On most beautiful fall days, after school Ricki and I like to hang out in the very fancy chair in the front yard and just talk about how much we love each other. Of course, I’m wearing a dress, my hair is perfectly curled, and Ricki’s long blonde hair is perfectly pinned. We just laugh and she tells me that I’m the best mom in the world..
And then I wake up from my dream and am forced into reality. I’m running around in cat leggings and Uggs, picking up whatever mess my zoo of animals made the night before. Ricki’s hair is in knots and I’m screaming up the stairs, begging her to at least put a headband on, while we’re running out the door, trying our hardest not to be late for school.
Ricki talked about how much she dreaded the shoot for Charlotte Parent, and to be honest, I was so scared she was going to be crying in all of the pictures. Right before these beautiful pictures were taken, I was upstairs in her room begging, bribing, and praying that she’d just wear the clothes I picked out and smile for a couple pictures. Basically, I was using everything but physical force. Eventually she agreed and can you believe as soon as the camera was on, that little girl thought she was Cindy Crawford, trying to find her best angle and laughing as if I actually said something funny??
Even though my reality isn’t always sunshine and rainbows, I’ll take my life any day of the week and wouldn’t trade it for the world. Besides, twenty years from now, we’ll look back on these pictures and have forgotten about all the fuss. We won’t remember all the begging and pleading it took to get to this point and for a minute, maybe we can convince ourselves that we really were the family that sat outside on fancy chairs and talked about how much we love each other. But for now, I’m having fun every second of being a mommy to this girl of mine and hope I never forget a minute.
So beautiful Emily! I love reading your blog. You’re the true definition of classy and beautiful!
You are beautiful inside and out! An inspiration! Ricki is so very lucky!
Emily, I remember staged family pictures in much the same way as Ricki. Of course, this was many many years ago. I have five brothers and sisters and when it came time to take birthday, Easter or Christmas pictures we all would cringe because our Mama wanted the perfect picture, the perfect family photo, and guess what…at the end she got it!
Like you said, miraculously after all the tears….I hate my hair….she has the cutest outfit….I do not want to stand near them….I do not feel like smiling….we came together as a family and that is what mattered most. Little did we realize at that moment we were making our Mama so happy and years later we would look back at those photos and remember the good times and not what lead up to the photos. We lost our Mama years ago, but we have pictures and memories of her and her love for us.
Now I am standing in my kitchen typing on my IPad while looking at my refrigerator door. I see at least five photos of my brothers and sisters….some worn, but still precious in my eyes. I think about all the staged photos of my brother and sisters around my house and I immediately smile through my tears and say, “Thank you, Mama.”
Emily, I remember staged family pictures in much the same way as Ricki. Of course, this was many many years ago. I have five brothers and sisters and when it came time to take birthday, Easter or Christmas pictures we all would cringe because our Mama wanted the perfect picture, the perfect family photo, and guess what…at the end she got it!
Like you said, miraculously after all the tears….I hate my hair….she has the cutest outfit….I do not want to stand near them….I do not feel like smiling….we came together as a family and that is what mattered most. Little did we realize at that moment we were making our Mama so happy and years later we would look back at those photos and remember the good times and not what lead up to the photos. We lost our Mama years ago, but we have pictures and memories of her and her love for us.
Now I am standing in my kitchen typing on my IPad while looking at my refrigerator door. I see at least five photos of my brothers and sisters….some worn, but still precious in my eyes. I think about all the staged photos of my brothers and sisters around my house and I immediately smile through my tears and say, “Thank you, Mama.”
You two are the cutest!!! Love your outfit Emily, gorgeous as always…
xo Ash,
http://www.sincerelymissashley.blogspot.ca
Cute pics! I think good photos are always worth the investment. I have a pair of combat boots on their way to me. Can you do a post showing us some outfit ideas that use them? Thanks!
I would love for you to share where Ricki’s clothes come from too every once in a while! My own daughter seems to be 3 going on 13…
Hi Emily. Beautiful photos of you both. I also have one beautiful daughter and you are right – it is a special bond shared between a mother and her daughter. Thank you for your honesty about how it isn’t always perfect or easy (even if it looks perfect on the outside) – but it is always worth it and you have something special to cherish as you say. Thanks for more great style ideas as well. Love your orange maxi skirt.
PS I saw a pic of you on instagram recently in a black and blue/green striped sweater dress. Could you please tell me where you got that dress or the brand of the dress please. It looked lovely and I would love to get one. Thank you 🙂
This is so sweet! Love the pictures!
Hi Emily,
Gorgeous photos of you and Ricki! You both look amazing. Random question, where is the white chair from? In addition to taking style advice from you, I’d love to also take some home decor advice!! 🙂
This post was hilarious! Thanks for making me laugh and realize every single mother goes through the same thing and I don’t think any of us would have it any other way! Go enjoy some Cowfish for me!! I miss it so much!
xo
lipstickheelsandababy.blogspot.com
Absolutely love this. You are a talented writer and have expressed this so beautifully!
Such beautiful pictures. My little man, Nixon, and I just had pictures taken. I love them and even though it’s just the two of us, I’m grateful to have “family” pictures. You’re a great example and I think you’re an incredible mother from what you show us. 🙂
Great pics 🙂 and its nice to hear the not so perfect side of life when everything can appears perfect. Could you tell us some great tips for keeping hair healthy and shiny through winter and heat styling? Mine seems to get so dry at the ends since the weather has gotten colder here in NC and I use heat on it almost daily (which is terrible for it). Love your blog and Thanks for sharing.