Yes, it is REAL

CHRISTMAS CARDS

Ok - I must admit that the ritual of sending/receiving Christmas cards is one of my most favorite events of the year. Every September I unlock the creative vessel within and begin to plan for the Kraus Christmas card that will launch into the postal world sometime after December 1st. Because of my profession, I feel an extreme pressure to not only perform year after year, but to exceed the previous year with an even grander, more exciting presentation for my friends and clients.

This year was no exception. I had shopped early for coordinating clothing and prepared to photograph my boys after our Thanksgiving trip to Dallas. After all, Thanksgiving weekend would include my last two sessions before Christmas and I would FINALLY have time to do my own family. Usually I don't wait this long, but this year was different. I was blessed beyond belief with so much business that it was physically impossible to photograph the boys in the midst of the holiday blitz. No, this year the moment would have to happen after I had finished taking pictures of what seemed like everyone I had ever met in my entire life.

And their dogs. Seriously.

My husband was gracious enough to take the boys to the Dallas zoo during one of my Thanksgiving sessions, for which I was - appropriately enough - very thankful. When they returned, however, I was greeted with a big surprise. Somewhere between the monkeys and the Ibex's, my middle son had apparently lost a fight with a large bench and received an enormous black eye. When I say it looked alien-like with the swelling and all, I am being kind. This would have even made Rocky's knees weak.

Well, after the hugging and the 'I'm so sorry it happened' my mind immediately went to, 'WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT OUR CHRISTMAS CARD?'. After all, this is what I'd been planning for months and thinking about since January (I know I said September above, but who am I kidding?) of last year! I couldn't NOT send a card and I hated to use an old picture, so I chose to embrace the unfortunate accident and use it as our focal point for 2007. So....for the many of you who have called, emailed & texted, YES the black eye is real. I'm not THAT good at photoshop! :) I do hope it brought you a smile and most of all a MERRY Christmas.

I'm off to sift through my ever growing pile of Christmas cards for the 200th time! :)

Staying Focused,

Jamie