These photos are one of the most precious gifts I’ve ever received! As I looked back on them yesterday…my first Mother’s Day…my eyes welled with tears as I thought about how far the Lord has brought me. How he’s patiently helped me grow into the mom that I am today. Gray’s mom. I still do a double take sometimes when I look over at him and think about what a precious, undeserved gift he is to me.

My incredibly talented friend, Nikki Santerre, took these for us just a few weeks after Gray was born…and as much as I treasure these photos she took, I’ll treasure the memories of our session with her even more! Nikki is one of the most grace filled women I know. She loves with her whole heart and her passion for people is contagious. It’s been such a gift to watch her become a mom too and she’s been a huge encouragement to me in this season – quietly reminding me that God designed me to do this. This mothering thing. It’s beautiful and overwhelming and sometimes it feels like I love this tiny baby too much for my heart to bear.

Mother’s Day is a reminder of GRACE to me in so many ways. It’s because of grace that I get to raise this little man. My hope is that one day I’ll send him off into the world and that he’ll have a whole treasure chest of beautiful memories. Memories that will remind him of how loved and strong he is. And memories that remind him he’s never really alone. God will be with him every step. But for now I’ll hold him close, cast aside my worries as best as I can, ask for grace often, and thank God for the gift of a tiny baby who needs me to care for him. Gray, every day I get to be your mama on this earth is my greatest joy and blessing! Nikki, thank you for the precious gift of these photos! I could never thank you enough!!