Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Non-Photo Shop Christmas

This year, photo-shopped pictures have been on my mind.  You can take a not-so-flattering picture and, with technology, have a whole new look after the talents of photo-shop have gotten hold of you.  In the end, the final results usually aren't anything like the real person or event.  I am just real...no photo shop here...or you would see me looking years younger and pounds lighter.  My family is what it is...with all the ups and downs of life.  Sometimes we could be put on the "America's Top Family" magazine and other times "America's Most Wanted" due to the sin in our life.

Today, I celebrate our strengths in our photos... the times we put hurt feelings, offenses...well, our sins, aside and allow God's grace and mercy to shine through.  Only He sees us as we are.  He sees us through the cross.  I am so glad when He looks down He is pleased with the unfinished work that is before Him.  I am glad He promises that He will complete what He has began.


Christmas was celebrated with the extended family on Friday night.  The winner of the cooking contest was our married son and his wife...well, she did the work...her Turkducken. (Ever had it? AMAZING!!)

Benjamin allowed all of his siblings to sleep later than his siblings ever allowed us to sleep.  So instead of a four or five o'clock wake up, he waited until almost 8:00 before getting them all out of bed to unwrap gifts and celebrate again through food.  Our North Pole drink from Pinterest was a HUGE hit!

I couldn't resist...so I leave you with  my cartoon strip ("For Better or for Worse") which sums it all up.  May you all continue to enjoy your family time during this season as you prepare for a New Year.  May the Lord give you a time to reflect on His faithfulness this past year while giving you vision for the year to come.  I will be reflecting this week.

at

29 comments:

  1. UnknownDecember 28, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    This was so cute-love the comic strip. I can so relate. We had a blessed Christmas. Mom and Dad are here this year and we haven't had Christmas with them in 10 years and so that was so nice and Mike's dad came in a few days before and will be here till tomorrow, only one missing was my sister. I so wish she could have been here to celebrate too. She had her pre-op stuff done yesterday for her surgery tomorrow on the spots on her neck, they will biopsy them and we will go from there. Her EKG did not come back well though so before they can remove the mass on her ovary and pelvis she must she a cardiologist. There is so much going on with her I am not sure what to pray for her about. I know God hears the groaning of my soul. I am taking my mom to see the Dr for her second mammogram this morning too. Please pray that is is nothing. I am not sure how much more she can take at this point. I am very worried about her.
    We need to plan a day very soon to meet. I would really love that. I am glad you had a great Christmas. How did your daughter in law and son's Dr. appt. go by the way? I have been praying and wondering what they were told.
    Love to you-thank you for your prayers.
    Love
    Jill

    ReplyDelete
  2. AngelaDecember 28, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    I love all the photos but my favorite one has got to be the one where all the girls are in the kitchen, looking at the camera together. I'm so glad it was a happy day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. VeeDecember 28, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    Photoshopped or not...makes no difference...everyone in your family is beautiful or handsome or both and the love and happiness cannot be denied. Way to go, Benjamin! What a sweetheart. Pinterest North Pole drinks? Hmmm...must check that out.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Pom PomDecember 28, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    Hi Janette! You look great!
    I love For Better For Worse. Aren't they all so cute?
    It's funny with photos, you really do end up taking a million and picking five! I do!
    I hope this week has been sweet and peaceful for you, friend!

    ReplyDelete
  5. DebbieDecember 28, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    Good morning! Looks like a wonderful Christmas to me. I love the idea of the competition cooking dinner! Benjamin is such a little cutie. Hope you are enjoying the rest of your week...HUGS

    ReplyDelete
  6. A multi-dimensional lifeDecember 28, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    Your photos are a reflection of the love in your home and how very blessed you are to have such a beautiful family! The cooking contest sounds like such fun! I love the comic strip at the end...so true! lol May you continue to enjoy the season and looking forward to a joyful year ahead! Happy New Year to you and your precious family!

    ReplyDelete
  7. http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/December 28, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    I see love everywhere, and a beautiful family enjoying it all!

    Enjoy the rest of these December days. 2012 is right around the corner and I am ready! :)

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  8. NancyDecember 28, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    No photoshop needed here; the love shining through makes everyone look beautiful....I love the way you did the collages....so neat.....

    Your comment meant to the world to me...you always seem to know just the right thing to say...blessings to you sweet friend...

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousDecember 28, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    Dear Janette - Blessings to you and your beautiful family this Christmas week as we move into a very hopeful 2012! You are right - God has done great things this past year for me - my Grace and Humility walk - birthing something amazing! It seems to have all gelled together in the past few weeks and I am so excited. I'll be posting about it in January, but for a sneak peak go to www.constellationacademyhsrn.blogspot.com!!

    I will finally be able to return to my roots in teaching and learning from a Biblical foundation - targeting home schoolers and their families. The other women I know in whom the Lord has been doing a rushing work this past year have met - with me - at a destination where we - as one - finally saw this big thing God was doing and how He was preparing us. More on this coming up!

    Looking forward to peppering my walk with your sage insights! It has been a pure delight to know you this year - so much more the Lord has for us all!
    Joy!
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  10. Cecilia Marie PulliamDecember 28, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    I agree with you, Janette, there should not be any photo-shopped photos. Real is better than anything faked, lumps, warts, wrinkles and gray hair are just the outside.

    As I have aged, I have come to terms with the changes in my body, knowing my soul is what really matters. My goal is not to obtain a fountain of physical youth, but to grow in God's grace. Wonderful post. I love your un-photo-shopped photos!

    ReplyDelete
  11. VickieDecember 28, 2011 at 12:09 PM

    Beautiful family, Janette! I love that you had a cooking contest! So fun - and yes, we've had turducken, too! It was wierd but good!

    No matter what - it's still your family, the good, the bad, the ugly - but we can all put it aside and love one another and celebrate our differences and our similarities! No family is perfect, but we're all perfectly family!

    ReplyDelete
  12. ChristineDecember 28, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    If your pictures were Photo Shopped, we couldn't "hear" the laughter and happniess that comes from these pictures!

    You can see the God's Son-shine in these pictures!

    Turkducken? this is new to me!

    ReplyDelete
  13. SandyDecember 28, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    I enjoyed all of these pictures of your beautiful family, including you. You don't need to change anything about anyone because you are all already lovely without Photoshop.
    When you find time I'd just love to know what turkducken is! Turkey and duck together, maybe?
    Tell Benjamin he looks so happy and cozy in that Scooby Doo outfit!
    Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownDecember 28, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    I love the real thing... but I do confess that I will touch myself up just a bit..lol.. smooth out a few wrinkles and stuff..lol..
    And I am a huge Pinterest fan toooooo.. Love It....

    ReplyDelete
  15. camp and cottage livingDecember 28, 2011 at 2:09 PM

    Janette
    The photos look great! Your little guy looks just like you-so cute.
    I love the shared cooking idea.
    And yes, that cartoons says it all!
    I was happy, but exhausted.
    Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Debbie PetrasDecember 28, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    I love all of your Christmas photos! And you don't need any photoshop friend.

    You always have something funny and I love the cartoon.

    Sounds like a fun Christmas.

    Love you,
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  17. Farm GirlDecember 28, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    Just lovely, I loved all of the pictures, it is so nice looking at all of your family.
    Sorry I haven't been around much, my husband has been on vacation this week and I am lots busier. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. MaryannDecember 28, 2011 at 5:39 PM

    Love all the photos, you can almost "hear" all the laughter and activity. The cartoon strip sums it up pretty well! the exhausted part :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. TannaDecember 28, 2011 at 6:35 PM

    I am glad He is pleased and keeps His promises, too! Janette, this Christmas cook-off looks like so much fun! I know everything was delicious and the company great. blessings to you and yours! tanna
    ps thank you for your kind words today.

    ReplyDelete
  20. SallyDecember 28, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    What fun in the kitchen. I've heard of the turkducicken but never had it. Your pictures look great, no photo shop needed. We had great fun in Wisc. with the folks but are happy to be home. Looking for a great 2012. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Saucy SicilianaDecember 29, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    We spent Christmas with Neapolitan friends so you can imagine how much food they prepared. And now New Year's is coming, another abbuffata as they say here in Italy. I don't eat so much though, I just enjoy the company. Happy Holidays! Gorgeous pictures, I enjoyed looking at them.

    ReplyDelete
  22. TexWisGirlDecember 29, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    such a great family Christmas celebration! you are such a beauty!!! :)

    thanks for dropping by! yes, Texas is full of great fences and gates to add to Friday's Fences link-in! :)

    blessings to you and yours!

    ReplyDelete
  23. SueDecember 29, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    Loved the photos, but your thoughts (as always) are so timely for me. That Benjamin never ceases to amaze me, Janette, a fine southern gentleman he is, and did I mention adorable, too?.
    I have the afternoon off, (did I just say that?) So I am trying to catch-up on visiting here in blogland. We reluctantly took Susan to the airport this morning, she has arrived safely back home. Thanks for your prayers.
    It looks like you all had a wonderfully blessed Christmas.
    Wishing you and your family a very blessed, and Happy New Year.
    Love,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  24. NanaNor'sDecember 29, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    Hi there, Loved seeing your Christmas in photos-so much fun! Everyone in your family, I mean everyone, looks perfect just the way God made them. I do understand though-it would be nice to delete a few pounds or wrinkles. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
    Hugs, Noreen

    ReplyDelete
  25. Nikki (Sarah)December 29, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    Wow...these pictures are great and I love how you ended the fun with the for better or worse cartoon. Your family looks great.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Crown of BeautyDecember 29, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    I love the pictures, Janette! So heartwarming to see your adult children preparing the food...

    Benjamin looks so cute in that dog hat... and you know what, he really is your look alike!

    I'm also glad I don't have photo shop on my laptop... cause for me natural is best - just want to post pictures as I take them (except for a little cropping, and light adjustment here and there).

    The comic strip was a nice ending to your post!

    Year End and New Year blessings to you, dear blog friend. I am thankful to God for the gift of knowing you.

    Love
    Lidia

    ReplyDelete
  27. GratefulPrayerThankfulHeartDecember 29, 2011 at 3:10 PM

    I am a bit exhausted too. House looks like a cyclone went through and that I haven't run the vacuum cleaner for years. Last night it took me 30 minutes to clean the kitchen enough to BEGIN dinner. Jill and family leave tomorrow and then cleaning will follow. The washing machine hasn't stopped but there are still messes everywhere :)

    The photo collages of your dear family are just wonderful. So fun seeing each sweet face. Sending best wishes for a very Happy New Year!

    Your blogging friend, Lorraine

    ReplyDelete
  28. Susan Nowell @ My Place to YoursDecember 29, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    I LOVE the adult children cook-off! Lovely family. Happy New Year to you all!

    ReplyDelete
  29. myletterstoemilyDecember 30, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    what a beautiful expose on your wonderful
    family! we had turducken, too.

    and i am STILL exhausted. i don't think the
    work tired me out as much as the excitement.

    did you see that gorgeous sunset last night?

    blessings, sweet friend,
    lea

    ReplyDelete

Welcome Blogger Friend! Thanks for dropping by, I am so honored. I respond back to comments through your email if that is provided or by visiting your blog. I enjoy the personal connection, so thanks so much for taking the time to connect.