Picture Perfect Evening ~ Right?

Well, I had this marvelous idea to take my kids out and get thier pictures taken together. The weather was perfect! Not to hot, not to cold, the sky was overcast (eliminates squints, and shadows) overall a great July day to snap some pictures. I should have had a notion not to go, when I called the kids in the house and they all came COVERED in dirt. Needless to say, I got three showers done in 15 minutes with a couple minutes to spare. I guess it sounded fun to throw dirt at each other, I can't imagine they thought they weren't going to be caught! I got everyone dressed and Lucy up from a short nap (another clue to maybe wait til another time) and was ready to go. I turned my camera on to format the memory card, and realized my camera only had 1/3 battery power left. Have I mentioned I don't have an extra camera battery. The kids are dressed and in the car waiting for me when I finally have everything together. Our little adventure starts out well, although, Lucy is being a little defiant. As our time goes along, she gets worse and worse and worse! I was glad I didn't see many other people out there, I was not being very patient with my little non-paying clients. The evening was full of many unplanned mishaps, (0f course, who plans mishaps) Needless to say, I came home with a few good pictures out of 123, a battery with a little less power, and a tear in my skirt! I stopped at Taco Bell on the way home, I didn't feel the desire to have a home cooked meal. I thank God that I have the ability to take nice pictures of my children and I thank God for my kids! Logan has a big heart, after I told them how they weren't making me very happy by disobeying, Logan very sincerely told me "Mommy, I have something to say, I am sorry that I haven't been obeying and I love you, Mommy!" Its times like these that make the work of being a parent worth it! Of course, had the kids not come in the house covered in dirt, and needing showers before we could leave, and had Lucy taken a better nap, the evening may have progressed differently. Although, had it turned out like that, Logan wouldn't have told me the words I love to hear, "I love you, Mommy"! Did I mention our neighbors are going crazy with fireworks (10:21pm) & Tanner is shakingly, scared under my legs.