If you’re here reading this, thank you—from the bottom of my heart.
Whether you stumbled across this blog looking for stories of healing, motherhood, or creative inspiration, I’m so glad you’re here.

This little corner of the internet is more than a blog.
It’s my heart on the page—a space where art, grief, photography, and motherhood all collide in beautiful, messy harmony.
It’s a space where I write the things I wish someone had told me, and where I share the moments that have shaped who I am.

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Hi, I’m Allie Lemrise—An Artist, an Educator, & a Mama

I wear many hats—and most days, more than one at a time. I’m a high school art teacher, small business owner, writer, and photographer.
But most importantly, I’m a mama to four beautiful children—three I hold here on Earth and one I carry in my heart every single day.

I’m a rainbow mom, navigating the deep terrain of infant loss and learning to find light after heartbreak.
My journey has taught me that grief and healing are not opposites—they’re partners in the process.
And through creativity, I’ve found ways to breathe through the hardest moments and celebrate the sacred, everyday joy.

This is the heartbeat of what I share here—Rainbow baby stories, grief and healing through creativity, and the magic of turning moments into masterpieces.

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Why I Teach… and Why It Still Matters

I knew from a young age I wanted to teach.
I believe that art education is about so much more than learning how to blend colors or follow rules of composition.
In my classroom, creativity becomes a life skill—a tool for students to build confidence, embrace self-expression, and explore who they are.

Some days, my students struggle to make decisions. They’re used to being told what to do.
But I encourage them to think independently, to take creative risks, and to trust their own ideas.
That’s not just an art skill—it’s a life skill. And it’s one of the hardest, most important lessons I get to teach.

Being an educator in 2025 means wearing a thousand hats.
We are counselors, role models, and safe havens for our students.
Through all the challenges, I hold onto this belief: If I can make a lasting impact on even one life, it’s all worth it.

My life as an art teacher is colorful, challenging, and full of purpose.
And it fuels much of what I share here under the umbrella of art teacher life and creative advocacy.

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My Photography: Storytelling Through a Lens

Photography has always been about more than pictures for me—it’s about storytelling.
The little details, the fleeting moments, the unscripted in-betweens.
That’s where the magic lives.

I started out photographing my own life—my family, my friends, my niece, then eventually our babies, their milestones, and our everyday chaos.
Eventually, it grew into AL Photography, where I now capture other families’ stories, turning those moments into masterpieces they’ll treasure for generations.

Whether I’m photographing a birth, a senior session, or a quiet family cuddle in a sunlit room, my goal is always the same:
To capture the genuine truth during this season of life with heart and honesty.

Running a business has stretched me in ways I never imagined,
but it’s also gifted me with deep connections, new friends, and so many smiles.
And for that, I’m forever grateful.

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Motherhood: My Hardest and Most Beautiful Role

Motherhood is where everything begins for me—and it’s also where I’ve been brought to my knees.
Our family’s journey has been filled with more medical emergencies, hospital stays, and specialists than I ever thought one life could hold.
We’ve endured life flight helicopter transfers, ICU stays, and faced terrifying unknowns.

And we’ve also endured the unimaginable—the loss of our son, Oatley.
That grief is still with us. It always will be.
But through it, we’ve discovered something else: Grief and love grow together. They’re not separate—they are the same.

As a rainbow mom, I walk the tightrope of holding space for joy while honoring the heartbreak that came before it.
Creative healing for moms like me is not just something I write about—it’s how I survive.

My kids—each of them—are the reason I fight so hard, love so deep, and work so tirelessly to create a meaningful life.
Every tantrum, every giggle, every sleepy snuggle is a gift I once feared I might never receive.
So even in the chaos, I try to stay rooted in gratitude.

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Why I’m Here: The Heart Behind This Blog

This blog is where all the parts of me come together—motherhood, creativity, grief, art, photography, and healing.
Here, you’ll find:

• Honest reflections from the trenches of #momlife
• My experience navigating infant loss
• Life as a rainbow mama
• Stories and inspiration from the art teacher life
• Behind-the-scenes peeks into my photography work
• Deep dives into grief and healing through creativity
• My perspective on motherhood, identity, and purpose

Some posts will feel like journal entries.
Others will be guides, resources, or stories meant to remind you that you’re not alone.

This is not just a blog.
It’s a community.
It’s a safe place to share truth and beauty and the big feelings that come with both.

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Let’s Walk This Road Together

Whether you’re a fellow educator, a creative heart, a grieving parent, or someone looking to feel seen—I want you to know:
You are welcome here.

I hope what you find in these pages:

• Makes you feel less alone
• Encourages you to keep going
• Gives you a laugh or a good cry
• Inspires you to create something beautiful
• Helps you heal, even just a little

There’s power in storytelling.
And there’s healing in being heard.

So find a cozy chair, pour your coffee, and let’s do life together—one honest, beautiful, colorful story at a time.
And please know that when I say “I’m so glad you’re here”—I truly mean it.