Aside from the mountain of work and the broken foot escapades, these past 5 months of married life have been pretty cool. Getting to know each other’s sleeping patterns, cleaning habits, and scheduling preferences has been a challenge, but a fun one because we get to do it together as husband and wife. I’ve always hoped and dreamed my first holiday season as a wife would include things like hearty laughs by a crackling fire with hot chocolate and gingerbread, decorating the perfect tree together, making Martha Stewart-worthy cookies for our family and friends, and staying up late at night watching the Christmas lights on our tree dance on the ceiling. I’m excited to make our own traditions and memories this year…. our first Christmas. And while I know nothing ends up going as planned, and nobodys’ holidays are perfect, I still can’t help but be giddy and smiley as we near the holidays.

We started off our holiday traditions with our annual Christmas tree hunting…. but this year, we got to hunt for our own tree! While the rest of my family ran off to find their tree, Christopher and I got to traipse around the farm looking for a tree for two. We found our tree and took some photos….

This happens to be Christopher’s reaction to my incessant documentation of our “firsts”…. we’re working on it….

And the happy couple with our tree…

Then we met up with my family and took some more photos. This is what I like to call a “perspective of the Christmas tree” photo…. If the Christmas trees had eyes, this is what we think they might see…

And… on another note… I’ve successfully fulfilled one of my “good wife” duties… making my first homemade holiday wreath! What do you think? I’m pretty excited about it and I’m sure I’ll continue to share as more holiday adventures unfold.

Twas a month before Christmas, and we needed a tree.

So we stood in a LONG line, waking up REALLY early.

(See “Waiting in Line” Flip-book here.)

At 8:30 sharp,

we took off running

Through the forest so thick, we had to be quite cunning

For there were hundreds of people all doing the same

In hopes of finding a tree worthy of Christmas’ name.

So before we begin the tale of our tree,

The final product, I first wanted you to see….

And now for the tale our tree longs to tell,

of how into our lives this Christmas it fell.

This tale is not long, but it is quite good.

So sit back with family and enjoy,

because you should.

…………………………………………………….

The morning was cold, as it usually is in November, the month before Christmas begins.

There were hundreds of people all traipsing about as us trees stood tall and looking proud.

And all of a sudden a girl popped out from behind

She was not scary, but the thoughtful kind.

Next came the boy, lost in wonder

He had a small leaf and complex things he did ponder….

The girl just stood in front of me staring

and then decided I was worth sharing.

(And I thought…. my God what IS that she’s wearing?)

She called the two others to look at my leaves

They checked my tag and looked rather pleased.

They poked and they prodded

Heads tilted, the boy nodded.

He mentioned the top of my head was quite green

I had their look of approval, or so it seemed.

So they took my tag and checked my price

It was really quite embarrassing, but they seemed somewhat nice.

They took one last look at me to make sure I was right

because picking the wrong Christmas tree would just not be right.

Looks of love finally appeared on their faces

and suddenly I felt warm and happy in all the right places.

“I’ve been chosen!” I thought as we smiled together

Here’s to cookies, cider, presents, and cold weather!

I have a home this year, a purpose, a job

and an important one at that

one given by God.

We point to the heavens to remind everyone

the true meaning of Christmas…

The birth of God’s son.

He came to this earth to set things right

to show us what true love looks like.

All this to say, I’m excited, you see

So I wish you good tidings… only the best that life brings

For you and your loved ones

and all your friends too

Merry Christmas to all

and God bless you!

…………………………………………………..

THE END