Who am I? A wife for almost 40 years. A mom for over 36 years. A sister and a friend, of course. Each of these help describe me. But, even more, I have been a Christian since accepting Him as my Savior when I was 12 years old and, this truth defines each area of my life. I have enjoyed some mountain top experiences but have been through some very deep valleys as well. Valleys of incredible grief and even pits of depression. However, most of my days are ordinary, routine kind of days. But in every one of my days, God has been faithful. He has walked with me whatever the day. He strengthens, comforts, encourages and blesses me with life "most abundant."

A favorite life verse: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Why do I write? Though not quite as private as my dad, I am definitely my father's daughter. I find it difficult to share. And to let others in. But I do love to write. I love to put words into sentences and sentences in paragraphs that help express my thoughts. I hope my words help me share my heart. Share the life that God has given me and all that He has done for me and through me. I write with the hope of giving Him at least a bit of the glory He is due.

A verse to guide my writing: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:7

Christmas This or That

Posted on By jennifer

Good Monday morning, friends.  Let’s start the week with a little, light-hearted fun.  Some “this or that” choices for popular Christmas traditions!  I had a busy, and fun, weekend but have not had time to upload any photos, etc. so maybe I will do a bit of a recap on that later in the week.  But, to get this last week until the big day started, let’s just keep overthinking to a minimum.  Let me know some of your answers.  I will put mark mine in bold (with a bit of commentary, of course!)  And here’s to a productive but peace-filled week ahead.  Time to stop stressing and just start enjoying the magic of Christmas:)

  • Christmas Away OR Christmas At Home -when the children were little, we went to my parents (just about) every holiday.  It was fun.  And busy.  But, these days, I am more than happy, and grateful as well, to stay right here at home for the holidays.  No holiday traffic.  No playing Jenga to get everything in the car.  No have to medicate the dog so she could travel peacefully.  It was all good – then.  But glad I don’t have to do it now.
  • Real Tree OR Artificial Tree – again, always had a live tree back in the day.  We were cut it down together as a family at a tree farm.  More fun memories but the trees, these days, are much easier, simpler, smaller.  And fake.
  • All I Want For Christmas Is You OR Last Christmas – hard choice.  Don’t get me started on Christmas music.  Especially these pop songs.  I’m actually quite over Mariah Carey’s Christmas song; however, it does evoke good memories of my much younger daughter.  She loved that song when it first came out (as did many!) That and I hate Last Christmas.  Ugh.
  • Christmas Presents OR Christmas Food – holidays are all (well, very much) about the food for me.  I love traditions centered about meals, special dishes and even the preparing of the food.
  • Decorate The Tree OR Wrapping Gifts – I used to be really good at wrapping gifts.  I really have lost my mojo in that department; however, my husban really enjoys that Christmas job.  We make a pretty good team each year.
  • Peppermint Mocha OR Hot Chocolate – I never would have guessed it but, this year, I am lovin’ Chobani peppermint mocha in my coffee. It is just that good!!
  • Advent OR The Twelve Days Of Christmas – honestly, I am really sure what these choices mean/imply?  But my church does not celebrate Advent, in a traditional sense, so I’m picking 12 days.  Not that I do something specific or particular for twelve days!?!
  • Christmas Dinner OR Leftovers – tough choice but, this year, I’m going with leftovers.  I’m the only one who eats them at my house, so I need to choose wisely this year:)
  • Elf OR Home Alone – hands down.  Without question.  My favorite.  And, my husband??  Home Alone.  (Of course).  He loves that movie!
  • Christmas Sweater OR Christmas PJs – more accurately, a Christmas t-shirt.  Or even a pajama tee.
  • Playing Games OR Watching Movies – my whole family is much more about games.  Not much for watching movies over here.
  • ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas OR How The Grinch Stole Christmas – both of these are kind of cute; however, this year has been Grinch overloaded and it is losing its cuteness.  Enough already.  In my humble opinion.

Good Monday Morning

Comments (8)

  1. Fun post, Jennifer, and I agree with you on many (though not all- that would be almost weird, lol). I also agree about the Grinch being so over done and everywhere. Too much of something is… too much! Leftovers, food, Christmas at home are among those I agree with you on and feel the most passionate about! Have a great day!

  2. I have been humming All I Want for Christmas all day though my usual go to is Let is Snow.
    Since we do not celebrate we prefer to spend it away.

  3. I loved reading this! I love the thought of a live tree, but I am with you on the artificial. It’s so much easier and economical over the span of several years, right? I love Christmas songs, but prefer Christmas worship. Are you familiar with Phil Wickham? He has a Christmas album that just released that is spectacular. I think I prefer decorating in general for the holidays over wrapping gifts. I used to enjoy that, and while I didn’t mind it this year, they’re definitely not as nicely done as they’ve been in the past. I’m letting a lot of things go this year! I love that picture of you on your sidebar! I haven’t visited in a while, I’m sad to say. I need to be better at reading blogs!

  4. A truly wonderful this and that! I am not too fond of the Grinch around here either. It certainly seems to be very popular. The Christmas Tree photo is wonderful, and I noticed my popular coffee shop ornament. I should go on a search for that one 🙂 I love the memories of Christmas’ past get togethers but am grateful for our more quieter ones now for all the reasons you mentioned. The joys of a live tree and the smell of them still live in my mind, but our fake tree has been around for years now. It always looks beautiful with the ornaments and lights. I prefer the more traditional musical choices, love listening to the boys choirs at Cathedrals, anywhere really. I could go on but will cut this short to save you the epistle. Thank you for this lovely read and if I don’t get back to you before, I wish you and your family A Very Merry and Blessed Christmas.

  5. This is a fun one! I want to say both to most of the questions. If I HAVE to pick I’ll say Christmas at home, real tree, food, All I want for Christmas, decorate the tree, hot chocolate, Advent, Christmas dinner, Home Alone, pjs, watching movies, and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Most were a tough choice though! Have a great day!

  6. I loved this post! So much fun. I’m with you on some of these choices. I love Christmas traditions, and I miss those days when the kids were little. Have a great week.

  7. That’s a fun post! I agree with a lot of your choices but I’m afraid Last Christmas would always be my choice. I absolutely loved George Michael and that is such a lovely video that goes with the song it always makes me sing along – loudly!

  8. What a clever way to phrase packing the car for holiday trips, “No playing Jenga to get everything in the car.”

    And yes, we had to tranquilize one of our dogs to get him calm for car travel.

    Great responses to all of these questions. Let me add that I, too, think there is too much of the Grinch. Tired of him (never was a real fan in the first place. He’s just a modern version of Scrooge.)

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