Case of The Missing Shoes

This morning was like most mornings in our house. Henry was up at 6:00, took a quick shower, and I dropped him at football. By 6:35 I was back at the house, getting the other four kids up—the ones who can actually walk—and they started getting ready, making lunches, and having breakfast.

Meanwhile, Alexander, my 5-year-old, found a cat toy and decided that playing with the cat was far more important than getting dressed. Fast forward to 15 minutes before we’re supposed to leave for school: he’s wearing yesterday’s clothes, no shoes, no breakfast, and his lunch is still in the fridge.

My husband starts on him—Alexander knows exactly what’s expected in the mornings. So he gets dressed, but the shoes? MIA. Side note, we have a shoe rack. It’s in a “great location” (meaning too close to the dinner table), and everyone’s supposed to put their shoes there. Honestly, that works maybe 30–40% of the time, (myself included).

So begins the 5-year-old shoe search, 13 minutes left and counting. How does a 5-year-old search for shoes? Very slowly. Eyes down, scanning the floor like a detective who’s way too distracted by every other object in the room. He finds toys, complains about his brother, and somehow still no shoes. Ten minutes pass. We give up. Church shoes it is. My daughter, who had Alexander's PE teacher points out that if he has PE today the teacher won't be happy. He only wants tennis shoes. I roll my eyes, for now, it's shoes or no shoes.

After I’ve dropped off everyone, I come upstairs to start work. I walk towards Alexander’s room to turn off his light. And there they are. His shoes. Right in the doorway to his room.

I asked him where he took them off last night. He said… the shoe rack. Apparently, the doorway to his room is the shoe rack. And yes, he walked by them at least four times that morning without noticing.

Parenting a 5-year-old: solved. Maybe.

---

I know how heavy the days can feel when you’re carrying so much for so many. That’s why I’ve created a space where you can simply rest and be taken care of. At Kristian Hutchings Portraits, you’ll be pampered with hair, makeup, and gentle direction, and you’ll leave with portraits that remind you just how strong and stunning you are.

_______________________

Kristian is a mom of six, Program Manager by day, active Professional Photographer by trade, and a big believer in finding beauty in the everyday chaos.

Life in our house is loud, messy and full of literally everything. Love, noise, laundry, laughter, and definitely could use a bit more grace. I'm happily married to my best friend, grounded in my Catholic faith, and fueled by five to six hours of sleep per night and adrenaline.

I try to find joy in the everyday — even when it's wild, because without the little bit of joy, this life would be unbearable. This space is for the moms in the middle of it all: the ones juggling family, faith, work, and wonder. The ones that need someone else's messy life to make their own seem better or somewhat normal. You're not alone, and you're doing better than you think.

Welcome to Six Sweet Smiles — where we celebrate the mess, the miracles, and everything in between.