We have finally come to the close of what has quite possibly been the craziest, busiest, most stressful season for our family, ever. And now . . . we’re exhausted.

In the last three weeks, we have moved out of our old house, lived with my parents for a week, overseen minor renovations along with complete painting and carpeting of our new house, and moved in our new house, during the “busy season” at Casey’s work, while trying to do at least some of our normal Christmas stuff with a ten-month-old and a sick three year old. Right now Casey is passed out on the couch after working twelve-hour days all week and then coming home to help me move furniture and hang blinds each night.

Last night, with very little personal motivation, I set up the smallest, saddest Christmas tree in Picker history. In fact, if it weren’t for the kids we probably would have skipped it altogether this year, but Caleb wanted one and it is Josiah’s first Christmas, so we had to. I can’t help but feel that they’ve been cheated of Christmas this year. With everything that has been going on, we haven’t been able to focus like I want to or celebrate in all the fun ways that I would like to, though we did squeeze in a visit to Santa, on moving day no less. I just keep thinking, “Next year, we’ll do it right.” But I’ve just had to let it go, realizing that, at three and eleven months, they probably won’t remember this Christmas, and the all gingerbread houses, parties, and plays aren’t that important anyway.

What I want more than anything this Christmas is PEACE, and a few silent nights wouldn’t hurt either. We’re looking forward to slowing way down this week and enjoying Christmas with our sweet boys while we share with them the beautiful mystery of the birth of Christ.

So, needless to say, with all the craziness, there will be no Christmas cards from us this year. I’m sure you’ve been checking your mailbox every day for the last week, so I’m sorry to disappoint you.

We would, however, still love to wish you a very Merry Christmas and tell you how thankful we are for all of our sweet friends and family. This has been an incredibly challenging and blessed year for us. (Isn’t it funny how those always seem to come together, the challenges and the blessings? That’s a post for another day.) Walking through this year with you has been a blessing to us, and we hope we can love and support you and your family as beautifully as you have loved and supported us in the years to come.

We took this photo ourselves, with the tripod and self-timer, which is why Josiah seems a little confused.

I’ll leave you with a little silliness. It’s nearly impossible to capture the spirit of my two boys with the camera. I hope you can read between the lines.

Merry Christmas!