Decamarating for the Holidays

I am not much of a decorator. I know what I like and appreciate others' efforts, but I myself stall out quickly when I try to create; I don't know my personal "style", I have no budget for it even if I did, and I have three small kids who might break things at any time.

So I just don't.

I literally have four pictures hanging on the walls right now, seven if you count the kids' cross-stitched birth announcements.

And the mantle. Don't even get me started on how neglected it has been since we moved here over two years ago. For the most part, it has served as place to put things out of the kids' reach. Up until we had a camera crew come to our house this past Spring, that is. At that time, Mom came to help make our house presentable, and we therefore had her borrowed Spring-like things up there well into Fall. And then she gave us some Fall decorations for our wedding anniversary. Which got us through Thanksgiving.

Recently the kids were asking when I would be decorating the inside of the house for Christmas. I really didn't want to do much because again no budget, no vision, etc. But we couldn't very well keep the Fall and Halloween items up there, now could we? So I thought, "surely I can get a pretty garland with some lights and a few other items without spending too much money and without overstretching my emaciated decorating muscles."

So I did. And while not nearly as much fits on a mantle with a garland, it turns out, I was able to come up with something understated that makes me happy and met the kids" requirements for making it Christmas-y up in here. I think I just might be on a roll.

Now, what do people do with their mantles after Christmas?

♦

Book Review--Love and Respect for a Lifetime

The front jacket of Dr. Emerson Eggerichs's Love and Respect for a Lifetime summarizes his new book's central ideas succinctly: "Women absolutely need love. Men absolutely need respect. It's as simple and as complicated as that."

Common sense and Biblical truth intertwine in this practical guide to marital prosperity and longevity. Though written as a follow-up to Dr. Eggerichs's best-selling Love & Respect, this latest book can stand on its own. All together, it is a quick read, easily tackled in one sitting. On the other hand, its layout allows for one-to-two-pages-at-a-time, easily digestible read like you would find in a daily devotional.

In addition to quick wisdom and Bible verses, the author also employs hypothetical examples of couples in real life situations. This convention does a lot to advance the points that the author is trying to make and allows the reader to think through how he or she would respond respond in similar circumstances.

As Dr. Eggerichs fleshes out his central tenets of love being the primary desire of wives while respect is utmost for husbands, I found myself not able to disagree in my own relationship, yet at the same time wondering how it could be universally true for all marriages and all spouses. "Simple and complicated" indeed. I found myself wanting to go deeper, but almost too soon the book came to an end.

This book would be a great gift for newlyweds and would also serve as a marital tune-up to anyone a bit farther down the matrimonial path.

Booksneeze.com provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in order for me to review it.

♦

To Lowell and back

Yesterday, we rode the Christmas train with Santa. The boys were very excited, and i think they enjoyed themselves. Cooper wore his PJs "like they do in Polar Express", and Jackson asked a ton of questions. Meanwhile, Ella threw her cup down a million times and cried most of the trip--which was a big bummer. I have no idea why she was so upset, but none of my usual efforts made her happy. In hindsight, I guess she might have done better to stay with the grandparents, but I didn't want to exclude her at the time. At least we got a family picture with Santa--though it is on the big camera so I don't have a way to share it with you right now. You'll just have to take my word for it. :)

I'm not sure if we'll do it again next year, but I'm glad we had a chance to make some memories together. What are some of your family holiday traditions?

♦