A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! I like excuses to  get out together. Do you remember the Good Market? Well they had a free Holiday GOOD over the weekend and well, you know sometimes you just can't beat 'free' fun! It was stormy and rainy, but we caught just enough of a break to bundle the kids up and enjoy the festivities. This has been one of my favorites so far, we finally tried some of the bread from the local bakery representin' and it was AWESOME! We gobbled most of it up before we even got home and we even scored the last loaf to take home for later... 

There really were some great and talented vendors, including my sister and her little black truck 'Gypsy'. They had a really nice Holiday mood, but most of all i just love getting to experience

these types of things with my loves...

Today's Reflection:

On days when we get to enjoy the work of others, I am grateful for a God who let's us experience such creativity together. I am grateful for a God, who himself was quite creative.

 

"You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and everything on it, the seas and all that is in them, and You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You."

-Nehemiah 9:6

 

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

Sometimes holiday traditions just find you. 

 

When Steve and I bought our first home we had no idea that our little neighborhood would be the key to our kicking off our Christmas season. Our city moved it's 'official' Christmas tree into our park, and with it came an incredible tree lighting event. For the last few years It's been our start to the season. 

 

It's nice because it's a free event, there's snow and hot chocolate, trains and hay rides and even Santa! It's usually always cold, so it's a good excuse for us to cuddle and keep each other warm. But most of all it's fun and it gets us all together, without any fuss or stress. Which can be a great way to start what can be known as a 'busy' season...

Today's Reflection:

This year more than ever, I feel at ease about the Holidays. I'd like to make that a new tradition...no fuss or stress. I've really been trying to focus my mind on the true reason we're celebrating. I mean don't get me wrong, I've always stopped and paused and remembered why we celebrate, but this year, I'd like to do more than just remember...i'd like to focus in and live it!

 

It's funny, but when I start to strip away the things that could stress me out, Christmas letters, Holiday parties, money for Christmas presents, Holiday decorations, etc., etc., you're probably familiar with the list or maybe even have your own, but when I start to strip away these things, what could be a bare Christmas ends up becoming quite full.  I'm filling it with new traditions and I'm left focusing on the birth of our King and the love that surrounds that birth. I'm hoping to let that love be the new tradition in my house and that it be the focus this season. It's a nice way for me to kind of put in check the things I do and ask myself, am I doing this for myself or am I doing this because it represents the love God has shown me?

  

"And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them."

-1 John 4: 14-16

THE HOME STRETCH

Well, we are in the home stretch!  Christmas is almost here.  Today we will be relaxing at home wrapping gifts so we aren't up late Christmas eve (like usual) and trying to finish up all those home made gifts that I told myself I would do this year.  We are trying to enjoy every minute of the Christmas season and although it's been extremely busy, especially with two kids now, we have had such a happy holiday. 

 

It's fun having kids of our own and getting to start new traditions.  We have been doing the countdown to Christmas and it's scary to only see 3 little bags left to be opened.  The bags are a part of my attempt at a new tradition.  I made one for each day of December and filled them with little inexpensive treats and notes for my little guy. He is enjoying them!

He told me this morning he doesn't like Santa Clause, maybe it's because all he gives him is socks. Who knows?

Hope your holidays aren't too stressful and you are getting a moment to just sit back and enjoy them!

What I'm Reflecting on:


Something will always need to be done.
Lord, help me not get caught up with the insignificant little tasks so that I can enjoy the moments that matter most.

MERRY & BRIGHT

I adore my children, but I know one day they will have to leave me and start their own families.  Thankfully they're only babies so I don't have to worry much about that right now.  When they do leave I realize it will just be the two of us again, me and my Steve-O. Sometimes I get so focused on the kids that he can get left in the background. I'm trying to take more time to let him know I love him and he's still the one that makes my heart race.  He loves the Holidays. I have to hold him back from putting the Christmas decorations up, otherwise we'd be fully decorated before Halloween! I try to make our house as festive as I can, this year I added a few more touches to our house.

I'm playing Holiday music constantly!

I brought the Holiday Decorations into our bedroom.  It's not much, but he loves it.  He asked if we can leave it up all year...we'll see!

sometimes the little things can add up, or at least I hope they do!  How are you keeping your holidays merry and bright?

Today what I'm reflecting on:

Lord Thank You Thank You for my husband.  He is the one I prayed for, please let me remember that when times get tough and I am tired.  Let me not forget you handpicked him for me and you are the ultimate matchmaker!