37 days of Christmas: day 12 of the 12 days of Christmas

On the twelth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, flowers & chocolate, braided hair done by him, chance to spoil him, breakfast for dinner, a sweet text message, a fun photo shoot, 6 choo-choo trains, an engagement riiiiiing!, delicious Dunkin' Donuts, 3 magic words, a date night out, and a pair of his socks lest my feet freeze!

37 days of Christmas: day 11 of the 12 days of Christmas

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me, braided hair done by him, chance to spoil him, breakfast for dinner, a sweet text message, a fun photo shoot, 6 choo-choo trains, an engagement riiiiiing!, delicious Dunkin' Donuts, 3 magic words, a date night out, and a pair of his socks lest my feet freeze!

37 days of Christmas: day 10 of the 12 days of Christmas

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, chance to spoil him, breakfast for dinner, a sweet text message, a fun photo shoot, 6 choo-choo trains, an engagement riiiiiing!, delicious Dunkin' Donuts, 3 magic words, a date night out, and a pair of his socks lest my feet freeze!

37 days of Christmas: day 9 of the 12 days of Christmas

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, breakfast for dinner, a sweet text message, a fun photo shoot, 6 choo-choo trains, an engagement riiiiiing!, delicious Dunkin' Donuts, 3 magic words, a date night out, and a pair of his socks lest my feet freeze!

37 days of Christmas: day 8 of the 12 days of Christmas

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a sweet text message, a fun photo shoot, 6 choo-choo trains, an engagement riiiiiing!, delicious Dunkin' Donuts, 3 magic words, a date night out, and a pair of his socks lest my feet freeze!

37 days of Christmas: day 7 of the 12 days of Christmas

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a fun photo shoot, 6 choo-choo trains, an engagement riiiiiing!, delicious Dunkin' Donuts, 3 magic words, a date night out, and a pair of his socks lest my feet freeze!

(And thank you to Elijah for taking them! )

37 days of Christmas: day 6 of the 12 days of Christmas

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, 6 choo-choo trains, an engagement riiiiiing!, delicious Dunkin' Donuts, 3 magic words, a date night out, and a pair of his socks lest my feet freeze!

37 days of Christmas: day 5 of the 12 days of Christmas

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, an engagement riiiiiing!, delicious Dunkin' Donuts, 3 magic words, a date night out, and a pair of his socks lest my feet freeze!

37 days of Christmas: day 4 of the 12 days of Christmas

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, delicious Dunkin' Donuts, 3 magic words, a date night out, and a pair of his socks lest my feet freeze!

37 days of Christmas: day 3 of the 12 days of Christmas

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me, 3 magic words, a date night out, and a pair of his socks lest my feet freeze!

37 days of Christmas: day 2 of the 12 days of Christmas

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a date night out, and a pair of his socks lest my feet freeze!

37 days of Christmas: day 1 of the 12 days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a pair of his socks lest my feet freeze!

(I didn't wear socks yesterday because it was so warm but by the time we headed to my house from being with his family, the temp had dropped so much that they were freezing!)

37 days of Christmas: day 25

Luke 2:4-7 (ESV) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

37 days of Christmas: day 24

Nothing like spending a Christmas eve with your fiance! :)

37 days of Christmas: day 23

'Twas the night before Christmas eve, when all thro' the store
the people scurried, in and out the door;
The carts were loaded and filled to the brim,
In hopes that they remembered each her and him;
The children were impatient as they glanced at the toys,
While having visions of playing with them with great joy.

37 days of Christmas: day 22

I leaned down to begin my dramatic stage whisper, "Guess what? I heard that somebody...from the NORTH POLE is coming!!!"

Eyes widened with excitement while from a door behind me, Santa appeared with candy canes and a "ho ho ho"! 

Nothing today, was more adorable than that!!! Thank you, John, for being Santa!! 

37 days of Christmas: day 21

Psalm 46:10 (ESV)

“Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!”

In the middle of the hustle and bustle as Christmas comes closer, be still. He is the reason for this glad season! Honor Him through your time...be still and reflect on His goodness...remember who receives the glory of this blessed time!

37 days of Christmas: day 20

One of my favorite American girl dolls highlights a Spanish Christmas tradition called Los Posadas. Every year as a kid, I would reread the story of Josefina as celebrated it with her family. This year, we did a Spanish Christmas song that made me recall the story I read as a kid. I am thankful that dancing and reading could bring together memories with the dance I did to "Adorar Al Nino".

En la noche las pastores
A sus ovejitas velan
Angeles del cielo alaban
Angelses del cielo alaban
Pastroicitos, id, patoricitos ya

Chorus:
Adorar al Nino
Adorar al Nino
Que en Belen esta
Que en Belen esta

In the evening there were shepherds
Resting while their flocks were grazing
Angels from the heavens told them
Heaven’s King is near you sleeping
Shepherds go to Him
Go and praise your King

Go and worship Jesus
Go and worship Jesus
Born in Bethlehem
Born in Bethlehem

Go and worship Jesus
Go and worship Jesus
Born in Bethlehem
Born in Bethlehem

Con alegre reverncia
En la bella Noche buean
Los cristiano hoy alaban
Los cristianos todos cantan
Pueblos, oh venid, pueblos, oh llegad

Adorar al Nino
Adorar al Nino
Que en Belen esta
Que en Belen esta

37 days of Christmas: day 19

Christmas has always been such a special time of year to me. When I was young it was a time to see all my family I never got to see during the year. As the years have gone by however, has become more and more about rest. I still see family and we exchange gifts, but I look forward to this time of year as a break from things like college. 

However, probably the greatest thing that has changed as I have gotten older is the focus on Christ. When I was young the presents wrapped up all my attention. Now a days though I find myself getting into the Scriptures and really pulling some meaning out of this very materialistic time of year. This I am thankful for and as I grow older I wonder what more will change about the Christmas season for me. 

Guest post by John Schairer

37 days of Christmas: day 18

I had the pleasure of going to a Christmas contada tonight. The music was lovely and well thought out with the readings of the Christmas story. Earlier today, for the first service, I played the bells! I love how people jumped in this past week to fill in the missing pieces. Music brings us together....always has in history and always will. 

I encourage you today to enjoy some music. I know I've said it before, but there truly is nothing more enjoyable! Find some friends or family to join you!