Sometimes when I'm supposed to be writing, I'm really sitting and staring at my blank screen. Secretly hoping to be inspired by the magical muse of blogging. While trying to come up with the most perfect thing I could write for Mother's day, I realized I already read it. And if you haven't read it, I'm going to share Lisa's beautiful take on Motherhood with you. Take it away Lisa...

"I'm being inundated with essays and poems about how wonderful it is to be a mother. The joy that comes from bringing a life into this world. Giving it all the love and guidance that it needs to grow. Even when you don't have it to give, and you just have to dig in and keep going. Keep giving.

That's all lovely, and many times I do feel that way, but can I take a moment here and just
(and I really don't want to say this because I loathe this phrase)
(with every fiber of the breath in my body)

Keep it real?
(gag)

Being a mom is hard. Really hard. Like kick you in the crotch, step on your neck, gauge out your eyes with an ice pick hard. Really.

Someone once told me that children are a gift. You know what I said?

The only people who say that are the people who don't have them.

Because the people who have them know what it really is.

It's up at dawn.

It's everything a mess.

It's everything broken. And if it's not broken, just wait a minute. It will be.

It's a constant state of feeding. Which means constantly cleaning up dishes and washing out cups.

It's laundry. So much laundry that it takes two DVR episodes of Downton Abbey and a 90 minute Dancing With The Stars to fold it all.

It's burying your romance in the backyard because you just don't have a minute to do anything with it. And even if you did, all you want to do with that minute is sit...and be quiet....and go to sleep. In fact, never touch me again.

It's questions and problems and fix this and do that.

It's eating too fast so you can get a hot meal before you have to stop and do something for someone. And then your husband makes fun of you because you're always eating like a vacuum cleaner, and you don't care because if you don't just shove it in, you won't get another chance to eat for the next three days.

It's the last one to bed, and the first one to get up in the morning. And sometimes that means getting up the night before so you can have just a moment of peace before the onslaught of the morning comes crashing into your coffee cup.

It's always being late. Always.

It's everything's an argument.

It's eating left over sandwich crusts and cold french fries because it's easier and takes less energy than putting together an Asian salad and some lemon water.

It's covered in every bodily fluid possible and never getting grossed out.

It's letting the pillow be your hairdresser, and...really...being okay with that.

It's moving like lightening, just so you can wait for the slug.

It's spending two hours sweating over a hot stove, and burning your hand in the oven, only to be met with "Why did you make this?" followed by "I don't like it," and concluding with "Ewww...gross!"

It's redefining Parenthood to include the term animal tamer.

It's never getting time for yourself.

It's giving everything you have away.

It's always running on empty with no fill-up station in sight.

It's being last on the list.

It's fear that you'll never get it right.

It's terror that they'll grow up only remembering how you yelled at them and never let them have any fun.

It's never wanting them to roll their eyes while you're talking to them on the phone because even though they love you, they've heard this story fourteen times and don't want to sit through it once more.

It's always being expected and never getting thanked.

And then someone takes some construction paper and some green pipe cleaners and a hole punch and some tape and makes you, truly, the most beautiful hanging basket of flowers you've ever been given. She hands them to you and says,

Here, Mom. I made this for you for Mother's Day 'cause you're the best mom in the whole world. Mom's like flowers, right?

(She has to ask because you're just standing there)
(not moving)
(...and crying.)

As you hold that paper basket of flowers, and look through the blur of your tears into that most perfect face that has nothing but love for you, you realize that none of the other stuff matters.

You will get it right.

You will find the strength.

You will rest and eat and be clean again.

And they will be alright, because they love you more than anyone has ever loved anything in the whole history of the universe.

And you love them more."

Happy Mother's day!

Our top ten is never in any particular order. When you fall in love with the shot, the artist links are directly below it. Check it out. Send them some love. Like their pages. Hit them up on Facebook. You know, all the cool stuff. Here we go...

It seems only right to lead with Lisa's shot from her beautiful writings above.

ONE {Love this perfect hand crafted gift and the story that went along with it. Motherhood. You nailed it.}

19/52 {A Mother's Love} by DoubleLPhoto

TWO {Gorgeous Embrace and perfectly amazing baby eyes! Great capture. This is surly a shot to treasure for a lifetime.}

Week 19 - "A Mother's Love" By MPE by Irela

THREE {Beautiful tone and such a sweet shot of such a wonderful bond. There is nothing like watching a new baby. The best show on earth.}

EP" Mother's Love" 19/52 By magova

FOUR {Gorgeous color pops! And such a great shot of these guys!}

ML_0035 By jodiemasterman

FIVE {Wow. This is such a wonderful arts and crafts project. You are the master of these without a doubt!}

paper flowers - things a mom will do By jules1836

SIX {Just perfect for this week. I love the texture on the sheeps. Just perfect and this spotted eyed baby is darling.}

By stela269

SEVEN {Happy Home from a Happy Mum. Such a cute illustration of your great tribute to your Mum. I love that you got her to participate! Happy Mother's day Mum!}

Project 52 Week 19/52 - A Mother's Love By Fur Will Fly

EIGHT {It's so wonderful all the love you have for your daughter in law. It's always so nice to read about how wonderful and loving she is. This is a great shot - and those eyelashes are FAB.}

Project 52 A Mother's Love By ayers549

NINE {I'm not usually in love with collages, but I love this one. Such a great story. Such a great Mom. Here's to a winning season and a very happy Mother's day!}

#19 A Mother's Love By sksurman

TEN {This is gorgeous. Mother's day arts and crafts are the best. And Teachers are the best for working with our babies to create these masterpieces!}

19/52 {A Mother's Love} By LLLL2013

Week 20's theme is "Action"

This week I chose to photograph Jefferson's High Five or Live long and prosper - you decide. Shot edited in the Exposure 4's Soft sharp black and white. Super easy. Super fast. Loving this software.

20/52 High Five Baby By Ellenburg Photography

What's New with Daphne Ellenburg?

This has been a truly wonderful busy week. Lots of editing. Lots of Ordering. And lots of LOVE. Baby Jefferson Turned 8 months old this week. I celebrated with a fantastic photoshoot!

Grant's Detroit Tigers made the playoffs. 

Jefferson Crawled for the first time Friday, for a remote control. Just like a tiny little man.

And tonight Michael gave me a wad of cash and sent me shopping with the only instructions, "Do not buy anything you can deduct on your taxes." RATS. So, I bought this sweet bag! Happy Mother's day to me.

Wishing you a wonderful week filled with Family, Fun and Photography. Make it a great week and Have a very Happy Mother's day to you and the great Mother's in your life!

Like what you read? Leave us a comment below :-) We love to read what you write.

Daphne Ellenburg is a Portrait photography business owner located in Southern Alabama with a supportive family and a new fancy-pants in home studio. She loves college football, big handbags, lip gloss and newly all things Canon. Daphne also enjoys writing about her Photo-Adventures and her entertaining family. Catch up with her at Ellenburg Photography {Website} {Facebook} {EP Blog}{Daphne's Blog}{Join EP Project 52}Ellenburg Photography's award winning photographer, Daphne Ellenburg, specializes in Wedding Photography and Family Portraiture. We are located just north of Mobile Alabama. We proudly serve all of Alabama, and Gulfcoast Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana. (251) 656-7601