never alone.

with thanksgiving behind us, feeling like it was six months ago, christmas is upon us in all of its traditional glory. with the delicious holiday turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes from that day of thanks still making their way to my hips, wonderful memories with my auntie, uncle, and cousins linger in my mind. traditions for us equal football, snack trays, toasts with wine, and catching up around the kitchen island sharing life together while the turkey roasts in its savory goodness. the smell that fills the house is tradition itself.

we're being spoiled, in a sense, this holiday year. when we moved away, i had thoughts of spending our first christmas alone. knowing we are never truly alone, i still had this idea that we'd have to force new traditions within our family of four to fill some sort of hole that was left back 'home'. we're used to filling christmas day with grandmas and grandpas. with aunts and cousins. with fun uncles and the family pet. we're used to filling a table that seats twenty...a little different then our little pub that sits four. we're comfortable surrounded by a floor covered in wrapping paper two feet high. sticking bows on top of papa's head. we're used to the noise and the holiday cheer shared between a large family. a little different then the four of us quietly sharing a christmas movie on our love seat that holds two.

i found myself starting to get comfortable with the idea of a small, warm, and cozy christmas. just the four of us. humbled in our little apartment, celebrating the true meaning of such a glorious day. maybe the past traditions would be the starting point of our own to come. a launch pad for our own blueprint. in a way, i was beginning to find myself content with our current circumstance. all the while, still missing the largeness of what i knew would be happening back 'home'.

and then it happened. this usually happens when i come to a place of contentment. blessings always seem to overflow when i learn to accept the place i'm in. when i step back and look at what i truly have to be thankful for - when i take the time to see how something can really be good, even if it doesn't seem to be the best for the moment. the best for my moment. it happens. the goodness falls like a warm rain in the springtime.

i received the news that grammy and papa were comin' to town! who needs santa?! i think i've already mentioned this, but the meaning behind it is more than i can explain in a blog post. a big piece of 'home' is traveling our way to celebrate the birth of our Savior. a big piece of 'home' will be snuggled with us in our little apartment, watching that christmas movie on our love seat that holds two. a big piece of 'home' is coming to our home to welcome the new traditions into our family, to share in our peace of the season, to witness the joy on our girl's faces christmas morning. grammy and papa are coming to share christmas with us. and there's one specific little girl who couldn't be more excited!

traditions are fabulous and remembered from the age of four to ninety-four. traditions are passed down. relived. captured in each special moment. make this christmas a time that new traditions are welcomed, even if your circumstances aren't seemingly the best. remember that the Lord always has your best in mind. no. matter. what. take time to seek out the joy, the contentment, that's waiting for you around the corner.

peace to you!