1. Once while we were looking at fridges at Sears and trying to keep our kids occupied, I took the kids into the photo area to sit down in the waiting room and play with the toys. The girl working there said that it was a slow time, and if I was willing, she’d do a free sitting with my 2 kids and give us a free 8×10. The photo turned out beautifully, (good enough to purchase more prints, although I think I didn’t ever get around to that,) and the photographer told me that spontaneous photos often turn out much better than planned ones, since the kids are relaxed and happy and the moms haven’t had the chance to nag the kids during the whole drive over about not messing up their hair and not wrinkling their clothes .

2. A few years ago, in trying to get our kids ready for church, my husband and I used to get mad at each other every Sunday morning — he always thought I was making us late, I always thought he was making us late, etc. Finally we made a change — I can’t remember exactly what was the impetus, but I might have said that I didn’t care how late we were, but that the sniping was ruining our Sabbath and I’d rather miss church entirely than talk to each other snippily every week. Anyway, we identified our behavior and we both stopped it. Now, (although we still snipe at each other about plenty of other things at other times,) we nearly always have very peaceful and cooperative Sunday mornings. As to how this story pertains to family photo-taking: although a horrible ordeal for all concerned just once a year is less of an issue than a bad Sunday every week, yet it does seem like one of those things where if you take the long view that family harmony is a higher priority than a “perfect” appearance,and use that thought to calm yourself when you’re tempted to yell or nag, then in the long run, you *might* actually end up with more beautiful photos — especially in the sense that your children will look at the photos and remember a happy time with their family.

I know, it’s a LOT easier said than done, but it still might be a change of approach worth striving for.

I know I talk way to much about my phobias. But with all my phobias in the kitchen and watching Martha do everyting it really is something that I marvel at. I also like her variety of plant shows, educational features and culture.

Everyone has their own sense of security. Mine is nicely folded towels and my son wearing a tie and ironed shirt to church. But what might be someone’s security sure isn’t mine. Like sewing, wearing matching clothes and scrapbooking.

“We should all do what, in the long run gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry.” -E.B. White

we all want acceptance–i just think we learn as we go along, ie., bet you won’t be making gingerbread people for your whole street again, now, will you….
when my first child was in preschool we had the treat for the day before halloween. i spent 3 1/2 hours making 22 individual ‘ghosts in the graveyard’ desserts (cups with crushed oreos, filling, another filling, whipped cream…you get the idea) and then watched about half of them take one bite and then throw them away.
i don’t make that mistake anymore, but i still try in other ways. it keeps us on our toes

Jennie, I’d like to tell myself that beauty and a desire for things to look good is superficial. But I don’t think it is–I think creating beauty is a spiritual gift. And I stink at it, which is why I tend to resent it or downplay it. I think that the best purpose of creating beauty is to serve–to bless your family or the people in your ward. Mostly, especially with Mormons, women are the ones who are supposed to make things beautiful. Again, I am rotten at this. But I am learning to appreciate that gift in others, instead of resent it.

I think we come here with embedded memories of beauty, order, and cleanliness. It’s part of being children of, you know, two Gods. So no, I don’t think the underlying desire is bad. I think it’s very good.

The test here is whether we’ll be able to recognize and choose the greater good. That was Eve’s challenge, and she passed with flying colors. But I don’t need to outline the ways in which we can let our desires for beauty and order and cleanliness overshadow our desires for more important things, or the ways in which we pursue good things for bad reasons… we all know how easily that happens.

We can’t always have, simultaneously, all the good things that are theoretically possible. Eve couldn’t have progression and obedience in that one infamous situation. She chose progression. I can’t have a clean house and write a book. I choose writing the book (although I wouldn’t fault a woman who chose differently). I can’t have a perfect family photo and a happy family before, during, and shortly after the photo session. I choose…the photo. (Actually, I used to, but I don’t anymore.)

Everything we do has an opportunity cost, and figuring out how to be wise stewards is doing a lot of experimenting and figuring out (in the midst of many mistakes) what kinds of choices lead to true happiness.

Can’t help but laugh that Martha Stewart is named, well, Martha.

I really think the “look” of perfection is a counterfeit, a fraud, a shallow substitute for the sweet and humble perfection you are really looking for. But it would be great to have your cake and eat it too, right?