#frontstepsprojectri

⁣ These two cuties stole my heart last weekend. ⁣ ⁣ From their mom, Simone- “Quarantine : trying to work from home full time when your 3 and 5 year old interns keep making inexcusable mistakes.” ⁣ ⁣ Hang in there all!⁣ ⁣ #frontstepsprojectri⁣ #portraitphotographer ⁣ #rhodeisland ⁣ https://www.instagram.com/p/B_FYHT5HSGt/?igshid=r36xrcx7bovk

⁣ “We’re normally love being home ,but this quarantine has been tough , I just returned to work after a 6 month maternity leave, with everything going on all I do is eat 🤦‍♀️ ,My husbands is an essential worker, and I can’t see my mom, who’s my best friend and has a terminal cancer ...I can’t wait for all this to be over. Thank you ❤️” -Jodie⁣ ⁣ Thank you to the Perreault family. ⁣ ⁣ #frontstepsprojectri (at Rumford, Rhode Island) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_AW_l_Hv_k/?igshid=ug1jysm7en1g

⁣ “Like everyone else, we're settling into this new normal. Taking each day as it comes. Most of the time I feel genuinely grateful for what we're fortunate enough to have, as opposed to dwelling on all that's changed. I've also learned that it's OK to feel disoriented, sad and overwhelmed sometimes. It's a strange reality we're all living in right now!⁣ ⁣ There have been wonderful moments that wouldn't otherwise have happened if we weren't living in this suspended world. There have also been low points when we've all had just about enough "togetherness" under the same roof! I've learned to roll with whatever is happening in the moment. ⁣ ⁣ Ultimately, I think we'll look back on this time and remember the good things. The connections we nurtured with our family and friends, the rainbows we had more time to appreciate, the helpers, and the many artists like yourself who have gone to amazing lengths to continue bringing joy and creativity.” -Elizabeth ⁣ ⁣ Thank you to the O’Neill family!⁣ ⁣ #frontstepsprojectri ⁣ #portraitphotographer ⁣ #rhodeisland (at East Greenwich, Rhode Island) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_ARWsxnKp_/?igshid=15ebbzc7nnqq9

Hearing what families are going through has been such a neat part of this process. ⁣ ⁣ The thoughts families are sharing give so much meaning to the photographs. ⁣ From Meagan:⁣ ⁣ “Over all I feel that we, collectively speaking, are all grieving the loss of the world we once knew. But through all the sadness and uncertainty- I’ve felt so privileged. We are taking things a little slower, and realizing what is truly important to us. I am so grateful for my and my family’s health, and our loved ones. Our family has been working as a team; we’ve certainly driven each other crazy- but we’ve also been quicker to forgive one another, more sympathetic, we have laughed, played games, had serious conversations, and seen that more than ever before - we are stronger together. ⁣ ⁣ ‘not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character and character produces hope.’ Romans 5: 3-4 ⁣ ⁣ All these little silver linings, the joy you get reconnecting with old friends, FaceTiming family members, seeing sunshine come through your window. These small hopes are a promise or better days ahead. They have been a reminder that although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it. ⁣ ⁣ A special Thank you to all first responders, sanitation workers, postal employees, grocery/essential store personnel, children who have made rainbows and put teddy bears in their windows to brighten up our streets, to the companies who have donated their technologies so that children have educational resources, and to the people supporting #frontsteps project.”⁣ ⁣ Thank you to the Audette family!⁣ ⁣ #frontstepsprojectri⁣ #portraitohotographer⁣ #rhodeisland (at Rumford, Rhode Island) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-9mhizHXO7/?igshid=1818rgtfe4ixp

⁣ “It is a wild ride over here. Balancing two full time jobs, a first grade distance learner, two four year olds and a toddler feels a bit like a daily ultramarathon... and an exercise in futility. Our best survival mechanism has been levity: remembering that our fridge is stocked, our big little family is healthy and happy, and our sweatpants game is strong. ⁣ ⁣ In November 2018, we became foster parents. We had heard about the critical need for foster families in RI, and decided we could be part of the solution. We now have two foster kiddos in our home- two incredibly wonderful, fun, beautiful kiddos. ⁣ ⁣ In some ways, fostering has given us the perspective we needed to weather stressful situations. So many people are suffering right now, it's hard to just turn away and click to the next Netflix binge. ⁣ ⁣ If you have room in your heart and home, consider becoming a foster parent. Coronavirus has put a tremendous pressure on the already battered child welfare system. It is important to note that in normal life, a large percentage of referrals to DCYF come from teachers. With social distancing, distance learning, unemployment, food insecurity and the brink of national economic collapse, our state's most vulnerable children are at risk more than ever." -Dana ⁣ ⁣ Thank you to my dear friends, the Murrays! You guys never cease to impress me with your huge hearts and love of life and others.❤️⁣ ⁣ #frontstepsprojectri ⁣ #fosterfamily ⁣ #fosterparents ⁣ #portraitphotographer ⁣ #rhodeisland ⁣ (at Edgewood, Rhode Island) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-9kqAVn76h/?igshid=1warxgstc8gl2

⁣ “These uncertain times snuck up on us and like so many how it affects each of us depends on the day, or even the minute. ⁣ ⁣ Overall, it has allowed us to put on our breaks, take a deep breath, and be comfortable being uncomfortable. We have overwhelming gratitude for our family of five, our two dogs and the copious amounts of walks they allow us to take them on. ⁣ ⁣ New streets in a new neighborhood, with friendly and welcoming people who wave to us from afar. ⁣ ⁣ A giant shout out to all of the people who are making this world go around right now, keeping us healthy and allowing us to fulfill our basic needs...and to those, @stephanie.ewens.photography, who have found fun and creative ways to spread joy and help us maintain some sanity.” - Jessica⁣ ⁣ Thank you to the Parylak family! ⁣ ⁣ #frontstepsprojectri (at Barrington, Rhode Island) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-7_yVZHNLD/?igshid=v81lep5n560u

⁣ “While these times have indeed been trying and scary, we are emboldened by the simple acts of kindness and stories we have heard and been part of…like the generous act of the car in front of us paying for our coffee to checking in on Zoom with grandparents and relatives from all over the world and the absolute hysteria that ensues while watching my 85 year old mother try to figure out how this is all working, to wonderful neighbors willing to pick up groceries for us while they’re out getting their own.⁣ ⁣ On a personal note for our little family unit we are so grateful to have this time together, not rushing to get to the train, to school, to whatever activity is on the docket for the day but instead finding nooks and crannies in our home we’ve never used before to find privacy or a work call, forcing a 13 year old to play corn hole and wiffle ball in our little yard and teaching him to mop the floors have been personal victories that we will cherish long after this has passed. Yes, this too shall pass… hopefully we’ll keep the good that we find during this trying time. Stay well everyone.” - Marianne ⁣ ⁣ A huge thank you to the Monte-Carcieri family for participating!⁣ ⁣ #frontstepsprojectri⁣ ⁣ (at Pawtucket, Rhode Island) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-5NppxHrfv/?igshid=4rs7912vbmm2

We did it!!! Together we have raised over $5K that will go to getusppe.org. ⁣ ⁣ To the more than 70 families I’ve photographed in the past two weeks, I THANK YOU. We’ve exchanged smiles, given air hugs, and have checked in with each other. The beauty and love you’ve shown me from six feet away has filled my heart and has kept me going. 🙏❤️⁣ ⁣ I chose to help raise money for #getusppe (a movement by people in medicine on the front lines of the COVID pandemic who are in desperate need for personal protective equipment (PPE)) as we have three doctors in our own family working in hospitals right now, as well as dear friends on the front lines. ⁣ ⁣ I am so incredibly grateful to have been part of this national project capturing what matters most right now and to have been witness to incredible love, strength, and resilience. ❤️ Take care everyone and thank you again! ⁣ ⁣ #getusppe #frontstepsprojectri #portraitphotographer #family ⁣ (at Providence, Rhode Island) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-4cOINH0lo/?igshid=gost0tfhk5r0