Christmas #1

We had our first Christmas celebration on Tuesday night with Chet and Karen. We went to their new home for dinner and gifts. I didn't take a whole lot of photos but here are a few...

The kids (not so) patiently waiting to open gifts after dinner....

Abigail was very excited about her new American Girl Bitty Baby that she received...

And J.T. was ecstatic about his new Lego set. He said, "This is the best day of my life!" He and Andy are looking at all the pieces...

We had a great meal and lots of fun exchanging gifts. Thanks Grandpa Chet and Granny Karen!

Better to give than receive?

This was written by Dave Pratt of Ranch Management Consultants in a newsletter that we receive. I thought it was timely and well-said.

The Bible tells us that it is better to give than to receive. Giving of ourselves isn't just the right thing to do, it makes us feel great. We get a wonderful feeling when we give or do something that makes someone else happy or helps them with a problem. There's no doubt that giving is good.

But while we have been taught that it is nobler to give than to receive since childhood, I think it is also noble to receive. How would we feel if a person to whom we are giving said, "I don't like this," or "I already have one." If someone pays you a compliment and you respond with, "It was nothing" or "No, it really wasn't that good," deflecting their compliment also deflects the joy of the giver, because the compliment wasn't fully accepted. Rather than deflecting or diminishing the message, what if we responded, "Wow, thanks. That really means a lot to me."

Sometimes receiving is even better than what passes for giving! Giving with the expectation of getting something in return or making someone feel guilty isn't really giving at all. It is emotional blackmail.

We are rotten receivers. Many of us are uncomfortable with compliments. We feel that we should get everyone a gift who gives us a gift. We are so uncomfortable receiving that even when we desperately need help, we are reluctant to ask for it.

This Christmas there will be a lot of giving, and therefore there will be lots of receiving. Focus on being a good receiver. Let the gifts, especially the emotional gifts of love, kindness and support, have their full impact so that the giver can experience the full joy of giving.

I think I am ready

I think I'm ready for Christmas! I have all the gifts purchased and wrapped. I have the menu planned, groceries purchased, and items assigned to whomever is bringing them. And I am feeling pretty relaxed. It's easy to get stressed out this time of year, but that kind of takes the fun out of it!

We started our week of Christmas celebrations with the Renner (Andy's mom's side) family progressive dinner last night. We visited three houses for appetizers, dinner, and dessert. We ended the evening at Andy's mom's house with a festive game of bingo complete with prizes!

Tonight, we will celebrate with Chet and Karen (Andy's dad and step-mom) at their new home in Fortuna. Dinner, gift exchange, and family togetherness will make it a great evening!

I will update as the week progresses.... Have a wonderful Christmas week everyone!!

More favorites

I can hardly believe that Sarah Albin Photography has been in business for a year already! In June, I posted my favorite photo from each session or event that I did during the first six months of the year. Here are my favorites from each session or event during the second six months of 2009. I know some of these have already been posted, but it's kind of fun to have them all in one place.

Fortuna Middle School's 8th grade graduating class...

I love the yellow flowers... not sure if Miss S does or not...

The V family enjoying the beach on Maui...

Spunky Miss L is adorable...

One of the preschoolers...

The beautiful J family...

A big wave from Miss M...

Do most brothers and sisters love each other this much?

A dad and his boys...

A Grammy and her grandkids...

Santa came to visit at the Ferndale Childrens Center...

Be still my heart...

Momma and her boy...

Another adorable preschooler...

Stealing a lick of frosting at Great Grandma's 80th birthday...

Lovebirds...

And their wedding day...

A cutie-patootie that loves his thumb...

Sisters...

Sassy Miss M...

One more cute preschooler...

Lovin' the oudoors...

It's been a great year. Thank you to all my clients who made it such a fun year! I look forward to 2010...

Good news!

About a year ago, I blogged about a little boy from Ferndale, Ethan Craig, and his battle with cancer. He went through chemo treatments down at Stanford throughout 2009. His last one was right before Thanksgiving, I believe. He had some tests and scans done yesterday and the doctors found him to be CANCER FREE! Isn't that the most amazing news for Ethan and his family?! I am so happy for the Craig family!!

Ebates? Check it out!

If you've never heard of this site, Ebates, you need to check it out! If you start from their site to do your shopping, you can earn all kinds of cash back from the sites you probably normally shop from anyway. Just click on the link above, search for the online store you want to shop from, click on your choice, and it will take you to that website. Meanwhile, you earn a % cash back when you are shopping! Sounds great, I think! It even works for eBay!! Check it out....

Getting there....

Christmas is in 10 days.... are you all ready? I am doing pretty well.

Christmas shopping done-- check.
Tree up and decorated-- check.
Lights on outside of house-- check.
Christmas baking done-- check.
Gifts all wrapped--almost done.
Christmas dinner menu planning-- not even close!

I guess we better decide what we are having for Christmas dinner so I don't have to do the shopping at the very last minute...

S&S Humboldt Weddings

We are offering some incentives for the first three weddings we book for 2010. Check out our updated website if you have a chance.

Evan

I took 2 year old photos for Evan a couple weeks ago. Isn't he the most adorable thing ever?!

Wedding

I just realized that I never posted photos of this wedding that I helped Andra Stringer with. Here are a few....