There is something special about family photos at home. And PTL, we had a beautiful, sunny spring day in San Clemente. I had the distinct privilege of documenting my dear friend, Brianna in her home with her two kids–Roxy Rae (4 months) and Logan (2 years). Although, she’s always good for a laugh and a word from God, Brianna isn’t shy about being honest about how equally tough and sweet it is to be a mom to two kids at a young, dependent age. We had a sweet conversation about momming, while we shot some photos and home movies.
Zo’e: If you could go back to talk to Brianna–mother of one–and give her one piece of advice for the season you are now mother to two, what would it be?
Brianna: I think it would be that every season or every stage is just that–it's just a phase and nothing lasts forever. I think that's the good and the bad.
Zo’e: How do you wish to connect with God so your children will learn to do the same?
Brianna: I want to practice connecting with God in a really deep, intimate way that just transcends daily life, because I don't really have the space or time to have like long God times [like I did before having kids]. It's more like throughout my day–I squish in a 10 minute devo here and there, turn on worship music while we're cleaning or making dinner, pray out loud with my kids when we’re laying down to sleep, or whatever it might be. So I feel like they're involved in everyday moments and God is really close in it, too, which has been really sweet.
Zo’e: What is the most challenging part of your current season of motherhood and how have you overcome that challenge?
Brianna: Uhm…I feel like I have not overcome it, yet. [she laughs]. I’m still learning that one, but I think the most challenging part for me is basically if I’m getting anything done outside of taking care of the kids–like fun things on my own time, but also even cooking or cleaning and stuff. I think I'm just shifting my mind to accept that it looks different now–like I can use Instacart to grocery shop or–I used to love to paint–so instead of like free painting, I do paint by numbers–which is a lot less creative, but it at least gets my brush to paper and it's a little something. I’m definitely still learning that one.
Zo'e: What do you want to remember about your life as it is right now?
Brianna: This might sound cheesy, but I honestly want to remember everything about my life right now. Between the way Logan’s face lights up when he sees a helicopter to how he laughs when I chase him. [I want to remember] Roxy’s little hair and her endless smiles. Even the hard things, because I think, looking back with my husband about the challenges that we’ve faced, we realize we're a lot stronger than we think we are and we can see where we’ve come from and where we're going and it just makes you appreciate the beauty that much more.
