The most wonderful time of the year, indeed.

This is the boys first Christmas with a REAL tree, we're all in love with it!  We decided to go the real tree route this year for a few reasons…

A- our fake tree is WAY too big for this house/space.
B- I wanted the real tree experience and smell.
C- I hate putting together the fake tree.  Love it when it's done, but hate assembling it.

So one Sunday afternoon we loaded up the boys and went and picked out our tree.  They probably couldn't have cared any less, except they knew that the Christmas tree means their Christmas train is coming out as well.

It was a glorious thing, sticking it in the tree base full of water and decorating it minutes later.  I hope this becomes our new "norm" each year!

 Jaxon's 2013 ornament choice :: a caboose 

 Cohen's 2013 ornament choice :: Batman! 

I love the way a Christmas tree glows at night time… 

When the boys (and the dog) are asleep…

it's so peaceful.

 I love that nothing in this picture is perfect, with the toys all over the floor and couch…

Our life is so far from perfect, yet it's so beautiful to me. 

I feel like I have to document it any time that stinkin' dog is asleep…

We love her, but wish she was 10 years older.  :)

Happy Wednesday!

2 weeks until Christmas… are you ready?! 

Real, or Pretend?

I struggle a little bit every Christmas season, trying to figure out how to incorporate Santa into our traditions the "right" way, and today I've decided there is no right way.  Every family is different, so whether or not you "do" Santa in your home, this post is not directed towards you.  Today, I'm wrestling with what this looks like for our own family.

I don't ever want my boys to have this moment of disappointment as they realize what they've been told for many years isn't actually true.  But I do want them to experience the fun and the story behind Santa as well.  Trying to find a happy medium between the two is hard to do.

I've talked about it before, but my hope is that the boys would "believe" in Santa as part of the magic of an imagination, and child-like faith.  The same way they "believe" they can be superhero's, or fly.

This year, we even started doing the "Elf on the Shelf" tradition.  Not all crazy-Pinterest-like, but simply moving the elf to a different place after the boys go to bed each night.  Their giggles and laughs as they find "Christopher" in a different spot each morning is SO fun.

Jaxon brought home a Rudolph craft he made at school today.  His eyes lit up as he realized I also knew the Rudolph song, as we sang it together and laughed afterwards.

We joke and talk about Santa and being on the naughty & nice list, and have watched Polar Express at least 700 times so far this Christmas season.

But you know what else we do?

We talk about the Nativity every day.  We talk about Christmas and WHY we give gifts… Jaxon even knows the 3 gifts the Wisemen brought Jesus.  The boys set up their Little People Nativity Set and know all of the people by name.  They also know its Jesus' birthday and that's why we celebrate.

This whole subject has been on my mind a lot today as I've read an article posted on Facebook talking about why a particular family does NOT do Santa.  And that's great for them!  It raised some questions in my mind, so I made up a new game for us to play, on our way home from the gym this afternoon. I told them I was going to say a name, and they would tell me if that person is real or pretend.

I started the game pretty simple…

"Is Grandpa real or is he pretend?"
"REAL!", they shouted in unison.
"Hmm, ok… is Batman real or pretend?"
"… pretend?"
"Yep!  He's a really cool superhero though, isn't he?!  Now what about Rudolph?"
"pretend!!"
"You're right!  And Papa?"
"He's real!"
"Good… what about Santa?"
"… pretend, right Mom?"
"Yes, he is pretend. But remember St. Nick, from the Veggie Tales we watched?"
"Yes… he brought gifts to people, didn't he Mom?"
"You're right, Jaxon.  Now, what about Jesus?"
"… He's real."

My day = made.

Growing up, my parents talked about Santa and he brought our stockings every year.  I think they made it pretty clear from the get-go that he was not real, as I don't ever remember actually believing in him.  He was simply another fun part of our Christmas traditions.

That's exactly what I hope he is in our home, as well.  I think we're off to a pretty great start.

With a thankful heart.

We got home on Sunday from 3 long, wonderful, relaxing days at my parents.

There's something about being out of town that I always look forward to… 

I feel such freedom from everyday stress and everyday pressure to have it all together.  At home, there are errands to be ran and cleaning to take care of and laundry to fold.  

So when we get out of town, I find a freedom to be lazy.  I let my guard down as I enjoy the people around me, and soak in the feeling of less responsibility, even if it is only temporary. 

It's super rare in motherhood, or really life in general, when someone says, "GOOD JOB!  Now rest!"

No one else will TELL me to rest, and there will always be work to do.

But Jesus… He says COME!  REST! and give me your burdens.

He came that I would have LIFE to the full!

Such good news for us all, isn't it?  

For dance parties, shopping and girl time, game nights, laughter, cousins, outdoor runs and kickball, deep family relationships, and so much food… 

My heart is thankful. 

Tiny Prints GIVEAWAY!!

Sorry, I'm not typically one to do multiple giveaways in a couple weeks time, but I couldn't pass this one up :)

Tiny Prints has been my "go to" choice for Christmas cards for many years now... the quality is great, the designs are modern and trendy, and the price and selection can't be beat!

This year they are offering new trim options (square, rounded, bracket, ticket & scallop), and also have a ton of new design styles to choose from, including vintage, contemporary, classic, full bleed, and so much more!

They are also offering CLEAR cards this year... how cool is this!?

Of course, one of my favorite things to do is load up with matching return address labels and envelope liners! Ah, I love it all. And yes, I am certifiably a freak of nature for being so crazy about it, just ask my older brother!

A few of my favorite cards from the Tiny Prints Holiday collection:

Be sure to check out the Photo Gift page as well, lots of gift ideas for anyone on your list... and join the Twitter Party #TinyPrintsCheer with @ResourcefulMom on November at 2PM ET. 

The good news is, Tiny Prints is giving away $50 off your total order PLUS free shipping to one lucky winner!

You have the chance to earn 3 different entries by doing the following:

Leave 1 comment after you check out Tiny Prints and tell me which card you'd choose if you won!

Leave 1 comment after you share this post, on either facebook/twitter/instagram or pinterest!

Leave 1 comment telling me what you're most looking forward to about Christmas this year!

Giveaway ends on Friday, Nov 22 at 8am CST. 

GOOD LUCK! 

This post is sponsored by TinyPrints.com.  All opinions are 100% my own.  

I was compensated with some amazing cards in exchange for writing this post.

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The winner has been chosen!

Using Random.org -- #14 was chosen

THEKEITHFAM!! please email me at meg.keith@gmail.com to claim your winnings :) Congrats!

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Safe in his arms.

There's something about being in this mans arms that I love.

I find so much comfort there.

When his strong arms are wrapped around me, I feel safe… like no matter what is happening in the world or in our lives, I am protected.

Last night it was our turn at small group to share our testimonies. Some of the basics of where we're from, what we like to do, and then the harder questions of times we've struggled in our walks with God and what He's teaching us.

My husband has an amazing story and as tears welled up in his eyes through multiple parts of it, I felt nothing but pride.  For the way he has overcome it all, the strength he has, and his dedication and commitment he gives to our family.

I know this is turning into a love fest, but there are times that I am simply overcome with love for him.  I am so grateful to be his wife.

These feelings are also being stirred up because I'm about to say goodbye to him as he leaves at 4am tomorrow morning for a work trip, and then again next week for a guys trip to VEGAS!  As much as I want to pout that I am being left behind with the kiddos, I honestly am excited for him.  He gets to be with my brothers and Dad for a few days, and get away from the everyday stresses of work.

We are also headed to Iowa this weekend to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with his extended family, whom I love!

Lots of mushiness, yes.  But lots of real feelings as well.

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

1 Cor 13:13