Let's Get Real
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family sessions
When my girls were born, I "retired" from teaching. I became a "SAHM" as the tagline now has it labeled...(that's Stay At Home Mom) I relished the opportunity and being a teacher, let's just say that our house "became" a classroom for MANY years. For one year even, I just homeschooled them because, we were basically doing that anyway.
I loved those days of zoo trips & long walks...counting things & naming our colors...sorting clothes & groceries...counting coins & pressing the autumn leaves in books...the list just goes on and on...
and then the girls got older...
and they went to school full time...
and they have friends and homework and sports and school activities...
They didn't need mom to "count coins" anymore...
Don't get me wrong, they NEED me...but, in different ways now...they have become more independent and their dad & I are teaching them to make decisions on their own...
it's part of parenting...the letting go...
The thing is...as a wife/mom first, with my rolls changing ever so quickly it seems, I needed something else to occupy my brain cells during the times they were out of my sight...
This is partly how CT Photo Memories came into existence...
but, let me share with you the "new" set of challenges that have befallen me...and being REAL, I will say that I am in awe of those moms that seemingly have this "balance" thing down pat!!!
I'm not sure if it's the lack of concentration, the easily distracted or what it is, but trying to "get it all done" has escaped by grasp...by a longgggggggg shot!
I'm "finishing up" this fall season..but in actuality, it's a long way from being over...I have folders and folders to process through and get galleries delivered...this produces hours of computer time, intermixed with school volunteering, sick kiddos, school trips and still the occassional photo session thrown in the mix (i.e. today at 1pm)
I'm not complaining by any means...this is a GOOOOOOD life...this is a GREAT "job"...
I'm learning the art of balance (and kinda failing at it in many areas...but I will not give up!!!)
My girls understand that it's a season...that Mom can't necessarily "leave work at work"...it's an ongoing thing right now...I drop everything for helping with homework or cuddling sickies...but dinner may not be finished until 7pm and you will probably be wearing the same pair of jeans for 3 days straight.
It's this balance of the lifestyle we want to create for our family coupled with the business continuing to grow at a rate that is manageable....at the same time still being able to encourage, be generous, be involved in the things that truly matter most...
it's this balancing act...
I don't claim to have it figured out either...and yet, I'm learning...I learn from the families that I meet...the other photographers with whom I'm friends...from reading my daughters & husband and trying to catch the subtle cues and trusting that the decisions we make, even if wrong, will work themselves out in the end...
The most amazing & most comforting of all...is the love and support...the unconditional loyalty that comes wtih a family...
...the "I'm always here"..."I'll always love you"...
Those are the the principles, the heart lessons that are taught early on...the recognition of value to sons & daughters that continues into their adulthood, that they eventually pass down to their children as well...
I see it in this family especially...the teamwork of parenthood...the committment to fostering that uncontitional love & respect...the "timeout" when needed to just chill together and BE...the tiny reminders that "you mean the world to me"...
THIS is what matters most...
we "work" to live....but we LIVE for the relationships...the connections...the loving without conditions...