Littleton // At Home Session

This was the epitome of everything I love about "at home" family sessions, which truly, are the greatest greatest greatest: 1) you can shoot them at any time of the year 2) you feel like you're capturing something real, something authentic 3) everyone feels more relaxed, more inspired to be themselves 4) you walk away feeling like friends. I hope the bright colors, the bright light, the bright baby eyes -- and the bright hearts -- of these photos help make your day feel a little more luminous, a little more vivid. Looking through this session takes me back to a morning filled with Annie's playful spirit, Noella's baby stretches, Brad's sweet sense of humor (I love the photos of him on the rocking horse and yawning with Noella), and Meghan's tender heart as she nursed her newborn and told me about how different and magical motherhood is the second time around. I loved every second of this shoot because I felt so welcomed me this family's home and into their lives. I drove him  thankful for my time with them and for all I learned about parenting two little people with a big kind of love.A fun side note, for all you folks out there who love spring cleaning, the Marie Kondo craze, and/or list making (I'm looking at you, enneagram 1s): I've been following Meg's blog where she writes posts about organization and home life. I loved what she wrote in one of her recent articles about survival mode: "It is difficult for me to give to others while I am focusing on keeping my head above water." I can relate, sister. This past weekend, we celebrated Joe's birthday, attended Joe's college a'cappella group's 25th reunion, threw a surprise engagement party for two of our best friends, and iced a maybe (?) broken finger after I smashed it in the car door. Today, Joe and I woke up at 8am (what the what!), and we both woke up feeling like swamp creatures. We emerged from the mucky waters, and looked around.Anddddd...Our house is a mess. (So messy that I wouldn't let me mother-in-law take Sophie home from the party yesterday.) Our laundry is still in piles, waiting to be put away. Dishes, piled in the sink. Cluttered desk. Dirty floors. And, in two days, Joe and I fly out to Charlotte for a conference, and we're leaving Sophie for the first time. I'm anxious and scattered and feel like I'm underwater.So. I'm going to take Meg's advice and do one thing at a time today-- finishing each task until completion. Because, she's right. "Moving past survival mode creates stability and gives us the ability to serve others." And even in the midst of all the busyness of life, that's what we're called to do. Serve others. And through serving them, loving them.