Christmas Favorite Things

Happy Wednesday!  I'm taking a break from recapping our Thanksgiving break to share a few of my favorite Christmas things to recount and maybe inspire a few of you before you make that list and check it twice.  I was invited to my first ever "Favorite Things" party this weekend, a fun take on Oprah's famous favorite things episode where she surprised all the members of her audience with some of her favorite products that year.  Rather than leaving with thousands of dollars of merchandise, however, for this party we were asked to purchase two of our favorite things to gift to someone.  Then, we will leave with two gifts of someone else's favorites.  Joanna Gaines just featured an article in her recent edition of Magnolia Journal with a guide to hosting a similar party.  It's a fun way to share products and ideas with other girlfriends and of course, spend time together during the holidays.

So in honor of this "favorite things" approach, here are a few of my favorite ideas for getting festive and celebrating what truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

Purchasing // Speaking of Chip and Jo, I know I'm late to the game with this post, but I purchased my fair share of loot from their Target line, Hearth and Hand, earlier this month and am still swooning over it all.  I was one of the crazy people who woke up in the middle of the night to shop online the day it released (not one of the crazy ones who waited in line at Target, though!) but have since been pleasantly surprised with how much inventory there is.  Now if only I could say the same about those dang Fingerlings. ;)

Favorite purchases have included my nesting houses and galvanized candle that found their way in our new basement space, my hot cocoa pot (more on that below), the kids' hot cocoa set (Mila will open this Christmas morning), and all the fixings for my Christmas table this year.  I still wander through their little area of Target every time I'm there, and love how I always walk away inspired about all things home.     

Adventing // Last year was the first year I purchased an advent study to not only dig into on my own, but involve the kids as well.  This is an area where I could easily get overwhelmed with all the great content there is out there.  Wanting our focus to be simple but meaningful, I was drawn to this study from All Things Good Collective.  I purchased the bundle, and love the simple and beautiful table cards that go with each day's reading.  Each day has a focus word, scripture to accompany, and room to reflect in writing, and the cards include a simple act to participate in as a family, or a prompt to discuss together.  The cards are smaller than the cards I purchased last year from She Reads Truth, and will look great as a fun garland strung on our built-ins.  

Reading // The last few years, I have filled up an advent calendar for the kids with small little treasures and activities for them to discover and do each day in December.  This year, I'm trying a new approach because 1) It's always hard to find little treasures that fit in the pockets of our calendar and 2) the kids don't need anymore little treasures!  Instead, I'm trying an advent book idea I've seen swirling around the web for years.  I wrapped up 24 of our favorite Christmas books and included a tag on each with the day each book is to be opened along with a fun activity to do together.  Reading Christmas books together is one of my favorite Christmas activities, and this will be a fun way to add some intention and joy through the month.    

I tried to correspond as many books as I could with activities that go along with the reading, and for a few, I added a little treat for a surprise.  Here are a few of my favorite ideas:

1. For the book, Home Alone, the tag says, "Order a delicious cheese pizza and have a picnic by the fire."
2. For the book, The Mitten, I included a new pair of gloves and stocking hat for each of their baskets.
3. For the book, The Joy of Giving, the tag says, "Locate ten toys each to donate to a worthy cause."
4. For the book, The Grinch, the tag says, "Make green milkshakes and watch The Grinch."
5. For the book, Christmas in the Big Woods, the tag says, "Family sleepover night!"

Each year, the kids get to open a present of a new book and a new pair of pajamas to read on Christmas Eve.  We've collected quite a few Christmas books over the years and it was fun to plan something special around our growing collection.  This year, my newest favorites are Let It Glow: A Winter's Walk, and Pick a Pine Tree.  We are kicking off our advent reading tomorrow night with Let It Glow and a walk down our own lit-up Main Street, and Mila is getting Pick a Pine Tree in her Christmas Eve box.    

Lighting // An advent calendar, also courtesy of Chip and Jo. ;)

Sipping // from our hot cocoa bar!  If I were to put my money on one thing our kids will most likely remember as their most loved Christmas traditions, it would have to involve cocoa.  And there was no question that our front entryway table would once again transform into a sweet spot to grab a hot cup of joy with all the fixings any time you want.  This endeavor was made even easier with my last find from Hearth and Hand, this enamel hot cocoa pot that can sit right on the oven burner and then on the acacia wood rest when warmed.  I find some cute brown paper travel cups for guests, and have sweet little toppings at the ready.  The kids ask for cocoa daily, and it's such a fun treat to pair with a season of cozy and sweet.    

Listening to // For King and Country Christmas on Pandora.  It's at the top of my list this year!

Smelling // My rosemary Christmas tree bush from Trader Joes.  It looks so cute on my kitchen island and so far, it's staying alive!

Craving // The marshmallow fluff chai at Cup of Joe OR the salted caramel chai at The Tea Cellar.  Pretty much any warm drink on Main Street in the month of December is my idea of a perfect pair.  

Watching // The kids and I spent a Tuesday night in the theater last night.  We went to Coco and it was wonderful, but we loved the Christmas short, Olaf's Frozen Adventure just as much.  It's got the sweetest message and it made me (and Cruz) cry. :)

There you have it!  Lots more Christmas to come, but first I must go back to Thanksgiving...  

The Start of Thanksgiving Break

I had last week off, a sweet reprieve from the semester and an even sweeter preview of a longer break to come in just a few short weeks.  I had plans to spend it in a similar fashion to previous years, playing catch up at home, getting this house ready for Christmas, and preparing for family Thanksgiving around our table.  Monday, however, I spent a large majority of my day distracted by this blog.  Of all things, right?  I stumbled upon some news that the third party site I use for all my photo editing, storage, and management needs is changing their policies and is now going to charge me to continue to use and view the photos on my blog.  This sent me into an unforeseen spiral of evaluating my reasons for continuing this hobby of mine, if and how it would be used and passed on to Cruz and Mila as they get older, and whether it was something I even wanted to continue.  I go through this from time to time, wondering what else I could be doing with the hours I put into this, wondering what I would gain and/or miss by moving on.  

As I researched options and evaluated some choices, I spent a good chunk of my day scrolling through old blog posts of the past seven years of our family's history.  I started writing the summer before I found out I was pregnant with Cruz.  And as I scrolled through picture upon picture and story upon story of my pregnancies, our day-to-day lives, and all the big and small adventures we've had together, I felt like I had warped back in time to those very moments.  I recalled sweet memories and feelings that had faded, smiled through tears as I was reminded of little quirks or funny stories that I had forgotten, and laughed through a little embarrassment at my own growth as a writer, a person, and a photographer!  That Monday, although a frustrating day, served as a blessing in disguise, a much needed reminder of these years and how fast they go.  And it provided just the perspective I needed to head into this holiday season.  These years are short and the moments, they matter.

I carried this with me through much of our Thanksgiving break.  I felt weepy often and cried at random moments, during the music at church, a walk at sunset with the kids in a prairie of dried up beauty, and in the closet after Mila's bath, when she grabbed my hand and said she'd love me forever.  Everything seemed to carry a little more weight to it, a little more nostalgia, as I was reminded how fast it all goes.  I can't freeze time, but I can do my best to savor the time I've got.

I was planning to spend my Tuesday at home by myself, decorating the house and listening to Christmas music without being interrupted by requests for a snack, some water, and assistance with finding Elena of Avalor's missing shoe or Snow White's head.  But instead, I asked Mila if she'd like to stay home with me to help dress this house for the holidays.  She happily obliged, fittingly chose her most festive twirly dress, and the two of us had the sweetest day together.  She helped me set up little houses and Christmas trees, loved unwrapping the nativity set piece by piece, and innocently asked where God was as she identified each character of the story.  She asked for a braid, picked raspberry yogurt at lunch because it was pink, and ooh'ed and ahh'ed her way through Michaels as she admired all the ornaments, greenery, and sparkles.  She sheepishly hid behind my leg when I had to find an associate to tell them she accidentally shattered a pink typewriter ornament she insisted on carrying around, and later squealed in high-pitched delight when I ironically won a free rainbow unicorn ornament for spending $50.  We ended our girls day at Starbucks, where her nail-polished chipped fingers clasped the sweetest holiday hot cocoa cup and she nibbled her way around just the outside of a snowman cake pop.  We played eye spy and princess trivia, and vowed to play hookie more often.

I hope these pictures someday remind me of this sweet, unexpected day together.  Remember this?  This was the year you insisted on wearing twirly dresses every day and called one of the wise men God because you couldn't find him in the nativity.  That was the best day.

48/52

"a portrait of each of my children, once each week, in 2017."

Cruz: Your teacher sent your dad and I a message last week telling us you chose to study turkeys as your nonfiction topic.  You were surprised you were the only one in your class to choose it! ;)  Mrs. Plate was having a hard time finding nonfiction books on turkeys for you to use for your research, so we called Grandma at the library.  She didn't find a book either, but printed you off some great resources online for you to study.  Early yesterday morning, I woke up to find you right under the Christmas tree reading about turkeys.  Your favorite discovered fact was that turkeys are closely related to dinosaurs, including the tyrannosaurus and the velociraptor.

Mila: In one week, you started writing your name, you drew your first person, and you finally figured out how to dress yourself successfully.  You went from not doing any of these tasks to doing them so well in what seems like a day's time.  You're inching your way closer to four all the time and stealing my heart in the process.      

47/52

"a portrait of each of my children, once each week, in 2017."

Cruz: We bought this little tree for your room when it was just you, sleeping in your little upstairs loft in our old house.  Now, you tower over it.  And yesterday afternoon as we sat in the living room, stringing popcorn and watching Home Alone, you were picking up on all sorts of new things in the movie.

Mila: You loved decorating your tree yesterday, first organizing the ornaments by big, middle, and small, and then hanging them ever so gently on your tree.  Then afterwards, you came running into the kitchen and asked me to come see your room, to which you had shut off all the lights except your tree and little pink gingerbread house.  I think you loved how cozy it looked.  I'm going to love doing these holidays with you, I can already tell!

Good Things || November

(Written on Monday) I am on my first day of Thanksgiving break, a week off to get my mind, heart, and home ready for the holidays.  This break is one of my favorites, for it involves lots of traditions we look forward to each year without the busy that often surrounds Christmas.  I have plans to drink coffee and listen to Christmas music, decorate the house for the season, and go on a few adventures with the kids.  And stay in my pajamas for a good part of it. :)

My mind started racing last night at bedtime as it often does when I have time to think.  Mental lists of Christmas shopping, meals to prepare, decorations to find in storage, and blog posts to write started to creep in and steal my joy.  I started to feel restless and anxious and unsure of how to best fill these days ahead.  So this morning, when I woke up and felt much of the same, I made a cup of coffee, put everything else away, and sat with my Bible opened to 1 Timothy.  I turned on some worship music in the background and spoke a prayer out loud that God would put something from my reading on my heart today.  Something that would reset my compass, relight my flame, and help me go into this week in a way that brings me and others joy.  And sure enough, the spirit led me right to 1 Timothy 6:6:

Godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and can take nothing out of it.

I want to live content this week.  I want to fix my eyes on all I have to be grateful for, all the blessings from a good Father who richly provided us this year.  I don't want to be distracted by busy or by the cares of this world, but by the true sources of joy Paul instructs Timothy on - bringing up those children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord's people, helping those in trouble, and devoting herself to all kinds of good (5:10). And that, I believe, is the life of contentment He desires for us.  

Good things in November...

599. Pancake mornings.  New Christmas pajamas.  Fresh strawberries from the freezer made into a warm stovetop syrup.  The last of the fall candles burning on the island and no plans for a Saturday except organizing our new space.            

600. Weeknights when we're all at home.  A slower pace now that the basement is pretty well complete.  A second batch of strawberry syrup, this time over brownies and ice cream.  Folding socks in front of the fire while Beau and Cruz pay piano and Mila colors a picture - on her belly.     

601. Finding the two of them like this before school one morning.  He was reading and she was actually listening!  

602. Watching him at the bus stop, his sweet little profile as he waits patiently in the cold, unaffected by the antics around him.  And that I love you I always get right before he shuts the car door.

603. The first cup of hot cocoa before bed.  

604. Mila's love of headbands, always the ones that never match.  Her new dance studio and sweet teacher, Candace.  

605. An impromptu afternoon to explore one of our favorite places.  It was a rather warm day mixed in with a bunch of cold ones, and I decided to take off a little early to get some fresh air with the kids.  On the way to daycare, I called Beau and joked that he should join us, never actually thinking he would.  But then he said yes!  So the four of us bundled up and headed to Hartman just before dark.  We trudged through leaves, collected pocketfuls of acorns, and practiced our owl calls.  And it was quiet enough to hear them call us back.  Afterwards, we warmed up with hot cocoas at Cup of Joe and a a couple of beers at Singlespeed.  It was one of my favorite, impromptu nights this fall.  There is just nothing that clear a mind more than being in the woods.  

606. A husband who welcomes 16 college girls into our home and gets them fed when I had to work later than I expected.  Coming home to find Cruz and Mila sitting right in the middle of them, sharing their happies and crappies.  Knowing this house full of girls is going to leave an imprint on them for years to come.  

607. Our cozy basement space, the soft carpet under my feet, and that deep joy every time I walk around the corner.  And my craft closet that I can't wait to organize.  

608. A Sunday well spent.  Drinking coffee slowly while Mila digs through her quiet basket.  Home Alone and popcorn stringing.  Their faces aglow by Christmas tree lights.  

609. And a daddy all to ourselves, enjoying the basement instead of working on it!

610. Mila's sweet pink room that seems to carry a little magic in it.  It's pink and feminine and rather spa-like.  When it's picked up, that is. ;)

611. Finding her asleep like this at 6:30 Sunday night.  Rarely does this happen at our house!  We turned her around, shut off her Christmas tree lights, and she didn't wake up until morning.  

612. When Mila requests to have her nails painted.  Pink, blue, pink, blue.

613. A sleepover at Kate's house in Pella.  Gathering at her table over squash soup and lemon kale salad, and later over white wine and peach pie.  Lots of laughter, tears, and deep thoughts on what it means to live for Jesus and love others well.  Her friendship is such a gift to me and God's hand in bringing our two worlds together is pretty amazing.  

614. A day in Des Moines all to myself.  Christmas shopping for the kids, 50 percent off at Gap, and that new West Elm store in the East Village.  Driving home with a car full of goods and For King and Country blaring on Highway 20.  

615. A long lunch with Taylor.  Hearing about his sweet marriage with Kate and how he picked the book of Job (of all books) to read from the Bible.  Sharing hugs, Chick-fil-a, and the gospel at Jordan Creek Mall.

616. An impromptu Thursday date night with my love.  Our sitter wasn't ready to go home yet, so we took that as an invitation to grab dinner and some time together.  The impromptu, unplanned nights are always the most fun.  

617. Vanilla almond milk in my coffee, the hum of the dryer in a quiet house, Cruz's fleece pajama pants that are just a bit too big on him.