A Christmas Day Affair

Unlike most people, our family celebrates the bulk of Christmas on Christmas Eve. We don't wake up at 6am to open gifts... We stay up til 2am opening them! It's a beautiful tradition of darkness, candlelight and Nat King Cole that we have all fallen in love with! The one exception to this holiday order is precious Evan. He's a little too young to stay up with the big kids, so Christmas morning was full of "oooh's" and "aahhh's" from the little man. It was so fun to watch the delight on his face as he slowly begins to understand that Christmas isn't any ordinary day! 

After all the gifts were opened and paper thrown away, we got our relaxation on. Books were read, toys were played with... and dinner was made! A beautiful Christmas with amazing people... can't get much better than that! And if I am being honest, I truly miss the holiday.  

 Evan's first light saber!

 "I really don't want to be wearing an apron."

 Christmas Day was quite the afternoon for reading! This was the sight around the house literally all day!

Another table setting for another delicious holiday meal! Between you and me, I can't stand Thanksgiving turkey (and about everything else on the table). Christmas is far more my pace... ham, pistachio salad, sweet potato muffins, smoked weenies (is that what they're called??) and a fresh salad. Can we say yum? I'm still getting over the Christmas goodness!!

Christmas 2011..... One in and for the history books!

A Family Christmas

We waited with anticipation for the evening to come, excited for festivities that had not yet begun. 

Brownies were baked, and clam chowder made, presents were wrapped and music softly played. 

We waited all year for this night to arrive, for Christmas Eve to once again come alive. 

As the sun went down, we made our way to the candlelight service in town. 

Tiny flickers of light filled the room as carols were sung in beautiful tune. 

When the lights had been snuffed, and winter coats pulled tight, we opened the doors and braved the cold winters' night. 

Twinkle lights were seen as we headed home, granting us delight though we were all grown. 

Into the house we came filled with pure joy, though all adults, we felt like little girls and boys.  

Food was set out, the candles were lit, and my dear sister-in-law's clam chowder was the season's big hit. Her homemade bread blew us away, adding to an already wonderful day. 

We paused for a moment as we brought out the cake, a special tradition for Baby Jesus' sake. 

We sang him a song, to celebrate his birth, all experiencing such heartfelt mirth. 

Like children we went downstairs to wait, as Mom and Dad set out the gifts, adding cookies and fudge on decorative plates. 

More candles were lit and lights were turned low, as festive music made the room feel aglow. 

When our names were all called from the room down below, we jumped up like children at the sight of first snow. 

We bounded into the room with hearts full of joy, smiles on the faces of each girl and boy. 

Presents were given and hugs exchanged, the cookies were eaten and the eggnog was drained. 

Though the gifts were all fun and very much loved, the true gift that was given came from above. 

Jesus' life was the first present given and continues to be, the gift of eternal life for those who receive it... for you and for me.  

 He's so stinkin' handsome if I do say so myself!

 Me and my Mama!

His Birth & Our New Birth

Some fun reactions of the night!

And quite possibly one of the best! Crazy little brother of mine!

(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Adorable, fun and memorable moments, courtesy of my mom! (I am, by the way, the queen. And queens never bargain! ;)

I hope your Christmas was as amazing and wonderful as ours! 

The Christmas List

And so, I bring you my second annual "For the Last Minute Shopper" list!

If your gift-giving adventures this Christmas season have been anything like mine, you have experienced confusion, cluelessness (yup, I make up words!), and even frustration. My husband will tell you that I typically disregard the gift ideas people give me in sight for my idea of a perfect gift. He always says, "Just give them what they are asking for!" But I can't. I know better than them! ;) 

With that being said, I feel for you. That is why I am here! Compiled is a list of personally tested, personally loved and personally adored items. It's a smaller list than last year, but hey, we all need to be wise in our spending! If I help just one person find a little holiday shopping peace, then it is an accomplished mission!

Books

1. If history holds little interest for you, perhaps it is because it has always been told in a boring fashion. Give Being George Washington a chance and have your mind blown. Learn of George Washington in a way you never heard before!
2. Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas is one of the greatest reads I have had this year, and quite possibly in my lifetime. Your life will be changed by Bonhoeffer's amazing character.
3. The Zion Covenant Series - quite possibly the greatest series I have had the joy of reading! Another way to learn history in an exciting adventurous way!

Entertainment

1. The Help was the best movie I saw in the theater this year. I don't typically purchase movies anymore, but this is one I would own myself. I promise you will love it!
2. Each year I find new music artists that capture my attention, and this year's artist is definitely Gungor: Beautiful Things. Simply amazing talent with a splash of pure funkiness!
3. ClearPlay is an amazing product that allows you to load filters for movies that actually silence and remove unwanted language and compromising scenes. My family has been a huge fan since they hit stores years ago!

Unique Ideas

76 Garments is a company I am excited to share with you! What better way to share their ethics and values but in their own words? "Doing it the hard way means doing it right. Our shirts are made and printed in the United States because sometimes shortcuts just don’t cut it. We’d rather support American industry and pay honest wages than save a few bucks. Embracing the truth means wearing it on your sleeve, chest, or wherever our shirts are emblazoned with uncompromising food for thought..."  (Continued...)

My Favorite Things

1. I'm not kidding when I say I want to eat my hands every time I use my Vanilla Bean Noel lotion. The scent is Christmas in cream form. (I am smelling my hands right now!) 
2. BlogStomp just might be the greatest invention in the blogging world. It uploads, formats, sharpens, and stomps your photos in seconds. It's perfect for the photographer or blogger in your life! It's pure awesomesauce. 
3. My husband treated himself to this unique hat from Gasden & Culpeper this fall, and I must say, it's pretty cool! There are many styles and features to choose from for the hat-wearing man in your life!
4. For the impossible person on your list, Shari's Berries can come to your rescue! They are truly as delicious as they look - even more so. Worth. Every. Penny.

Thankfully, I am done our Christmas shopping! And thanks to Dave Ramsey, we don't owe anyone a penny this Christmas! It seems frustrating to be putting money away for Christmas presents in March, but I will tell you, come December when you look at your budget and realize it's all paid for!! It brings a happy smile to your face!

Merry Christmas and happy (and wise!!) shopping!

Christmas at the Carters

Welcome to our home! Can I take your coat? (Oh wait, this is VA... you're not wearing one!) How about a latte? What's your flavah? I'll make you one! (As long as you're not opposed to skim milk... It's all the hubby drinks! Can I get an EW? Talk about milk-ed down water!). 

It's my favorite time of year, so needless to say, our home is filled with Christmas cheer! I walk into our little living room and feel so happy (even with all the red! I think those scientific research people are wrong about red...) Every night I look at our little 6-foot tree and say to my husband, "Isn't it pretty? It's so cute!" And, even though he has heard it almost a dozen times now, he sweetly replies, "Yeah! It's a pretty one this year!" (I do have the world's greatest hubby, just so y'all can get jealous and stuff!) 

It's our second Christmas together, though it still kind of feels like our first (it's the kid in me that thinks that way!) I recently found a journal entry I wrote for Strom (before we even met) that shared hopes that he would love Christmas as much as I do. While I don't think that will ever be so (I mean, he's a man and all!) he did tell me how fun I make this time of year. (Score! That's all I wanted to hear!) 

*Kicks back and sips happily on a peppermint mocha* (I wish.)