As I mentioned yesterday, I’m taking a two-week blogging break to spend time with family — and to enjoy Dave’s extra-long two FULL weeks of Christmas break!
I already have a bunch of fun posts, ideas, and giveaways planned for the New Year — and hopefully I’ll be able to inspire you to simplify and organize your home and life EVEN MORE in 2013!!
In the mean time, please, please, please, don’t get too caught up in all the shopping, cleaning, baking, and decorating that often consume us this time of year (unless of course, you really enjoy those activities and have fun doing them with family!)
While Dave and I will most definitely still be working (we’re the type that don’t really ever stop working completely), we will also take lots of time to relax, have fun at family Christmas parties, eat WAY too much food, watch cheesy Christmas movies, and hopefully catch up on a little sleep… if Nora lets us!
Speaking of Nora, I’m looking forward to lots of “firsts” with her this year.
Since she was only 5 weeks old last Christmas, we didn’t really get to do anything fun with her or for her… so this is the first Christmas that she’ll be able to help open her gifts, the first Christmas she’ll be able to go out in the snow (if we have any!), the first Christmas she’ll be able to undo my Christmas decorations, and the first Christmas she’ll be able to play with all the toys she will get from her Grandparents!
As many of you know, I LOVE sending (and receiving) Christmas cards every year — however, since I obviously can’t mail them to all of you, I thought I’d share some pictures of our card instead! I ordered our cards from Minted.com and was very happy with how they turned out.
I’ve always been a big fan of the text “Joy to the world…” I used it on our cards from 2009, but I figure it couldn’t hurt to use it again… especially since I had the most perfect picture to use for the front of our card!
Isn’t it fabulous!
The card says, “We hope your Christmas season is filled with THIS much JOY!”
Here’s the actual picture — just because the coloring on the photo above doesn’t do it justice.
Here’s the back of our card:
And here’s a larger view of our family picture:
It was really cold when we got our pictures taken… but thanks to the quick work of Brandon at Modern Photograhics, we got a pile of fabulous family pictures in about 30 minutes!
And he actually got Nora to smile!
So enjoy these next two weeks without my crazy ideas flooding your computer, email, and Facebook… but be ready, because I have a whole bunch of simplifying and organizing ideas to share in 2013.
Merry Christmas, friends!
Mark Knox says
Thank you! My wife recently left and I have 2 girls to support on what is now essentially half the (combined) income we had previously. I actually stumbled onto your site looking for daily planning pages for work (and yours are excellent, by the way- well done!) but have just spent the last 2 hours learning how to use coupons, cut back on expenses and just live more simply (and inexpensively). To say that your site is a lifesaver may sound a bit overdone to you, but I have already developed new strategies in several areas of my life based on the advice you offer here, and I can’t thank you enough for having so much crucial information available in one place.
God bless you!
Mark Knox
Andrea says
Thanks Mark, so glad you’ve found some helpful information here. Sounds like you are on the right track learning how to best use your resources (time, money, space, etc.)
Blessings to you and your family!
karen davis says
Hope you and your family had a Happy Christmas, and Happy New Year! Thank you for all your time, ideas, and sharing your life! Blessings to you and your family! Karen
Lynn Oyama says
MERRY CHRISTMAS! Thank you so much for your wonderful blog and ideas. I look forward to seeing what you have in store for next year! May God Bless you and yours at this time and always.
Teri says
Merry Christmas to you, also Andrea. Thank you for letting me watch your life journey unfold.
jan says
Just to say how much I appreciate your blog and thankyou . . My husband and I are teachers overseeing a group of Christian schools in Adelaide Australia and now in South Carolina too. We have 4 chn. I have recommended your blog to many mums and we thankyou forthe encouragement and blessing your have been. Enjoy your break….
Evie says
Andrea, enjoy your time off with your family! Thanks for everything you do–you really make the world a better place. Merry Christmas! Love Nora’s JOY photo!
Evie
Tracy @ cityofmotherlylove.blogspot.com says
Aw – what a cutie!! Enjoy your holiday break!!!
Tina says
Merry Christmas to you, and your beautiful family. I pray that you will have a blessed New Year as well. Your blog and website are such a blessing to me. Thanks for all the inspiration, and escape from the busy life of this homeschooling mom! lol! You are making a difference!
The Bright Family
Asheville, NC
Autumn Beach says
Merry Christmas, Andrea! So thankful to have stumbled upon your fabulous blog this year. It has been a game-changer for sure. I absolutely LOVE your Christmas card! That pic of Nora could not be more perfect. I’m feeling the joy all the way here in Kansas. 🙂 Thanks for all that you share with us. I will miss your posts, but am SO glad you’re taking a break. ENJOY!
Cammy@Serentipity says
Wishing you and your beautiful family a blessed and joyful holiday!
Lety says
Merry Christmas, Dekker Family!! Thank you for always inspiring me to do better in my tasks. And for warming my heart with Nora’s pictures and stories! May God continue to bless you and your lovely family throughout the New Year! May it be healthy and prosperous!! Enjoy your break!!!
Krisna says
Merry Christmas Andrea, Dave and Nora!
And thank you so much for all the wonderful and inspiring ideas you’ve been sharing. One of the things I’m thankful for this year is having “stumbled upon” your blog. I’m learning a lot. And hopefully next Christmas there’ll be a fourth Dekker appearing in your Christmas card. 🙂
Thank you so much Andrea! I hope someday I can thank you properly.
Allison says
Thank you!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.
Your card is just beautiful!
Sandy says
Merry Christmas to you!
Thanks for sharing your passion for life, organizing, simplifying and family.
bj says
MERRY CHRISTMAS DEKKERS!!!! I too will miss reading your blog for two weeks, but am all for you taking a break; sometimes we need to do these things to keep our bodies healthy and minds!! Your blog is like a breath of fresh air for me, thanks for being so geniune, honest, and not being so extravagant in your lifestyle; it really helps those of us who lead simple lives!!! Enjoy your family during this break – they are so valuable!
Barbara says
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Enjoy your time off. Nora’s picture is perfect!!
Amy says
What beautiful pictures. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy your well deserved time off with your family!
Schmidty says
Beautiful pictures! Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family!
Amy says
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family!!!!!!! 🙂
Christine Preston says
Joy to your family as well. Enjoy the time with your family. I love your site
Jen says
Merry Christmas!!! Love the pictures! : )
Linda R. says
Loved your Christmas pictures….you are a beautiful family! May you all have the most wonderful Christmas!!
Kristy Farrow says
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I also look at your blog first thing in the morning. I will miss it! Jealous of your two weeks off, enjoy them!!
Linda B says
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the card capturing Nora’s joy! Everyone who receives one of those will be blessed by that!
Thanks for setting a great example in taking some time off for family, rest, and relaxation. We’ll be doing the same here!
You know, I remember your husband as a first grader, and he looks just the same now!
Andrea says
Thanks Linda!
I think Dave’s hair might have been a bit “blonder” back then… but I’ll have to tell him you think he looks the same 🙂
Karena says
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Andrea. I cannot thank you enough for all your advice, tips, and help you and your blog provide to us all each day. I hope you have a great vacation but will miss your blogs each day as they are my morning routine with my cup of coffee! Enjoy the holidays, time away, and I look forward to “seeing” you and your posts soon. MERRY CHRISTMAS and thanks again!!
Shannon says
Merry Christmas!
Julie says
Merry Christmas! Love, love, love the “Joy” picture of Nora. So precious!
Charissa says
Merry Christmas! (Here I go to do my 15 minutes of decluttering!)
Jordon says
wishing you a Merry Christmas! Enjoy your two weeks of family time! I have to ask where you got your sweatshirt thats in your christmas photos i love it!
Andrea says
haha — it’s from the Banana Republic Outlet store (and it’s actually my sister’s 🙂 )
Derondah Boothe says
Beautiful pictures! Merry Christmas to you and your family as well. Looking forward to your wonderful ideas in the new year!
Kis says
Merry Christmas to you and yours! I have totally “relaxed” Christmas this year. We are traveling to my parents then to my in laws so I figure that is enough craziness for all of us. I kept thinking I needed more gifts for my kids because we didn’t buy them much but then realized “Nana has bought tons of stuff and we will be at her house for Christmas so why buy more”. And I actually stuck to it! Enjoy your time off.
Sallie says
Happy Holidays! Your blog is one of the first blogs I read when I get in to work to start my morning!
I will be sad and maybe even lost the next two weeks but look forward to seeing your awesome ideas/posts in the new year!
Best,
Sallie
Michelle says
Merry Christmas, Andrea, to you and yours … enjoy your time off!!
And many blessing to all in the New Year!!