The Family Photo Shoot That Almost Didn't Happen

These family pictures almost didn't happen. They were "this close" to never materializing. But happen they did, and I am so grateful, because I love them. And I think it may be a new family tradition, because pictures are truly important, and we need them. Isn't it magical that of all the moments that come and go in our lives, a few of them can be captured to help the memories live on? Originally, I scheduled the pictures to commemorate our 16th anniversary. Brady and I didn't have a big splashy wedding with a professional photographer, and our wedding pictures aren't very impressive. Digital photography wasn't mainstream back when we got married. So I thought it would be nice for the kiddos to have a good picture of us for when they move out and have their own places, someday. I did my research, and I was so happy to finally find a professional photographer whose work I loved, Whitney Lily Photography. The first hiccup came in scheduling her. I had envisioned pictures at our house in the sunshine, the end of summer. However, she was booked solid all the way into October. I was super disappointed, because I am not a fan of fall. At all. Leaves are not my thing. Plus, I was worried the rain would come, but what could I do but pick a day and hope for sunshine? Well wouldn't you know, the weather was beautiful all the way up until a couple of days before our pictures. And then, unrelenting rain! I was devastated. And mere days before, I developed a humongous blemish on my face. However, at this point, it was the ONLY DAY we had to get this done. Everything else had been scheduled around this appointment. It was a do or die situation. I had just decided to scrap the entire thing, and yes I will admit I shed a tear of the situation, when our sweet photographer saved the day and messaged me with a solution. She knew the perfect place to go that had the light of the outdoors, but cover from the rain. And so we kept the date, and if you can believe it, it rained all morning, but quit during our session, and then came back after our pictures were over. So I guess these pictures were meant to be, after all. Even if they were in the leaves! So ironic. To tell you the truth, it all worked out perfectly, and we had such a good time! Brady was hilarious and he had us all laughing from start to finish. We aren't exactly model material, so I am sure we were unlike any family she has ever photographed. And we didn't make her page or Instagram, so we must not have been too impressive. But we had an absolute blast during our session. Brady had more fun than anyone! Britt didn't want to have pictures done at all, but he ended up having a great time, too. There are a couple of shots I wish we had thought to get, but for the most part, I love the pictures. And if we do make it a tradition and do them next year, both kids will be out of braces and we will all look older and wiser, I'm sure. I feel vainglorious in sharing so many of these, but the ones I picked are some of my favorites, and I just couldn't resist. Hope you enjoy! We were trying for a "serious" picture. So of course Brady is smiling! This picture makes us all laugh so much. I am seriously grateful for this family of mine. They are a dream come true, and I live for them every day. They make me happier and more proud than I ever dreamed it was possible to be. Thanks for keeping up with our lives, and I think I may try to post once a month on the blog. Only time will tell, but for now, this post sums up where we are - The 4 B's, living and loving like there is no tomorrow!