WITH, Not OF

Late Monday night, I read this, and it moved me so much that I decided to throw out my whole agenda for the next day and focus on one simple task: taking pictures with my kids.

You see, I, like so many other moms, love to take pictures of my kids.  When they are posed or candid, individual or group, sleeping or active--it makes no difference.  I have so much fun capturing the moments of their lives through the lens of my camera.

But rarely do I hand off the camera to someone so I can be in the picture, too.  The one notable exception to this is when I'm pregnant; during those times I'm glad to have pictures taken regularly of me so that the growing baby is able to someday look back and see how my body changed during that time (and, of course, so that I can look back and remember, too!).  When I'm not pregnant, however, I've been reluctant to put myself in the picture.

Until I read that article, that is.

Tuesday morning I got started with my mission.  Even though I was dressed in very casual clothes and even though my hair was just twisted and clipped up after my shower that morning and even though I didn't feel fancy, I tried to disregard all of that and simply take a picture with each of my children.

I began with Moriah; and before her morning nap, I set the camera on her changing table and, with the help of the self-timer, was able to take a few pictures of my sweet daughter and I.

Then I tucked Moriah in bed, went downstairs to our library, hung up a white sheet in front of a bookcase, set up the camera on a chair, and stuck a joker hat on my head.  It wasn't hard at all to convince David to take silly pictures with me.

And then it was Josiah's turn.  When I saw his western getup, I got out an old bonnet.

This pioneer lady sure loves her wild cowboy.

Shav wanted a turn with the joker hat, so I wore the goggly-eye glasses.

Then Tobin with his Bibleman cape inspired me to try to be a superhero, too.

We had so much fun using the self-timer on the camera and then running to try to get into our positions before it took the picture.  Lots of laughter while we were doing all of this.  :)

David wanted another turn, this time with his Mario costume.  Fine with me.  :)

We had to take a group shot, of course; and although I wish Moriah could have been in it, too, her sleep seemed more important.  Someday we'll get one of me and all the kids.  :)

On that very fun morning, my mission was simple: disregard the other tasks calling for my time and attention, put aside any insecurities about how I look, and get in the picture with my kids.

Mission accomplished.  :)