It's the second week in December and I've officially deemed it Christmas crunch time around here. I want the presents purchased and wrapped before the week of Christmas and I want to enjoy the days leading up to the most wonderful day of the year. Stocking stuffers seem to be an afterthought for me, I buy all the big things and then I'm left scratching my head and wondering what I'll put into the stockings hanging from the mantle. But, stockings are so much fun! This year I decided to be a little more intentional in the stocking stuffer department and on my hunt, I found some cute ideas. I thought I'd pass them along to you, in case you're looking for fresh ideas this … [Read more...]
Christmas 2012
Writing a Christmas post seems so daunting to me. I sat down several times today, each time I failed to type a single word. There is something about the magic that surrounds Christmas, the fact that it only comes once a year, that we are celebrating something so sacred, that makes it unlike anything else we experience. I want so badly to do it justice, I want to look back in 10 years and read the words I have written, look at the accompanying pictures and trigger memories that have been tucked away. I want to remember vividly the image of Braylen waking up on Christmas morning, the first year she really got it. Her unruly curls, her sleepy eyes, her polka dot pajamas, I don't want … [Read more...]
pre-Christmas festivities
Our Christmas festivities started way back at the beginning of December. But with Christmas falling on a Tuesday, the weekend before was packed full of fun with our friends and family. I can't tell you how much love and Christmas spirit filled that short span, it was enough to make my heart full before the 25th even arrived. On Friday, we had dinner with Allen's family. Braylen was looking forward to this all week long. She kept asking, How much more days 'til I see Bailey and Lawson? She adores her cousins and I love how happy she is to be able to spend time with them. I grabbed my camera on the way out and failed to include my memory card. I try to maintain this cool and calm, … [Read more...]