Do something that makes you smile

In December, I attended a photography workshop hosted by The House Of Flynn in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. I was fortunate enough to receive a full scholarship to attend, and I even got to bring my hubby along too! While I was there, I had the opportunity to have the fabulous Ashton Kelley-Werkmeister take some headshots of me. Normally, I am not the first one to jump up and volunteer to have my photo taken. But when I was in Mexico, I felt different. I actually wanted to have my photo taken. While I was gone, I had time to think about the Mother I want to be for my children. I want them to remember me smiling. I want them to remember me being happy. I don’t have many photos of myself for my children, since I am always behind the camera. I want my children to have photos of me at all points in my life, to remember me when I’m gone. I want them to know that they are the reason for my smile and my happiness. I don’t want them to remember me as the stressed out Mom I feel like I am. As Mother’s we are all so hard on ourselves. We put entirely too much pressure on our own shoulders and when we don’t meet the high standards we set for ourselves, we beat ourselves up over it. Over and over again. I’m guilty of doing it too. But what I learned while I was in Mexico, is that us Mom’s need to take care of ourselves too!!! I’m not saying you need to take a weeklong trip to Mexico (but if you can, you should!) but taking time to yourself, wether it be an hour at the nail salon, lunch with a friend, or a date night with your partner…you need to take time for yourself because it makes you a better Mom! When you don’t take the time to take care of yourself, everyone suffers. You included. You are drained and worn out and you just plain don’t wanna adult anymore. Motherhood is not for the faint of heart. Motherhood is hard. Really hard. And when we don’t take a break to thank ourselves for being the warriors that we are, it wears us down. I know. I’ve been there many times. Take the time to reward yourself Mom’s. You are worth it. Your babies want to see their Mommy smile. Do something today that makes you smile.

Here’s a few of my favorite shots of me in Mexico! Thank you again, Ashton for the headshots!!! XOXO