Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders that are unseen and unseeable in the World

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.
He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas, how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus.
If you havent read this beautiful response written and appearing in the New York Sun on September 21st, 1897...stop what you are doing, google: Yes Virginia AND, visit here to read some history.

Today, was the first day of the Salter's Advent Adventures.
Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus was our story for this morning.
When Audrey awoke this morning, she stood at the top of the steps, as I stood at the bottom and yelled up to her the myriad of things we would be doing to celebrate Advent. Jim yelled down: "Tell her...Mommy, you are freakin me out!...I just woke up" and Audrey mocked his words to me, "Mommy, you freaking me out!"

Perhaps, I am a little overzealous in the morning.
But, I was so excited to start our new annual tradition.
We are anxiously awaiting the birth of Baby Jesus. Through advent, we celebrate in remembrance of the birth of a baby born in a manager. I want my little girl to understand why we truly celebrate. We love Jesus.
I have many friends whom choose to celebrate the true Christmas and not incorporate Santa.
I choose BOTH.
Growing up in the little village of English Center, my dad WAS Santa for many years.
He would dress up every Christmas eve and make his way around our little 1 horse town. every child got a present, every old person got a visit.
I knew it was my dad and not really Santa. He was Santa's helper...and I BELIEVED!
To me Santa Claus is someone who abided by God's commandment to LOVE one another. He is a man with a spirit that God wishes each of us to have.
He is God's servant, just like you and I.
As a child, I would go to our little church on the hill in White Pine and there I would hear the real story of Christmas, about the King born in just a manger, born to save the world....and I BELIEVED! Under that roof, with candle light dancing on the ceiling and walls, and silent Night sung softly, everyones eyes closed in praise....there was nothing to do but believe.
To me, Christmas was magical. I want that for Audrey; that feeling of magic that you can almost smell in the air.

After reading our 1st of 25 Christmas stories, we opened our Advent tree and she received the first of her little advent gifts. Today's gift, a green and red snowflake bracelet.

Before she and Jimmy woke, I went downstairs and cooked up some red and green pancakes with snowflakes( coconut flakes) as our first fun advent activity. They were a hit! The little girl who doesnt like to eat, scarfed them down!YUM!

Next, we sang our first christmas song: We wish you a Merry Christmas. Audrey LOVES to sing, so we had to sing the song twice. LOL!

NOW, we are snuggled up on the couch and watching a Muppets Christmas Carol.

She doesnt love the movie, in fact, she is asking to watch Calliou. LOL!
In all of this activity, I took a minute to pray: Dear Lord, bring the christmas spirit to us, let us remember the birth of your son, born in a manger, born to be a king, born to save us. Please help us to always remember this holiday season that we should be more focused on giving than receiving. Please help us to insert your name in to every praise that falls from our lips. Please place opportunities to be YOUR hands and YOUR feet into our paths.
Our scripture for today:Luke 26-30
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, (27) to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. (28) And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” (29) But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. (30) And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
God Bless each of you during the first day of our advent season!

Getting Ready for the Holidays

The Holidays are here. At Just So Stacy Photography, it has been quite the busy season~! What a blessing, but wow, do I need a break. So, I am taking off from December 11th thru January 15th to enjoy the holidays and live everyday of them to the fullest. In our plans, an advent calendar with a scripture reading a bible story, a christmas movie and, most importantly, a family activity everyday.
I look forward to sharing each day of this season with you all.
So far, we have decorated the house, strung the lights and blew up the santa and snowman inflatables outside. We have 75% of the Christmas Shopping done.
Jim played Santa at Paulus Farm Market while I snapped pictures this weekend.

Audrey wasnt so sure of Santa holding her, even if Santa took his beard off and showed her it was just Daddy. LOL! Our pictures are always the hardest to snap, but we did manage a few great ones that My mom did and our christmas Cards went out yesterday!
We are ready to Jingle, Bake, Sing, and have the best holiday ever!
Tomorrow begins our Advent adventure. Join US!

Playing Catch up

Arent I always? It has been nearly a month since my last post. I remember a time when I would post 2 or 3 times a day! My how the times have changed. It is busy season for Just So Stacy, just a few more weeks and then i am taking a much needed long few weeks off. I am grateful for the business, but it has made me fall behind in everything else.
Jim caught pneumonia so we have spent just over a week at my parents while he is quarantined.
So, it has been a little harder to catch up then usual.
I am getting ready to enjoy the holidays!
Audrey spent some time helping Mom Mom get the tree ready for their house.

Needless to say, she knocked the tree over a few times, and she keeps calling it Jingle Bells, but I think she is ready for the holidays too!

Pumpkinpalooza

Recently, I started photographing at one of my favorite places, Paulus Farm Market.
It is just 3 miles from our home, literally 3 turns. Audrey and I would visit there alot this summer to see their farm animals and enjoy the sunshine.
In August, I approached Amy Paulus, the owner, about having a party at Paulus.

And, to make a long story short, I ended up beginning a relationship with Paulus as a photographer there.
Today, we had our party.

A gathering of mostly family, but a handful of close friends and their kids. We call it Pumpkipalooza. We fed the farm animals, played in the fun forts, took a hay ride to a pumpki patch and corn maze, had great food and just truly enjoyed ourselves.
My cousin Jamie announced that she and her husband Vince are having their 3rd baby! So exciting.
Overall, the kids had an awesome time.

Audrey was Minnie Mouse, a last minute costume change, when my mom and I discovered it in the storage closet, waiting to be worn. The food was great!
Thanks to all of our attendees and especially to The Paulus family for an really enjoyable day!

Fall Camping

is now my favorite kind of camping.
This past weekend, we went to western Village Rv Park, which is right in Carlisle just 20 minutes away from home, but definately felt like a good vacation.
Val and Lathan came along with us, so Audrey had her best buddy.
The weather was great and they had so many great activities for the kiddos.
we participated in a family scavenger hunt, a halloween costume parade and trick or treating.
What fun!
Here are some pics of our great weekend!

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Building a Business

A year ago I set out on a journey to start a "side job" as a photographer. And, it seems that my side job has really taken off. I am sitting here trying to come up with a more compatible schedule that fits my kiddos needs as well as my businesses needs, but hers didnt come first this week and it shows in her attitude. she needs me, and that is a good thing.
She caught a little cold earlier in the week, which carried with it a fever. Jim held down the fort, while I did 3 back to back shoots. WOW! I came home and she was at 102. BUT, not 105 or 106, so not too bad. It didnt go higher, but lingered until today.
In that time I had to edit 3 new shoots, 2 deliveries came in with photos that I had to send out and I booked 4 more appts. WOW!
Seriously, I feel so blessed. I never imagined that I could do this as a real job forever and make income and still have the opportunity to be a full time mom. I am still not sure I can sram everything I am trying to do into this already hectic life. But, I feel blessed to try!

Ahhhh...the terrible and terrific twos

Audrey is smart. She's my kid, so maybe I am the only one that thinks so, and right now that is the only person( and her dad) that matters.
But, she is also a smarty pants, lately. UGH!
I feel like our days are filled with alot of temper tantrums and crying and flinging of her body, and kicking and running away.
She doesnt like the outfit I put on, it "hurts" her. She doesnt want to read the story I chose. She wants me to "go away". She doesnt want to go inside. She doesnt want her shoes on. She doesnt want to listen to ANYONE. And I am maybe losing my mind.
I am seriously reevaluating what I have done to get us here. Is it me? I am happy to take the blame and help to change it.
We have left gymnastics early because she just doesnt want to sit down and listen. I also think that has to do with the maniac child in her class who appears, leaves the kids in her wreckage and my "monkey see-monkey do" follows her lead. But, maybe it is just Audrey.
If anyone has any advice or a book to read or reassurance, I am here and open.
Until then, we are living with a crazy beautiful smart tantrummer( is that a word...spell check says no...I say YES)!