It is no secret that I am a lot obsessed with photography…I LOVE IT! That being said, I prefer to be behind the camera. And although I will take hundreds of shots to get that “perfect one” and freeze little moments in time in the lives of my kids, I avoid being in photos at all costs!! But then I look through the albums and I can count on one hand how many I am in. Not that I love to look at myself by any means, but I know I’ll regret not being visible in so many moments one of these days…I already do.
So this morning I did something I pretty much never do! I put my 24-70 mm lens on my camera, zoomed it all the way out, turned the camera on myself and started snapping. I had no trouble whatsoever getting Gentry to pose with me…she is quite a little ham {no surprise there!} in front of the camera! She kept saying “cheese” over and over again! I have no idea where she learned that! I never have the kids say anything when I take their pictures!! Anyway, it was fun. We giggled, snuggled and laughed…
And although these images are FAR from perfect, they could not be more perfect in my eyes. There is love. There is happiness. There is realness. {There is also a “me” who happens to need a hair cut desperately and could stand to lose 10 pounds…but who is keeping track of all that?}
I am sure he is thinking, “This is so lame Mom!!” He only had time to pose for about five frames and then he had to get back to work building his track!
But this one? She had nothing better to do than put about a million little rubber bands on her finger and watch me get ready and then pose with me. This is what she does every day while I am getting ready {well, not the posing part!}…she sits up on the counter beside me and plays in something…sometimes my makeup, sometimes rubber bands, sometimes nail polish…whatever mess I feel like cleaning up that day!!
And then there is this one…taken by Huntler!! Not too bad!! I had the camera strap around his neck so he didn’t accidentally drop it and I was actually hanging on to the lens in this picture! That is my “big lens” and it is heavy for me after a while, I can only imagine how it felt for him!
How many rubber bands do you suppose are on her finger?!! A LOT! I took her to get her hair trimmed up on Saturday and the stylist fixed it SO cute!! I had to pick up a pack of these bright rubber bands at Wally World so I could try it myself! I managed to do it today but it is already a mess! One of these days I’ll have to take some pictures! {I added some grain…can you tell?}
I don’t have all that many ideas for the kids for Christmas this year. They already have SO much and the majority of their toys don’t even get played with. And let’s not even think about the TONS and TONS of stuff I loaded up and hauled off to the consignment shop a couple of months ago. I am “over” the idea that I have to buy every new toy that comes out. So this year we are doing things a bit different! Huntler only wants trains…big surprise! So I made a list of some of the many he does NOT have and that is what he will be getting. Gentry? I am at a loss on her. She loves dolls and babies and all of that, but really, how many dolls can one have? I am wondering if she is big enough to get into the Littlest Pet Shop or Polly Pocket or anything like that? Something that she can grow with and won’t be bored of in six weeks. Any ideas?!
Anyway…I am rambling. I decided that I wanted them to have digital cameras of their own since they both seem to love mine so much!! I found them at Wal Mart on Saturday and they were even on sale for $48 each!! YAY!! Click here and here to see them closer!!
Lisa already warned me that I will not be impressed with the quality, but that’s okay! That is what my camera is for!! And this way they can take their own pictures and I won’t be a nervous wreck!!
Okay, well I am wanting to wrap up a bunch of hair flowers today and move on to another project! I have a list a mile long! So, I am going to head out and get to work!!
Happy Monday on this HOLIDAY WEEK!! YAY!!
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by Bethany
Well, one thing we have in common when it comes to photography, (perhaps the only thing:) is that neither of us want to be the subject of the photos. I so hear you on the needing a haircut,and the need to drop ten pounds (or twenty in my case but whose counting)-you so do NOT need to lose weight but that’s another comment for another day! These pictures of you and your kiddos are so, so sweet. They are exactly how I see you. Honest, open, loving. . . perfectly you. I especially love the last one of you and Gentry together.
love ya, can’t wait to see ya!
Lisa
Hi Bethany! Since Gentry and Kylie are close in age, I thought I might be able to help with that one! lol Honestly, Kylie prefers to play with what ever we have purchased for Chloe… right now, she LOVES my littlest pet shop and the *itty bitty* my little pony sets…. OH! My little pony has a carnival set out that we are getting her this year! Gentry might like something like that!
I am with you, Kylie loves to play mommy and such, but after seriously 20 baby dolls, when is it time to say enough?! If Gentry doesnt already have a doll set, i.e. stroller, carrier, cradle, pack n play.. that would be another great idea!
OHH! Rose Petal Cottage too!! =]
Good luck!!! =]
Those pictures of you are so cute. And I agree with Lisa, you don’t need to loose any weight. You are way to thin to loose 10 lbs! I know what you mean about you not being in photos. I’m not in any of ours either. Must just be a mom thing. I don’t have many pictures of my mom growing up.
Mistie
I am so PROUD of you for overcoming avoiding having your picture taken! To willingly submit to something you so do not want to do. Something that is commonly avoided by lots of people, including me. What courage and nerve you have to not only take them, but to show them to the world. I am envious of your boldness and bravery. WAY TO GO! Leading the pack, showing the rest of us spineless wimps that it can be done and one can even survive it, and be no worse for the wear. Great pics, especially the last one. Love, Debbie
Oh these are priceless! I often think the same thing (that I don’t want to be in the photos), but then I remember that someday my kid(s) will want old photos of us together just like I cherish the ones I have of me and my parents when I was little.
Thanks for sharing. I love how candid they are and how obvious it is that ya’ll have so much fun together!
I love these Bethany! As moms, we tend to focus on everyone else. That is what we do. But, in a rare moment where you can get a genuine moment together and capture it forever in front of the camera…it is so worth it! Your kids will appreciate it even more than you some day. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
Love ~abby
Oh I loooove this pics, you really did a great job with those…..and what a great gift idea….especially for your kids! I can not wait for lil to be old enough to use fun stuff like that….although her first “electronic” will probably be a sewing machine!
happy turkey day!
I’m just now catching up from being absent and have to say you made me laugh this morning!! I’ve got a sick boy home today….guess Jillian and I share really well! So I’m reading quickly
Love your pictures! You look fabulous
and……here’s a wee story about spiking your drink in the morning. I used to live in N. Cal. right below Napa. My neighbor and I went on Monday morning walks with coffee cups in hand, but no java here, they were filled with wine. And we did walk around 10:30 ish so we didn’t feel too terrible about what we were consuming
So your post gave me a chuckle this a.m.
Anyway……Happy Thanksgiving!
Denise
(do you hear what I hear? could it be raindrops!!)
I hear you on the pictures!!! I’ve started doing one thing (and well it helps me get the smiles I want) I let them turn the camera on me when we get done with a photo shoot. Usually I don’t save many of the pictures, but I do save the ones with the kids in them. Want to see a really bad one..check out the pictures from our last Texas trip! Dahrran wanted to take pictures of me and Kaitlynn in the pool! Needless to say there is one that needs to loose 10 pounds and then some!
As for the cameras, well we got one for MacKenzie last year, and well she loves it…but she loves mine more! She’s still always getting mine out and sneaking it! I’m glad I purchased the extra service plan, when I bought it, which includes accidental drop protection!
Also something I bought for MacKenzie that I thought she’d play with for a while and then pass on was the My First Leap Pad. I’m not sure if you can get them in stores anymore (I got ours on Ebay). MacKenzie LOVES it, and plays with it about 5-10 times A DAY!
Good luck with whatever you choose!!!
Amanda
Love the pictures but seriously…where have you hidden this 10 pounds? Crazy woman! ;0)You look fabulous! Miss ya! and I heard it rained the day AFTER we left? What? I have asked for rain all year! Oh well!