Tootles 2018

In case anyone missed it, I didn't quite get around to sending out Christmas cards this year.  Our one attempt at a photo shoot for the picture ended up as a metaphor for the year in general.  As in, we're all still here -- and we're mostly still smiling -- but there have been plenty of tears and upset over the course of 2018.  

On this particular Sunday afternoon a few weeks ago, we had a few things working against us.  First of all, I forgot to check and see if the camera battery needed charging, which -- spoiler alert -- it did, and we literally were able to get 5 shots in before it died.  {And the above picture was literally the only one in focus.}  Secondly, Jane was freezing and "couldn't find" tights or leggings to wear with her dress and (rather than looking harder) resorted to wailing for all the world to hear.  Third, Isaac refused to put on the sweater I had picked out for the picture because he thought it was "too itchy" and having never taken a nap that day was in an extra grumpy mood.  And finally, the pressure was on even more when a neighbor walking by saw us trying to use a tripod and timer to take the picture and offered to take it for us instead.  Because of the dying battery -- and the crying kid -- we didn't have the time we would have needed to make sure we got a passable shot of everyone.

In the end, I decided it just wasn't worth it to try for a redo the next weekend.  The stress and hassle of getting everyone to cooperate for a photo shoot plus madly trying to print out, address, and mail 100+ Christmas cards just didn't seem worth it for my sanity or the serenity of the Christmas season.  It was a good call.  As I've reflected over this holiday season, I've come away with the thought that "less is more."  And for someone like me -- who has the tendency to go big or go home -- it's a good re-reminder to seek a middle road.

With 2018 winding to a close, I can't say I'm sorry to see it go.  It's been a tough year.  More than anything, though, the life lesson I take away from this past year is that I'm capable of more than I think I am.  We all are.  I think it's in those moments that we most fervently cry out, "I can't!" that the Lord is really able to show us just what we CAN do with His help.  That is what this year has been for me.  It's been a hard year, a stretching and painful growth year, but hard things make us stronger.  And I'm looking forward to 2019 being a year when all of that growth and strength will enable me to look at the every day and truly Shout for JOY.