“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” – Henri J.M. Nouwen

 Juli Isola │ Juli Isola Photography {San Clemente, California}

Suzie Ziemke │ Suzie Ziemke Photography {Mankato, MN}

“And though she be but little, she is fierce.” – William Shakespeare

Sonja Hardy │ Bobo + Peep Photography {Winnipeg, Manitoba}

Tara Marie Jurevicius │Little White Feather Photography {Springdale, Arkansas}

Amanda Monday │ BirdsDream Design {Iowa City, Iowa}

Bjorna Hoen Almaden │ Bjorna Hoen Photography {Thousand Oaks, California}

Nike, Goddess of Victory

“If you don’t imagine, nothing ever happens at all.” – John Green

Jennifer Lawrence | Jennifer Lawrence Photography {Nashville, Tennessee}

these hands… slid a ring onto my second left finger and asked me to hold them forever.

these hands… cut the cord that fed our unborn baby for nine precious months.

these hands… wiped my tears through painful memories, deaths, hurts and happiness alike.

these hands… have built a home full of character and every wish we speak fulfilled.

these hands… are made of love, of talent, of tenderness.

these hands… this man… hold(s) my heart.

Paige R Everson | Sweet Magnolia Photography-NY {Syracuse, NY}

My baby sister, with her baby girl.

Kim Hilliard │ Kim Hill Photography {Montgomery, AL}

Guest No. 13

you want to see their faces light up when they see you,
when they come running to you because you want to feel your love returned,
to feel needed.
yet, you want to see their backs,
their bodies turned away from you as they bravely go
because with each step they take in the opposite direction of you,
they become them.
the holding on and letting go is one of the most arduous dances of motherhood.

Heather Robinson | Heather Robinson Photography {Durham, NC}