November 28, 2008 10:39 PM
Thanksgiving 2008 - our family portrait
Each Thanksgiving, my dear family indulges me in taking a family picture. I started out five years ago by learning to use the timer feature on my camera, setting the camera on a rickety stepladder, hitting the right buttons, then making a mad dash to join the family.
The only thing that's changed is that last year I invested in a tripod. Oh, and another thing that's changed - my family has gotten really good at this. See where I'm standing next to Tripp? That row of grandchildren/children in front of me parted like clockwork and moved back in place no less than six times as I dashed back and forth. It was really cute how they moved as a solid unit. And since four of the pictures were blurs, we were fortunate to end up with such a great shot.
Behind us on the mantel is the string of pictures of the 12 kids - the married ones with their families.
Tripp is looking so short because he is perched on a stool. He's still having difficulty getting around and actually couldn't sit with us at the table as we ate, but sat in a chaise nearby with a tray on his lap. I look so short because I was bending a little so my face would be next to his.
Kip is holding Lily, our newest grandchild, recently arrived from Guatemala.
Next year, we will be joined by at least one more Curtis - as Ben will marry Anna on May 22.
At dinner, our Five Kernels of Corn tradition brought laughter and tears. It is so good to give thanks - and to hear our children and grandchildren give thanks. Even better to see how those who've struggled this year with incredible challenges - as Josh and Hattie - have already learned to give thanks in all circumstances. To hear our daughter-in-law Hattie at 22 thank God for her cancer ( to which she has lost several inches of spine, her thyroid gland and half a lung) because it has brought her closer to God - well, that brings tears to my eyes. To think how little I knew at 22 and how much faith and wisdom God has granted our oldest son and his wife! To think how God took the wreckage of my own life and gave me a second chance if only to be able to produce children with more strength of character than my own. . .
So much from so little! I am humbled and thankful, and reminded that thanksgiving should be part of every minute of every day. With every breath I take, I just want to give thanks to the God who reigns over all creation and yet cares so personally for each of us.
Posted in Family, My life, Thanksgiving | Permalink
Comments
amazing, awesome, wonderful family picture!
Posted by: laura | November 29, 2008 12:55 AM
What a beautiful picture! You are blessed!!!
I need to ask Barbara; I thought you were growing your gray out? :o( I've been waiting for an updated picture. ;o)
I colored mine a few times and decided just to be natural and surprisingly I am liking the gray. I am probably at 25% gray right now.
Anyway, you and your family are beautiful!
Kathy
Posted by: kathy Brodock | November 29, 2008 7:35 AM
Amen! "To think how God took the wreckage of my own life and gave me a second chance..."
I echo that gratitude in my own life of second chances. We do serve a good and loving God. I'm so grateful to my Savior for His faithfulness to me and my family.
Thank you for always sharing your heart with us readers. God's many blessings upon you and your precious family.
Posted by: Lisa Shay | November 29, 2008 8:16 AM
I love the picture. What an awesome family! Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.
Posted by: Alison C. | November 29, 2008 8:25 AM
I love your Thanksgiving portraits each year. You're a rich woman!
Posted by: swissmiss | November 29, 2008 8:38 AM
How good to see all the smiling faces of the Curtis family!
Tripp looks amazingly well, all things considered.
Blessings to all! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: LadyLovas | November 29, 2008 10:40 AM
Hi Barbara,
I just wanted to thank you for sharing such a great picture of your lovely family....it makes me think to the future and imagine what ours will look like when they're all grown, as we have 11 children so far and...well, I'm hoping for more! :D
You all did a great job...I doubt a professional could have done much better! (We've learned that some photographers have no experience in posing a large family or working with several children at once!)
Blessings to you and yours~
Annette
Posted by: Annette | November 29, 2008 2:10 PM
What a wonderful picture of everyone!
Posted by: Laura | November 29, 2008 8:39 PM
ALL of you are so beautiful! Yeah, including Tripp and all the males. What a glorious picture.
Thank you, Barbara, for giving from your most bountiful heart. Our Father has richly blessed you and in return, through this blog you share His Goodness :)
Posted by: Maura | November 30, 2008 12:00 AM
what a beautiful family! God Bless you!
Posted by: Momma | December 1, 2008 2:39 PM
Thanks everyone -
Kathy, I still am letting my gray grow out - had a picture earlier this month at the bottom of http://mommylife.net/archives/2008/11/my_life_-_ready.html
not sure why it's not showing up in the picture . . .
Posted by: barbara | December 9, 2008 8:59 PM
