Best & Worst Of La Buena Vida | 7 Links Meme

I was recently tagged in a post by Leah about the 7 Links Meme--once I read what it was about, I loved it. See, as a photographer, I've noticed that my personal favorites from a session are often different than the client's favorites. I'm sure this is true for bloggers as well--that some of our favorite posts, the ones that we are most proud of, aren't always necessarily the ones that are most popular. Sometimes, they just get lost in the shuffle. The 7 Links Meme is an opportunity for bloggers to say, 'Hey, this is what's most important to ME. This is what I'm really all about.' I'm excited to give you a little sneak peek into my secret thoughts about this blog, and I can't wait to hear more about what some of YOU think as well!

What this is about:
To unite bloggers (from all sectors) in a joint endeavor to share lessons learned and create a bank of long but not forgotten blog posts that deserve to see the light of day again.

Rules:
1) Blogger is nominated to take part
2) Blogger publishes his/her 7 links on his/her blog – 1 link for each category.
- Your most beautiful post
– Your most popular post
– Your most controversial post
– Your most helpful post
– A post whose success surprised you
– A post you feel didn’t get the attention it deserved
– The post that you are most proud of

3) Blogger nominates up to 5 more bloggers to take part.
4) These bloggers publish their 7 links and nominate another 5 more bloggers
5) And so it goes on!
6) The site Trip Base be sharing the best posts from participating bloggers on their blog and everyday on Facebook and Twitter at #My7Links 

#1-Most Beautiful Post: {Blessed}

Although there are many posts that could have fallen into this category (such as this post written just two hours after Lizzy was born), this particular post about Justin's anniversary date night surprise immediately popped into mind. It was just so needed, and I am still so thankful for it.

#2-Most Popular Post: To this day, I still often receive emails about {Lizzy's Nursey Reveal} Post.

Although her room doesn't look quite like this anymore (furniture has been rearranged since she was using the curtains to climb out of her crib), it is still one of my favorite rooms in the house. I can't help but smile every time I walk in. I'm so blessed to have such amazing family and friends who helped me bring this to life!

#3-Most Controversial Post: {Let's Talk About Adoption}
I have a hard time with this one, because I know it hurt some feelings. It wasn't my intent to bash foster/adoptive parents--you all do a wonderful job, and I apologize if you felt that my post was unkind. That truly wasn't my intent--the heart of this post was simply to attempt to provide another point of view that I don't see often in blog-land, which is that I understand completely why DHS/CPS puts such an emphasis on placement with family over non-relative placement/adoption.

#4- Most Helpful Post: {Lens Flare/Backlit Tutorial}

Not one of my more popular posts, but I think it's one of the more thorough of all the tutorials I've done. Hopefully it's helpful!

#4-Post Whose Success Surprised Me: {Before I Chicken Out}
I don't think I've ever had as many comments on a post as I did when I posted 30-Day Progress photos from doing Insanity. I've been meaning to take some updated photos, but I feel like the progress kind of pales in comparison!

#5- Post That Didn't Get The Attention It Deserved: {The Power of the Cross}

I was REALLY excited about the idea of doing our own blog-land version of Cardboard Testimonials for Good Friday this past year, and thought that it would be really well received both in terms of participants and in terms of comments. I was a little bummed that more of my blog friends didn't participate this year, but that's okay! There's always next year, right ;)

#7- Post That You're Most Proud Of: {Thinking About Christmas}
I still stand by everything that I wrote here. Also, it's not every day that the author of Lord, Save Us From Your Followers comments on one of your blog posts!

I'd love to see the 7 Memes posts from:

A Day In Mollywood
My Crazy, Unpredictable Life
Girl Meets Life
The Domestic Wanabe
Imperfect