Being a mother is something I dreamed about my entire life + something that makes me cry almost instantly, when I stop to think about the ways it has changed my life. It is one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. It has shaped + molded me into the person that I am today. These little people bring me much joy. More than I could ever put into words. Deep down, somewhere between this love + my mom-pride, comes a yearning to keep this love all to myself. A desire to protect these perfect little beings from the scariness of the world. To hold them close + never let them go. Because of this passion I have always been a little reserved about letting a photographer come into our home + capture pictures of us. You ask me to take them at the park, a studio, the lake, your house, any place in the world – sure thang. But the minute our home is involved, the guard walls go up + overprotective mom status is slapped on my forehead. Our home is my safe haven. The place where I go to lock out the rest of the world + soak up the love that we share as a family. I’m putting these feelings out on the table in hopes of sharing how much this place + these people truly mean to me. I love the time of life that we are in right now + I am so very grateful that I opened our doors for one afternoon so that we will have these memories to look back on forever.
In our home, we play, we cry, we color, we pray, we eat, we laugh, we clean, we read, we hide + seek, we dream + we love with a love that isn’t always seen by the outside world. Our walls are scuffed with scooter marks + finger prints cover the majority of our windows. We love to dance in the kitchen + all sleep in the same bed. Also note, I take great pride in my vacuum lines. Our home is where we hide from the world, where we learn, where we forgive + where spend our waking + sleeping moments as a family. My element, my people, my home – – – my happy.
My very favorite people, in our very favorite place.
This is my very favorite Sonnet James dress. I love that it allows me to continue to play + to clean + to chase without skipping a beat. I was so thrilled to work with some of my dearest girlfriends, Shelby, Erica + Lindsey, to capture a place or a moment that means the most to each of us. The minute I saw the BRAVE video from Sonnet James I knew we were a match made in Heaven. Remember my love for that song? click here, if not.
Right now is one of my favorite motherhood phases of life thus far. I’m not saying that I don’t look forward to nap time when I get two extra minutes to enjoy my grapefruit in silence, but these boys, they truly are my very best friends. They are my favorite part about me. I am ever so grateful for Jon, who works hard during the day so that I can stay home + take care of our boys. We would never make it without him. I love that Jonah looks after Riggins + sprints to his crib every morning. I love that Riggins laughs harder at Jonah than at anyone else. I love that they scream for joy when Jon gets home from work + that they have his “park” shoes waiting on the back step ready to go. I love that they need to be loved + enjoy our attention more than any toy in the world. I am forever grateful for Sami Jo for coming over to take these pictures of us. She has become one of my very favorite friends + is one of the most humble photographers I’ve ever known. She also doesn’t mind if you don’t have your make up on yet when she gets to your house. (uhhhhhhh- – -oops) I have learned that we really don’t need much to make us happy in life. Just gotta find what triggers your happy + stick with it. Life is too short to do much else.
I can’t read your blog without leaving a fan-girl comment.
YOU ARE JUST SO DARLING!
Seriously! And those adorable boys, Ah I die! They and just too cute.
Thank you for sharing all these beautiful pictures. That Sami Jo is such a gem. You make me excited to be a mom one day <3
Ging, I love you to death.
This post couldn’t have been written better — you made my mama heart burst with every word I read.
Those boys are so lucky to have you, as you are lucky to have them.
Isn’t this motherhood gig just the very best?!?
xoxo
annie – – – you, my dear, are such a sweetheart. I know that one day our paths will cross! I want to give you a hug. You are going to be such an incredible mom, I just know it! Thanks for your sweet words. xx
erica – – – you’re the worlds greatest friend. motherhood really is incredible. especially with supportive friends like you. thanks for making me feel like i’m doing something right. you have made my life better since i met you. what a fun collaboration to work on together. thanks for being in my life! i love you! xx
gah. you’re too gorgeous. love these pics! they make my heart so happy.
Um hello!!! Sweetest pictures and loveliest post of all time. I just love you lady. You really are such a good mom. Watching you with your boys and seeing how patient and loving you are with them inspires me to try harder with my little bugs. It really is such a gift to be a mom and those two are so lucky to have you as theirs. I know how much you love them, but I’ve got to tell you, their love for you is obvious just in the way they look at you.
(And as a side note, this is the third time I’m trying to post this so if for some reason you get three other variations of the same comment I apologize. Embarrassing.)
Kelli – – – Thanks so much, sweet friend! YOU make MY heart so happy! Miss you all the time! xx
Laura – – – For some reason I went back through my photography tag + am seeing this comment that I missed previously. Can I just say that you made my day! Hearing such a compliment from a mother as incredible as you sinks to my core! I love you for being so encouraging! Thank you so much! I hope we get to see you guys soon! xx
Ginger, sounds like you are doing this Motherhood thing right. Bless you.
Dorothy Parish Daves