesting developments in my own little family this past week (which I’ll share later down the road…so stay tuned!)

Now on to the winner, Bettye Poole.

“Even though Nolah was a complete surprise, a product of a not so well thought out decision, she has definitely been a blessing in disguise.  In the short 3 years since her birth I’ve learned so much about myself and what I’m capable of.  I really had no clue what love was until I became a mother and how much of an impact one little human being could have.  Being a single parent has not been easy, but at the end of the day when I look at my daughter I see nothing but the greatest accomplishment of my life.

I want to give her everything including a role model she can look up to and be proud of.  Last year I decided the only way to achieve this would be to go back to school and get an education.  I’m happy to say that with tremendous support from family, friends, and the Single Parent Scholarship fund of NWA I’m finishing my first year of college with a** 3.8 GPA**!!  This is just the beginning of a better and brighter future for us and I’m thankful to MJW Photography for giving us the opportunity to document in pictures this amazing time in our lives.”

I am so excited to photograph these beautiful girls.  And seriously, doesn’t Nolah look just like her mama?!  🙂

For the past 3 years I have done this and am always amazed at the powerful stories you share with me.  This year I want to share an update on our 2010 single parent winner, Andrea.  Here is what Andrea wrote to me:

“At the time I won the single moms contest in early 2010, my husband of almost 15 years had just left our family for another woman.  It was a sad,hard, and confusing time.  However, I knew that God has never let me down, He was faithful.  No matter how hopeless I felt,  I knew he would pull me through.  My kids are doing so much better and I would never take back the closeness that I have with them because of our struggles.  I have recently been blessed with being able to build my own home through the blessings of others.  It’s my first home and I am so excited!  The kids and I moved in just last week and we are already making incredible memories in our new home.  I am so thankful for the opportunities I have been given and I feel so empowered by all I have been able to accomplish being a single parent.”

I hope her story will give someone the encouragement they are needing today.

Make sure you share this with your friends with Facebook, Twitter, email, etc..  Let’s make sure this reaches as many single parents it can!