Enjoying Christmas

Christmas parties with friends, making cookies, decorating trees, being together with my sweet little family, all the makings of a wonderful holiday season.  I'm taking the time to enjoy my boys and letting them do things their way.  The control freak in me is objecting but I am holding her back from redecorating trees and "helping" (taking over) the boys with their Christmas projects.  Enjoying!  Enjoying my oldest son telling me he is going to go shopping just for me.  Enjoying my middle son who wants only to make his big brother laugh.  Enjoying my baby who stands at the Christmas tree and says "Look Mommy at the angel on top of the tree...is she beauty-ful?"  Enjoying waking up to my Christmas tree lights already on and boys playing together happily.  Enjoying quiet evenings with my husband looking at the tree and talking about our days.  Enjoying eggnog.  Enjoying the hustle and bustle when I want to and enjoying online shopping when I don't want to be in the middle of the craziness.  Enjoying memories of loved ones we have lost.  And that in a nutshell is how the Tinsleys are enjoying Christmas.

Another Shutterfly Christmas

Being a mother of 3 small and precious boys my memories are important.  Memories are important to us all.  I realized how important last year when my computer crashed.  What am I going to do?????  All of my "kodak moments" are gone!  But wait...I used Shutterfly.  All my memories are backed up, safe and sound!

So easy to use, I have used Shutterfly for invitations, Christmas cards, thank you photo cards.  So easy and so personal!  And let's not forget the photo books and calendars, an absolute must for the not so creative person.  The look of a scrapbook with the ease of a click here and there.  This year I am once again counting on Shutterfly to help me with my Christmas cards.  Check out the photos from last years photo session for the Christmas card.  There are so many choices it is impossible not to find something that you love!   I love sending photos of my growing boys to all of my friends just as much as I love seeing how all of my friends children have grown over the past year.  I collect the cards and go through the past years every Christmas.  Taking moments to think about the happy moments we have had and looking forward to capturing more happy moments in the years to come.

Focusing on the good

I saw a church marquee today, the message "We don't need more to be thankful for, we need to be more thankful."  This has been a not so great year for our family.  I have struggled this holiday season to be thankful for all that I have.  In an effort to not focus on what we have lost this holiday season I am focusing on what we have gained.  We have gained inches and pounds and vocabulary.  Let the list begin!

-Jackson asks me what he can do for me often.
-Jackson is reading and loving school.  He was a KIP kid of the week for perseverance.
-Joel learned to ride a bike with no training wheels.
-We played and loved soccer and tee ball.
-Jensen has grown from a baby to a rough and tumble boy, in the mix with his brothers.
-I have a new niece and she is beautiful.
-This is the first year in nearly 7 years that I have not been pregnant or nursing.  I love my babies but I also love that my body has been my own. 
-Joel and Jackson fight a little less and laugh a lot more.
-After being retired for nearly 2 years my Dad is actually working a little less and that means he is having more fun.  Although I secretly think my Dad has lots of fun at work.
-Jensen is trying to use the potty.  No more diapers is definitely good!
-I have a least one more "bff" this year than I did last.
-We purchased a piece of property for our "dream house", in case our dreams keep us here.
-I have 3 healthy, happy, polite, considerate, compassionate, caring, sensitive boys.
-I have learned to look at Joel's tantrums in a positive light.  He knows EXACTLY what he wants and sticks to his guns!
-I am able to stay home with my sweet boys and be there for anything they need.  I love the field trips and taking cookies to school and helping plant flowers.
-My very best friend got married and I got to be a part of that happy day.

I'm sure I could go on and on with the things I have gained this year but this will do for now.

What is Santa bringing you?

Well the holiday season is officially here.  Along with it is the question "What is Santa bringing you for Christmas?"  Well this week I have had 4 different people ask me if we are getting a boat for Christmas.  No we are not getting a boat but finally curiosity got the best of me.  "No we aren't getting a boat.  Why would you think that?"  Response: "Well I asked Jensen what Santa was bringing him for Christmas and he said a boat, big boat for Jensen and Daddy to ride on."  Can anyone else say brainwash?