Friends- I think spring has officially found Georgia!!! I heard last week that April 15 is the last frost day for our year and I am so excited that all the green and all the flowers are here to stay. I’ve been drooling over the hanging Wisteria until one of my friends felt the need to remind me it was actually causing more harm than good. Possibly so- but it’s just so ethereal!

I’ll be the first to admit I love fall and winter, cold weather and all it encompasses- but if it’s not going to snow I can do without the cold + rainy days and we have had a LOT of those this season.

Admittedly, I wasn’t sure that spring was actually here until this portrait session at Oak Hill in Rome. If you haven’t spent time here you NEED to add it to your spring bucket list. This place is phenomenal and I am excited about taking my own kids out to explore.

But exploring with this precious family was such a treat. The funny thing about living in a small city is how frequently paths will cross. When this mom contacted me about doing her family portraits I had no idea I knew 3 of her 4 kids from the school I teach at. But I did, and after spending the morning with the entire family I understand exactly why these kids are so beloved among the staff and students at our school.

Four kids between the ages of 6 and 10 could be a challenge to photograph. Especially since brothers and sisters don’t always love touching each other. (I remember this very vividly from growing up with 2 of them!) But this crew giggled and laughed, hugged and held hands without fuss or eye-rolling. They were polite and charming, witty and entertaining. It definitely made my job easy!

And their parents- I could definitely learn to parent well by watching them. I love seeing parents thriving that are just ahead of me in this parenting game- and for that matter, the marriage game. How fun is it that we share an anniversary 10 years apart? It gives me hope that I will survive these chaotic days where I feel like I’m underwater more than treading water. And I’m DEFINITELY not backstroking along (Of course, I don’t actually know how to backstroke).

Today I was talking with my sweet LaLa who is simply not “okay” that my kids are getting so old. In her defense, she’s invested almost as much in raising my 3 as I have. And I get it. Last week Bee turned 4 and it hit me that I’m on the precipice of parenting big kids. That’s kind of intimidating- the whole time I’ve had these guys they’ve been little kids. I won’t say I’m great at parenting littles, but I’m finally getting comfortable in that space. Now they have to grow up on me and send me in a new direction. But just like seeing Heather with Caroline and Colbi fills me with excitement about the teenagers and young adults I will one day stand alongside, these 6 give me a peace about this next stage that feels so close and still so foreign.

In a situation that could have been tense, overwhelming, chaotic, and stressful- the parents led by example staying calm and lighthearted- laughing when smiles got awkward and giving gentle encouragement and correction when it was warranted. I’m not positive I’ll ever be able to keep the calm like they did. I’m not sure it’s in my DNA- but I will definitely be keeping all I learned at this session in my back pocket and trying to practice it during family pictures at my cousin’s wedding this weekend!

Thanks so much for taking the time to check out the blog! I would love to hear your best advice for keeping calm in a stressful situation. I could use a few new tricks.

Kate Walton