I usually don't seek out a heavier load & I always have too many things to carry, but come December, when the mailbox starts filling up, I would be happy to make two trips to the mailbox daily to get all of the wonderful Christmas cards! The weight of a stack of cards, addressed with care, full with warm greetings & smiling faces, well that extra weight is like gold.  The kids love opening up the new cards each day, studying the enclosed photos & reading little updates on what friends near & far have been up to this last year. 
I love the way that in photos or in words dear friends remind us of how God has been at work in their lives...a photo of a new baby, an adoption announcement, a graduation, a wedding or a special trip...all testimonies of God's amazing provision & blessing. And with the card comes a visual reminder to lift each family up in prayer, to thank God for bringing so many wonderful friends into our lives over the years. 

And now it is also fun on the computer to browse through so many blogs displaying their wonderful Christmas cards...the bright colors, the creativity, the joy in the photos...it all just adds to the merriment of this wonderful season. 

So I thought I would link up our Christmas card this year! (Linked up @ Kelly's Korner Blog & at Lil Light O'mine.)

I actually planned ahead this year (wonders never cease!) & contacted our sweet & talented friend Hailey to take our photos back in October. She took photos of the kids this summer (when she was just starting up her business) & wow, she's good! She didn't even break a sweat in the July heat chasing our 5 all over the yard to get some pics!

So photos were done in October & I had the images before November. I spent some time on a few of the various photo card websites trying to put together a card, but I really like folding cards with photos on all sides & I couldn't find a site that had that option. SO, good thing I have another uber-talented design friend...I sent Jessica the images I wanted to use, gave her a brief description of how I wanted it to look & like an hour later, she was sending me a proof! Just a little minor tweaking & we were good to go! Jessica has impeccable attention to detail, so when the cards arrived from the printers a week or so later & they were not quite up to her standards, she asked them to be printed again. Reprint & all, I still had the cards in hand by early December! 

Then, inspired by my dear friend Stacy's blog, I decided to hand address all of the envelopes instead of using labels this year. Following her advice for making it more personal, I also tried to write a little greeting in many of the cards (but sorry couldn't do it in all 150!) 

So here they are...the result of wonderfully talented friends (& somewhat cooperative children on picture day. Ha!) Oh, and the beautiful scenery of Jeff's parents farm!

Front of card...


Inside of card...
Back of card...
So we decided to go a little bit silly on the back of the card, but everyone seems to like it! This was one of the first photos we took & it helped get the kids in a good mood for the remainder of the photos. We just said silly faces & this is what we got...I love Lucy's expression, like who are these crazy people!



***
And here is how we like to display the beautiful "old fashioned" Christmas cards we receive.


I learned several years ago at my MOMS group how to fold them into these cute little boxes...now our collection keeps growing each year & looks sweet on the windowsill. 
The kids also love playing with them & stacking them like blocks. Sophie even made one in school a few years ago that had a tag saying "To: Jesus, From: Sophie" and on the inside there was a little paper heart!<3 span="span">

Picking up right where I left off...the day after Thanksgiving is always our Christmas Tree Getting Day! I love getting a fresh Christmas tree (or two!) each year & the tree may be my favorite Christmas decoration...I love the smell, the sparkle, the glitter & the green.

aka 5 Signs That Mommy is Trying To Do Too Many Projects All At Once This Christmas...

{Okay guys, swallowing my pride on this one & giving you all a glimpse of the mayhem & foolishness that has descended upon my house today. At least it is fairly well contained to the kitchen & office...for now!}

Sign #5::I can no longer feed my kids any meals because all of the regular feeding spots are covered with stuff...craft supplies, mail, packages, craft supplies, glitter (see #3), and more craft supplies. 

Sign #4::I have reheated my mug of tea in the microwave at least 5 times & it is still sitting on the counter half full!
Sign #3::There.is.glitter.everywhere! 
(Have I ever told you how much my husband just loves glitter? I believe his sentiments usually involve the word "UN-invented!")
Sign #2::My desk looks like this...


and Sign #1::I stopped working on all of said projects, did not start fixing dinner (see #5), and let my kids play outside until past dark (without having started their homework!) just so I could take photos of the mess & start writing this blog post! (And now it's well past midnight & I am finally finishing this post up, & also a few of those projects!) If that's not a wee bit of craziness, then I don't know what is!

At least the high chair is clean & uncluttered, so I can still feed someone!
Merry Christmas-time everybody! This is my favorite time of year, but today it is wearing me out!

May we all find extra minutes in our days to be still & quiet & reflect on what is true, what is pure & what is lovely...

So here is my quick attempt to give some much needed attention to our month of November & the wonderful holiday of Thanksgiving! I love that people are intentional about being thankful for a whole month (and hopefully always!) I especially enjoyed all the posts & status updates of people purposefully taking time to count their blessings in November. How encouraging & a blessing to be to read & see what my friends are thankful for...even friends going through hard times, giving all praise & thanksgiving to God!
That song 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman was on constant repeat in my brain all during November. And while the current play list in my head has now switched to a random stream of Christmas songs, this song still is there...Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul, worship His holy name, Sing like never before, O my soul, I worship Your holy name...You're rich in love and You're slow to anger, Your name is great and Your heart is kind, For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing 10,000 reasons for my heart to find...