Taking a holiday picture of my kids is near impossible. One is smiling, one is not... one has his eyes closed, one won't sit within 10 feet of his brother. I have long given up the "everyone dress the same, comb your hair" shot. I am just happy if there are no bugars hanging from their noses.
This was the first shot...















Then one of them let out the loudest FART (Nick) and I got this shot...
it was all downhill from there.

I took this at the funeral for a friend's father who served in the Marines. (She asked me to take some photos) It was very touching that he was given the respect he deserved. I can't share others because there was family in the shots but, as weird as it sounds, they turned out awesome.

1. Back to your bridge you evil troll! You have no powers here.
2. Don't make me go Psycho-Bitch on your annoying ass
3. I'm sorry. My fault. I forgot you were an idiot.
4. Amazingly enough, I don't give a shit
5. A few clowns short of a circus now aren't we?
6. Whoop-dee fucking-do!
7. Not the brightest crayon in the box now aren't we?
8. Well, aren't we just a ray of fucking sunshine
9. Admitting you're an asshole is the first step
10. You say I'm a bitch like it's a bad thing
11. A hard-on doesn't count as personal growth
12. Aren't we just a lettle freak of nature?
13. Easy there Mr. Testosterone, you can be replaced by a zucchini

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Inland North You may think you speak "Standard English straight out of the dictionary" but when you step away from the Great Lakes you get asked annoying questions like "Are you from Wisconsin?" or "Are you from Chicago?" Chances are you call carbonated drinks "pop."
The Midland
The Northeast
Philadelphia
The South
The West
Boston
North Central
What American accent do you have? Take More Quizzes

I remember sitting in HighSchool English and the teacher had us write out a time line of ages that were important to us and why. Things like at thirteen you were a "teen", at twelve you could get into PG rated movies... everyone had different numbers on their paper except the number sixteen. Maybe because it was the closest to us that most of us were looking forward to. But it was the only common number among all the kids. Sixteen - you get your drivers license.
I remember going to the DMV with my dad. I remember standing in line. I remember that my dad was very upset with me because I had just been caught sleeping over at Jerry's house when he thought I was at Vivian's. I remember thanking the lord that he let me get my license anyway. I remember getting my picture taken. I remember liking that I got to put 118 as my weight when it was really 120. (neither of which I will ever see again) I remember driving home feeling more mature, more responsible, more independent.
Today, at 11:30, I am taking my son to get his license. I am terrified. I am not sure what my parents felt on my special day (I should ask), but I can feel my hairs turning gray, my stomach is in knots and my eye is twitching. The thought of him asking for the car (MY CAR) to go grab a bite, or go to the movies, or go on a date... I am getting hives just thinking about it.
I am sure this will pass... it will be fine. Then in two years I will go through it all over again... and three years after that... and three years after that.

**UPDATED**
I picked him up for school only to drive to the DMV and see a sign on the door saying "Closed for Election Day". He is bummed and I feel bad (only a little) that he will have to wait until tomorrow.