We have had two "professional" photo shoots with great photographers/friends that included all the kids at once. They are the live witnesses as to what it takes to get a halfway decent shot of the Zluticky children. Let me just say that one said child actually LEFT the photography session and opted to walk home - from city lake!! That same said child also got sent to the car with me angrily grumbling "no more pictures with him" on the other one. I seriously don't know what he will do when it comes time for his wedding photos someday. He will probably have to be photo-shopped in so it doesn't look like he left his bride standing cold turkey at the alter.
Before Thanksgiving I had all 4 kids at the lake. It was a gorgeous fall day so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to get a picture of them for this year's Christmas card. Only Sarah Joy takes pride in what she looks like and actually combs her hair for this picture. The boys were wearing shorts and athletic pants that had probably been crumpled in the bottom of their athletic bag. Picking my battles, I decided not to make them change thinking I would just get a really good close-up of their faces together. (I was borrowing Doris's camera - I was excited.) That was an "epic fail" -says the son who is ending up to be the main character of this blog would say. Not only do I have a teenage son who will not cooperate - but throw a toddler in the mix whose name is Elisabeth and why did I even think something would turn out?!? Every year when the same scenario seems to play out wherever I take pics, I threaten to put those on the Christmas card. And this year, a few of these are going to end up on it. A mamma's got to call in her bluff sometime doesn't she? These aren't any that are on the card, but here is a few of the pics I tried to take...
Last year, my kids were the living nativity for the senior adult Christmas banquet. There were dressed up with beards, gowns, the works and Elisabeth was baby Jesus. (Whoever heard of a red head baby Jesus?) Of course I take all kinds of pictures and I kept thinking - this would make a great Christmas card!!! But then people who didn't know they were dressing up for something specific would probably be like "Oh my gosh!!!! She dressed up her kids like Mary and Joseph - and baby Jesus! What nut would do that?!?" Now I'm thinkin' that would be actually really funny. Especially putting it on a year later.
My sister has 4 little kids and somehow she ALWAYS pulls off the perfect family Christmas card. And yes, I'm jealous. My dad put both of our Christmas cards in this two sided glass frame that sits on an end table. When we are both at his house we revert back to a couple of 10 year olds and each time we walk buy we flip the frame around so that person's family is in front. Well this year, she had a photo shoot I didn't know about. Thanks to Facebook the photographer tagged her in one of the pictures. It showed up on my wall. My jealousy barometer raised a notch. Yes, her kids were actually wrestling or rough housing on this couch but it was captured perfectly. Her and Jason were standing behind this couch with this cute little chalkboard sign that said "our family" - and they had adorable exasperated looks on their face. My kids wrestle in a picture and the photo turns out blurry, someone stomps off mad, or there is a finger in someone's nose. My sister takes a pic like that and it could be a magazine cover!
Oh well. I guess that is what makes us - us. The Zluticky's. I love each of my kids and their own unique personalities so much that sometimes I feel my heart could burst. This year's card has 2 main pictures that wasn't even part of that little failed attempt of a photo shoot. I put in some blooper pics because that is us. Our life is one big blooper. But I wouldn't have it any other way. The sentiment I was able to put on the card kind of sums up our life - "wishing you laughter and love through knowing the joy of Jesus this holiday season..." We have lots of moments of tears, frustrations and fights like all families... but at least the laughter and love and most of all Jesus is what still makes us - us.
Oh, Amy, you are so funny! It is just about the same scenario trying to get that "perfect Picture" out of Melissa's crew now. But as they are comprised of an 8 year old that HATES to have her picture taken, and then 7, 4, 3 and 2 year olds, I don't know why we even think it is possible to get those ages to all cooperate and smile beautifully and keep clothes clean etc. Papa does his best to capture the split second they are but it ain't easy and takes 1000's of shots. Merry Christmas!! Have a joyous time of laughter this season. Becky Robertson
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