2016 holiday portraits: the mcclains

the season of mothering toddlers and preschool aged kids
was long and hard for me.

there were times i was sure there would be no light

at the end of that tunnel,

and it never seemed to help when someone with older kids would say,
"just think, they'll be grown before you know it!"
or
"they grow up so fast... cherish this time, miranda."
i would put on a smile and mumble
something that i thought resembled a thank-you,
but inside, i was screaming out
"THIS IS NOT HELPING ME!!
TODAY HAS TOTALLY SUCKED!!"

here i am, in the next stage with school aged kids,
and while yes, looking back, that season seems to have gone by too quickly,
i still remember all too vividly
the screaming matches i had with my three year old
over nap times and wet underwear and temper tantrums.
i'd like to think if i could go back just for a day,
i might have more patience, more grace for those sweet little souls.
i know for sure i would hold and cuddle them longer.

i've recently joined a brunch care team
that serves new moms and moms with small children.
we "older moms" are there to help encourage,
listen to, and pray with the younger moms.
and sometimes we get to hold their babies for them while they eat.
it's divine.
and it feels really important to be doing this,
caring for these young mamas in this way.
i think in a way,
i'm also caring for my younger mom-self...
and that feels redemptive.

i'm sure it's also why i love
photographing young families so much.
i actually do get to go back for a short time,
revisit that season, and document the sweetest and best moments of it.
it's truly a gift,
and i'm really thankful to get to do this type of work.

here are some of my favorites
from an afternoon with
the mcclain family...