Adventures in Picture Land

Are you ready for some cute updated pictures of my kids?

Are you?

Well...they aren't coming. I tried valiantly to get some professional pictures taken of my two little ones. Caytie threw such a fuss before our appointed time that I left her home with Ben and took only Tessa. She threw her own fuss when we got there, and it was really bad--even with the most patient professional photographer that I have ever met. Tessa would not let go of me and screamed and cried with all sorts of fluids leaking out of her face until I gave up.

We went back the next week without the photographer, so that they could get used to the studio. They played, walked around, and I showed them what they would do, and the fun toys the photographer had to make them laugh.

We went for another session a couple days later. Caytie was ready, and I thought Tessa would be OK with her there. They played as we waited, but as soon as the photographer turned to us and said, "It's your turn!" Tessa fell apart again. I told her to just get started with Caytie, as I took the screaming sibling from the room, but Caytie crumpled herself up on the floor and would not get up or turn around for anything, not even the Barbie fruit snacks I brought for "rewards."

So I officially give up, and if they wonder why they don't have any professional photos of when they were one and three, I can bring up this blog entry as proof that I tried.

It's a shame that I am not a better photographer myself. We have to get along with photos like this:

And like this one I got at the zoo:(I'd like to get a professional one of all the kids together, but I think I need some time to recuperate.)

Lucky Me!

You know those fund raisers they have at school? In fifth grade, I sold the minimum requirement for the fundraiser to be entered into the main drawing (a BMX bike or $100), and I won it! (I chose the money, and bought my own bike, with money to spare. It was a beautiful blue green cruiser. And I just realized that I haven't had my own bike since that one.) For a while after that, every time there was a raffle or door prize or drawing, I often won something.

But I haven't won anything for a long time.

Until yesterday, that is! Jocelyn, at We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice in Christ (you may remember her from the Family Proclamation activities we did this summer and the Family Celebration in September), had a little giveaway, and she chose me as the recipient of this beautiful poster:

I am so excited to share it with my family! Thanks, Jocelyn! It really brightened my day.