From One MAma to another…

Bird flying above misty mountain landscape with clear sky.

Hey mama — I’m so glad you’re here.

I’m a photographer, a mom of two, and a woman learning to walk with Jesus through the messiest parts of life. Motherhood has revealed just how broken I am — but also how near and faithful God is, even in my lowest moments.

Through my lens and my faith, I’m learning to see the beauty in the ordinary and the grace in the struggle. This space is where I share that journey — honest, unfiltered, and centered on the redeeming love of Christ through my work and the words that have been placed on my heart.

He Gently Leads Those Who Have Young

Isaiah 40:11 paints a tender picture of God’s care:

“He tends His flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in His arms
and carries them close to His heart;
He gently leads those that have young.”

This verse reveals the gentle, patient heart of Jesus — our Good Shepherd who does not rush or demand perfection. Instead, He walks at the pace of those who carry young ones, aware of their needs and tender enough to lead them with grace.

Imagine the difference between a harsh shepherd who drives the sheep with a raised staff, pushing them faster without care for the vulnerable, and Jesus, who pauses, stoops down, and carries the lambs close to His heart. He gently leads.

As a mother, you can reflect this same gentleness. Your love — full of patience and kindness — mirrors the heart of Jesus. When your children stumble or need comfort, you don’t push them away or rush them. You pause. You wait. You hold them close, guiding them with a love that nurtures and protects.

And yet, I am that harsh shepherd sometimes. It’s not pretty. I fail at this all the time and I’m guessing you do to.

I lose patience. I grow tired. I miss the moments I should cherish. And to be honest sometimes I say to myself, “Well, this is just who I am. This is my personality.”

Yet, I am reminded of this though the the holy spirit, my kids singing this verse, or whatever other means Jesus wants to get my attention — the fruit of the Spirit tells a different story:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patiences, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
— Galatians 5:22-23

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, then the Potter is at work — refining, shaping, and molding what we think is “this is just who I am” into “No, this is who I really created you to be.” (Jeremiah 18:3-6)

I always ask Jesus, “Help me love my kids the way You love me.” Because clearly what I am doing is not working and it’s not showing good fruit from it.

But in those times of struggle, I am reminded by His truth — that His love for me never falters or grows weary.

Then, just when I need it most, He reveals those beautiful moments of clarity: the soft exchange between a mother and her child, the trusting gaze, the gentle touch that says, “You are safe. You are loved.” When a father guides his little one close with his hand grasping theirs with care, gentleness, trust and confidence.

Those tender moments carry me forward. They remind me that Jesus’ grace is enough — for me, for you, and for our children. That He will lead you if you let Him. If you trust Him.

So today, take heart:
Jesus gently leads you.
And through you, His gentle love can flow to your children.

Motherhood is one of the most powerful ways God helps us grow, both spiritually and emotionally.

It’s more than just being tired or busy—it’s the way God uses everyday life to shape who we are. In the loud, messy, and ordinary moments, He invites us to grow more like Jesus.

Being a mom means putting others first, even when it’s hard. It means loving your kids when you're exhausted, showing kindness when you're frustrated, and serving when no one notices. Through this, we begin to understand the heart of Jesus—who gave everything for others.

Jesus gave His life out of love. As mothers, we reflect that same love in small ways every day—when we hold a crying child, do the dishes again, or pray over our kids while they sleep. These moments may feel small, but they matter deeply to God.

Sometimes motherhood shows us how weak we feel, but those are the very places where God steps in. When we feel like we can’t do it, He reminds us that His strength is enough. He gives peace in the middle of the mess, and wisdom when we feel lost.

Motherhood isn’t just about raising kids—it’s also about how God is changing us in the process. He’s teaching us to trust Him, to grow in patience, and to lean on His grace.

We see signs of God’s love all around us—in a child’s laughter, their endless questions, and even their stubbornness. These moments teach us about God’s love for us. And the more we lean on Him, the more we become who He’s shaping us to be—not because we’re perfect, but because He is.

Today, the world often sees kids as a burden or something that gets in the way. But God sees children as a gift. When we feel that pressure from culture, we can stop and ask God how He sees us. Psalm 139 reminds us that we were wonderfully made in the womb. He gave our lives value before we were even born—and He gives that same value to every child. His mercy is new every day and gives us strength to keep loving and leading.

And through all of this refining, God reminds me—He was there in my own childhood, even when I didn’t see it. He was there in the chaos, in the confusion, and even in the pain. And now, as I care for my children, He is still healing parts of me I didn’t know needed healing.

When I lean on Him, I’m not just surviving motherhood—I’m stepping into something sacred. I’m breaking generational curses. I’m standing in the gap, asking God to do what only He can do. There’s a spiritual battle happening beneath the surface—behind the tantrums, the anxiety, the exhaustion. But every whispered prayer, every intentional choice to show up and love like Jesus, every breath of surrender—it all pushes back the dark. It all matters.

Because this isn’t just about today. It’s about the legacy we leave. It’s about our children’s freedom. And I believe God uses our ordinary obedience to do extraordinary kingdom work.

To the mama who feels tired, unnoticed, or unsure if any of it matters: it does.

This work is holy.

And He’s in it all—even the parts no one else sees. Especially those.

The Refining Beauty Of Motherhood

Dandelions blooming in the cracks of life’s sidewalks

Hey there! Wow, time really flies—it's been about three years since my last update, but who's really keeping track, right? Since we welcomed our little bundle of joy, Tobias, in 2021, life has taken an exciting turn with the arrival of our darling Abigail in 2023. And if that wasn’t enough change, we made a big leap and moved back to my beautiful home state of Colorado! What a whirlwind it’s been! Adjusting to life with two little ones has kept me on my toes, so I had to hit pause on my photography for a bit. But even amidst the chaos, my passion for capturing moments never faded. Family trips, cozy days at home, and those adorable, silly moments with my kids—each snapshot still held a special place in my heart. Yet, I can’t help but admit, I’ve really missed the thrill of working with couples, families, and all those interactive moments that made my photography journey so rewarding. Whenever a chance arose and someone needed photos, I eagerly grabbed my camera. The joy it brought me was incredible! Now, it’s been nearly two years since our big move to Colorado, and I feel so grateful for the amazing community we’ve found here. Don’t get me wrong—there are tough days, especially with our extended family still in California, but we've grown stronger and closer through all the challenges. If you find yourself facing big changes or decisions like we did, take a moment to step back and look at the bigger picture. You just might discover some unexpected beauty—like dandelions blooming in the cracks of life's sidewalks.

Black and white photo of a family walking in a grassy field with mountains in the background. The family includes a man, a woman holding a baby, and a young child.

Black and white photo of a baby on grass, reaching for a small object, with two photographs nearby.

Whatever you do, do it with all your heart.

Life as a New Mom.

Oh, where do I begin. Becoming a mom is such a blessing! Now, don’t get me wrong — it can be very trying at times, but it’s totally worth the stretching moments. I think the hardest thing for me, is understanding how to  balance boundaries with work, friends and family. While at the same time, trying to understand the new priorities as a mom. The word that comes to my mind over and over, GRACE. You just have to have grace in this new role. Somethings will never be the same and that’s okay! Change is hard! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten so frustrated at not being able to do it “all”. I’ve had to pray time and time again. The reality is — I needed to remove a few things off my plate. Like I said, learning your new priorities, it’s an adjustment — but it’s worth it. You forget about the late nights, the cranky moments, crying/wailing nights and the moments where you feel defeated... but as soon as your little one looks at you in awe and cracks that beautiful smile, your tank refills and you have the motivation to keep on striving to be the best momma you can be. You keep loving your little one, because that's all they really care about and quite frankly, need.

In this season I’m in I’ve learned —

Less is more.

It’s okay to grieve the changes, but embrace the beautiful new beginnings.

It takes time to adjust

Have grace with yourself and with your spouse.

You don’t have to prove anything to anyone - you don’t have todo it all!

Reach out for help (something I realized I really struggle with... ugh - talk about pride. GULP)

***if you do not have a support system, Bridges Pregnancy Clinic and Care Center located in Santa Rosa, CA would love to support you in any way that they can.***