Expectations are a killer!

THE photo shoot...

Every year I get so excited when the Christmas cards start arriving.

I love seeing pictures of families and reading letters about what they are up to.

I guess moving away from so many people that I love has increased that excitement even more.

For most, that is my only connection to them.

I love beautiful pictures.

I have always been so intrigued and even a little jealous at times when I see gorgeous family pictures.

I have always wanted "the perfect family picture".  

So....

Now that our family is complete I decided that this year was the right time to hire a photographer to take pictures of my family.  Up until this point I have not been able to get myself to fork out the money for one since I knew there could be additional children that would not be pictured.

My expectations...

ONE perfect picture with all 6 of us.  

For weeks I worked with wardrobe ideas.

Searched pinterest....searched stores.

Purchased and returned.

I was very happy with the final wardrobe product!  

 

We found the perfect setting!

I was SO EXCITED!

This year I would have the PERFECT picture for my Christmas cards.

             Now, I have not yet seen the pictures.  Maybe, just maybe, she got exactly what I hoped for.

I'm thinking NOT!

It was such a MESS!  

Let me set up the scene....
Everyone got home from school.

We have about an hour to get everyone ready, a snack, and get on our way.

I never had Little Man try on the sweater I purchased for him.

It was WAY too big.

He did not have anything "perfect" to replace it.

We were running late and Daddy was pushing me.

I did not enjoy being pushed.

We were not being sweet to each other.

We stop at the mall and I RAN (in heels) to Children's Place to get Little Man a new sweater.

They did not have his size.

I had 3 seconds to find something different.

Not the PERFECT thing....but I had to compromise.

Sprinted back to car.  I was sweating and flustered.

Drive 45 min. to the PERFECT location.

Mara cried for the last 20 min. of the drive.

I realize I didn't give her a snack or milk or anything after she woke up.

I brought nothing. 

(Hello...I know better!)

Got to the location. 

Hurricane Sandy was traveling through and it was WINDY and COLD!

Snot...tears....shivers...

I found some crackers for Baby Girl.  

She DID NOT WANT her picture taken!

She ripped off her headband, refused to give up her paci, and wanted to hold an ugly stuffed animal.

She fussy and unhappy!

When I undressed her later I realized why.  

She must have had fire ants in her boot.  She had blisters all over her foot.

It was so cruddy.

I was "over it" half way through the shoot.

The photographer was great and she made the best of what we handed her.

It wasn't anything like I hoped and dreamed of.

I really don't ever want to do it again.

It made me crazy.

I even cried the next day b/c I was so mad at myself for spending so much time and energy on it.

Maybe, just maybe, the pictures will not reflect the madness of the day.  

But, I needed to set the scene so you would all know:
There may be some perfect pictures....

(Because we hired a really good photographer)

It's not because our family is perfect...

We were a HOT MESS!

Expectations are a killer!