thoughtfulness

Last weekend Corey had Saturday off which is a huge deal to us since that only happens once or less a month. We found ourselves out with the crowds, running errands. This Christmas has felt so different than most. It's the first one my sister is not coming home and the first one we're not going home either. It's also the first Christmas we'll be spending in our own home...our "still-feels-new" home in Cincinnati. So, getting out with the Christmas crowds felt familiar and somewhat comforting.  I know Christmas has become tainted as the years have passed with people seeing it as only a time to be stressed, a time where they have to buy something for everyone and often times with money they don't really have. Now, in this day and age many of us just think of something to get, order it online and check it off our to-do list. I realized though walking around the Gap wondering what sweater would look best on her (can't say who!) that Christmas is the only time during the year that all of our focus is solely on other people. On a normal day I would have been romping around Gap thinking about what might look good on me, not someone else. And, so just walking around, browsing through different stores I noticed the same thing in everyone else. They were all out browsing for gifts for everyone else, but themselves. Such a small thing, but I found myself grateful for this time of year. 

Then this morning I noticed a package sitting on our table on the front porch. My name was handwritten on it which led me to believe that just maybe there was a gift inside. You see I have always thought it a bit weird when people have obsessions with things...like roosters, dolls, ladybugs, whatever it might be...and then collect them, but I too have fallen into this category. With birds. I can't help myself. I'm not exactly sure what it is about them, but I find this simple beauty in just about anything that has a bird on it. So, of course my house has them everywhere. I'm trying not to become "that girl", but I think I'm quickly getting there. So, all that to say, there are a few friends who have picked up on this and picked me up some incredibly thoughtful gifts over the past few years. I cherish each of them and will always cherish the gifts I unpacked from my front porch this morning. I cannot even tell you, oh internet blog, just how much I am in LOVE with my new additions! 

A few other bird goodies decorating my house...

Merry Merry Christmas everyone!

xoxo,  

Jessica