Oh Christmas Tree...

Since we travel during the Holidays (at least for now:(, it can be tough to know how much to decorate. Last year, we put some ornaments on a little tree and I decorated our mantle. We also have an advent calendar that Jared got me one Christmas which has a Nativity scene on it--it's beautiful. However, I was thinking about how, even though I want the result of being with family during Christmas, it is pretty tough to "gear myself up" for the energy it will require of packing everything for two small ones, travelling over 2000 miles round trip and then spending time at various places. So, I decided that setting a festive, Advent type tone in our home would help prepare me and center me on Jesus and the beauties of family time I have always enjoyed.

So, I did what I've never done on Black Friday and ventured out to some deals (I did not get anywhere at 4am...that will probably never happen) including one at Jo-Ann's for a pre-lit 7 foot Christmas tree. When I arrived there after first going to Kohl's it was a little after noon(might as well have been midnight according to Black Friday standards) and the doorbuster deal of $35 for a $130 tree seemed probably out of reach. I went to the display and started to pick up a tree, only to realize it wasn't pre-lit (they were all out of them), when a woman came to the display and brought back a pre-lit one and said, "here, this one's pre-lit and it's for you." I don't know where she came from or how long they had been out of the pre-lit ones, but I was so excited! Not only this, but upon checking out, the cashier gave me an extra 20% even I though didn't have the coupon and it was only supposed to go until noon!

So, I got some simple ornaments and some ribbon to make a tree topper and later that night we got our precious son dressed in festive footy pajamas (it was actually chilly for us--so no, he wasn't roasting;) and showed him how to hang the little maroon and gold jingle bells I had gotten. It was priceless to see his concentration and determination as he placed several on the tree--many in the same place:)

So thankful that the Lord would give us the "gift" of starting some of our own Christmas traditions which may become our Christmas in the future if it's just too tough to travel...we plan to have our own little Christmas before we travel home on December 18th.