When I was first asked to be a part of this project, I was admittedly very excited for the group of photographers I'd be working with. They're an amazingly talented group of women. I was also looking forward to documenting a new aspect of our lives, which I gave little (or no) attention to with the camera. Yet it is such a significant part of our everyday. These left-behind toys, the messes, the food, the strewn about clothes; somedays, I think they're staring me in the face, laughing. You vacuumed? ha! You just emptied the sink? Too bad! The entry way has been cleared of shoe piles & coat mountains? Nope, not today! But a funny thing happened to me, with this photo project. I am now pausing more & taking more deep breaths. Do I still enjoy all these messes? If I'm being honest, not so much, but incorporating my photography into the daily disasters has given me a new perspective. I know that 'the days are long, but the years are short,' but sometimes I have to remind myself about the years. Most the time the kids remind me, even though I prefer being reminded by myself. When they do the reminding, it sort of provides a big ole' emotional jerk that I am completely unprepared for. Even though I know it's happening, I'm still not ready for it. I'm not sure I'm ready for all the 'remember when's...' either, but I don't have much choice. So I see this project as the perfect opportunity to help me treasure what's happening now, & embrace it.

Remember when you (Rylee) were so proud of yourself, for tracing your hand & then drawing 'rainbows' all over it. Then you stuck it on the window, proclaiming "It sticks!" (thanks to the double-sided tape that has been on the window for months).

Remember how both you boys love to get measured, & how you (Rylee) decided to circle everyone's names, "...so it was easier to read our names."

Remember when you (Covey) tried so hard to get that life ring on the front of your boat, & I told you it didn't fit, but then you discovered the piece was actually upside down; & so it did fit.

Remember that night, I built you boys' a fort, with hopes you (Covey) would sleep in your room, all night long. It didn't work, but you love the fort.

Remember that drawing you (Rylee) brought home from kindergarten, that you were so proud of. It seems to float around the house, specifically your bedroom; the other day I found it your window.

Remember the day you (Rylee) climbed off the window ledge in your bedroom, & brought the wooden dinosaur bank down with you. The now headless dinosaur bank.