Today I came home from church (after being challenged about slothfulness) with a list of things to accomplish today...decorating, crafting, laundering, cuddling, exercising, playing, reading and Christmas carding. I accomplished one thing all afternoon after lunch. I got the Christmas cards done. (I also drank half a Mt. Dew and ate a bunch of Hot and Spicy Cheez-it's but that doesn't exactly count, right?)
I spend a while browsing the different card types, the different sites and their prices, which pictures to use and so on. Then, I picked the card, uploaded the pictures, chose my witty caption and message and even included a little bonus artwork on the back done by my sweet 8yo. Ahhh....now I can relax.
Rewind to last year. Picture this: all 7 of us dressed up real purdy-like holding hands, walking through a field with beautiful fall foliage behind us, smiling and talking as we walked. The professional photographer smiling as she captured the perfection that is our family (ha!). Beautiful picture. I made exquisite cards from the perfect pictures. In fact, they were double-sided card stock ornaments! "Oh, Kim! I just LOVE your cards! Simply the best one I've ever seen!! I will cherish it and hang it on the tree every year now!" (that was my imagination running away...)
Did you get your perfect 2011 ornament card from us? No? Yeah, unless I handed it to you, you didn't get one. The beautiful cards came in square envelopes which required more postage. Did the site warn me before I ordered? Yes, but no big deal, I can just bring them in to the post office and mail them. Nope. Between the two littles getting sick, the big ones being off school and my procrastination in ordering them and waiting for them to be shipped, I ran out of time. No problem, I'll send them late, blog about how I didn't get them out in time (everyone will understand since I have a 2 month old and 4 other kids) and put the blog address on the envelope. Everyone will still love and cherish my cards and get a good laugh about it, right? You didn't get that late card either?
Sigh, I just found the envelopes with the cards that never made it to my lovely family and friends that I didn't see last year. *hangs head in shame. If you want the perfect card with the perfect family picture, let me know and I'll hand it to you when I see you next, but don't expect me to mail it--I don't have that kind of postage.
This year, I decided not to take any chances. I uploaded my address list to the website, and they sent them for me (an extra $10 seems totally worth it!). You're welcome. You should have your card in time for Christmas this year...unless I didn't have your address. Then, look for it by Easter.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Thankful Tuesday
I am loving seeing the thankfulness posts on facebook this month. Although I haven't been updating my status daily with the things for which I am thankful, my cup is overflowing! Here's a quick list (and certainly not in any order nor is it meant to be all encompassing)
Sleepy nap time giggles.
Hearing my name: Mommy, Mama, Mom.
Inside jokes with my husband.
The moment when the kids get off the bus, or come in the house after school.
The semi-peaceful prayer time before school.
Night time routines and snuggles.
Seeing my kids grow into who they are and gain more independence.
That I'm still "cool" to my children and don't often embarrass them.
Watching my kids play together.
Swinging and giggling with the kids.
I am the "tickle monster".
I can still take down my oldest son (not for long!)
Playing in the leaves.
Hugs and kisses just because.
"I love you" whispers.
Butterfly and Eskimo kisses. (is that PC?)
Family suppers.
Remembering to give and receive grace.
Kids that can clean up after themselves, help fetch things, make meals.
Body slams and steam rollers.
Hearing all 5 kids giggle at the same time (one of my daily goals is to hear each of them giggle).
Singing along to Christian radio at the top of our lungs.
Great teachers who miss my kids when they're not there.
So, so many more. God has certainly blessed me!! I am in awe of His goodness.
Here is our "rainbow" family from our 8 year-old's art party in August. Seriously blessed.
Sleepy nap time giggles.
Hearing my name: Mommy, Mama, Mom.
Inside jokes with my husband.
The moment when the kids get off the bus, or come in the house after school.
The semi-peaceful prayer time before school.
Night time routines and snuggles.
Seeing my kids grow into who they are and gain more independence.
That I'm still "cool" to my children and don't often embarrass them.
Watching my kids play together.
Swinging and giggling with the kids.
I am the "tickle monster".
I can still take down my oldest son (not for long!)
Playing in the leaves.
Hugs and kisses just because.
"I love you" whispers.
Butterfly and Eskimo kisses. (is that PC?)
Family suppers.
Remembering to give and receive grace.
Kids that can clean up after themselves, help fetch things, make meals.
Body slams and steam rollers.
Hearing all 5 kids giggle at the same time (one of my daily goals is to hear each of them giggle).
Singing along to Christian radio at the top of our lungs.
Great teachers who miss my kids when they're not there.
So, so many more. God has certainly blessed me!! I am in awe of His goodness.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Excuses! Excuses!
Excuses, Excuses! (you have to say this in your best Spanish accent to get the full effect of my obscure movie reference--bonus points if you know what it is)
As most lazy days at home go, I asked the 4 older children to straighten their pigsties, I mean, bedrooms this morning. I have had to break up fights, kiss and pray for boo boos, shoo them out of the wrong rooms, discourage horseplay, ninjaplay and archerplay. I have tried motivation and encouragement, bribery with Halloween candy, and then switched to (shame shame) threatening and yelling. Not a bit of it has helped. It is now 11:34, and they've been at it for a couple of hours. If they had done their best and not allowed themselves to get discouraged, we could all be playing board games, putting together puzzles and playing on the Kinect by now.
I have heard every excuse in the book:
She made me.
He won't let me in my room.
The book was too good to just put away.
We just made a little army fort.
I really wanted to go swimming. That's why I put on my swim suit.
I can't do it without your help.
I'm too tired.
They apologize for their behaviors, but don't change their hearts. They say they're sorry and then add a "but..." on to it. As I am talking to them about their hearts and their obedience, I hear a little voice in my head about excuses and apologies. I can hear myself saying "I'm sorry I got upset and yelled, but you need to obey me the first time." Ouch. Have I stopped, prayed and asked for forgiveness and the power to change my behaviors starting in my heart? Not so much. I am thankful I was able to hear that still small voice reminding me of my own sin and my own traitorous heart. And I am thankful for the strength to stop, pray, repent and try again. I hope I am able to set that example for them and extend the same grace.
So, next time I'm thinking Excuses! Excuses! I will try to stop, pray, repent and try again. What works for you?
As most lazy days at home go, I asked the 4 older children to straighten their pigsties, I mean, bedrooms this morning. I have had to break up fights, kiss and pray for boo boos, shoo them out of the wrong rooms, discourage horseplay, ninjaplay and archerplay. I have tried motivation and encouragement, bribery with Halloween candy, and then switched to (shame shame) threatening and yelling. Not a bit of it has helped. It is now 11:34, and they've been at it for a couple of hours. If they had done their best and not allowed themselves to get discouraged, we could all be playing board games, putting together puzzles and playing on the Kinect by now.
I have heard every excuse in the book:
She made me.
He won't let me in my room.
The book was too good to just put away.
We just made a little army fort.
I really wanted to go swimming. That's why I put on my swim suit.
I can't do it without your help.
I'm too tired.
They apologize for their behaviors, but don't change their hearts. They say they're sorry and then add a "but..." on to it. As I am talking to them about their hearts and their obedience, I hear a little voice in my head about excuses and apologies. I can hear myself saying "I'm sorry I got upset and yelled, but you need to obey me the first time." Ouch. Have I stopped, prayed and asked for forgiveness and the power to change my behaviors starting in my heart? Not so much. I am thankful I was able to hear that still small voice reminding me of my own sin and my own traitorous heart. And I am thankful for the strength to stop, pray, repent and try again. I hope I am able to set that example for them and extend the same grace.
So, next time I'm thinking Excuses! Excuses! I will try to stop, pray, repent and try again. What works for you?
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