I won!!

July 22, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Military Life, New Mexico, Photos 

Coined! blog

I am still in shock!

Daniel wrangled (LIED) me onto base this morning under the guise of a meeting with “Very Important People” that have a lot of brass pinned to their chests, for a meet and greet in honor of “Year of the Air Force Family.”

I had no clue whatsoever what the meeting was really for. I had gotten the children all dressed in nice clothes – girls in their matching Easter dresses, the boy had on the bow tie that matched the girl’s outfits – I was wearing white and make-up. Indeed, we were ready to meet these VIP’s.

When we walked into the room I saw my photo blown up on a board and sitting on an easel. I saw the prize pack and a lot of people smiling.

It slowly dawned on me why I was really in that room!

Stunned wouldn’t really describe how I was feeling.

It was wild! Before I knew it I was shaking people’s hands and hearing about all that I had won and how proud everyone is. About how next they are going to schedule a time to have the Wing Commander present my prizes and certificate to me, and how my picture is going to be on the website and in base paper. The Commander even coined me!

Seriously, I’m just me. Andrea. The redheaded dork who bares her stomach on the World Wide Web. I’m the girl who takes photos for fun and because I love to. I don’t actually win stuff! My photos aren’t nationally recognized. I mean, c’mon!

Truthfully, you guys are the ones who really won the contest for me. I entered my photo on a whim. Without your votes I wouldn’t be in this position today. Apparently over 800 votes were cast for my photo. Wow!

Thank you.

Here’s where I get mushy. But just for a second, I promise…

Thank you for believing in me. And in my photo. Your votes of confidence meant the world to me.

And in the effort for full disclosure, I did indeed do the happy dance. Though I waited until I got home. I restrained my glee while in front of “The Very Important People.”

Daniel was so relieved.

Comments

44 Responses to “I won!!”

  1. Lauren W on July 22nd, 2010 3:46 pm

    YAY!!! That’s awesome! Congratulations :D

  2. G. on July 22nd, 2010 3:50 pm

    Congrats! You deserve it!

  3. Kristin on July 22nd, 2010 4:02 pm

    Congratulations!
    Kristin´s last blog ..Non-Feet Related News My ComLuv Profile

  4. Lina Martin on July 22nd, 2010 4:09 pm

    wow, i might have not been able to keep that happy dance inside that long. did you squeal? because i DEFINITELY would have.

    you totally deserve it andrea, that pic was amazing!

    as are you!

    and, um, can we please see a matching children outfits picture? because, i am in love with matching outfits :)
    Lina Martin´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday- Leans to the Left Edition My ComLuv Profile

  5. Danica on July 22nd, 2010 4:21 pm

    Oh!! You won!! I am so glad you won!

  6. Heather on July 22nd, 2010 4:28 pm

    You deserve it!! Congrats, girl! Your photo was the best and I’m not just saying that because I have mad love for you!
    Heather´s last blog ..Someone Should Tell That Girl on The Bachelorette That This is What Love Really Looks Like My ComLuv Profile

  7. Anna on July 22nd, 2010 4:50 pm

    Yay! It is such an awesome picture, you deserved to win! Congrats:)

  8. Cassandra on July 22nd, 2010 5:00 pm

    You really deserved to win. I looked through a lot of the photo’s and yours really did stand out. I’m so happy you received the recognition you deserve! Congratulations!
    Cassandra´s last blog ..Hes my home My ComLuv Profile

  9. Keri on July 22nd, 2010 5:02 pm

    I’m just thrilled for you! And a coin to boot? So cool! Will you be able to have a picture OF your picture at the Pentagon? That would be neat :)
    Keri´s last blog ..Tradition My ComLuv Profile

  10. Sarah on July 22nd, 2010 5:18 pm

    Woot! Woot! Congrats girl.

  11. Delta Whiskey on July 22nd, 2010 5:26 pm

    So very happy for you!

  12. Bethany on July 22nd, 2010 5:52 pm

    Congratulations!! I’m proud to have voted for you. You totally deserved to win. :D

  13. Anne on July 22nd, 2010 5:53 pm

    Congrats! It is a wonderful picture. Glad you got some well deserved praise…..enjoy it!

  14. speaking of mama accomplishments: SHE WON! » Crystal Butler Photography Blog on July 22nd, 2010 6:17 pm

    [...] not sure what it all means…maybe Andrea will fill us in.  But go over and congratulate her!!! Posted in lifting up [...]

  15. Crystal on July 22nd, 2010 6:21 pm

    yaaaaaaaaaaaay! I don’t win stuff, either, so I live vicariously through friends who are talented enough to…

    CONGRATS!!!
    Crystal´s last blog ..we My ComLuv Profile

  16. Kristina on July 22nd, 2010 8:55 pm

    Yay!!!!!!!! I’ve been watching the website. Gary wants you to know that I voted 750 times. It’s not that I’m so much a stalker, as a bit obsessive. ;-)

    Really, though, I looked at the other pictures, and I loved yours the best. You deserve it! Congratulations!

  17. Ashlie on July 22nd, 2010 9:13 pm

    woo-hooo! Congratulations! :)

  18. jen on July 22nd, 2010 11:15 pm

    congratulations!!! it’s an amazing photo :)
    jen´s last blog ..my pet heron My ComLuv Profile

  19. Jan Hernandez on July 23rd, 2010 1:00 am

    Congrats, Andrea (I’m Crystal’s mom, btw) — you and your photo absolutely deserve the honor. That photo perfectly captures the military family. You say you’re “just you,” but quite obviously God has gifted you with a wonderful talent… which makes your humility all the more endearing. Sadly some talented/gifted folks become full of themselves, confusing arrogance for confidence. Please don’t lose your charm!!

  20. Tina on July 23rd, 2010 2:00 am

    You are AWESOME!!

  21. Jennifer on July 23rd, 2010 2:38 am

    I’m so happy for you! When I logged on and read that you won, I felt teary eyed. I tried to get on and vote for you everyday, and of course some days I missed voting because having a newborn and a 2 1/2 year old does that. But… I’m so very happy for you!!!
    Jennifer´s last blog .. My ComLuv Profile

  22. Gillian on July 23rd, 2010 4:56 am

    Congratulations! I love your photo and was very happy to vote for it a few times :)

    I second the request to see the matching outfits :D

    Enjoy the buzz of winning – what a great day!

  23. trixiefan on July 23rd, 2010 9:52 am

    Congratulations!I was wondering if the winner had been decided yet. I tried to vote everyday. Your picture is truly wonderful!

  24. autumnesf on July 23rd, 2010 9:57 am

    Your picture captures the complexity of our husbands lives so well…and in extension, ours too. It was the perfect photo and deserved to win. It was a wonderful kick in the gut every time I looked at it. Perfect subject matter girl!
    autumnesf´s last blog ..Why I Love Family Camping My ComLuv Profile

  25. SaraG on July 23rd, 2010 10:49 am

    Woo Hoo!!! That is just awesome. It was an incredible picture after all and very worthy of the WIN!!!!!
    Take care and have a great weekend.
    SaraG´s last blog ..Cox Arboretum – 7-11-2010 My ComLuv Profile

  26. Misty on July 23rd, 2010 11:04 am

    I am SO excited for you!! I voted as often as i could remember! :) I have been highly anticipating the post on if you won or not. This seems to be a big deal…I thought it was only for a camera(albeit a nice camera)…it sounds like it is much more. I hope you share some photo’s of the upcoming event and the article when it comes out. Super happy for you!!!

    Your photos are beautiful. :)

  27. Leslie on July 23rd, 2010 1:58 pm

    Im so glad you won! Congratulations! I love your photo so much!

  28. Sarah M. on July 23rd, 2010 2:12 pm

    WHOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

  29. nichole on July 23rd, 2010 2:14 pm

    Congrats!!! I am constantly in awe of your photography skills. I have a camera but I can never seem to take the pictures that I want. Yours are truly stunning.
    nichole´s last blog ..Deep in the Heart of Texas My ComLuv Profile

  30. LINDA HENDRICKS on July 23rd, 2010 2:24 pm

    I looked at a lot of the other pictures. This was a no brainer. You deserved to win! Congratulations!!

  31. Beka on July 23rd, 2010 3:28 pm

    Aw, that’s so cool!
    Congrats, dear!!
    Beka´s last blog ..what a rainy day- My ComLuv Profile

  32. Courtney on July 23rd, 2010 5:18 pm

    Congratulations! so happy for you :)
    Courtney´s last blog ..I Heart Faces – All About Babies My ComLuv Profile

  33. tracee on July 23rd, 2010 10:38 pm

    oh yay! It really was a beautiful photo, and you so deserve the happy dance and all that goes with it. Congratulations!
    tracee´s last blog ..Mountains- hot springs- and big black canyons My ComLuv Profile

  34. Hilary on July 24th, 2010 10:06 am

    Yeah!!!!

  35. Ashley Pierce on July 24th, 2010 10:22 am

    Congratulations! YOU DESERVED IT! Your pictures are full of emotion! I am so excited for you!!
    Ashley Pierce´s last blog ..Introducing My ComLuv Profile

  36. Erin Maley on July 24th, 2010 4:19 pm

    I’m so happy for you! You really deserved to win… your photo was beautifully peaceful and lovely- so glad it won. :)
    Erin Maley´s last blog ..Pumpkin Pie My ComLuv Profile

  37. Rachel on July 24th, 2010 6:51 pm

    CONGRATULATIONS! It’s a beautiful picture! You have a beautiful family :) .
    So happy for you and your exciting win!! :)
    Rachel´s last blog ..Why does eating GF have to be so gosh-darn expensive! My ComLuv Profile

  38. Jessica Lynn on July 25th, 2010 10:58 am

    Congratulations! It was a fantastic, amazing picture :)
    Jessica Lynn´s last blog ..Five For Friday My ComLuv Profile

  39. Rita Joiner on July 25th, 2010 5:46 pm

    Ha, how cool!
    Rita Joiner´s last blog ..Just pictsies My ComLuv Profile

  40. Ana on July 25th, 2010 8:58 pm

    I’m a little late reading this, but wanted to say congratulations!! That’s so exciting!
    Ana´s last blog ..I Need a Nap My ComLuv Profile

  41. Melissa on July 26th, 2010 7:57 am

    Congratulations!!! That is an awesome picture you submitted!
    Melissa´s last blog ..Catching up at the Pool My ComLuv Profile

  42. Staci on July 26th, 2010 9:24 pm

    Congrats!

  43. Jamie on July 28th, 2010 2:58 am

    Hi Andrea! I have been reading your blog since I knew blogs existed! I stumbled across yours one day and have been a faithful “lurker” since! When I saw this in a magazine or website (I have deployment fog brain, so I am not really sure which), I almost fell outta my chair! I was so excited for you! I have not had access to my computer recently so I had missed a lot on your blog so I had no idea you were in this competition! I am so excited that you won, you definitely deserve it! Your photography is beautiful and is absolutely a work of art:-)

  44. Melissa on July 30th, 2010 11:52 am

    Yay!!!!! Andrea I am so happy for you that you won and you deserved to win! It was an amazing photo from an amazing Air Force family and I’m really proud of you! You are an amazing photographer and I have thought that from the first time I read your blog.
    Melissa´s last blog ..MilSpouse Friday Fill-In My ComLuv Profile