"E" for Effort

Why is it that when my kids act out in a setting when I want them to behave, I remember the "sweet" old lady with big red hair that told me "it's children like yours that end up in prison" as Gibson was having a meltdown at 2 years old? {it's a really long story and my blood will start to boil if I recall it completely...however, if you happened to answer your phone on that day, you remember it all too well!}

The prison inmate- 18 months old

Last night we had a family photo session. It had been planned for weeks. I even rescheduled so that I'd have time to go shopping to find the perfect clothes to wear for each member of the family. I didn't let my kids play outside all week for fear they'd get a sunburn and have red faces and I looked them over each night for unsightly bruises or scratches that would ruin the "perfect" family shot that I wanted/needed for some marketing we're doing.

I had high hopes for our pictures. My children were going to pose and be perfect models and sit/stand/behave just like we had talked about. Husband was going to smile and smile and forget all his worries until we got the "perfect" shot and then ever so sweetly suggest "that's a wrap, let's go home."

Ah, if only.......

I remembered that I have an 18 month old that can barely stand to sit in his carseat fully strapped in let alone sit still and smile at the correct moment. He'd much rather pull weeds or walk down the sidewalk glancing back to see if he was going to get caught.

I could see the wacky faces and far off glances my 3 1/2 year old was making. It started well but soon he realized that the younger one acting out was getting all the attention.....

Or the roll of his eyes and eagerness in his voice as my dear husband tried to forget that he had a HUGE exam today that he needed to study for.

So, I've taken a moment today to realize that THIS is the stage of life I'm in. If I had gotten a perfect picture {a miracle may still happen, I haven't seen them yet} then I would constantly be telling the "do you know what we had to do to get that shot" story. Instead, I think I'm going to get some pictures of little boys being little boys and a husband who's showing his love for his wife by even showing up and smiling....yes, THIS is my life.

the current 18 month old....prison inmate #2?