Seriously …….. WHY is it impossible to get a professional photo of our family????? Every year we try, and every year some freak event prevents it from happening.  A random person receiving our Christmas card (if you even received one last year, it was most likely 11 months late), would have no clue how many family members we actually have (one or more people are guaranteed to be M.I.A.) ….. you may even question if we even like each other ….. or ask if perhaps we are anti-Christmas-ites.  What’s with all the injuries, you may ask (see bruises in precious years’ photos….. I had to have a neighbor Photoshop the best picture of 2005 – no clue how a bruise covering the entire middle of Tristan’s forehead occurred). Ok, yes, I admit I am likely to show up to most any event bruised, bleeding or scarred ….. (don’t even ask) …. it could have been caused by a kamikaze remote control or pretty much any random household item: doors, walls, counter-tops, you name it.

I truly don’t understand what I have done to offend these objects!  Picture this…  I go about my day, minding my business, skipping and singing with birds fluttering sweetly around my head (true story), but yet these vicious assailants just jump out and attack me…. and sweet Jesus, staircases and curbs absolutely abhor me!!!!! One year we have (what would have been) a precious photo of the boys as a live chick pooed on Brennen’s shoulder (little bro’s face turned from smiling at the camera to pure horror as he realized what these cute little animals were capable of expelling from their cute little fluffy bodies).

Last year, the eldest child slept through the photo shoot.  Yes, a 19-year-old college boy/child/man, slept through 17 phone calls and 8 texts, trying to rouse him from his sweet slumber to come join the photo shoot about which he had known the specific day, date and time for over 2 months!  I reminded my child 3 days before.  I reminded my child 2 days before.  I reminded my child the day before.  Buuuuttttttttt, he lolled about in dreamland while momma repressed homicidal feelings (orange is not my color, orange is not my color … repeat ad nauseam). and smiled prettily for the camera.

This year, the pictures were more important than ever.  I had planned a scrapbook for my mom (recovering from breast cancer), and the yearly calendar for the hubs (but even more special because we’re just months away from our 15 year wedding anniversary ….. soooooo wifey had something else planned for that date that necessitated a full family picture).  With those special variables in mind, I ordered our clothes in late November with a 5-7 day shipping guarantee.  Take a guess how that turned out.  The clothes didn’t show up until 27 days after I placed the order.  Photo shoot had to be rescheduled, and thankfully the new photographer managed to work us in during this busy season (why we used a new photographer after trying 2 personal recommendations since we moved here is a WHOLE other story …. last years’ photographer can go fly a kite).  Let me pause here to give a shout-out to the photographer we did use.   He (Trinity Greer) is beyond fantastic.  I knew of him because he shot some photos and videos at the crossfit gym where Matt used to work-out and coach runners.  Trinity shot a beautifully artistic picture of Matt…..

Trinity was featured in a magazine and the picture of Matt was one the editors chose to use in the article.  I wasn’t sure if he also did family pictures, but I reached out to Trinity figuring it wouldn’t hurt to ask.  He was so gracious and so willing to work with us to get us the special family Christmas pictures I had hoped for. But wait…… what is that I hear?  Another snag in our photo plan?  A 20-year-old child (same one?  If you do the math, I bet you’ll have a good guess) couldn’t get off work and didn’t tell me until the day we had scheduled to take the pictures.   SOOOOOOOOO, that’s why only 3 of the 4 of us are in these pictures.  Only 1 of my 2 children were there. BUT, on the positive side of the eternal-family-photo-jinx, my eldest baby is working hard and responsibly.  AND, the pictures that Trinity took are THE. BEST. PICTURES. of us EVER!   My guys hate having their picture taken, but they walked away from the shoot laughing and happy because Trinity is not just an amazing photographic artist, he is an amazing person.  He made me feel beautiful.  He and Matt are of the same athletic ilk, so Matt felt at ease despite being sick (more attempted jinxes, I tell ya’ll!), and Trinity was so kind to Tristan, that Tristan left feeling good about himself also.  My baby is an extremely intelligent and sensitive 14-year-0ld, and he often feels like adults treat him like a little child, so he dreads events like these.  When Trinity spoke to my baby, he uplifted that child, and when we left, Trinity hugged Tristan good-bye, and Tristan felt valued throughout the whole time.

AND THEN!  I saw the pictures.  And I sobbed.  They are not just photos …. they are art.  Trinity captured the essences of my baby and my husband.  There are some pictures that I can’t share because they are so special, they have inspired a 15th wedding anniversary project for my darling hubs, and a belated Christmas gift for my mom.  But I wanted to share a few because they are so special.

I was heartbroken that my eldest couldn’t make it, but I’m proud of him for being responsible.  I am blessed with these guys … my father, my husband, and my boys.

I am not jinxed.

I’ll work out our “Christmas,” or “New Year,” or just, “We love you,” photo cards, and as I work on them, my heart will be full of love and gratitude for my family and friends and for the other special people that bless our lives, like Trinity…. like the cashier at the pharmacy, like the woman in line with me at the dry cleaner’s, like the people whose messages to me say my yoga photos are inspirational, like the man who held the door for me, like every person that I can reach out to and help, like the opportunities I have to pay it forward.

I am not jinxed.  I am blessed.