We have been trying to take family pictures now for SIX MONTHS.

Our first attempt was June 25th. We arrived, everyone in their coordinating outfits ready to go and…

the sun was too hot

it was too bright to smile with eyes open

Sweet Pea wouldn’t touch the sand, at all

and a certain 4 year old was uncooperative.

So we gave up and went home.

And then every single attempt after that (4 times?) the weather did not cooperate. If we were scheduled for pictures, it was GUARANTEED to rain! GUARANTEED.

Then we were scheduled on December 9th and I had to cancel because I was flying to Pittsburg. But, ultimately, they would have been cancelled anyway because our photographer had the flu. I haven’t been able to reschedule with the photographer.

My brother is very interested in photography and he offered to take our pictures today. So, we got up, got dressed in our coordinating outfits and headed out to the beach.

It wasn’t hot, but the sun was already too bright and, of course, the 4 year old was uncooperative.

I was seriously this close to giving up altogether until the girls are 10 and 12. Maybe, just maybe then we could get good family pictures when they are older and not afraid of sand.

We got some pictures of us not facing the camera (because then you couldn’t see the uncooperation) and called it a day and went to grab lunch, put everyone down for a nap and then….after nap, we are headed back out for some just-before-sunset pictures.

This is going to sound crazy, but I’m going to say it anyway. Satan doesn’t want us to take these pictures.

Why? Because they will bring glory to God.

They will tell the story of how we became a family and Satan doesn’t like that story. Not one bit.

We took our engagement pictures and family pictures when it was just Dave, Little Bug and me and…it is time to fill that space on the wall there of a picture of what GOD HAS DONE.

So in 15 minutes I will get everyone up and we will head back out with our coordinating outfits, less sun and…cookies!!!

Oh yes I am. I am going to bribe my children with cookies. Smile at the camera instead of rolling in the sand and Mommy will give you a cookie!

Prayers appreciated because this is getting a little ridiculous…

PS: I did mention the other day we got family pictures. We did. Studio pictures with a fake Christmas Tree backdrop. They actually did turn out very good, but I really, really, really want family pictures at the beach!

- Elaine