Having a large family means keeping busy at all times. There are very few moments when the phone isn’t ringing or someone isn’t asking for food, socks or just advice. I love being a mom, it has been the best career ever and lasts a life time. Five of my kids still live near me or with me in the house, three live several hours away and of course Osama, Jacki and babies are near enough to pop over easily.
This weekend was spent putting up decorations, taking walks and cooking. I tried a couple of new recipes and unfortunately forgot to take pictures. I have slowly set out little Holiday bits and pieces over the past few weeks. The kids know how I feel about Christmas and notice these small changes. They grin, possibly mutter or maybe even humm a bit of seasonal music, knowing that there is much more to come. It is clear that once the leaves start their annual turn, holiday season is upon us.
This weekend I saw via snapchat that Jacki had already put up an artificial tree soon to be followed by a second real one. Therefore, I felt that permission was given for me to also bring out my first little tree from three years ago or that was my justification to the kids!
Mom and Dad’s village houses went up.
As well as my Christmas angel
And other decorations from years gone by
A walk in 23 degree weather was definitely brisk and although no snow has fallen it is in our forecast! Meanwhile the lavender that I cut back two months ago, is once again blooming! It is always amazing to me that plants show such resilience.
Fattima and Ben came over for a visit Saturday evening and joined us for dinner, cards and the usual loud antics. Fattima went to the bathroom and her brother pushed everyone on the couch, into the hall, blocking her exit. She climbed over and placed herself directly over her younger siblings! This is quite typical of our household.
Four youngest kids sitting nicely before they were pushed down the hall!
I sat in the comfy recliner that my middle child purchased for me on his last visit! I decided I was much too settled and relaxed to remove myself to take a picture! Yes it is that soft and comfortable!
It was a nice, calm weekend spent around our little University town. Frost covered fields and our deck railing, sunsets melded into a frigid sky and thoughts of this year’s festivities surely danced in our heads!
My prayers and thoughts go out to those affected by recent tragedies. I pray for peace!
Love the village houses. Very Germanic!
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Thank you Peter
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So pretty. I love Christmas! It was always just the four of us – husband and two daughters. My older daughter married into a large family and we sometimes take part in festivities, which is really fun, although it was daunting for us at first! Now my younger daughter is bringing home her boyfriend at Thanksgiving. We’ve never met him, but they’re living together. Very exciting!
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Wow that is so exciting! Yes big family life can be quite overwhelming for those who are not used to it. It was just the four of us growing up as well so took adjusting. Thanksgiving will be so exciting for you!
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I love the festive mood in your home. The obvious love and harmony. Thank you so much for letting us in ❤️. And I also pray for comfort for those affected and healing for those hurting. Amen 🙏🏾
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Amen
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Thank you!
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You are welcome 🙏🏾 😊
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It does feel like the Christmas season is upon us Lynn.
Leslie
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Yes I feel it for sure ❤️
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😉 ❤
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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at your house! Fun!
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Yes so much fun
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I love all of your decorations! In my family the tree tends to go up earlier every year haha 🙂
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Haha that is what’s happening here
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Enjoy the holiday season and the extended festivities, Lynn! Your job as mom, never ends and brings much joy. It is so good that you get to enjoy your kids antics from a comfortable recliner, Lynn. xoxo
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Yes so nice! xoxo
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Wonderful joyful moments! Thanks for sharing ❤
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thank you!
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We love Christmas, don’t we? I also love to decorate and my kids only smile…lol!
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hahaha xoxoxo
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😄
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Around here, once the first snowflake falls……it’s permission granted! 😜
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Hahaha that is good!
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Love this: “…asking for food, socks or just advice…” I have decided it’s a sock-themed Christmas!!!
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Haha your right!
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I love your happy home! I am seeing Christmas ‘go up’ all around me. It makes me happy. 🙂
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Me too xx
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There is nothing quite like Christmas from a child’s point of view.
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So true
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This is when children and grandchildren bring the magic back into our lives.
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You are so right! It is just lovely to watch their excitement and wonder.
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Thanks for bringing me some Christmas vibes. The temperature in Canberra today is 31°C or 88°F. No snow forecast, but we sure could use some rain.
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Oh my gosh no snow for sure!
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The boys look so excited already
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I know! Cuties
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Your house is so festive! I love to decorate for Christmas and plan to do so next week! I love that most of your family lives close by. It makes not only the holidays more special, but each and every day!
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You are so right! It is so nice to have my kids nearby. Have fun decorating ❤️
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I love Christmas and the more kids the merrier it is! Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas time Lynn!! xoxoxo
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Thank you PJ xoxo happy holidays to you!
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There is so much love and energy in your family, Lynn. Blessings on all of your. ❤
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Thank you ❤️❤️
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How festive, Lynn. I love this time of the year.
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Me too
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Aw, I love seeing your Christmas decorations! And thank you for your prayers. I live in Thousand Oaks, CA, and it’s been a very trying time, with the shooting and fires. Take care Lynn xx
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Oh my very trying for sure. How are you doing?
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We’re safe, and our home is too. We had a mandatory evacuation and stayed away for two days. Still flare ups, but we’re ok. Just wrote about it today… haven’t been on the computer much this past week! Take care Lynn! xo
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So glad you are safe! Xo
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Thank you Lynn!
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Xoxo
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Wow, I LOVE the Christmas village!
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Me too! thanks
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Gosh we love the holiday season just as much! What’s with the family shortage on socks lol? We actually put out a post on Christmas recently and I’d love your thoughts: https://theagapecompany.com/perfect-gifts-for-travelers-gift-ideas/ Please let me know what you think!
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I love your decorations! Happy holidays!
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Happy holidays
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I like the family photo gathered together above.
Direct interaction is far more good than via Whatsup, FB, or virtual world.
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For sure
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Loving the Christmas tree! I always go too big with mine 😜
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So cute! Thanks for sharing!
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fantastic blog, i love this one….
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I love the time of the year.
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me too!
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ha ha
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Beautiful Christmas decorations! I hope to someday display some village houses when my children are grown! My 3 and 5 year old would probably have it broken in a minute!
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I have never had anything decorative around and Having nine kids for me meant not having things that can be messed with so it’s really weird for me now haha.
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Lovely pictures!
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Thanks
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