A huge thanks to everyone who sent in photos. As I said below, this contest really does mean a lot to me. Having photos taken with your children is so important. I don't say this just because I am a children's photographer... I say this as a mom. Give your children memories they can look back on someday. Memories you can show at their weddings... memories they can share with their own children down the road.
Here you go. Each photo has a written submission, please read through all of them. Then you can vote at the poll on the left of this blog. Voting will last for three days-Closing Thursday at 9pm.
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The Past, Present, and Future of Loving My Girls:
Every smile, every frown, every grimace, and every tear serves as a deposit in my memory bank. The innocence of these gestures represents what my two angels mean to me as I reflect and reminisce 40 years from now.----------------------------------
What does my son mean to me? It's easy to say he means everything to me, the world to me. Even that doesn't seem to be enough. I love being a mother so much. Every time I look at him I thank God for this miracle he has given me. Nothing else that I do in my life will ever top being a mother, it is truly the best gift of all. On many occasions while Nathan is asleep at night I peek in on him and think to myself how lucky I am to have this little angel to love and to care for. Sometimes I feel that I don't deserve him, but I am so happy he is mine!
I am so thankful for my life and all those in my life but especially Nathan. More than once I have even thanked my son, it's because of him that I am closer to God now more than ever and I know anything is possible with him by my side.---------
I had been sifting through pictures trying to find a picture of my daughter and myself to submit to the Studio Williams photo contest. I found a handful of recent pictures of my daughter and I and then ran across a picture of my husband and my daughter. I look at this picture and think of the strength of the love my husband has for our daughter. When I was pregnant I was very worried that he'd be very disappointed if we had a girl because his father is ill and in his late 80's and really wanted to pass the family name on. We ended up having a girl and I was always thought in the back of my mind that Jeff may be a bit disappointed. A few months ago my daughter was learning to climb the steps and I looked down into the family room where I noticed he was looking at her so proudly. He said "I can't imagine not having that little girl- I love her so much". The look he had was very much like the look he has in this picure. The thing I love most about my
husband is the deep love he has for my child. I love my child, but to know that if anything ever happened to me I can say with absolute certainty that my child will continue to be wrapped in love and caring is of great comfort.
To me this picture says: "My daughter is the most prized thing in my life".-------
It is impossible for me to put words to the feelings I have for my children. They are my heartbeat. They are my best dream, my happiest day, they are my perfect wish........
Wishes Really Can Come True
I have been blowing out candles on birthday cakes for 35 years now. Each year I would wish for very important things...a new bike, that 'cool' outfit, the hottest CD, a fancy car, money, an engagement ring. You name it, I wished for it. I am intelligent enough to know that there is not really a Birthday Fairy who could grant my wish, but that never stopped me from sending my wishes their way! It wasn't until I became a mom, four months before my 33rd birthday, that my wishes changed. There I sat, staring at my cake, candles glowing, holding my son. I realized that all of my wishes had been granted. Well, I might not have gotten that new car or loads of money, but my son was proof that important wishes really can come true. This year, as I gazed at my cake, I was holding my daughter, my son was to my right...I wished for their health, their happiness and for endless days by their side. I sure hope the Birthday Fairy was listening.---------------------
In my 30+ years of life, I have never been asked an easier question. The answer is quite simple….EVERYTHING. They put the spring in my step and have brought back the sparkle in my eyes. Some days I just watch them in amazement and wonder, "what did I do to deserve them?" Even at 6am or earlier when they come walking into my room after I have been up past twelve again ironing, catching up on the laundry or picking up the toy room because the three of us were having so much fun we lost track of time and had to rush upstairs for bath time.
When I am feeling down all it takes from them is one smile, a slight touch or just a look in my directions and all is forgotten. And..oh..if only you could hear them giggle. That is music to my ears and gives me goose bumps it so adorable. When they are down, I would walk on water to make it all better for them. If they want to snuggle or need a hug, dinner may be burning in the oven and it doesn’t matter. In our house, there is a time to work, a time to play and always time for love, laughter and plenty of hugs and kisses going around.
So many people say that you have to remember you are not their best friend, but their mother. I’ll settle for both thank you very much. They bring out the kid in me when we are playing in mud puddles, having a snowball fight, wrestling on the floor or they convince me to do that cannon ball at the public pool with everyone watching and wondering if I have lost my mind. My girl’s night out now consists of chicken nuggets, french fries, the park and 3 girls watching Dora in my bedroom until who knows what time because mom is usually the first to fall asleep. It doesn’t get any better than that. OK, so those size 1 jeans are going to have to hang in the closet a little longer because my favorite t-shirt with the blueberry stain fits just right! I could spend a little more time in the gym, but that would cut into hide and go seek in the living room where I always act surprised when they continue to hide in the hall closet and wonder why I never find them. I may not look as good as I used to but I feel some much better than I ever have. Because I have two girls who love me no matter what. They tell me I am beautiful even on a bad hair day or first thing in the morning with my morning breath and dark circles under my eyes.
I want them to have everything I did not as a child, but I want them have all that I had too. There are times I wish I could put them in bubble and shield them from the rest of the world, but I would not want the world to go on without them. They are the one constant in my life, they keep me grounded and remind daily what is important in life. No longer do I sweat the small stuff. So..what do my children mean to me…they are me, they have made me who I am today and I would not want spend one day without them. Last night my 2 year old looked at me and said as she hugged me, "Mommy, you’re my best friend and I love you because you’re you."
Now, that’s what being a mom is all about!--------------
My daughter means the world to me! When I was pregnant, I thought I was in love with her...but after she was born (and everyday since) I've grown more and more in love with her. It is true that you can't imagine the love and feelings you will have for a little one until you actually have one of your own. I am so blessed to call her mine and I look forward to many more birthday celebrations with her.-------------------
