As I mentioned in my previous post about Christmas, I kept our decorations simple this year. We are going home this year to Texas (YIPEEEEEEE!) so I knew we shouldn’t do a fresh tree and knowing that I will be coming back a week into January I was hesitant to create a ton of work for myself on return!  I also wanted  the kids to catch the simplicity of it and not get distracted by chaos. We are spending time after dinner each night doing our advent calendar. Each night the boys pull a small book out of the calendar. The books are each about part of the nativity story. They also normally find a little treat whether it be a clementine or a chocolate. It’s fun having both boys old enough this year to work on developing some traditions that they will remember.

We are keeping gifts really simple this year. Each boy is getting a few things and we will probably let them pick out a gift for their brother. Most of our shopping this year was done via the internet. We have saved a few things to pick out for the boys when we are live in the US of A but most have been bought and shipped without touching them.  If you haven’t checked out Zulily.com I highly recommend it for kids and mom gifts! They carry daily deals with great markdowns and normally boutique quality! Check out my friend’s blog too if you are looking for a unique gift. She makes super cute signs on old hardwood flooring.  Confession, I bought one of Jennifer’s signs a few months ago thinking it would make a great gift. Turns out the sign loves my kitchen and makes me smile so I had to keep it! I wanted to do a post and properly introduce Jennifer…and hope to still do so…but in the meantime I wanted you to know about her signs!! Here is a peek at the one I got….I love it because it doesn’t say this is the perfect life, or the calmest, or the easiest, it says it’s “the finest kind of life”. Despite life’s ups and downs we are blessed.

A few weeks ago I realized that I wasn’t as stressed about shopping as I normally am. Seth and decided this year that instead of gifts we would spend an overnight in Dallas going back to our favorite places where we met, fell in love and spent our first year as a married couple!  I am so looking forward to our time together and I have to admit I am relieved to not be obsessing about the best gift for Seth.

Well, I am guessing you have all gotten your dose of random from me for the day! Hope you are all enjoying the holiday season!