“My motherhood has been a story of grace upon grace and learning to trust the timing of things.

My husband and I tried to have a baby right when we got married. Looking back, I think I was the baby, having just graduated college at 21, and I’m grateful it wasn’t the right time for us to get pregnant and that we got a few extra years to ourselves, to grow both individually and together before growing our family. We moved a bunch, across the country and changing careers before deciding to try again.

When I had my first, I was in the thick of it – I had a difficult physical recovery and unexpected postpartum depression. I thought it would never end and that the rest of my life would be perpetually painful, physically and emotionally. But just like conceiving, the waiting and working through was worth it; I just needed the time. And even now, three years later, I’m learning that there is no “right way” to raising children or giving birth or getting pregnant, but there will always be ups and downs and phases and stages and regressions and growth. (And yes, the second time was a piece of cake in comparison!) It is all messy and miraculous, and my mission has just been to have the proper perspective about it all, that everything is a gift that I am grateful to steward.

As my kids get older, I’m wrestling with all the do’s and don’ts about things like sugar, screen time, and social interactions. When I get stressed or feel that mom guilt creep in, I have to remind myself that boundaries and schedules can be used for good, but I also have to trust in what only time will tell. This might mean letting them have a few Skittles before lunch or letting that next Netflix episode play. And instead of feeling shame or guilt, I have faith that at the end of the day, my kids are still alive and growing, and at the end of my time taking care of them (but does that ever really end for moms?), my kids will be men and women of courage and compassion, gracious, generous and God-fearing, not because I never gave them dessert before dinner or kept everything in check, but because I was their best example, far from perfect but continually looking to the Perfector of all things.” Jensine, Mother

 

“I recently had the opportunity to photograph my friend, Jensine, and her second child, Norah, who at the time of the session was only four weeks old. What I loved about our session was that it was a glimpse into their lives and their growing bond as mother and daughter – one of love and grace and tenderness.” Nathalie, Photographer

 

NATHALIE CHENG PHOTOGRAPHY
Additional Vendors:  Film processed by:  Richard Photo Lab