A few months back, a sweet blogger over at Doing The Mom Thing tagged me in a photo meme. I’m just finally getting around to it now. No, no I didn’t forget. OK, yes I did forgot. You caught me.
The idea of this meme is to go through your photos, select the 8th folder and the 8th image within that folder. That works, if you are organized, which I am not. So I went through iPhoto, picked the 8th “event” of the kiddo and the 8th photo in that event. Here’s what I found.
[singlepic id=426 w=500]
At first this photo didn’t mean a whole lot, until I started looking at the photos surrounding it. This was taken just a few weeks after the kiddo broke his leg and had a cast put on. It was also taken shortly after I quit my job.
That took my breath away. Thinking back to our first few days and weeks together. Learning all about each other, the ins and outs of caring for a toddler full time. Trying (and failing) to keep my sanity in tact. Trying (and again failing) to keep the house clean and orderly, with dinner on the table every night.
Ever since this photo was taken, I’ve been trying to come into my own as a stay-at-home mom. Which has taken longer than I expected. I’m still trying to find my identity. But I look back on this photo with fond memories and the sense that I am in the exact place in my life that I should be. And that is a great thing.
This photo represents beginnings and endings. While it hasn’t always been an easy transition from working to stay-at-home, it’s been worth every single second. Every mistake was countered by rainy days cuddling on the couch. Days that resulted in tears from the kiddo and myself were encouraged by days of constant play, learning new things, and just plain being around to witness firsts.
While the photo itself isn’t anything extraordinary, it’s meaning is.
Now it’s your turn. I’m supposed to tag 8 people in this meme, but really I can’t pick just 8. If you are inspired, and if your photos are well organized, go for it. And let me know when you do, I’d love to come over and check it out.
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What a great way to gauge how far the Lord had brought you!
.-= Muthering Heights´s last blog ..Would You Like To Walk a Mile in These Shoes? =-.
The meaning behind the photo and where it falls in your storytime is quite meaningful. Thanks for sharing it!
Mine WW is up here {with linky} http://www.sliceoheaven.us/2010/06/ww-musical-chair.html
Oh, how I love the way one picture can create so many memories! Love love love!
.-= Cecily R´s last blog ..365 and Week 24 =-.
Thanks for sharing the story behind the photo. We do tend to look at certain photos and marvel at how far we’ve come…
.-= Buckeroomama´s last blog ..Noooooodles =-.
What a beautiful post! I’d not trade being a SAHM for anything, truly.
.-= Sarah at SmallWorld´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: Make Way for Geese =-.
Who knew that such a random photo could trigger such big things? If it helps any, I’ve been home for quite some time and am still searching…
.-= TheKitchenWitch´s last blog ..Veg-Head Tuesday: The Spectacular Shroom =-.
@TheKitchenWitch, Does the search ever end? I kind of hope not, I’m not ready to stop learning, trying and growing.
It’s amazing what memories a feelings a photo can bring to us. Thanks for sharing this…
What a treasure to have this picture surrounding your happenings to be home! Being a SAHM is a blessing!
Thank you for sharing such a sweet picture!
.-= Sherry´s last blog ..Summer Ready Feet! =-.
@Sherry, It is such a huge blessing. I’m so glad that I get to have this experience.
I loved reading about the history behind the picture. Transitioning into a stay at home mom is surprisingly complex, isn’t it?
.-= angie´s last blog ..Wordful Wednesday-Summer Begins =-.
@angie, It really is, more complex than I could have ever imagined.
Isn’t that something how one image can have a lot of meaning. Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Wow, that is so sweet! I love looking back at photos and seeing just how far things have come. I was doing something similar today as it marks exactly one year since I went back to work after my maternity leave. You’re an awesome mommy! Thanks for participating in this — I had forgotten about it too.
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..You Know You’re a Mom When… =-.
@Kristin, I just passed what would have been the 2 year mark for me going back to work. I was happy to realize that I don’t miss it at all!
What a sweet picture and an even sweeter post about it. I just jumped over here from Corrine’s. Come see me!
@Laura, Glad you stopped by. I’ll be visiting soon.
You need to find your identity within yourself, not in what you “do.”
I also do not have photos organized into folders, or even by subject. This would be an impossible challenge for me.
Love your thoughts behind it tho.
Love the picture AND the meaning behind it. It’s a good reminder for me to take a step back and appreciate these days I have with my kids as a SAHM. Even the days where I want to pull my hair out and miss my job desperately, I still feel LUCKY for these days with the kids. Days that I know I’ll soon miss. Great post!
.-= becca´s last blog ..Too much Truth? =-.
This is just what I was thinking. When you write about the photo representing beginnings and ends, I thought about the way in which motherhood is all about the yin and the yang – the beginnings and the ends, the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. I am so grateful for posts like these that remind me to embrace all of it, all at once. Thanks, Allison. (Your little one is adorable, by the way!)
@Kristen @ Motherese, Well said. I’m just coming down from a difficult day with the kiddo, but it ended in deep belly laughs. That made it all worth while.
@becca, I just had one of those pull your hair out kind of days. But I’d still never trade it for the world.
staying at home is hard. don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
xo
.-= MommyNamedApril´s last blog ..We’ve Been Talking About My Sister Sally Lately. I Suspect That Trend Will Continue For a While Considering She’s Getting Marrrried Soon. =-.
@MommyNamedApril, Thanks for stopping by April!
Wow. Isn’t it amazing the emotions that can come out of a simple picture? It’s definitely not easy becoming a stay at home mom. Being a sahm and a blogger and keeping a neat house is a lot more work than people seem to think. Kudos to you, and it looks like you’re doing great!
.-= Angela @ Nine More Months´s last blog ..Social Parade Friday Blog Hop! =-.
@Angela @ Nine More Months, It’s so much more work than I ever imagined. But totally worth it. Most days.
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