a year of motherhood / the link up

So we are 59 days into our 365 project, A Year of Motherhood. To date, it has proven to be enjoyable, fulfilling and on more days than I had expected, challenging.

Milina and I have both felt the back to school routine slump this month where leisurely, carefree holidays are all but forgotten and we are back to the clock watching grind of daily life with smalls. Perhaps a little dramatic there.. but some days it feels as though that's all I see. A giant fucking clock, tick tick tick.

I welcomed the new year with great, sparkly, creative gusto and it seems to have fizzled over the last few weeks of this month. But I am pushing through to get back to where I want to be. There is much to do, but some days it all seems too much and I am unsure where to begin. But like someone famous once said - just start.

Milina and I are so VERY grateful for the response we have received from you all since we began A Year of Motherhood. Such warmth and generosity of words and spirit - thankyou! So many of you - mothers - seeing our snippets of everyday life, with no words or explanation, and understanding - fully. The mess, the chaos, the love, the laughter. The great stuff, the normal stuff, the hard stuff; the stuff that will break you by the end of the day when you are waiting for your husband to walk through the door only to hear your phone beep, telling you he's stuck at work and won't be home before the kids are in bed. That.

From the beginning, we set out to include you in our project. But as motherhood goes, time flies past and there is always too much to do, plans are made but not always carried out.

We want to see your photos. Your Year of Motherhood.

At the end of each month (barring January because we were both sucked into the boggy quicksand that is back to school/end of holidays crazy) we will be hosting a link up for you to share your photos of motherhood. Milina and I will share a handful of our favourite images from the month that has passed (this month we're combining January and February) and we invite you to do the same. You can link up here or over at Milina's and your post will appear on both lists. If you don't have a blog but would like to be involved, we would love you to share your moments on Instagram with the hashtag #ayearofmotherhood.

We can't wait to see how YOUR Year of Motherhood looks!

An InLinkz Link-up

a year of motherhood / a collaboration

My beautiful friend Milina. You know her, yes?

She's got a big heart, a warm, infectious smile and she gives the best hugs. And we laugh a lot. Like when I pretend to be the same height as her in that bottom left pic. Honestly, I don't feel that tall when I am with her..?

Last year I sent her a book in the mail for her birthday. She had made a decision about something big, but was struggling with her confidence. I am all about the positive energy and getting rid of all the shit that brings you down. I am unique. I am talented. I am enough. We all are. But sometimes we need to be told by others, whether it be close friends, strangers or authors.

Then a couple of days before my birthday, a little package arrived in my letterbox. Which I don't think was actually a birthday gift because the card mentioned nothing about birthdays.. she just managed to time it right by chance.

You've been inspiring me since before I even met you. I feel so grateful to be able to call you a friend.
Here's to continuing inspiration, creativity and making the most of our mornings.
Big love, Milina xxxx

Late last year I suggested we collaborate. We both love being behind the lens and sometimes we can only break through barriers by being pushed by others, or with others. Healthy competition is a very good thing.

My mind has felt very clear since Christmas passed. After months, I finally had time to breathe. It felt as though there was space for my thoughts to move around without bumping into one another. Late one night, a thought popped into my head--like a lightbulb, just like in the movies.

Me, her, a project.

Taking our cue from A Year of Mornings / 3191 Miles Apart, A Year of Motherhood was born. We're not trying to copycat these talented women, no, most certainly not. The project just seemed to fit--like a glove--both of us with a copy of the book--having received it as a heartfelt gift of gratitude, inspiration and friendship. A great foundation for anything to be built upon, really.

Last year I really enjoyed the Kids Were Here series. This year they may only feature every few months, or perhaps, not at all. Because many of the images I would usually use for that series, will end up as part of our 365 collection of motherhood. And I want this one to be special. I want this one to shine.

I'm so looking forward to this project. For myself and for my friend--with my friend. I wonder where it will take us..? Who knows. But I know the road ahead is bright. I know it will only serve to strengthen our bond and fill us with even more gratitude for having made our way into each other's lives. Because of this weird and wonderful thing called the internet.

If you'd like to follow along with our little project, you can do so with Bloglovin' and Facebook. You can find us separately over here.

*These images kindly taken by Milina's lovely sister