It's official! The Christmas season is in full swing at my house! I am thrilled! I've been bustin' at the seams to let my creative juices flow and sprinkle some cheer into every nook and cranny of my home. My passionate desire actually started the week before Thanksgiving, but we have a rule in our home...we make sure to stop and enjoy each season and holiday (without giving into the temptation to get ahead of ourselves). However, after the Thanksgiving feast is complete the Christmas decor is pulled from the attic and a way we go. It makes my heart happy!
My home has been finished for a bit now but I haven't had the time to show you what I've done. I've been busy with parties, shopping and so forth...I like to plan all those events the first few weeks of December and leave the last couple of weeks to spend with family/friends.
Come on in for the first part of Jessie's Christmas Tour
At our house it just doesn't feel like Christmas until the tree is up. It's one of the most cherished things to all of us but especially me. I grew up in a Muslim household. We were not allowed to have a tree or any Christmas decorations for that matter with one exception; I was allowed to have a tiny tree in my bedroom. I strung an old strand of lights that I had found, decorated it with ornaments that I made in school and would sit for hours watching the twinkling lights of my tiny tree... listening to an old Bing Crosby Christmas record (that my grandpa had given me)... sippin' hot cocoa and dreaming of the day I would have a family of my own. How special Christmas would be then! I'm SO grateful now that I have a family of my own...it's all I dreamed it would be.
Each year we create special memories as we gather 'round to trim the tree with ornaments we have collected through the years. We try to get ornaments that have a special meaning to each person, due to an event that happened that year. When all the kids grow up they will take their treasures with them and hopefully carry on the tradition with their families. I will admit this year the hubby and I were in a 'heated discussion' the day we were to decorate the tree. However, as soon as each memory was unwrapped hearts melted... pride ran... tears flowed and forgiveness took over. It has become a very intimate and healing time for us.
Our tree
Here are A few of my favorite ornaments
This one is dearest to my heart. It was given by my husband (the year divorce papers were filed) with a treasured note tucked inside.
I received this one just moments before walking down the isle to remarry my sweetie.
My eldest son (Joshua) made me this sweet angel when he was five. Each year that passes it becomes more dear to me as I watch him grow into a man and know he will be leaving soon.
This one holds a special place on the tree. A cross representing the year my husband accepted Christ and our entire family changed.
In memory of my precious friend.
One that still tears at my heart. My husband got her for me last year to remind me that angels were on my side. It had been a difficult year. We were in a process of waiting for an adoption to go through. In February of this year we learned it wasn't going to work out (even though we were told it would be a sure deal). My heart sank. We loved this little girl so much already. We had already started preparing for her arrival, and called her by the name we had chosen. Her middle name was to be Faith. That's what I have to have... faith. Faith that God will protect her. Faith that He will bring people into her life that will cherish her and tell her all about Jesus. She was beautiful! We never were allowed to hold her (per the father) but I was able to take pictures that are very special to us now. I don't understand why God didn't let us have her, instead of being bounced around in foster care. It doesn't seem fair. One of those questions without answers...a prayer that didn't end the way I wanted. But looking back I do see how God's hand was on everything and even though I don't fully understand I will trust His plan for us and for her. Hopefully, one day I will have the chance to hold her in Heaven. Please say a prayer that she would be safe. She's not mine...but she's not forgotten.
Until then...
Jessie
My home has been finished for a bit now but I haven't had the time to show you what I've done. I've been busy with parties, shopping and so forth...I like to plan all those events the first few weeks of December and leave the last couple of weeks to spend with family/friends.
Come on in for the first part of Jessie's Christmas Tour
At our house it just doesn't feel like Christmas until the tree is up. It's one of the most cherished things to all of us but especially me. I grew up in a Muslim household. We were not allowed to have a tree or any Christmas decorations for that matter with one exception; I was allowed to have a tiny tree in my bedroom. I strung an old strand of lights that I had found, decorated it with ornaments that I made in school and would sit for hours watching the twinkling lights of my tiny tree... listening to an old Bing Crosby Christmas record (that my grandpa had given me)... sippin' hot cocoa and dreaming of the day I would have a family of my own. How special Christmas would be then! I'm SO grateful now that I have a family of my own...it's all I dreamed it would be.
Each year we create special memories as we gather 'round to trim the tree with ornaments we have collected through the years. We try to get ornaments that have a special meaning to each person, due to an event that happened that year. When all the kids grow up they will take their treasures with them and hopefully carry on the tradition with their families. I will admit this year the hubby and I were in a 'heated discussion' the day we were to decorate the tree. However, as soon as each memory was unwrapped hearts melted... pride ran... tears flowed and forgiveness took over. It has become a very intimate and healing time for us.
Our tree
Now, I will say I absolutely LOVE decorating the tree as a family, but the designer in me does cringe ever so often when I see seven ornaments dripping from one branch. Or when the kids were little and would place all of their ornaments on the bottom third of the tree. As difficult as it may be I have decided to make my inward designer take a vacation through the holidays and allow the children to do whatever they want. After all, it's about precious memories not designer trees.
Here are A few of my favorite ornaments
This one is dearest to my heart. It was given by my husband (the year divorce papers were filed) with a treasured note tucked inside.
I received this one just moments before walking down the isle to remarry my sweetie.
My eldest son (Joshua) made me this sweet angel when he was five. Each year that passes it becomes more dear to me as I watch him grow into a man and know he will be leaving soon.
This one holds a special place on the tree. A cross representing the year my husband accepted Christ and our entire family changed.
In memory of my precious friend.
One that still tears at my heart. My husband got her for me last year to remind me that angels were on my side. It had been a difficult year. We were in a process of waiting for an adoption to go through. In February of this year we learned it wasn't going to work out (even though we were told it would be a sure deal). My heart sank. We loved this little girl so much already. We had already started preparing for her arrival, and called her by the name we had chosen. Her middle name was to be Faith. That's what I have to have... faith. Faith that God will protect her. Faith that He will bring people into her life that will cherish her and tell her all about Jesus. She was beautiful! We never were allowed to hold her (per the father) but I was able to take pictures that are very special to us now. I don't understand why God didn't let us have her, instead of being bounced around in foster care. It doesn't seem fair. One of those questions without answers...a prayer that didn't end the way I wanted. But looking back I do see how God's hand was on everything and even though I don't fully understand I will trust His plan for us and for her. Hopefully, one day I will have the chance to hold her in Heaven. Please say a prayer that she would be safe. She's not mine...but she's not forgotten.
Hope you come back next time for more of Jessie's Christmas Tour!
Until then...
Jessie
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