Finally Decorating the Tree...

Hey!

Hope you are staying warm. Don’t know about you, but this week we got a lot of snow here in Missouri. Schools and workplaces were cancelled and it was the biggest snow day we’ve had so far this year! Our Siberian Husky was very happy to finally be in her natural environment. 

Well, on December 15th we finally pulled out the Christmas decorations and put up the tree. Took a while due to the holiday craziness with work parties and Christmas concerts filling up our weekends. But, we made it and it feels good!

Growing up, my grandmother would have the Christmas tree up all year round and one time we celebrated “Christmas in July” since summer was the most convenient time of year everyone could travel and gather together. We opened presents in the humid heat on the farmhouse. My grandmother loved Christmas and all the family traditions. We grew up in church, singing “Silent Night” by candlelight at the late evening service on Christmas Eve. Even today, that continues to be my favorite tradition.

I know that holidays can be cheerful and yet, full of grief for some. I hope you are able to witness the blessings in your life during this overwhelming time of year! I continue to be reminded of the hope, peace, joy, and love the season brings.

Till next time,

Trina

Family Traditions

Hey!

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving with family and friends. We hosted in St. Louis and had a blast with family! We love playing games, going out to eat, and watching good movies together. There always seems to be a shopping trip that slips in there somewhere…

For Christmas with both our families this year, we are doing a Secret Santa exchange and we are all excited about it! There’s something magical about waiting in anticipation for the holiday. Waiting with hope for the joy and goodness to come. I love the Advent season for this very reason! 

While we don’t yet have our Christmas tree or decorations out yet, I look forward to opening and digging out all the boxes this weekend. I’m already watching the Christmas shows (has anybody watched the Kacey Musgraves Christmas Special?! Cuz that’s all I’ve been watching the past few days…it’s so nostalgic and perfect in every way), and I’m cranking the Christmas tunes in the kitchen while we make dinner. I love this time of year as we celebrate family, practice gratitude, give back to our community, reflect on the year of the past, and look forward to the year ahead.

[ Here are some snapshots of Leigh, Nebraska back in the day, love the Christmas beauty spread throughout the town and the Christmas Card Tree? It’s so cute! ]

So tell me, what are some of your Christmas traditions? I’d love to hear! 

Till next time,

Trina