The last couple of years, I have tried to get all the kids together to do a Christmas photoshoot. Why take them to a professional photographer to have Christmas pictures made or buy a set of boxed Christmas cards when you can drive yourself crazy trying to do it yourself?!!!!
Part of the reason could be that I am a CONTROL FREAK!!, but the main reason is because secretly, after I have threatened the kids within an inch of their lives, I kind of enjoy it!! I set out with a plan to get them all to cooperate for a group picture, after 1,000 attempts to get a descent shot, I usually wind up taking the individual shots and making a card out of that. This year I went with the group shot, not the perfect shot I had hoped for, but ok.
As I sat down the other day to go through some of my files, I came across this years Christmas photos. As I began to look at each one, I could see so many changes in the kids from last years pictures. Carson no longer has the baby look, he is becoming a little boy, much to my dismay. It showed this year too, he wasn't too interested in being mommy's model anymore. Conner, is becoming my little man. He has the sweetest disposition, and his expressions at this age are priceless, and as crazy as life is, and as close to crazy as I am some days, I wish I could just freeze time for a little while and keep him and Carson just the way they are in these photographs. Blake, my handsome brown eyed boy, is becoming a handsome young man. He looks like a teenager in some of these photographs. I have been told many times I will be beating the girls off with a stick, I'm afraid I have already had to give a mean looks to a couple! I pray that he and Alexandra will let God guide them in the choices they make. Alexandra is getting so close to being a teenager that I find myself praying everyday for her AND FOR ME!!! She is a very special young lady who wants to grow up so fast. I remember that time and now, being on this side, I wish I could make her see this time in her life for the treasure that it is. She is so pretty and intelligent, God has given her many gifts, I just hope that one day she will realize that. Being the mom that I am, and how much I cherish photographs of my kids(ok, ANY KID, I admit it), I could not imagine all of these photographs of my beautiful kids just sitting in a file on my computer, so, I thought I would share them and my thoughts about them with you. There are so many that I treasure, I just put them in a slideshow, and though the slideshow leaves the photographs a little blurry, the memories and the moments remain crystal clear.
Just a reminder in this new year to take the time to cherish the wonders in your world.
The wonders that God has given you....... your children.
