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{Between the Lines} of the Annual Christmas Letter.

12/7/2013

11 Comments

 
Have you ever been the (un)lucky recipient of a lengthy annual Christmas letter listing the glowing highlights of the year along with  reports of each and every family member's epic accomplishments that leave you feeling like you're suddenly in dead heat for the Under-Achiever of the Universe crown?  Me too. For those of us who are tapped into the internet world,  these letters are often delivered to us in snippets (posts/status updates/blog entries/texts) throughout ALL THE LIVELONG YEAR. None of us are exempt from the temptation of delving into a little subtle self-praise now and then, but there are some that are just so talented at it! Just for fun, I thought I would take a few of the pictures of the last year taken from my phone of my very real (and also very wonderful) life and pair them with the kind of letters/updates we love to roll our eyes at...showing that it is quite easy to construct a rosy picture with words but more important to remember that in all of our lives, whether captured in a once-a-year-letter or in daily-social-media-updates, there is plenty of living space between the lines that never make the final cut.

Dear Friends and Family,

It’s hard to believe this time of year has swept around again already!  No doubt you’ve been waiting with bated breath for this, the Miller family “newsletter”, so let us not waste a moment’s time and delve into a few of the highlights of our 2013.

Only four years ago, we had a young teenager and five babies/toddlers scurrying about the house and now we find it hard to believe that we have a nineteen year old and five preschool/elementary aged children who delight us at every turn.  We have dubbed our home "Tranquility Cove" and truthfully,  it's a struggle to leave, even as we're right about to leave for a date night (which we faithfully take every Friday night without fail).
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Last Spring, Curt and I were so humbled when asked to be the keynote speakers at a local marriage conference. It was so exhilarating to share the creative and endearing ways we have learned to effectively communicate with each other! PTL!
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After resounding affirmation from the conference participants, we decided to take a big step of faith.  In the last few months, after the children are in bed, we have spent hours assembling all of our "best practices"  and have a book proposal nearly ready to submit to publishers! We can hardly wait until the children go to sleep just to have the chance to creatively collaborate together. We often joke about not needing a  fireplace due to all the creative sparks flying around!
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This summer we took the television out of the house due to a decision to remove the temptation it can turn into (or so we've heard from other families of small children). It took no time at all for them to forget it and find educationally enriching group activities to enjoy together. What a delight to see our children gravitate so naturally towards academically enriching and team-centered projects.  We've even heard our neighbors remark to each other how interesting our children are. Again, we just thank the Lord and strive to be a class act in a weary and watching world.
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As each child turns another year older, Jeane' thoroughly enjoys combing through Pinterest and amassing all sorts of ideas to create a birthday party to commemorate their special day in a deeply personalized way. Curt jokingly refers to me as the "Hotter, Nicer Martha Stewart". {Blush!} What a card! Anyhow, we don't have enough space to detail all the various, back-to-back themed parties enjoyed over the birthday months, but hopefully the memories our children have (which are what counts anyway, right?!) will stick with them...those, and the ceramic garden stepping stones of their birthstone encrusted  footprints we commenced each party with.
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We enjoyed taking a few more trips than usual this past year, and without fail, the favorite moments of any vacation are always in the car rides to and from. Singing contests (back seat vs. middle seat!), family prayer time and a great chance to catch up on reading the classics aloud to each other (Tolstein was the surprise hit of the summer!)...all these things producing happy hearts and contented spirits as scenes of Americana pass outside the windows. (And it's so nice to get a chance to just chill and take in the views in the passenger's seat! I felt bad hubby had to do all the work and drive).
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Of course the year was not without it's low points. Like when our trusty garden rototiller broke and we didn't have money to spare toward it's repair. We fasted over how to break the hardened earth without it's sharp metal prongs but we needn't have worried. Through unconventional means, the earth was broken up, readied for the garden (we ended up not planting) and we didn't have to lay one dollar down.  What else can we say?  It was a God thing.

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The hubs continues to love shopping for a good deal, even more than me!  Because of that, we were able to outfit all the children in bright-colored coordinating resort/swimwear from Janie and Jack, which made it uber easy to pick out our little cherubs on crowded beaches and and in busy water parks (a  complimentary tip from a large family! ha!). We love a sunny day and were thankful to RandomLadyOnTheBeach Photography for so beautifully capturing a few family photos for this annual Christmas letter. We were so pleased with how she captured (mostly) our little crew and their personalities. (She is available for Senior, Newborn and Family full or mini-sessions. If you can find her. She wears a bright yellow Banana Boat sun visor).
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We would have loved to share even more, but as we close this letter the smell of homemade Gingerbread is wafting through the air and it's just about time to start constructing the annual Miller Gingerbread Masterpiece: This year, it's a full-scale remake of The Great Gatsby's mansion, complete with period-appropriate party revelers. The children are already 'round the table with  anticipatory hearts ready to get started.

God bless you and yours, and may your holidays be full of magic and memory-making.

Warmly,
Jeane` (for all)


Merry Christmas from our imperfect (but happy!) little family to yours!

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11 Comments
Carla
12/6/2013 09:05:46 pm

My, my, my....what a full live you have, dear! It looks remarkably like mine from years past. I can't wait to send you my Christmas letter so you'll know what to expect from the next 25 years! Love you and your endearing,industrial, talented, and coordinated crew!

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Jeane
12/7/2013 12:33:38 pm

It seems I have heard "so you'll know what to expect" ALOT from you today. {smile} I love it (and you).

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Sarah Gingrich
12/6/2013 11:22:45 pm

HAHAHAHAAAA!

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Becca White
12/7/2013 12:04:42 pm

You had me laughing out loud especially with the car bit! Thanks for a good laugh. Too funny.

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Jeane
12/7/2013 12:38:24 pm

Glad I could bring a little laughter to your day, Becca! Thanks for stopping by!

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judy
12/8/2013 05:00:00 am

A few years ago, your dad wrote a similar Christmas letter. This one was the best one ever! From one who labored over the thought of ever sending out a letter from our family, after receiving those I knew I could never begin to match, I must tell you, you certainly added a huge dose of humor to my snowy Sunday afternoon. I am still sitting here smiling over it. I am going to be on the lookout for that beach photographer, because I never saw a cuter, more loved group of children!

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Jeane`
12/9/2013 12:50:11 am

Thank you, dearest mother! I should have had dad work on this with me. He's far funnier than I!!!

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Beverly
12/8/2013 10:56:16 am

Oh My --- LOL
This is a great article -- seriously, i reread it for another good laugh!
Especially liked the picture & the part about about not needing a fireplace for romantic sparks!!! Jeane, you are so good at taking humor and adding a realness that gives it meaning, Just love it!
Your kids are ADORABLE! … and LOVE the family picture !
Merry, Merry Christmas to Beautiful YOU and Your Precious Family !

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Jeane
12/9/2013 03:41:01 am

Oh Bev! You are SO easy to make laugh, which makes you such a delightful person! Prayers for a wonderful, meaningful Christmas season with your beautiful family.

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Julie Garner
12/10/2013 02:29:03 am

BRILLIANT, my friend! Your wit never ceases to amaze me. Makes me want to scroll through pictures and write a little letter of my own! If only I had your beach trip photographer!

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Jeane`
12/10/2013 05:48:32 am

PLEASE send me that letter if and when you do (ya know, in all your spare time). Love to you. Thanks for the lift today!

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Leave a Reply.

    Jeane'

    Picture
     I am Jeane', a woman who loves her Isotoners padded, coffee hot and favorite jeans ripped (only because I've got zero tattoos and a desire to be a tiny bit edgy). 
    You are in the company of one woman who desires to attach no label to herself except those of "imperfect" and "perfectly loved by God". That's it.
    By spending a little bit of time here at my online address, you will come to find that I am married, I am a stepmom to one, and birth mama to eight...three of whom went straight from the womb to happily residing in Heaven, five of whom live loudly & loved here with us. I am perched precariously on the slippery edge of sanity most days and even so, am grateful for this life in all of them. I am not here to tell you what to do, or how to do it because there is just so much I simply do not know. I am here because I love to write and it is far cheaper than therapy. Pour yourself a cup of whatever makes your heart happy, if you like, and enjoy a sip of real life with me.

    thecoffeecottage.blogspot.com
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