Mela Kamin – 4:10 Ministries

What do you choose to surround yourself with? I choose LOVE. When I look around my home, I see lots of family pictures, art that makes me smile, quotes that inspire me and scripture that feeds my soul.
.
When I saw that Sandy was hosting a Home is … Beautiful Art and Photography party, I had to join in! If you know me, then you know I LOVE photos. I love looking at them and taking them. I’ve learned a lot being the wife of a professional photographer … not enough that I could do his job, but enough that I get some pretty good shots myself sometimes. Having a professional in the family means that I get SPOI-LED with fabulous shots of our kids.
.
Now, we just need the time to decide which ones we love and get them printed & framed. I noticed we don’t have many recent photos on the walls.
.
I also noticed as I went around the house, that we have A LOT on the walls. I didn’t even go upstairs! This is just a smattering of our lives on the main level and downstairs.
.
This was a wonderful exercise to do. I can’t tell you how long it’s been since I really looked at those pictures and paintings. You get so used to your surroundings at home that sometimes the pictures just blend into the daily scenery. I’m grateful to have taken some moments to really see my family, relive memories, smile back at the pictures and pray for these blessings.
.
This is a chalkboard frame that you see as you enter our home. I change out the verse every now and then. This one is my favorite verse – Isaiah 43:1 – a hug from God.
.

.
Greg & I love Kinkade paintings. We have three (the others are a Victorian Christmas scene and San Francisco). This one hangs in our living room. Greg surprised me with it for my birthday/Mother’s Day many years ago.
.

.
This hangs in the hall as you walk into our kitchen. I like these little collages of their early childhood. It’s fun to be able to display a bunch of photos that show their personalities.
.

.
This year’s school pictures in a beautiful frame Greg’s cousin gave us … 3 spots – perfect.
.

.
These photos line the stairway. Again – more personality and great shots Greg took.
.

.
This is one of the newest additions – this I PRAY canvas I created with my youngest’s picture and lyrics from my song. I LOVE IT and want to do some more like that. Below that is a trio of our oldest when she was just 4, being extra cute for Greg at the studio.
.

.
Here’s a photo wall in our family room.
.

.
Here is a Jack Vettriano painting we have in our dining room. Greg picked it out.
.

.
These framed prints are stencil art I created using PhotoShop. I love how they turned out and Greg framed them for me for Mother’s Day. He knows me so well – photos and art always make me happy.
.

.
This one’s downstairs … I captured my oldest boy playing with the sprinkler when he was about 4 – I think it’s sweet.
.

.
This is on a wall downstairs where we have some instruments and where our old keyboard used to be. When I made the transition to singer/songwriter, I knew I wanted this Martin Luther quote in our home. It reminds me of the importance of God’s Word and the gift of music He gave to us.
.

.
I have this in my craft room.
.

.
These are little canvases my oldest two created a LONG time ago. I have them hanging with this Learn to Fly metal art – they are also in my craft room.
.

.
And, last but not least – this trio is in my laundry room. I love the photo of my oldest holding my youngest. And the chalkboards hold our KAMIN oath: Kindness first, Always love, Make others smile, Invite others to know Jesus, Never give up. The other reminds us, before we leave the door, that we make a choice WHOM we serve. I pray we make the choice to follow & serve Jesus in each of our actions – big or small.
.

.
Well, there’s a look into what we surround ourselves with here at the Kamin house. Thanks, Sandy for hosting! Hop over to Sandy’s to see her lovely home and the others who have linked up.