Welcome to the whirlwind adventure that is my life. It looks a little like this: four kids running around at peak velocity and volume, two dogs rough-housing right under my feet, and a cat plotting world domination from the top of our bookcase. In the middle of all of this, I’ve embarked on a creative venture to launch Manning Road Photography.  Madness? Perhaps. Thankfully I’ve got an amazing (and very understanding) husband (AKA The Brakes) who’s there to help me navigate it all. And amidst the chaos, there’s a beauty that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Being a mom is a job in itself, but throw in a couple of hairy beasts and a business venture, and you’ve got a recipe for complete pandemonium. Some days I feel like I’m juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle on a tightrope.  That means the laundry might not get done today (or tomorrow either), and there are Golden-fur tumbleweeds wafting across the floor. 

“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf” -Jon Kabat-Zinn

So I’m trying to embrace the chaos and learning to master the tide.

There are some (eh-em, many) days when I feel that things are on the cusp of falling apart.  Parenting feels hard.  Parenting is hard.  And I don’t always handle it gracefully.  But, I’m making an effort to be present, to keep showing up.  And in the moments when I catch my kids sharing secrets, collaborating on a creative project or reading books cuddled together, I’m reminded that being present is always enough.  

No one needs one more thing on their to-do list, but starting my photography business was more than something to get done. This project scratches a creative itch.  It offers a space for me to think intentionally about the beauty and light in this world. And it allows me to purposefully frame these wonders for myself and others.  Because we all need more reminders of the astonishing beauty that fills our everyday moments.

So, here’s to embracing the chaos and to finding beauty in the mayhem. Welcome to my world—it’s a little messy, a lot chaotic, but it’s mine, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Stay tuned for more adventures from this mom with a camera, because trust me, this is just the beginning of the story.

Until next time,

Molly