The holiday season started for us this year with our Christmas photo.  We were at home (rare for us lately) on a Sunday night.  It was the beginning of December, and if the card was going to happen it had to happen that night. The schedule was just too jammed packed for any other time.  I had made several other suggestions earlier in the day, but no one was thrilled with those ideas.  It looked like it was not going to happen.  Not having a Christmas card would be ending an era for us. Since becoming a family of more than just the two of us I have sent a Christmas card.  The first one featuring the sweetest six month old little boy with his dimples shining in the lights of the Christmas tree. The Christmas card had to happen.  It was just too important of a tradition.  So I walked in the living room and made one last attempt at getting a card done. I suggested a  simple selfie (usie??) and did what all good mothers do..... I laid a guilt trip!!! I made my speech about how for twelve years now I have sent some kind of Christmas card.  They grumbled and groaned, but slowly, came around to my way of thinking.  Oh! the laughter, fussing and fighting, threats thru gritted teeth and tears that transpired in those hundreds of shots!!! Above is the result! Craziness, but together!! Not what I had in mind, but together.  It really does sum up what our holiday season has been like. To be honest, it really sums up what everyday life is like for our family! Crazy, but together.  It does not always go as planned, but comes together. I know others relate and like us would not know how to live any other way.  So as I sit alone in a quiet living room I am thankful we have this time set aside to celebrate and be together!! I do want to wish all a Merry Christmas and leave you with these words from the Grinch himself:

Oh!! And some will be receiving holiday cards from us this year..... like I said earlier, things don't always go as planned. : )

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I had all these great and wonderful plans for daily posts through the holiday season. And then life happened.  I am not sure where I thought I would find the time.  I know most everyone can relate to what I mean. Are the holidays not just crazy busy?? Every year I say I am going to start earlier.  It never happens.  But today I am making time to share the story below.  It was written years ago by my mother about my great grandmother.  It is a glimpse of the generations of love I was raised in and come from.  No better day to take the time to remember it.  Today would have been my great grandmother's, Selma Lee, birthday.  I leave it in typewriter print to show how things change over time and yet they remain the same.  Enjoy my mother's words: