You know you're an adult when

Being a nursing mom comes with a lot of changes… and one huge downside: thirst. I get these episodes where I’m suddenly so thirsty that nothing else in the world matters. Last Friday, it happened on date night. We stopped at a little ice cream shop, and I asked for a cup of water. They handed me one of those tiny 6-ounce plastic cups—the kind you’d get wine in at a party.

I drank the whole thing in two big gulps. And I was still parched. When I went back for more, the staff was super sweet and gave me a bigger cup. I was grateful, of course—but seriously, the small cup just wasn’t cutting it.

Fast forward to today. I dropped my kids off at Faith Formation, which runs from 3:45 to 5:15. That’s a 20-minute drive each way, leaving about 40 minutes of travel out of a 90-minute break—barely enough time to go home. Usually, I’d run an errand nearby, but today I forgot my wallet.

So, I improvised. I went to Sam’s Club (where my card is on file) to pick up snacks and diapers for the next month. Even taking my time going around the store, I still had about 20 minutes to spare. Starving, I swung by McDonald’s. My change in the car covered about two dollars, so I used my McDonald’s app rewards and got six chicken McNuggets and a small french fries for lunch—and, of course, I asked for a water.

When they handed me a medium cup of water I sat there sipping it, thinking: this is it. This is the small, ridiculous joy of motherhood.

Sometimes, it’s funny how these tiny things—a bigger cup of water, a quiet moment, a little victory—can feel like the ultimate win. And maybe, just maybe, it’s okay to let the little things make you happy.

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Mama, I know you survive on little things—a quiet coffee, a clean kitchen, a tiny moment to yourself—but sometimes, you need a big thing to recharge. That’s what a “Back to You” session at Kristian Hutchings Portraits is: a half-day where you’re pampered, posed, and celebrated. Families are welcome, or it can be all about you. You’ll leave with portraits that your kids will treasure and a reminder that you deserve more than the little things, too.

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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.