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Ni Hao Y'all

when east meets south

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the dreaded family photo

Another thing on my list of things-to-do-before-Zach-leaves was family pictures. As in pictures of our entire family.

Can I just add something here?

UGH.

familycrop

I already struggle with trying to photograph just a few of my kids together.

Getting everyone in the same frame, still relatively clean, all looking in the same general direction and not making a face is, honestly, ulcer-inducing.

Add to that the fact that for the entire family to be in the same frame, I had to figure out the self-timer (thank you, Victoria), set up the tripod (thank you, Asher), and depress the button and run to get into the picture. You know, acting natural and all.

It was not pretty. I’m so sorry to everyone who passed us on that path at the botanical gardens.

So sorry.

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But I had a lot of skin in the game. I’d ensured everyone’s cleanliness, dressed them, fixed their hair and driven – two cars – all the way across town to a local botanical garden for pictures. By the time I set foot in the place, I was committed.

Thankfully, we did not leave empty handed.

kidsblog

Professional? Nope.

That’ll-do? Yes.

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We even had fun in the process.

Okay, not a lot of fun. But enough as one can home for under such conditions.

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I think the Sonic stop for 1/2 price slushies on the way home helped.

The best part? These were the last check box to complete our dossier for Miss Clementine.

Once we receive our USCIS approval (should be soon!) and we will be ready to submit our dossier.

One slightly painful step closer to our sweet baby girl.

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07.28.14 · big o' family, Clementine, Victoria, Zach 16

Comments

  1. meganrbg says

    July 28, 2014 at 5:33 PM

    Oh, man, I can relate to the stress of dossier photos! And I only have 3 kids! The ones I sent in with our dossier are “just okay,” in my opinion. Yours are actually super cute! We just mailed our dossier to our agency last week and expect our DTC to be 8/1. Can’t wait to hear that yours is on its way!

    Reply
    • NiHaoYall says

      July 28, 2014 at 10:44 PM

      So exciting! Congrats on being DTC soon 🙂

      Reply
  2. Angie Rylands says

    July 28, 2014 at 5:57 PM

    That is SO funny Steph! We made the same “Sonic stop” after our family photos last week! 1/2 price shakes is the ONLY way to feed large families! 🙂 They are awesome! Well done!

    Reply
    • NiHaoYall says

      July 28, 2014 at 10:43 PM

      Amen, friend! Gotta get those deals when you can 🙂

      Reply
  3. Lisa says

    July 28, 2014 at 6:31 PM

    The part where my eyes started to burn and my throat got tight. “One slightly painful step closer to our sweet baby girl.” SO excited for you!!

    Reply
    • NiHaoYall says

      July 28, 2014 at 10:47 PM

      Thank you, Lisa – we can’t wait <3

      Reply
  4. Jean Mulvahill says

    July 28, 2014 at 6:46 PM

    Beautiful picture and so wonderful to check it off the list!!

    Reply
  5. Sandy Kreps says

    July 28, 2014 at 6:53 PM

    WOO HOO!!! DTC is such a RELIEF!! We were LOA today – so I feel your excitement!!

    Reply
    • NiHaoYall says

      July 28, 2014 at 10:45 PM

      That is awesome, Sandy! The only thing better than LOA is TA (and CA) 😉 Congratulations on a BIG step closer!

      Reply
  6. Kelleyn says

    July 28, 2014 at 8:20 PM

    Great job! My kids are such goof balls we never get good photos!

    Reply
  7. Jordan Hailey Newman says

    July 28, 2014 at 10:38 PM

    Wow look how big they are getting especially Asher!!! He looks bigger than Chris! Everyone looks beautiful though. Tori is always so photogenic, very vogue! Love everyone!

    Reply
  8. Rebecca says

    July 29, 2014 at 7:42 AM

    I just found your blog and I have been (happily) missing some sleep as I read through your hilarious commentary, heart wrenching stories and beautiful photos of your family. We are in the “research” stage of international adoption. We live overseas with the military (wahoo for military families, saw your husband was prior military!) so the situation has its issues. We are debating (and lots of prayer too) on waiting until we go stateside to start (18 months away) or just go ahead now. Thanks for all your vulnerability and honesty in these posts. God has blessed you abundantly!
    In Him, Rebecca

    Reply
  9. Jim R says

    July 29, 2014 at 9:31 AM

    A pain to get the pics, but worth the effort, I’d say. I’m surprised that you and your husband don’t absolutely bust wide open with pride.

    Reply
  10. TrustworthyLawyer says

    July 29, 2014 at 11:43 AM

    Invest in a remote! I use the following one from Nikon and LOVE it. You can even buy a little $2 case that attaches the remote to your camera strap so its always available. I’m not a cannon girl, but i’m sure they have something similar. It is so much easier for mom to not have to run back and forth with the timer!

    http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Product/Remote-Cords/ML-L3-Wireless-Remote-Control-%28Infrared%29.html

    Reply
  11. Jane Klingenberg says

    July 30, 2014 at 7:11 AM

    Oh, Stef! You make me laugh. Love seeing your family pics. Love even more knowing that you are another step closer to Miss Clementine !! God reminded me to pray for your precious little girl yesterday!

    Reply
  12. McDonoughclan says

    August 21, 2014 at 1:44 PM

    I so enjoy reading your blogs and just love your sense of humor. Thanks so much and congratulations, I will be praying for you an your family. My husband and I just got our biometric appointment and we are excited,the last step of completing our dossier. Your blogs help me pass the time especially when I can’t sleep, I always feel to encouraged after reading so thank you.

    Reply

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I'm Stefanie. Wife to one, mom to 13. Occasional blogger and t-shirt maker. Wannabe photographer and exerciser. Constant grace-needer and orphan advocator. more
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our china journeys

magnolia - 2016
clementine - 2014
tallula - 2012
penelope - 2011
vivienne - 2010
shepherd - 2008
jude - 2007
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isabelle - 2005

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