Topsy Turvy Christmas Cards -- Shutterfly!

The VEAP Holiday Benefit always puts me in the Christmas spirit. This year nationally renowned performer Jearlyn Steele sang the song Home from the Wiz. I was lucky enough to have a private performance of this song at work one day. My task was to put together a video to play while she sang that evening.

The house my dad and uncles grew up in.

The song really struck me this year. We used black and white photos of Christmas memories from board members. Pictures that showed them as children back in the 1930’s to the 1950’s. I did not grow up then, but it made me think about my childhood and my Christmas memories. It also made me think about my future with Phillip and the memories we will make with each other and our children. Someday we will look back on those old digital pictures (I’m sure they will evolve to something even better than digital in the future) and reminisce about the good old days.

With my future step-son is here for Thanksgiving we are thinking of ways to make this a memorable experience for him. That includes getting a family picture taken for our Christmas cards. Although we are not married yet, we are already a family and we want to start creating those positive memories now.

Christmas 2009. Making snowman on sticks.

Since I love creating my own things I am going to design a Christmas card via Shutterfly.com. I love how I have the freedom to spread holiday cheer in a way that best represents our family. It is also a chance for me to get good ideas for how to design our save the date cards that need to be sent out within the next month as well.

Another winter weather advisory is in effect which means tomorrow we can have some great winter shots. Dadda, Momma Kelly, Braden and the three fur babies, Duke, Skippy and Monet will gather around the tall pine tree on the side of the house and smile for the camera. It will most likely be a superbly chaotic picture, but from putting a video to the song Home I found those were the best ones.

I can see it now. Phillip will be smiling for the camera while holding Braden who won’t be looking at the camera. Duke will sit next to Phillip staring up at me while I hold my cat, Monet. I will be smiling at the camera while squeezing a hissing Monet who is staring down at Duke. Skippy will be on my side wagging his tail like crazy, but also hoping no one notices him. Welcome to the Larson-Mroczek household…


My family at Christmas before us kids arrived.

Our Christmas cards will be the start of our family collection of printed memories. I can’t wait to see how they turn out! We’ll send them to our closest family and friends to show how they are important to us and in the start of our new life together.

Design your own cards with me! Follow the links below for ideas.
Christmas Cards
Holiday Cards
Desk Calendars



Oohh, if we did something like this from Shutterlfy we could do a Christmas Card and our Save the Date all at once...so many options!



So This Is Christmas

Have yourself a Merry little Christmas...let your heart be light

Oh it 'tis the Christmas season, however, I am having a hard time getting into the spirit. The lack of snow and not being a kid anymore makes it tough. This year I realized that Christmas just isn't going to be the same. I recognized this at a concert I went to last night. As the song Silent Night floated through the sanctuary I understood how much has changed.

Before our church was remodeled (which occurred when I was around twelve or so) we were allowed to have candles in the sanctuary. All the lights would be turned off and we'd sing Christmas songs as we tried not to let the dripping wax burn our fingers. Slient Night vividly brought back those memories.

Then we would tromp out into the snow, sit in the freezing car and drive to my Grandparent's house. Where, while the adults gorged themselves in Swedish meatballs and other delights, us cousins would eagerly be anticipating the mounds of presents soon to be coming our way. Old time Christmas music (Bing, Frank, Cole etc.), picture taking, flying wrapping paper, twinkling lights, laughter, and frozen fingers was my family's Christmas.

Things have changed. That church stopped it's candle light tradition-plus I don't go there anymore, there aren't huge mounds of presents, there isn't as much laughter, my Grandpa now has a hard time remembering who we are, this year there isn't any snow, and the spirit of Christmas feels lost.

Through the years we all will be together, If the fates allow . Hang a shining star upon the highest bough And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

I am no longer 'required' to attend family Christmas gatherings. I can go to the church service of my choice (but where?), I can arrive at family things when I want to and leave when I want to. I can follow my own schedule mixed with family and friends. I have 'my own life' now. It's weird.

Where is the deeper meaning of Christmas? The celebration of Christ? Maybe this is where settling down and having my own family, starting my own traditions comes in. Maybe the feeling is lost because it's my turn to share the joy of Christ and not just receive, or maybe its something else.