The last few days were spent basking in the
sweet spirit of Christmas.
Truly lovely, lovely days. But I have to be honest, I almost missed
it. There were a few tearful moments early last week, so I had a walk
n' talk with one of my besties, Nurse Nicki. We had a heart to heart
about setting a sweet emotional tone for our families despite their
challenges, making goals to focus on Jesus, and then we prayed together.
Several text messaged reminders over the following days helped to
remember the
REASON for the season. I'm pretty sure I would have
spent the crazy days leading up to Christmas in a spirit of chaos and
frustration, if it hadn't been for that day, as we were hit by a massive
financial punch in the face with Adrain's car, a momentarily stressful
electrical problem, food in a breaker-tripped freezer melting, a fully
house broken dog with sudden bladder issues (and accidents inside) and a
few other fun holiday surprises like nasty head colds...
What a gift friendship and
accountability are. Better still, what a gift Jesus coming to earth as a baby was. So important to focus on THAT, and
that alone. There are so many distractions that compete for our attention and focus, aren't there?
I hadn't busted out my big girl camera in quite some time, (except for my photo-a-days) so as
a gift to myself I
photographed a ton of things for the days leading up to Christmas. It was a blast. Did it just for me... and
now I'm photo bombing my blog. I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I
enjoyed shooting them!! Merry Christmas! :)
I'm not leaving commentary on
every photo (because that would just be ridiculous) but I have to say something about this one. Don't you love how my man wraps gifts? I feel all
fluttery just reading them. He doesn't use a lot or ribbon-y fluff. They are straight forward... exactly like he is.
Yet flirty. Very flirty. Just like he is. Sigh. #hecalledmeahotbabe #flatterywillgetyoueverwhere
Bacon wrapped water chestnuts drizzled with BBQ sauce. (Bake at 350 about half hour)
Easiest
stuffed mushrooms ev-uh. (Room temp Boursin cheese, whipped a bit then piped into mushrooms and baked at 350 for about 20 minutes.)
I know it's technically kind of over, and I'm packing away many items as I type, (not quite ready to toss the tree out yet) but I want to wish each of you many Christmas Blessings, from our home to yours....
You mean so much to us!!
So glad you had a friend to whom you could turn in those pre-holiday frustrations, and so happy you were still able to find the beauty in the season. Those types of challenges seem like the hardest - just when you're settling into the holiday spirit, and then here comes life.
ReplyDeleteHope the rest of the holiday brings additional joy. =)
Thank you for the photo bomb. Love your photography. So sorry you had so many difficulties before the holiday but glad to hear you focused on what's truly important. :) God Bless.
ReplyDeleteyep! I enjoyed seeing them as much as you enjoyed taking them! sweet photos. sweet friend. and truly the best perspective for life...focus on Jesus alone.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Happy New Year!
Your photos are beautiful! I'm glad that you were able to carve out time to shoot them. I am glad too for you that you were able ot find comfort in the midst of chaos in order to bring a better feeling of calm and peace to focus on the reason for Chistmas. Although it may not have felt much like a gift to feel such chaos and turmoil in your life leading up to Christmas, God was there through it all giving you the strength and peace that only he could give you. I imagine in a way, the days leading up to the birth of Christ must have felt chaotic for Mary as she traveled 9 months pregnant on top of a wobbly donkey far from her home only to find herself amidst hundreds of strangers and no place to even rest her weary body. And then when it came time ot give birth she was in a stable that probably was not too comfortable with animals all around her making noise. But God was there living inside of her and ultimately born to her in the form of Jesus. Amazing to think of all that Mary must have felt. In some ways, you experienced a similar journey to Christmas that Mary did. I appreciate you sharing your story because it allows us to see where God is with us even in chaos just as he was on that first Holy Night so many years ago. God bless you and your family this final week of 2012 and in the New Year too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for those sweet and very true words my friend. You are so right... what a mess she must have felt she was living!
DeleteBlessings!!
Sasha
Merry Christmas! I love your photos as always! Not to sound like a dork, but they always make me so happy! I hope you have a very Happy, Healthy New Year! XO
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pics as always. Looks like you had a fab Christmas.... Now we have New Years to look forward too. And decorate for lol!
ReplyDeleteI love the nails--and really, all the photos! Thanks for your honesty about the financial punch in the face, etc. I sometimes think we are the only ones that go through that stuff and lose focus. I am glad you did find a way to enjoy the holidays!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!! What gorgeous pictures! And those building blocks (?) (I know what they are and can't think of them off the top of my head.) are COOL!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are beautiful! I just found your blog a few weeks ago and I am pouring over the post. Love the colors of your home....
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you too!
Friends are a priceless gift in this crazy ol' world!! I can't get over the obstacles that you had to deal with over Christmas!!! How crazy!! I pray that they all worked themselves out or were worked out easily!!
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are absolutely beautiful and wonderful little reminders of all of the good that you are surrounded with!! What a beautiful family and home you have!!
Praying that many blessings come to you in the New Year!!! Thankful that we get to be on-line "friends" you are a true inspiration <3
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
Merry late Christmas to you! From these pictures I can tell you did right...You kicked all of that hard stuff to the curb and enjoyed your Christmas. :) Good for you! I need to learn from you and pull out my big girl camera too. It's just been sitting for too long.
ReplyDeleteokay. you ain't lying...flattery gets them everywhere. :)
ReplyDeletelove his wrapping..pinned it.
you guys are awesome. praying blessings upon blessings over your marriage this year.
two things.
where'd you find the brown wrapping paper? looked everywhere...but obviously not EVERYWHERE. :)
how did you add the instagram stuff on your sidebar? love, your thankful student. :)