I feel like Ang and I could talk for hours (and hours and hours and hours) about the reality of being a work-at-home mom.  We are fortunate to pursue passions that make us feel connected and driven and accomplished, and simultaneously, we get to experience the joy of being present for the little magical moments of childhood that aren’t created but just are…it’s not anything we do, but just being.  Being the one that fills the sippy cups, fixes hair bows, builds block towers, reaches for the snacks, takes the long walk route, celebrates potty victories, reads extra books before nap time, kisses and hugs and pats and marvels at our children while the world hustles by.

We get to do all of that, and yet, there are days when there really is zero feeling of balance and work deadlines creep in and stress escalates,

and all of those little moments that we painstakingly longed for while we were working at full-time jobs when our oldest were in daycare,

well, they go unnoticed.

The way she describes it hits me right in the heart.

“I’ve always thrived by chasing the hustle, by seeking to do and accomplish, by go-go-going.

And then I had children.

Now, I find myself in this constant state of wanting to do it all and wanting to do absolutely nothing.

It’s a daily balance of trying to maintain (and sometimes rediscover) my personal identity, while preserving the everyday moments with my children. I am acutely aware of how quickly this stage of life is moving, and it’s these moments of nothing where I find myself most relaxed, grounded, and truly soaking in motherhood and its fleeting moments of caring for young children.”

This.

This is the exact reason I created this session.  We’re all doing, doing, doing, and these moments are going, going, going gone.

There will always be deadlines and to-do lists, but just being should always be our priority.

Thank you all for sharing my excitement as I debuted this new type of session in collaboration with Wichita Moms Blog.

I can’t wait to preserve these moments in time for you and your littles.

xo

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Mamas provide this innate feeling of security in the little things they do for their family without even knowing they are doing them.

Snuggles for comfort, hands for reassurance, smiles for encouragement and praise and adoration.

These natural gestures that mean so much, that are so bountiful, yet almost unrecognized in the day-to-day flurry of mothering.

And it’s all of these moments, so special yet normal, so dignified yet nearly unnoticed, that give us what we need just by settling into her arms…home.

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The way he holds onto her dress, her hand on his back should he need her, the sense of calm she provides just by being near.

She’s his home.

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More beautiful words here from Sally herself about why she values photos with her children, mothering and loving, so very much.