The day after Christmas, and the week following, usually greets me with mixed emotions. When Christmas is over and I leave my hometown, I feel heaviness on my chest and just wish the holidays could have lasted a little longer. For someone who prepares for Christmas all year, it never ceases to amaze me how quickly it passes! And then there is anticipation.... I wonder what the New Year will bring. I hope for exciting things to come our way - and to our family and friends. New Year’s Day feels like a new beginning for me and (I would imagine) for many of you. No matter what happened in this … [Read more...]

In several recent posts, I've made it very clear that I love Christmas shopping. I look forward to gathering around the tree and passing out gifts. While I enjoying opening them, I get a bigger thrill out of watching other people open their gifts. But, upon reflection, I realize that I can't remember many of the gifts I've given or received over the years.... Yes, certain items stand out. There was that one Christmas that Eric got me the complete Cosby Show series and I teared up and was speechless just like when he proposed to me. There was the time I gave my friend seasons one and two of … [Read more...]

Who doesn't love to travel for the holidays? Well, until I was grown, I never travelled. My entire family was within 20-30 minutes of each other and getting together was a cinch. I always saw my cousins every Christmas Eve night and I woke up in my own bed every Christmas morning. These days, it's different.... It will likely be different for our future children, too. With Eric's family in Idaho and Colorado (he grew up in California) and my family in North Carolina, we are always on the road for holidays. Because of this, one area of contention that often arises is leaving on time. When … [Read more...]

Last week, I confessed to you all that I am a Christmas shopaholic. In addition, I tend to be a Christmas worry-aholic as well. In January, I have my gift budget in place and I enjoy browsing for gift ideas throughout the year. However, once December hits (and sometimes earlier), I begin worrying about the gifts I've purchased. Did I get everyone enough? Will they like what I bought them? Will Mom notice that she got one less package to open than Dad? Is Granny sick of getting word finds every year? Is Eric going to be disappointed with what I picked out for him? Are my friends sick of Bath … [Read more...]

This is the week after Thanksgiving. During Thanksgiving time and the Christmas season, it seems easier to give to others. Doing favors for other people does not seem to carry the same weight as it does during other times of the year (at least for me). It could be that Thanksgiving makes us consider how blessed we are... and then we want to bless others in return. My challenge to you is to choose to bless others – all year long. I mean this quite literally. Make this a mission in your relationship. As a couple, choose at least one person or family per week to bless in some way. Some weeks … [Read more...]