MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I am going to check out for a little while with everyone home.
Thank you for all your kind and supportive comments and emails this year.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas season with your families.
Hug those little ones because they will be taller than you before you know it, and enjoy the older ones for the wonderful friends they will be to you as they become adults.
Life is precious and none of us know if we have tomorrow.
It always bugged me, and still does-the quote that says “Live this day like it’s your last.” That’s impossible for mothers who spend their lives planning-for meals, for education, for the next day and week, for Christmas.
But over the last year I’ve learned for me it’s just important to be aware of the preciousness of each day, because many aren’t so lucky to have a glimmer of certainty that there might be a next day, or week or year. Let all the material things go and say “oh well” about the things that aren’t important, and much of it is not. Bask in the work of the day, even if it’s difficult.
Live each day with gratitude, and be kind to yourself-be able to lay down at night and say “I gave it my best, even if I messed up, I did what mattered in God’s eyes for my beautiful precious family.”
Photos by Katie Croci
Those are beautiful photos and such great advice. Merry Christmas Sarah.
What amazing pictures of a beautiful family. Blessings to you this Christmas and always…I love your advice!!
What a beautiful picture! You look stunning! Enjoy your family this Christmas!
Merry Christmas Sarah! Health and happiness for 2019. Thank you for all you do for the art of motherhood. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. The photos of your family are lovely. Enjoy the season! Blessings.
Thank you for sharing your family and your life with us. I don't comment often-but I missed you dreadfully while you were gone and prayed for you. I feel it is SO.HARD. to find parenting advice that rings true-that says the hard things and inspires me to my best instead of to whining and complaining. Sometimes I hate technology and the internet but I cannot deny that you have been an immeasurable blessing in my life and my family is better for it. Thank you and Merry Christmas from Kansas. Someday in heaven I'll give you a hug and thank you in person.
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I agree. You have a beautiful family and you really do look stunning! Enjoy your family 🙂
Merry Christmas!! Enjoy that big beautiful family ;):)
What a beautiful family you have, Sarah!! Merriest of Christmases to you and yours!!
Such a beautiful picture of you and your family! Have a Merry Christmas!
This brought tears to my eyes! I am so so happy that you can celebrate this year after all you went through last year. I know we will never meet, but the wisdom you’ve shared over the years is as valuable to me as what I receive from friends and family. Know that the time you take to write these posts has really made the world a better place, and I know I’m not alone in celebrating the gift of your life this year! Enjoy your babies!!
My triplet babies will be 3 on Friday and my oldest will be 7 on Epiphany – and it happened in a blink!
Beautiful post and beautiful family. All the best to you for the New Year! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Sarah! Is there any way to really thank you for all the blessing you have brought to us through this little corner of yours on the internet? And although, I have never taken for granted the treasures you freely dispense, this year, I am particularly grateful for you and for who you are. So please know, this Christmas, while you are soaking up as much family time as you can, we are praying prayers of blessing on your life and are thanking our Heavenly Father for you!
Merry Christmas, Sarah.
Beautiful photos of a beautiful family!
Please know that like so many others, I have looked to you for advice, reassurance, and inspiration.
I draw a sense of comfort, and have for years, in knowing that as I am here in my home raising my children and living my life, you are out there too, doing the same thing. You are loving your vocation as a wife and mother and homemaker, and are saying NO, Thank You, to the pressures from the outside to "go go go and do do do!" May God bless you and bring you happiness and peace and joy!
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Beautiful family! You are gorgeous. I wondered recently if you ever thought about vlogging. I so agree with your perspective on life, family, and faith and have followed your blog over the years. Merry Christmas!
Lovely photos, thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas!!
Beautiful!!
Sarah, your family is beautiful inside and out. I thank you deeply for your advice on mothering and staying true to our family and its needs. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and an even better 2019.
Oh my goodness Sarah I have no words. This is so beautiful. The peace on your face makes my heart swell. You are such an example of motherhood to me. I am so grateful for your blog. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Your family is so beautiful. Their spirits a refletion of the love you've poured into their lives. I love gleaning nuggets of wisdom on this motherhood journey with you. Thank you. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and your family. You have a wonderful blog. You are a great mom, wife, and person.
Much love, health and happiness for you and your gorgeous family 2019!
Beautiful words, beautiful family. You are one lucky lady xoxo Merry Christmas from New Zealand.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
What a beautiful post….and soooo true.
Would you mind if I used some of your words??
They really express how I feel….
Merry Christmas Sarah!
Merry Christmas to your beautiful family! Thank you for being a corner of the internet that is positive, uplifiting, and encouraging.
Merry Christmas to you and you beautiful family Sarah. Your words ring true, and are a much needed reminder as we rush through this busy season. You always help me focus on what's most important, being a mother, and being thankful for all God has given us. Wishing you all good things in the new year, healthy, happy, peaceful days. Many blessings to you. 🙂
Merry Christmas Sarah! Enjoy your much deserved time with your family! I love that you are back and doing well. On a side note I am sure you miss your long blond hair but the short darker hair looks amazing, it really suits you!
Cheers to you and your beautiful family, Sarah. Grateful for your perspective and wisdom.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Sarah!!! You look so beautiful!! And Abby….oh my goodness, she’s STUNNING! So beautiful!!! All those handsome boys! And Janie! What a doll! I literally cried seeing all of you, so happy together!! So thankful that God brought you through that storm, strong, wiser, and better than ever! Enjoy them all!!! Praying for you the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER! ❤️
Thank you Betsyann, you put into words my sentiments EXACTLY!! Sarah I thought you were one of the kids, you look amazing. We'll miss you and look forward to hearing from you again in 2019.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Sarah. Like so many others I so appreciate your words of wisdom and encouragement. I also loved the pictures of you and your family. Just beautiful. I am wishing you many many more years of good health.
Merry Christmas!
The contentment on your face (all your faces, really) is so tender. You all have been through the refiner's fire this past year and you are stronger because of it. Much love and blessings to you and yours!
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Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family. Thank you for opening your heart to us – your wisdom, faith and passion for enjoying the everyday has impacted my life in an incredible way. Enjoy your time with your family. Much love, Susan
You are a gift to your readers, thank you for sharing all these years! I used to read faithfully until Google Reader went away- I lost my blog reading rhythm and never got it back! lol… I missed hearing your wisdom and went in search of an update several months ago. I was so sad to hear of your diagnosis, shocked, really. But I am so glad you are still blogging and these pics of you and your beautiful family are treasures! Merry, Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!!! You write so much truth and with such love! May you and your family be healthy and enjoy your moments together!!!!
I hope you have a wonderful visit with all of your family. Be blessed!
Look out for my new year's post coming soon!
God bless you,
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
These are the best words. Thank you for continuing to share your wisdom and your life with all of us grateful readers. You are inspiring. <3
What gorgeous photos, Sarah! I love, love these! You look so great, I actually love your short hair ♥ Happy New Year
Thinking of you, Sarah.
Hope your Christmas and New Year celebrations were festive and cozy!
Miss you!
Thinking of you!
Hoping you are OK. Miss your blog.
Yes, we are all thinking of you! Hope you are well.