"I pray that these images come across even just one woman who has felt the unbearable ache of loss, and thought she couldn't get through one more day. I hope she sees these seven beautiful woman standing before her, proudly showing that they continued to go on, and never gave up on the dream that they had for their life. I hope she sees that she is SO not alone in her pain; she is not just #1in4 or some statistic - she is a woman standing side-by-side with millions of others - just like the beautiful mothers who stand before her in these portraits. And most of all, I want to showcase the absolute beauty, bravery and strength that can exist if you don't lose hope; that we each deserve happiness and it CAN happen again, after the pain."
How These Khalil’s Do Christmas
"My main point is this: you don't need to be a devout Christian to respect and enjoy the holiday season. Just like you don't need to be Muslim to respect and appreciate those who are celebrating Ramadan. It's really not as complicated as people think it is when you live your life with an open mind, an even more open heart, step back and remember that 'we all come from the same root, but the leaves are all different' (John Fire Lame Deer)."
Rise And Grind: My Coffee Bar
“Like I said before, as a mother the idea of having a warm drink or minute to myself to enjoy it has become a precious commodity. It's inevitable that we have those 'multiple cups of coffee necessary' kinds of days, so I was happy to have a little space to organize and enjoy it when they do occur.”
Why I Won’t Be ‘Trying For a Girl’
“I may have another baby someday (in a while guys - give my uterus a break!) but I won't be "trying for a girl" or "trying for a boy". I will merely be trying to hit the lottery again, and thank my lucky stars that God has blessed me with another miracle.”
It’s Cool ‘2’ Be Kind – Noah’s 2nd Birthday and Donation Drive
"At the end of the day, it's not about what you have or even what you've accomplished. It's about what you've done with those accomplishments. Its about who you've lifted up, who you've made better. It about what you've given back."
When I Became Your Mother
"No matter what happens in this life I have had you for two beautiful and magical years. I am eternally grateful to the universe for blessing me with you, and will spend the rest of my days trying to pay it forward for doing so."
Less > More: My Journey To Minimalism
"Just like other situations in my life from the past, I was holding on to a lot of things just because they were what I knew and felt comfortable being around - just in case. I was overwhelmed with the idea of going through them all, analyzing their uses and facing the idea of parting with them. But if I held on to these items I wouldn't have space for new, beautiful things to come in; there were so many objects from the past I was holding on to, physical things this time, that had absolutely no place in my life now."
Let Them: Why I Never Stopped Caring, But Stopped Trying To Force Others To
"It's not selfish, and it's not cruel. If you've tried for years to help someone, set healthy boundaries, and they still continue to ignore or mistreat you because of their own unresolved issues and refuse to acknowledge it and continue to hurt you? You must allow them burn their own bridge, and let them go.”
The Motherhood Connection
"I never knew of the unspoken, underlying bond I would feel with the other mothers I came in contact with. The relationships I have developed started as complete strangers, and now we have now become our own tribe. I celebrate their achievements in my mind, experience their struggles in my heart, and feel their sorrows in my soul."
Kindergarten Etiquette: A Friendly Reminder
"That annoying know-it-all classmate from your graduating class who spews nothing but negativity on your feed; the racist uncle you just can't delete because you don't want to get in trouble with the family. You know exactly who I'm talking about, don't you? How is it that full grown adults can so easily forget the extremely simple yet crucial lessons we learned in elementary school, which should continue to be applied to our everyday lives? "
portraits • writing • digital content • visual storytelling 