Our Christmas 2014

On December 27, 2014 By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life16 Comments

Well, it happened and it happened fiercely.

Christmas 2014.

I will remember it as the Christmas I almost didn’t get the tree up.

The Christmas I almost didn’t get the presents wrapped.

The Christmas I thought would be a bit skimpy, but lo and behold, it turned out as plump and magical as always.

We did our traditional Christmas Eve candlelight service with IHOP for dinner after.

As beautiful as it was, I think we should have just stopped there. IHOP ended up being packed. The girls were in absolute distress to be late back to their mom’s.

It was actually our year for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, but we had traded it to their Mom and just borrowed them Christmas Eve. I thought this might be Bridget’s last “Santa” year and I wanted their Mom to have it. In the end, as happy as I was to have my family together on Christmas Eve, it was just too tense and I felt really bad about the late thing, even though it wasn’t exactly our fault. It still was and…it wasn’t fun. Not for anyone. I did enjoy Averey’s great-grandparents who joined us at IHOP. I do hope that becomes a new tradition.

When Christmas afternoon came, we received the gift of two stress-free happy girls ready for a wonderful Christmas Day.

I didn’t mind at all waiting until Christmas Day to open presents. It was nice to have a relaxed time of opening gifts and having some time to enjoy them.

Of course, we dressed the dogs up. Of course, we did.

Bridget’s first gift was the new Kindle we got to replace the one the thieves stole a few months ago. The tag said: To Bridget From: Someone who is sorry.

I doubt they are sorry at all, but it was a nice thought. Maybe, if they knew they took an eight-year-old’s Kindle they would feel sorry. Maybe? Nah.

Molly got a cool cat shirt. And many, many other things.

And then, the big gift they had to open last. The iPod Touch we trekked out on Black Friday to retrieve at a decent price. Oh yes, we did!

It was worth it.

The smiles. The enchantment. The surprise. Every second of blood, sweat, and tears worth it.

Okay, maybe there wasn’t any blood or tears, but I sweated to get those presents all wrapped. Phew!

The grand baby was more fun, too. Oh, she doesn’t “get” it. But it is still fun to watch her surprise. Next year, I have no doubt, she will most certainly “get” it.

One of the gifts was a set of Speed Bumper cars. Those were a big hit and just as I predicted, the big kids (including Jason) liked them just as much as the girls.

© Angelia's Photography 2014
There was another surprise for me. Jason and I had promised not to exchange gifts, but out of the tree, he pulled a little box. Inside the little box, a beautiful set of diamond earrings. Earrings I have wanted a long time. I was surprised, thrilled, and humbled. What an enormously sweet gesture.

So, Christmas 2014 was an amazing day!

And now, the fun really begins….

A Post Full of Joy

On December 19, 2014 By AngeliaIn In my heart forever & ever, Timeless Treasures31 Comments

And pretty, pretty yellow lights.

And also…

…a very cute baby that I adore.

I tried to do Christmas photos on Sunday of all the kids. My step-daughters and grand baby. I got lights set up. I got the flash set up.

But…they spent half the day at church and the rest of the time one of them had a school project. She worked on it allllllll weekend loooong.

The baby was way too quick for me. I’m lucky I got two. Everyone always says….Oh, I can’t wait til they start walking! Um, No…just no…not when you are a photographer.

So maybe, we didn’t get Christmas photos this year. Maybe, we don’t have a card to send out.

But do you know what we do have?

Joy.

Heart-felt…full-on…precious JOY.

Wishing you all the joy your heart can hold. This season and always.

Jump over to The Daily Post – Weekly Photo Challenge – Yellow to see more posts about the joyful color yellow.

Merry Christmas Baby!

On December 23, 2013December 23, 2013 By AngeliaIn Angelia's Photography, Beautiful Life11 Comments

I remember earlier this year when all the newness of being a future Grandmother was settling into my bones. The shock had (mostly) worn off and I could accept and understand this was really happening and going to happen. My eighteen-year old daughter was indeed pregnant and a baby would indeed be here in the Fall. We had sonogram images, thundering fast heartbeats, and it got real very, very real. And in that moment when the reality truly hit home, I realized…..we are going to have BABY at Christmastime. We will have presents for him/her under the tree. A stocking. A little red Christmas outfit. And a whole new little person will be part of our world.

That seemed so unreal to me. A Baby at Christmas. A first Christmas. And you only get one of those…

So of course, she is here and she is the most expressive, adorable child, ever. I have taken photos. Lots and lots of photos.

Oh, to be a cute baby at Christmas. A baby still trying to balance on her long trunk and stubby legs. A baby just on the brink of all the delightful and fun things ahead, and most especially, her second Christmas.

And now, she is not just real in my head, but in my arms as well.

So maybe, I went a little photo crazy…

It’s okay to go a little photo crazy…

It’s her first Christmas. And you know what? It’s my first Christmas too. My first being Grammy to this sweet little girl.

And the most difficult thing? Putting her down to take a photo. That is soooo hard. So, believe me when I say, this photo shoot was a huge accomplishment for both of us.

Merry Christmas Baby!

And Merry Christmas to all of you that celebrate. I wish you and yours the merriest of Christmas blessings. From our family to yours.

Will the Real Santa Please Stand Up?

On December 18, 2013December 19, 2013 By AngeliaIn In the lives of children, Life..Camera...Action!21 Comments

I think it is time we out these imposters.

Santa #1 – Beard is too bright. Scared look in his eye. If that beard comes off, I have no idea where he will run to, but it looks like he is checking for quick exits.

Santa #2 – Real beard, soft hold, and a merriness to his red costume. He looks pretty comfortable. I don’t think he is going anywhere.

Not only can this Santa stand up, but he can hold babies, blow bubbles, tell stories, do magic tricks and laugh with all his might in a… Ho! Ho! Ho!

He brings presents in his big red bag. He has a special bubble that he holds in his hand and he can see alllllll the children in the world. Remember that kids, he is watching.

Let’s recap once more.

Ousted by a three-month old and he knows it.

A gift of sweet peace cuddled in the arms of Mr. Claus himself.

Even cute baby can’t resist being captivated by Santa’s charm and stories.

True Santa takes his leave (who I happen to know as Uncle David – shhhhhhh!). But everyone knows he is the real one. And to the good Church Santa….truly sorry about your beard. I think Averey still has a few strands in her baby claw. Oops.

One week until Christmas! I have been frantic to prepare, and yet, I am still so behind. At least it is mostly on wrapping at this point. I pray you are all wrapping yours up to and this post finds you well and ready for the Big Day!

Last call, because she is so cute no matter which Santa she sees. And because, my blog friend Rommel does this, and I love it. Visit him here as he is recapping the best of his featured blogs this year (maybe I made the list!).

Averey and Grampie