Merry Christmas(ish) time

I am seriously slacking on blogging. I just flat don't have time. Having six kids is HARD! Doctors appointments, sports, church activities and just general day to day living is just about all I have time for. This time of year is my favorite time..usually. I find however that this year it seems to be just plain stressful. There are a few reasons for this, one is I love to decorate, craft and participate in Christmas activities, I start the season with a long list of things I "must do" before Christmas. This year I am finding it hard to keep up and yet I am completely unwilling to say no to any project or event. Secondly I like things to be pretty, calm and planned out at Christmas, with 6 kid including 4 very active little boys who would rather wrestle under the tree than look at it's beauty this is a hard thing to accomplish. Third, money is tight and I feel the pressure to make a great Christmas for my children, and others on a very small budget. I know these are all trivial matters. But my OCD is in overdrive with all the above mentioned things and I am a complete mess.
I know that none of this matters, I know the reason for Christmas is our Lord Jesus and his humble birth in a manger. I know this.. but sometimes my brain forgets.
I know I am blessed, I know I am far better off than most people. I am not trying to seem petty or ungrateful. I am just trying to be truthful.
Any one else ever feel this way?? Anyone??

A visit with Ole St. Nick...

One of our yearly traditions is visiting Santa. The kids love it and I love it as well. Seeing their faces light up (ok, sometimes they scream) when they see him and hearing them tell him their wishes, is a treasured memory to me. This year there was no crying, only happy faces!

The happiest little elf I know..

I always go overboard taking photos at Christmas (yes,even more than usual) especially when it's one of my kids first Christmas's. I love the sweet innocence, the excitement over all the lights and decorations and of course the cute outfits and hats! Some of my favorite pictures of all my boys have been in this hat and so of course I had to get some of Krews in it! He didn't let me down, look at the precious faces he gave me!! Love him! He really is the sweetest, happiest baby and I think is shows in these pictures! I really love the two little teeth shining through! I don't know about you but I think being a mom of young kids is even more fun than being the kid yourself!!