I know that December 1st may seem early for our ordering cut off and I've had quite a few people ask why so I'll explain. I used to have my Christmas order cut off around Dec 15. It usually takes 2-3 weeks in the non busy season. The closer we get to Christmas the longer shipping and deliveries take to arrive. You can imagine the last minute running around that went on in my already crazy life.
My sons are still small and I want to enjoy the holidays with them. As my husband constantly reminds me, "They will not always want to hang out with us." I'm taking advantage of it while I can. We have our Giving Jar task that we need to complete every day in the month of December, baking, shopping, cooking, parties... I LOVE it all. My Mom and Dad always made Christmas a big deal for my sisters and I. I want to do the same for my boys. I want them to remember that their Dad loves this time of year so much, he can't wait for the radio station to begin playing Christmas music ridiculously early, baking cookies, the lights, the snow, sending and receiving mail, picking out our real tree, the smell, feeling loved, loving each other, decorating Grandma and Grandpa's Christmas tree on their anniversary, the art of gift giving, the excitement of Christmas morning, being thankful... all of it and more! I want them to have a dance party and bust a move when the ball drops on New Year's Eve wearing the crazy hats that they picked out just a few hours before on a spur of the moment dinner and trip to the store. Remembering the past and looking towards the future. Most of all I want them to realize how lucky we are to have each other, appreciate all of the advantages that we have in life that get taken for granted at times and the real spirit of the season... giving. These lessons are important for me as a parent to teach my children.
When I started college, I wanted to be a doctor. I LOVE science and it's something I thought I would enjoy and could be very "successful." The more classes I took, I didn't find it necessarily difficult, however it was so much more time consuming than I had ever imagined. I had only ever wanted to be a mother and I kept thinking, "How much family time am I going to have?", "How long will I have to wait to start a family?" and "How involved will I be as a parent?" I knew that if I put this much time, energy and work into my career, I would concentrate on my career and not necessarily on starting and raising a family. Within a year or so I started to think of switching my major to education. I thought I could have the same schedule as my children, enjoy the summers with them and these were much more important to me than having just a "career." I never even considered becoming a photographer until after my son Anthony was born. Becoming a photographer developed slowly and organically. It is my perfect happy. Believe me it's not all pretty pictures and unicorns, but there are perks. I get to do something I love, I'm helping other people and my schedule fits my family's needs.
In years past, my Christmas cut off was a couple of weeks later than it is this year. I have spent too many hours on the computer editing and placing last minute orders. I've missed watching all of the old good Christmas movies and snuggling on the sofa with my boys. I even delivered an order on Christmas Eve at midnight (so technically Christmas Day) with icy streets after we left my parents house for our family Christmas celebration. I will not EVER do that again! No amount of stress or money is worth loosing my family time. I will be happy to photograph your children and family after December 1st and I also will be accepting orders, I just will not guarantee Christmas delivery. I appreciate you respecting my family.
I wish you a happy, loving, stress free Christmas filled with wonderful memories and lasting traditions.
