A few months ago, I caught wind of a photography project some moms were doing.  It made such an impact on my heart, I had to join in.
They called it “kids are here”, and these moms would capture the messy evidence left behind from their children.  I first read about it here, and then was directed to this site here.
The images were moving to me. Â I have a really hard time letting go of clutter and mess in my home. Â Having 4 kids, the mess can take over a home in minutes. Â I have tried to do my best to organize and control the mess (like I wrote about HERE), but regardless – kids will be kids. Â It is a real mental effort for me to realize that having a clean home all the time is not possible with little children, and I have to work really hard not to go all ba-zerk on my kids when it is a mess.
After seeing the images from these other moms I realized something life changing.  The evidence of children in our lives is such a blessing!  Their play/mess is a reflection of who they are and if we are so concerned with just cleaning it up – we miss the beauty of the little life we have been given to raise.
Now, I’m not saying I have embraced it and we now live in complete chaos. Â I still make them clean up every day, but I have enjoyed taking the chance to pause before we do and see what they have created with their imaginations and the joy they have experienced that day.
I wanted to show you some images I’ve shot in the past few months, here and there, that have helped me see my kids in a different light. Â Kids are so awesome! Â Their creativity and imagination inspires and uplifts me every day. Â I’ve decided to title my project “Kids Live Here” rather than “kids are here” just as a personal reminder that my home doesn’t need to be neat and tidy to be perfect. Â I might add, none of this was staged. Â I simply saw a moment and grabbed my camera.
Here we go!
Better use of a couch.
Surprise drawings in my inspiration journal.
Baby doll in a windowsill.
Kid style decorating.
Another pack of baby wipes, on the floor.
Welcome to our room.
Abstract art.
Collections.
Lost slippers.
What happens when I say, “go clean your rooms”.
Hiding mess from mom.
This is what it means to “put your shoes away”.
Never ending laundry.
Dr. Seuss’s horse stable.
Furry friends.
The 1 year old tornado.
And the quiet after the storm.
The princess lair.
Don’t trip on your way out.
The ever-changing window decor.
Warm tousled bed with morning light.
Late for school.
Didn’t want to sit there any way.
I hope this has inspired you to find the beauty of childhood!
I would love to hear if you have a photography project idea of your own! Â I had so much fun with this one!
*Linking up to these parties, HERE.
Lovely lovely shots, making ‘mess’ look like beloved life – just the way we should always remember to view it!
Beautiful post. I’ve been wanting to do something like this for awhile. And actually several of your pictures are reminiscent of my house this morning, hello kitty all nicely colored in red markers (?!!?), the bed ‘made’ with all the stuffed animals lined up and tucked into the sheets; it has made for a lovely morning as I’m enjoying my coffee alongside your blog.
Another photography idea I’ve been toying with and even have hired my sister to come this week to help capture is the little moments of our life. My ideas are captures of little feet dangling at the kitchen table awaiting breakfast, spontaneous cuddles on the couch, mudpies in the backyard, mainly moments through the day of us, artistically done so I can dress my walls.
thanks for making my morning!
God bless
As a Grandmom, I discovered this some time ago. So nice to see that moms are seeing it earlier, with their own children. When you’re the mom, especially working outside of the home, like I was, it’s hard to find the time to enjoy the beauty in some of the things your children do. You have so many responsibilities….you end up missing some of the loveliest moments! Please don’t take this as criticism…I’m merely stating what I know I missed with my own children but didn’t even know I missed until I was the Grandmom. We have the luxury of time and the lack of responsibility to earn the living and raise the children. Take those moments out of your busy schedule to look at that “special” rock collection or play babies with your daughters….the chores will wait but their childhood will not! When they are grown, with others they spend their time with…..you’ll be so glad you took that time!
Oh my heavens. Your comment just about put me in tears. I appreciate it sooo much! It is certainly a challenge to find the time, energy and desire to enjoy the little moments with small children in the home. I know there are so many I miss already, but sometimes my cup feels so empty I am just trying to keep theirs full. My sweet grandmother tells me all the time how precious my kids are and to treasure every moment. I’m grateful for her reminder, just as yours, as it really puts life into perspective. This photo project I took on was done with the sole purpose to stop and enjoy it. It does not come naturally to me, so I have to force myself. I am a busy body and just go about with the attitude of getting stuff done. So, thanks to you – next time my kids come in with a handful of rocks, I won’t think about how to dispose of them without them seeing, and I’ll enjoy it. And when they want to play dolls – I’ll jump right in! Thank you for coming by!
I decided to take a other look at the blue nail polish blob on my carpet with new eyes after reading your post…nope, still mad :). But I did tear up a bit reading your post.
Oh shoot. Thanks for the giggle. I assure you, I don’t look at every mess as “oh how lovely. I think I’ll take a picture.” I probably should – but that would be a bit unrealistic and out of our OCD nature. Just hoping to calm down and not be a mama Nazi for my kids. But, I do think you should still take a pic of the nail polish. Just to laugh at your kids when they are grown and have their own terrors.
Such beautiful, real life photos. I love this. Thank you for sharing!!
Thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to comment!
I love the “hiding mess from mom” photo…it’s something my husband would do :). I would be very interested in a photo challenge! Let me know if you start one or join in on another. And thanks for sharing!
Haha! I loved your comment. If they think they can hide stuff from the homemaker – they are wrong! Photo projects are such a fun way to challenge and grow and see the whole world in a different light. I’m going to continue taking these pics when I feel inspired, but I too am trying to find another project. I’ll let you know if I see or think of another good one – and you do the same!
wow lovely pictures , I love the drawings in your journal . I have had similar in books I am reading . we live in a small dormer bungalow with 3 boys and one girl and sometimes it looks as if a bomb has hit it but I have learned that these years will fly by my eldest is 14 in a few weeks and I am not sure how that has happened as I am sure he was little not that long ago. my youngest is 4 years and has her dolls I am sure in every room she even sneaks them into the bedrooms of her brothers. and as for the bathroom there are always comics and books and wet teddies that needed a bath and other small toys to catch your feet and even after a huge clean up toys still sneak in. I would love to take pics like yours and write captions for each they would be simply a wonder to look back on in years to come.
It sounds like you are a very blessed mama! Isn’t it a challenge to see all that mess as a blessing? Some days – I just don’t have the ability, but I sure try. I try to make the rule that no toys are allowed in my bedroom – but sure enough – there are always dolls and cars and books to be found. Just breathe, right? They do grow so fast. I am certain I will enjoy when they are older and I’m not cleaning non stop, but I definitely don’t want to look back and realize I was a grouchy mama and flipped out about all the little things. I would encourage you to take pictures, no matter your camera or photography level. We will treasure them no matter what. And I look forward to showing them to my kids when they have little tornadoes of their own!
Wow! I love your stuff and the way you see life.. Thanx for sharing
Thank you Fancy Nancy! You have a very beautiful gift of seeing the world around you as well!
I did a needlepoint when my eldest was small. It says: Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow, for babies grow up we’ve learned to our sorrow, so quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep, I’m rocking my baby and baby’s don’t keep.” That child is now 40 and two more followed – one 37 and one 32. My house is clean – no fingerprints – no mess and no children (grandchildren are a sore subject). This too shall pass, enjoy it because it goes to fast.
Oh, how I loved your comment! Thank you for taking the time to share that with me. It is so hard to ignore all the chores and to-do’s because there is a lot! But what a sweet saying. I think I’ll print it in my heart 😉 Thank you for stopping by!
I loved this post beautiful pictures to remind me to cherish my little people.
Thank you so much! It is always good to remind ourselves just how precious they are.
It’s so hard to let go of organizing OCD. When cousins come to stay, I realize just how tidy Aspen really is in comparison to other kids and I’m like AHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
But it’s good to calm down and capture these moments of chaos. You took beautiful photos to remember what it’s like to have kids living at home.
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I loved your comment. And yes, I take for granted how well my kids clean when friends and cousins come over. It is like a tornado hits! But I’m sure my kids do the same at other homes.