As exhausting as it was in the midst of it, I tried very hard to embrace our time together. It's easy to forget sometimes that these are the moments I'll miss when he's grown. I love the memories we made together this week as mommy and son. I'm doubly lucky to be able to capture it in pictures, to keep for myself as he grows.

In the midst of all the challenges, it's easy to forget about all of the beautiful big and little moments that make up an entire year. Vows get exchanged, high school seniors graduate, vacations with family are taken, stories get read to little ones, kisses given to mommies, hugs from grandparents. As long as we remember to capture those moments the good will always over come the bad.

Yet I have one of my favorite family portraits. It's not posed perfectly. My son is taking off his shoes (one of his favorite activities these days). And we certainly didn't coordinate our clothes that morning. Heck, half of us were lucky we'd even showered. Makeup? Forget it.

I don't care, I still love the results.