Family Photos, 2013

Every other year I like to get our photos taken... professionally. There is humorous feedback in the traditional school pictures and I love them as well as purchase them for that very reason... a wild hair sticking straight up, chapped lips, a bruise, mid-morning snack, the post-recess sweats and an awkward smile reflected as a result of reciting entirely too much in the mirror the day of picture day.

Instead, I like to capture our family interactions and natural facial expressions in our real surroundings to forever remember. My boys look like men to me. The saying "they grow up so fast" is so cliche... however it is so true. I just think how long I have them all to myself in comparison to their entire lives ahead and it's just a blink of an eye, really. All the cause to savor them and make every privileged moment count. Here below, are just some of my favorites... but there are so many of them, and each one is special to my heart.


This one because the sign is absolutely darling with us all together.

 These two because we just love this girl of ours.

They both look like they know how to mind a Mama here.

These four... because though they don't show it 100% all of the time, I feel like their most favorite person in the entire world.

 

These, simply because I adore all of my children's sillies.

 So dang handsome, these two... Need I elaborate? Muffins!!

 This one I hold dear for a few reasons. I don't really have pictures taken of just me. I look how I feel: vibrant. During the photo shoot Benny picked a sunflower for me like the ones you see in the background. He's just so sweet like that.

This photo because we can make a chicken coop look classy.

Last, but certainly not least is this one of the boys together showing honest brotherly love. They were tired of pictures and tired of each other... and Benny was surely going to hit The Sergeant with that big stick.

 

Thank you, DK Brittain Photography

I read this on a friends blog, where she got it from CafeMom's blog (Jennifer Cullen), The Stir... loved it!

I read this on a friends blog, where she got it from CafeMom's blog (Jennifer Cullen), The Stir... loved it!

 

It doesn’t matter how amicable your divorce is or if you were the one who initiated it, divorce flat-out sucks. However, I am happy and can set the example for my boys that I want them to see in my own life here... resulting with the hopes that I produce strapping and respectful men. Silver linings don't just exist in clouds... and I will always find them.

1. You will never feel like a "normal" family again. Even if you re-marry and do a great job of blending your new family.


2. You will have so much less of a say in parenting your children. And that will frustrate you.


3. Friends and family members will forever take sides. Even if adultery and abuse were involved.


4. People, even those you meet years after your marriage has ended, will look at you differently.


5. At some point, you will want to have sex. There will be plenty of people willing to set you up. Let them.


6. Money will always be an issue between you and your ex-spouse. Even if you have a lot of it.


7. Your children will find out at some point who initiated the divorce. And they will not be happy with that parent.


8. You will have frequent differences with your ex. After all, there's a reason you're not still together.


9. When you wake up in the middle of the night, one of the first thoughts to run through your head will be, "Are my kids here tonight?"


10. No matter how broken your heart may be, you will want to date at some point. Don't push yourself to get back out there too soon.


11. Do not, under any circumstances, bad-mouth your ex to your kids. Sometimes, it's really hard not to, but it'll come back to bite you in the butt.


12. Being divorced gets easier every single day.


13. You will miss some of your kids' lives. And that is sad. You'll do what you can to minimize this.


14. People will always want to know what went wrong the first time. Don't be surprised if one of their theories questions your ex-husband's sexuality.
    
    
15. You will still share a life with your ex after the papers are signed. In fact, it's just the beginning of a lifetime of shared experiences which will include graduations, birthdays, weddings, and even grandchildren.


16. Over time, you will tell your friends about the perks of divorce. The Thursday night date nights, the extended childless vacations, lazy weekend mornings. But deep down, you'll always be saddened by being away from your children. Until they're teenagers.