May 22, 2013 · 9:45 am

From One Mama To Another: Twenty Questions for Janine Stone

Ever since I started this blog, I’ve wanted to find a way to include other Mamas (and Dads) on the journey.   After all, it’s the connections we make on this wild ride that give us comfort, make us laugh (and sometimes cry), and propel us from one day to the next.

I’m not certain of much in this world, but I know this whole raising children thing wouldn’t be possible (or nearly as fun) without the love and support of friends, family, and fellow Mamas.  On the best and especially the worst of days, there’s safety – and amusement and perspective and reassurance – in numbers.  This I know for sure.

With that in mind, welcome to my inaugural  “From One Mama To Another: Twenty Questions” series.  My first Mama interview is with Janine Stone, a fabulous portrait photographer based in Miami, FL.  Here is a teeny tiny snippet of her work:

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You might recognize the two silly monkeys in the last shot.  Janine has photographed my boys numerous times.

SoFla Mamas in search of GORGEOUS photographs – for any occasion, milestone, or just because – should click over to Janine Stone Photography immediately… just as soon as you read Janine’s Q&A below.

Introducing fellow Mama, Janine Stone (in her own words):

Name: Janine Stone

Age: 37 (I think…really still 27 in my head!)

Hometown: Miami, FL

About my kids: 3 amazing boys! Jacob – 11, Maxwell – 9, and Samson – 2 ½

About me: I am one of those people who is very lucky to live their passion every day! First and foremost, I am a wife and partner to my wonderful husband of 14 years and a mom to the three most amazing boys. Mother is a role I always dreamed of filling and I am truly blessed that we have created such an amazing family. After I kiss my husband goodbye and drop the kids off at school, I get to do what I love! For as long as I can remember, I have been in love with photography! I used to play dress up and make my friends model for me, even as a little girl. I pursued photography in college even when I was told to find a career that could afford my expensive hobby. I love photographing children, couples, and families and the relationships between them. I am really blessed to have such a positive, fun, creative career.

This morning, I woke up at… 7:15.

The last book I read (and actually finished) was… “Goodnight Moon.”

In one word, pregnancy is… beautiful.

As a Mama, I’m really good at… delegating responsibility.

As a Mama, I wish I were better at… unplugging.

Proudest parenting achievement: I feel like little moments happen each day. I am not up for any parenting awards, but it makes me so proud when other parents compliment my kids on their behavior, attitude, anything…it’s a proud moment for mom!

Biggest parenting challenge: trying to balance it all and be there for all three children equally as well as not ignoring my husband.

Scariest parenting moment: My youngest son, Samson, at 10 months found a piece of glass on the floor, and of course decided to chew on it. Blood was everywhere! We raced to the urgent care, which was thankfully a block away. I was in such a panic that I left my wallet at home, insurance cards and all. Thankfully, Samson was fine, but it was scary for me!

Before having children, I wish I had… travelled more.

My #1 parenting rule is… my kids come first!

The most surprising thing about being a Mama is… children grow so fast and they learn things so quickly. You really have to get it right early on.

My best piece of advice for a fellow Mama or soon-to-be Mama is… take in each moment, they happen so quickly.

The one thing I’d like NOT to pass on to my kids is… my disorganization.

A perfect day starts with… a strong cup of coffee.

A perfect day ends with… cuddles.

I’m a Guilty Mama when… I forget something that is important to my kids.

I’m a Happy Mama when… my boys get along.

I’m a Proud Mama when… my children have successes.

Right now, I’m a… Busy Mama.

Motherhood is… wonderful, exhausting, proud, beautiful, fleeting, precious, fulfilling moments through the chaos of every day life.

JanineStone

Credit: Anna-Vaughn Callahan

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If you would like to participate in a future “From One Mama To Another: Twenty Questions,” email me at therunawaymama (at) gmail (dot) com. 

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May 17, 2013 · 3:01 pm

Five Feet

I watched the series finale of “The Office” last night.  Although I absolutely love the show, for some reason I didn’t watch it the last few seasons.  Even so, I was compelled to see the very last episode.  I was particularly struck by what Pam said toward the end.  She said, “It took me so long to do so many important things.”  She talked about how hard it was to accept that she spent so many years being less happy than she could’ve been.  Among other regrets, she said, “Jim was five feet from my desk and it took me four years to get to him.”  (Jim and Pam’s first kiss was, without a doubt, my all time favorite TV kiss.)  She hoped someone would watch the Dunder Mifflin documentary and learn from her mistakes and think, “Be strong, trust yourself, love yourself, conquer your fears.  Just go after what you want.  And act fast because life just isn’t that long.”

This morning, I thought about Pam when Riley decided to wear a Batman costume to school.  He did it for no good reason except that he wanted to.  In any given 45-second block of time, Riley – like most four-year-olds – will aspire to do a dozen different (and often ridiculous) things.  It’s astounding, actually.  He wants, wants, wants, (and sometimes whines, whines, whines), but what’s important is that he does, does, does.  He wanted to wear a Batman costume to school, so he did.   If he wants to fill a grocery bag with cell phone chargers, crayons, a spatula, a snail, and bottle of water, he does.  If he wants to watch “Lalaloopsy,” he does.  If he wants to take off his pants, he does.  If he wants to wear a party hat in the car, he does.

Riley party hat

At the beautiful age of four, Riley is five feet from absolutely nothing.  Watching him giggle and skip confidently through each day often reminds me of how different Dylan was at the same age.  He was five twenty feet from just about everything.  Oh, how I wish we could have a do-over so Dylan could experience the sensory delight of being four and fearless!  Thankfully, at six, Dylan is only five feet away from a few things.  In fact, yesterday he told me he wants to go on a roller coaster.  A real roller coaster.   I love seeing him enjoy life, and I’m grateful to witness him being strong, trusting himself, loving himself, conquering his fears, and going after what he wants.

Because life just isn’t that long.  (Thanks, Pam.)

Sometimes, like in Dylan’s case, what’s five feet away from us is out of our control.  Other times, though, being so close yet so far away from something is our own doing.  What if my life were made into a documentary?  What would my mistakes be?  What am I five feet away from (besides a monstrous pile of mail)?  Signing up for a writing workshop.  Submitting an article to Babble.com.  Going back to work.  Keeping up with far away friends.  Being fully present and in the moment with my kids.  Knowing that what I do have is way more important than what I don’t.  Realizing that this isn’t the hard part; rather it’s the best part.

What are you five feet away from?        

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Filed under aha moment, fear, gratitude, sensory processing disorder