My sister-in-law sends the best photos of her children throughout the year. My niece and nephew are always perfectly dressed and smiling. Even as infants and toddlers, her children enjoyed picture day and loved to pose for the camera. 

You would think that since our children share half the same gene pool, I would also be so lucky. Unfortunately, since birth my two girls have hated having there photos professionally taken. My collection of photos have usually included someone frowning, crying or stomping there feet. Although there have been a few rare occasions in which I have gotten lucky, that has not been the norm.

So why would I think today would be any different? I don't know. I guess deep within my subconscious I've always dreamed of having a "Norman Rockwell" family photo. I know this is incredibly ridiculously and utterly unachievable given the personalities of our family, but a girl can dream - right?

Today was picture day and it has been filled with the same chaos that exists every time I try to rally the troops for a family photo. From Libby's adamant demands to wear her pink ratty flip flops and bring her blue soccer ball for the photo to my husband's realization that the outfit I picked out for him doesn't fit right, it seemed that we were doomed for failure. No matter how you slice it, trying to coordinate outfits and getting everyone out the door without tears or temper tantrums seemed like an impossible task.

Yet somehow we did it. I don't know how, but before I new it everyone was beautifully dressed in matching colors and moving out the door. (Although we did have to compromise and allow Libby to wear her flip flops and bring her dress shoes). And an hour later, we had successful survived dozens of snapshots with smiles and laughter. We left the studio happy and even celebrated with a little ice cream as a reward for good behavior.

I can't guarantee that we will have that perfect picture on our mantel when the photos come in, but I'm sure it will be something I can live with and not groan at each time I pass it. They idea that I might have finally gotten one family picture with everyone smiling might be the miracle I've been looking for. Wish me luck; it's been one heck of a week!