I can’t help but smile as I watch this…  This little man is quite obviously loved beyond measure.  His birthday was such a beautiful afternoon filled with snuggles, giggles, kisses, balloons and complete adoration!  I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed being invited in to document such a special occasion.

There are moments that pass us by in an instant.  Some of them are small, but it seems that the ones that have more weight and sentiment pass just as quickly as the little ones.  Why is that?  I can’t help but feel sad just a little as my own babies grow.  There is so much wonder, innocence and simplicity in these younger years.  It’s not easy by any means.  Too often we as parents absorb the brunt of teething, sniffles and all of the work of parenthood.  It can create a haze that makes the glasses we look at life through a bit hazy and sometimes a little blue.

But then there are those moments that cut through that haze.  They remind us to look back and see how far we have come, and how amazing the journey really is!  That we are actually SUCCEEDING and it’s not because we were the best parents on the block, but because we know our children, and we love them well.

These are the times that we need to be determined to remember.

To never forget the sweet moments.

To remember the journey.

To be grateful for the reality.

Birthdays have always been a time that draw me in to this process.  Parenting is HARD, but as each of my children get a little bit older, I can’t help but admire how beautiful our life really is.  It’s not perfect, but it’s ours, and it’s real, and that is far better than perfect will ever be.