Christmas 2013

It has been a great length of time since my last post...summer...and here we are approaching Christmas!  The time flies in our home and MUCH living has taken place in the months since my last post.  The reality is, I have wanted many times to sit down and write a post, however the life of a momma of many lacks the time do so on more occasions than not.  Such it has been in my home. 

• Living through loving and caring for the 9 blessings the Lord has given me {husband and eight children}
• Ministering to those in need {putting feet (and backs even) to the Gospel through helping those the Lord has placed in our lives facing trials of various kinds and helping to share their burdens
• Being good stewards of what the Lord has given us {some minor home projects this fall and continuing into winter}
• Educating and training {has required diligence and work to be able to stay on track ~ according to the lessons I planned for the children for this school year over the summer...the training holds greater challenge for me with regards to channeling all that energy of the 4 and 6 year old; additionally, I opened our home to a small group of families and organized a co-op ever other week this semester}
• Managing our home and business {is continual and ever-changing as children grow and the economy continues to be challenged}
• Growing relationships {and walking through a new season with courtship for our eldest son}

Needless to say, I am delayed in areas of pleasure...blogging, getting our family newsletters and Christmas photo cards done, scrapbooking {what is that exactly???}, etc.

Today, I was hopeful to tackle getting our pictures done so I could get on to creating this year's Christmas photo card.  So, after church, we headed to a location about 20 minutes away and girded up for what always proves to be somewhat comical and challenging.  {Trying to get everyone in position, "happy" and still long enough to get a few good shots with a large family is a proving ground, for sure.}  And all BEFORE lunch...hoping to use that as a motivator to do well AND to avoid staining clothes from lunch spills.

We started off well for about 2 1/2 minutes...family shots first.  THEN, tearing eyes and rumbling tummies and minor melt-downs.  QUICK, snap a few of the kids...stand here, look this way, SMILE, open your eyes.  Bless the youngest...she did very well and was quick to obey.  My sweet Carolyne.  Here is what I narrowed the selection down to and the card designed to be mailed.

May you all have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!

By His Grace ~

Stationery Card

View the entire collection of cards.