The Out Takes:)

This week....I attempted to take A picture of all 5 kids. Having a handful of littles is teaching me many wonderful, sanctifying lessons. One such lesson is this:

Lower your standard of perfection in the areas of life that do not matter, and take captive every moment you have with your children to instruct and nurture them in the arenas of life that do matter.

In a nutshell....a perfect cute picture of all 5 kids....with all 5 kids dressed beautifully, and all smiling at looking at the camera.....has no eternal value. ummm.....I tried like a nut to get that perfect picture this week....all good advice and sage lessons aside:) The first few shots...they were pretty happy.

By about shot 15......Jordan was becoming concerned that this is what the rest of his life would look like. A constant attempt for all of them to "look" and "smile"on cue.

Oh....and it was vitally important that all 5 kids clothing be showing.

Because since I am on this, "Don't worry about the things that are trivial in life" kick......

.....I am trying to win a $100 Kelly's Kids gift card. I may need to be reminded of that life lesson again:)

At about this point...I began to promise a piece of gum to anyone who would smile.

.....then I upped it to a piece of gum and a piece of candy....

Nearing shot 50.....

...Samuel was done.

Bribery no longer had any effect on him:)

Four out of 5 kids looking at the camera.....the cute Kelly's Kids outfits my sweet mother in law and sister in law gave the kiddos sort of showing........

This will just have to be it. I'm thinking my new definition of a good picture involved one where no child is crying or picking their nose. How do you with 13 kids do this?!?! :)

I love my little people.....and know that one day I will tear up just looking at these pictures and remembering when life was so wonderfully full. Great is the Lord!

And if you want to help us win that worldly $100.......pop on over to Kelly's Kids and "like" them. Then scroll down to our picture and "like" it. Consider it a little shout out for the peanuts:)