how hard can it be?

SERIOUSLY.

How hard can it be to get one good Christmas card picture of two children? I have friends who have lots more children than I. They manage to do it. I have a feeling if these children weren't my own, I'd have better luck.









Starting to see a pattern here?




I guess he can only take so many kisses in one photo shoot.

getting ready for Christmas

Over 2000 years ago, some people were getting ready for what would be the first Christmas. Mary was riding on a donkey, Joseph was looking for a place to stay. Could they have known what our preparations would involve this many years later? Shopping, decorating, cooking, planning, going, doing.

There are some who would argue that we forget what Christmas means, that we get so caught up in the doing of Christmas that we forget the meaning of Christmas. They have a valid point, and I am sure there are millions of people out there for whom this is an accurate assessment. We are some of those people who shop, decorate, cook, plan, go and do. But we make sure that we remember why.

Emmanuel means God with us. Isn't that what that first Christmas was all about? Emmanuel.... through the birth of Jesus, God is with us. In all that we do, wherever we are, God is with us. Emmanuel. In all of the hustle and bustle and chaos of the Christmas season, He is with us. It's important for us to make sure that our boys understand this. To know that all of the decorating and celebrating and present giving and getting, we are doing it because of Jesus.

blog surfing tonight

and I found a pretty neat giveaway. Go ahead and visit!

thoughts

It's hard to believe that almost a month has passed since I blogged. There are so many pictures on my camera waiting to be uploaded. There are stories to go with them, and I don't want to share the stories without the pictures.

I was thinking about what I could write without having to deal with the pictures tonight, but I couldn't think of anything. My thoughts are with some friends who are going through rough times... my friend (A) who lost a friend to breast cancer today, my friend (W) whose grandmother turned 87 today and is in the hospital suffering terribly with MRSA, along with other complications. Friends of friends whose Carepages I read, who have children battling neuroblastoma. Friends who are still trying to figure out how to live after losing their baby. It just seems hard sometimes to see our blessings when we are surrounded by those who are suffering, grieving. On the other hand, it is easy to take for granted those things that we do have to be grateful for.

I guess if I could include any sort of message in this blog it would be to read this blog from my friend (C). She shares a beautiful message, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

fall

My favorite season. I love the weather, the colors, the smells, the thought of the upcoming holidays... just everything about it!

I also love experiencing fall through the lens of my camera. Through my camera, I see things differently. I see shapes, I see light. I can see the whole, and then I can see bits and pieces. Suddenly, something that might go unnoticed becomes the only thing that I can see.

And, for a long time afterwards, that feeling stays with me. The ordinary is beautiful. I have taken the time to stop, to think, to be completely absorbed in what I see.