Happy Solstice!

There has been too much stress surrounding this year's Holiday, and as hard as I try, I can't seem to calm down. I love Christmas and everything that goes along with it...normally. The anticipation is something I savor, and now with a near-three-year-old, it's supposed to be getting even better. I love giving gifts...especially home-made ones, or at least well-thought-out ones that I know someone will truly love and enjoy. But, this year, the "shoulds" and obligations are outnumbering the calm and joyful moments. I find myself running to and from town on a daily basis, which I dislike. I am feeling anxious and sleep deprived (yes, some of the latter is real), and feel as if the whole season has passed and I have not taken the time to contemplate the magic and meaning behind it all.

So, at least in the next few days leading up to Christmas, it is my goal to find the "calm and bright", beginning with the Solstice tonight. Every year I hope to begin a new tradition to share with our children, in hopes that they will learn to appreciate this day for what it is. But, once again, I have become so busy that there just isn't time. I suppose I have to be okay with that, and recognize that the most important things are that we are all healthy.

Last night was the first real snowfall in this area this winter, and Beck, Cora and I all went for a hike in the dark with a visiting friend. Everything was so quiet and serene and magical...just enough moonlight to see our way without a flashlight. It felt so good to slow down and just breathe...I wanted to stay out all night.
So...I have to remember...

All is calm. All is bright.

The Christmas Photo.

Photo time is hard to come by these days, and it was all I could do to get a decent shot for the Christmas card...Beck has developed a nasty case of the cheesy smile especially for the camera. The only way I could get a real one out of him was to tell him to tickle Cora.  But then he wasn't looking at the camera. Well...I can't have my cake and eat it too. We managed. Here it is:

Recent photos and three months old...

Oh how quickly everything happens and changes...three months old already? Absolutely not okay. Here are some images from Thanksgiving time, and one from the other day...I can't believe how fast it goes. You think I'd know by now. I get all panicky when I realize a week has gone by without taking one photo.

New Hampshire

Some pictures from our annual family week in the White Mountains...not as many photos this year as I'd like, but I had my hands a little full :)