We made it. We are on the other side of the INSANE rush of Christmas sessions and we survived. We even, dare I say it…enjoyed it. Christmas starts early for us in one way, and extremely late in another. We begin thinking about Christmas while the rest of you are back to school shopping. We start planning out dates, pondering Christmas Card designs and discussing the pros and cons of Merry and Bright versus Peaceful, Serene and Magical. Usually, we end up deciding on both because, let’s face it, Christmas is all of those feelings wrapped up into one giant emotion.
But because of the busy-ness in the studio, it causes us to be a little late when it comes to Christmas traditions of our own…with our own kids…in our own home. We wouldn’t have it any other way. We absolutely ADORE what we do and know that it is what the Lord has called us to. I LOVE this season in the studio. It is a humbling, amazing feeling to be part of so many lives. We get to know children so well that some of them call us Aunt Aron and Uncle Collin. We get to know what makes our “regulars” laugh and enjoy discovering new tricks for the new faces that we see. We see eyes that are FILLED with wonder at the sight of the studio dripping in twinkly lights. It is such a blessing to be a part of this magical season for so many children. But now it’s time to love on our own littles and fill our home with glowy, warm and fuzzy, MERRY Christmas feelings. At this moment, Collin is in the studio vacuuming up the dirt, glitter, cookie crumbs, broken up leaves and little slivers of glass (don’t ask, promise no one was hurt in the making of these Christmas portraits) that come from photographing 62 Christmas sessions in a 7 day time span. I am happily sipping a cup of coffee laced with peppermint cream and well…blogging (which happens to be one of my favorite things to do and I wish I had more time for the personal posts). I’m letting the kids (and myself) have a late start with school this morning and they are in the playroom right now playing a game together. Mak just heard the vacuum going in the studio and he came running into the den and asked “Wait!!! Are Christmas sessions OVER?!?! YES!!!!!” Not because he hates us having Christmas sessions. Are you kidding me? Over a hundred kids come through our home in those seven days of sessions. My kids love it. But they also know that now begins our Christmas season. The fun part where we get our Christmas tree…make Christmas cookies…decorate gingerbread houses. Don’t you remember this time of year as a kid? I do. I loved the Christmas music, Christmas smells and fun little traditions that Mom and Dad created for me. Mak and CB are 7 and 5 years old this Christmas. Y’all, that’s right smack dab in the middle of the BEST years of Christmas. I am SO excited about this season with them and so unbelievably thankful to God that He gave me these little wonders to share this season with.
Little Christmas craft projects have begun and glimpses of Christmas have started to creep into our home.
We’re five ornaments into the Jesse Tree and it’s going SO well. I am so glad that my sister-in-law told me about this three years ago. It just gets better and better each year as the kids get older.
The manger has moved to a higher spot this year due to the danger of Baby Jesus being chewed up by a certain four-legged being that occupies our home. It’s usually where the kids hang out in the morning while breakfast is being prepared. I was thinking that I wouldn’t add anymore pieces to our manger scene, but they really are enjoying it this year. Looks like I’ll be heading out to Tomlinsons to add to our little collection. =)
She still puts Baby Jesus in Mary’s lap. I love that about my baby girl.
And then she poses the family for a family portrait. Because obviously there was a portrait photographer there in the stable in Bethlehem ready to do a newborn session with Jesus. This girl is definitely going to be the one who follows in her Daddy’s footsteps when it comes to a career path.
Tonight we will pull out the hot chocolate and cookies, don Christmas pajamas and decorate our Christmas photo tree while listening to Christmas music. I’m so excited I can’t stand it. Happy Weekend, Y’all!
