*Sigh* . . . . I love this time of year!
Yes, it's busy. It's stressful. It can be a pretty expensive time, too.
But it's so full of magic. I love the fun and joy, and spending happy time with friends and family. Reminiscing about old times, good and bad.
Usually, our first Christmas is on Christmas Eve with my dad's side of the family. This year, our first Christmas was on Saturday, with E's family. E's Mom, brothers, and sister were there. I brought my boys and E brought his daughter.
It was a day of fun. Games, movies, snacks, then presents and dinner. Everyone was excited about the gift-giving . . . That's always my favorite part: the giving. I felt bad that I didn't have anything to give to anyone, but they all understand my financial situation. Maybe I'll give everyone Valentine's presents when I'm back on my feet. It was still a joy to see everyone so excited.
The best part of the day? The visiting. Just being there, hanging out with Christmas in the air.
I'm looking forward to more. More togetherness, more joy. More giving, more love. Too bad there's only two more days of Christmas. I could handle a little bit more. Even with the boys, the stress, and the lack of cash, I love it. Hope you are all enjoying the magic as much as I am.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Christmas Cards
Christmas Cards: A blog and an advertisement.
Advertisement? Yes. Sorry. But Shutterfly is offering bloggers 50 Christmas / Holiday cards for posting about their holiday products. If you have a blog, check it out. If you haven't gotten your Christmas cards yet, check out what they have. http://bit.ly/sfly2010
Okay, so there's the plug. Here's the blog.
I have never really done Christmas cards. I've always thought about it. The last few years I've even written a letter. Last year I got addresses from lots of people, near and far, old and new, navy and civilian. But I never sent them. This year I had our first family portrait taken since 2007. I used to do it every year, starting with a portrait of Jacob and I when I was pregnant with Zack. This year, since so many things have happened since I've been in touch with people, and so many things are getting ready to change in our lives, I really want to follow through.
The pictures (even though I was nervous) turned out great. There's a few with a funny face, or hair out of place, but overall, they did a really good job. Regret: I didn't have her take one of anyone alone. Oh, well. The family shot is the important one anyway.
Here's a sample of my favorite:
So, the next choice: Which card to put them on. After I saw the Shuttefly blog on a friend's post, I started browsing the options. I prefer a card with one big picture instead of a collage. Do I want color, black, or white? Christmas or Holidays? Snowflakes, trees? Why are there so many choices?
Here are a few of my favorites . . . why don't you tell me which one you like?
Well, that's all for now. I look forward to hearing what you think . . . almost as much as I'm looking forward to actually sending cards this year! Thanks to my mom for encouraging me to get our pictures done. I really am happy with them. Thanks also to Brandy and to Shutterfly for the offer of free cards!
Advertisement? Yes. Sorry. But Shutterfly is offering bloggers 50 Christmas / Holiday cards for posting about their holiday products. If you have a blog, check it out. If you haven't gotten your Christmas cards yet, check out what they have. http://bit.ly/sfly2010
Okay, so there's the plug. Here's the blog.
I have never really done Christmas cards. I've always thought about it. The last few years I've even written a letter. Last year I got addresses from lots of people, near and far, old and new, navy and civilian. But I never sent them. This year I had our first family portrait taken since 2007. I used to do it every year, starting with a portrait of Jacob and I when I was pregnant with Zack. This year, since so many things have happened since I've been in touch with people, and so many things are getting ready to change in our lives, I really want to follow through.
The pictures (even though I was nervous) turned out great. There's a few with a funny face, or hair out of place, but overall, they did a really good job. Regret: I didn't have her take one of anyone alone. Oh, well. The family shot is the important one anyway.
Here's a sample of my favorite:
 |
| No, this is not the shot for the card. Not going to give everything away here. This is just a sample. And if you come to my house in a few weeks, you'll see it in a frame on my desk. Love it. Zachary and I are doing "nose wiggles" on the left, and Jacob and I are on the right. How much they've grown up! |
So, the next choice: Which card to put them on. After I saw the Shuttefly blog on a friend's post, I started browsing the options. I prefer a card with one big picture instead of a collage. Do I want color, black, or white? Christmas or Holidays? Snowflakes, trees? Why are there so many choices?
Here are a few of my favorites . . . why don't you tell me which one you like?
Well, that's all for now. I look forward to hearing what you think . . . almost as much as I'm looking forward to actually sending cards this year! Thanks to my mom for encouraging me to get our pictures done. I really am happy with them. Thanks also to Brandy and to Shutterfly for the offer of free cards!
Where have I been?
Well, I've been right here. But also a little bit lost.
I have thought about blogging through all of the problems that I've had, but most of the time I'm pretty sure that my blogging is like writing letters to no one. I also haven't been to blog because I feel an obligation to "catch up" for lost time. I've tried to do it a few times . . . when I caught up on all of our Disneyland highlights, and I wrote about my trip to SF with E. But I didn't always feel like blogging about our vacations or the boys going back to school. There have been many days that I have written a blog in my head, but not put it on the computer because my blog feels stuck in June and I didn't have the heart or the time to get the blog up-to-date.
What is the first step to change? Making the choice. With my kids, our "theme" is Making good choices. I tell them that you choose your own behavior. They know that if they are in trouble, it is because they did not make good choices. I am trying now to make my own good choices. Actually, I've been working on it for a few weeks now. The most important choice I've been making lately? Well, it's not always as easy to do as it is to say, but I have really been trying to not be depressed.
Even having chores and to-do lists doesn't always help, especially when you're alone. When you're down in a hole, trying not to be depressed can be harder than it sounds. I've had quite a few bad days - and even bad weeks - since graduating in August. I still have bad days, but making the choice that I don't want to just be makes a difference.
Things are also getting better. Things in our lives are changing, and I'm looking forward to many of the changes. As I feel better, and things start happening around here . . . well, I'm going to be busy, but I want to feel better, so I'll be here. On good days I look forward to sharing our job, and on bad days, I am hoping that it will help me to write and release the frustration, stress, and depression that I feel.
I hope you are all well. It's been a rough week. but we are choosing to have a better day.
I'm enjoying the peace right now, praying for dinner and bedtime to go as well as free time!
I have thought about blogging through all of the problems that I've had, but most of the time I'm pretty sure that my blogging is like writing letters to no one. I also haven't been to blog because I feel an obligation to "catch up" for lost time. I've tried to do it a few times . . . when I caught up on all of our Disneyland highlights, and I wrote about my trip to SF with E. But I didn't always feel like blogging about our vacations or the boys going back to school. There have been many days that I have written a blog in my head, but not put it on the computer because my blog feels stuck in June and I didn't have the heart or the time to get the blog up-to-date.
What is the first step to change? Making the choice. With my kids, our "theme" is Making good choices. I tell them that you choose your own behavior. They know that if they are in trouble, it is because they did not make good choices. I am trying now to make my own good choices. Actually, I've been working on it for a few weeks now. The most important choice I've been making lately? Well, it's not always as easy to do as it is to say, but I have really been trying to not be depressed.
Even having chores and to-do lists doesn't always help, especially when you're alone. When you're down in a hole, trying not to be depressed can be harder than it sounds. I've had quite a few bad days - and even bad weeks - since graduating in August. I still have bad days, but making the choice that I don't want to just be makes a difference.
Things are also getting better. Things in our lives are changing, and I'm looking forward to many of the changes. As I feel better, and things start happening around here . . . well, I'm going to be busy, but I want to feel better, so I'll be here. On good days I look forward to sharing our job, and on bad days, I am hoping that it will help me to write and release the frustration, stress, and depression that I feel.
I hope you are all well. It's been a rough week. but we are choosing to have a better day.
I'm enjoying the peace right now, praying for dinner and bedtime to go as well as free time!
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