Stories in Seven | February

Welcome back to Stories In Seven, a blog circle where some of your favorite documentary family photographers come together on the seventh of each month to tell you one of their stories in just seven frames.  Once you've made it to the end this post click on the link at the bottom to be carried off to a new story.  Keep on going until you have come full circle.

I am incredibly lucky to have my parents living just 30 minutes away.  Seriously, without their consistent presence and support, I don't know where I would be.  Well, maybe I do.  I'd probably be a total mess, instead of just mostly a mess :).  

My mom comes to visit us at least once a week in the middle of the day, often times more than that.  She plays with my youngest, so I can get quality time with my oldest.  Or she may entertain both of them so I can sneak off to eat uninterrupted, get a load of dishes done, or sometimes even take a shower...alone...ah!  She's a real sanity saver!  

I'm not gonna lie, my house is pretty much always a total wreck, which probably goes without saying given the ages of my kids.  My mom can't stand it.  She's a pretty tidy person, and can't help her self when she comes over; she's gotta clean something. I must admit the help is pretty awesome, but it also makes me fell pretty bad.  Her time is far better spent nurturing the wonderful  relationships with her grand children than pushing around a broom.  Lately I've been making more of an effort to get at least the living room somewhat presentable before she arrives, so that she can feel free to just hang with kiddos.  

The kids are always so excited to see her.  They run to the door squealing "Nanny, Nanny!" with arms stretched; she was previously Grammy but Benji decided Nanny was better.  She often comes with gifts for them, sometimes a bag of freshly baked cookies, a piece of fruit, or a little trinket from the dollar bin at Target.  It doesn't matter what it is, big or small, the kids always love it because it came from her.  Some days her gift isn't tangible, it's simply time spent, which for my littles is the best of all.  

Today, Hannah was quick to grab her lunch plate from the table and join Nanny on the couch for snuggles and one-on-one before big brother came to hog all the attention.  I love watching them together, my two favorite girls.  They are so sweet and loving, and they make each other laugh constantly.  There is no denying their connection - it's deep, and crazy beautiful!

Keep on going!  Visit the amazing Stories-in-Seven collaborator Amy Bundy of Amy Jay Photo as she shares her story with you.

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