My Everyday Featuring ... Sara Parsons

[#1] Share with us a snippet of your story.
Let me start by saying I'm pretty sure I'm not cool enough to be amidst all the amazing moms that have been featured on My Everyday. Like, I’m the most normal of normal. With that said, here's a bit about me:

I'm a child of the Most High; a wife of thirteen years to my best friend and college sweetheart; a mother to three beautiful children - Stella, Jonah and Ava; and a self-taught photographer (going on four years). I was born and raised on a little island in Washington, in a little town called Friday Harbor. After graduating high school I left and headed to Southern California to attend The Master's College, a small Christian school just north of L.A. There, during my freshman year, I met the love of my life, Sean, a true California boy. We were married the summer after our graduation in 2000. (Side note, getting married in the year 2000 makes it real easy to remember how many years it has been, just sayin’).  

Once we were married, we lived in California for a year, then moved up to Seattle. It was at that time when I became pregnant with my oldest, which in turn, brought us back to my hometown on San Juan Island. So we've been in the beautiful San Juan Islands for almost eleven years now. When my youngest, Ava, was one I got my first dslr, the Canon Rebel. Really, photography has been a true snowball effect for me. It’s been such a fun, creative outlet and I’ve gotten to meet some pretty cool people because of it.  

On our homestead, we recently started a couple new adventures: chickens and gardening. I think it’s safe to say I never thought I’d be a chicken farmer, but I have enjoyed every part of it.
When my husband first mentioned he'd like to get chickens, we made a deal that we would make a cute coop. Yep, I married a good man. Our chickens have a pretty, little home to lay their eggs in. I kinda think our garden is cute, too. I mean if you hang lights on it, anything's cute. ;)  

I love pretty things, I love to paint the walls in my house, I love old chairs and chippy paint, I love to laugh, I love drinking coffee and most importantly I love my family and the life the Lord has blessed me with.

Photo by //// Joy Prouty 

[#2] What is your favorite part of the day with your little one[s]?
This has changed since they've all gotten older and are all in school (insert crying). It is so bittersweet watching your children grow up, but I think my favorite time with them is within the moments when I'm tucking them into bed. It's as if a sweet little window into their hearts opens up. It's there, when we’re alone and together, they tell me things they're excited about, nervous or worried about, ask questions, and talk about their days. I have to remind myself in the days when I want to rush bedtime, to stop and take that time with them. It is so precious, so fleeting, I usually walk out with tears in my eyes so overcome with love and thankfulness. Getting to pray with them, calm their fears and tell them how much I love them and how proud I am of them, now that, that is something I never want to take for granted. It always blesses me.

[#3] Name Three Instagram MOMS who inspire you.
Oh man, just three?!  
Well, I could share my three favorite photographers @joyprouty, @tarawhitney and @yanpalmer, Or three that make me smile @chrystalsmith , @simply_rosie and @babybythesea, or I could share three that are just plain cool @underthesycamore @_sheenarae and @becky_earl, or I could share the three who I'd like to borrow their babies @sheye_rosemeyer, @christine_simplybloom and @krystamanthemetcalf ... yeah, maybe those three ;)  I'm such a cheater.  I honestly could list all of those I follow for different reasons for I truly am inspired by each and every one of them.

[#4] What challenges have you faced in balancing motherhood and your passion for creativity?
I believe the biggest challenge is learning how to say no. It's hard for me, but I now understand that if I don't say no, everything suffers: my family, my house. This past summer was the best season yet because I was very intentional with what I took on. 

[#5] What is a family tradition that you love sharing with your kids?
Our family doesn’t have a ton of traditions, but one that we follow and value is eating dinner together. It’s important to us, even in the crazy, late-night-soccer-practice-homework-stressed, nights. Shared meals brings us together, it keeps us whole.

[#6] If you could give us a peek inside your home - what image would you share and why?
I’d share this photo of our kitchen because it truly is the heart of our home, and maybe this photo of our living and dining room because it’s where you’ll find us hanging out.

[#7] Share a photo you wouldn't typically post on Instagram but depicts real life happenings.
I’ve been known to share photos of my kitchen so messy you can’t see the counter, or of my laundry room with piles of clothes so high they almost touch the ceiling. So I thought I’d share this gross photo of like 30 slugs I found in my garden. I didn’t share it on Instagram, but it is a real life happening for us Washington gardeners. Don’t worry, I used that Kosher salt there and gave them all a salt bath. ;)

Be sure and follow @saraparsons on Instagram! You can also keep up with the series by following @kelliandvanessa or #myeverydaymoms