Christmas 2024

The way you spend Christmas is far more important than how much.

Henry David Thoreau

This afternoon, I packed up Christmas during nap time. As I squished the branches flat and shoved them back into the box, my mind went in a million directions. I couldn’t help but reflect on the year gone by—on how much my girls have grown since the last holiday season. And, of course, I started thinking ahead, imagining what I’ll be like the next time I pull that beautiful, fluffy tree out of its box in 12 months.

I picture my 5-year-old, so much more mature. My 1-year-old, chattering away with a handful of new words. I hope my health continues to improve, and my love for my husband grows deeper. I pray our pups are still with us and that the house is still standing (fingers crossed, right?). And I hope my brain can hold onto this moment—this feeling. The one that reminds me of how much has changed, how much has been accomplished, and how much I’ve learned.

Every year, when I welcome the tree back into our living room, I’m always amazed by how many of my dreams from the previous 12 months have actually come true. There’s something so magical about that—about seeing those hopes realized, and knowing that the best is yet to come. But let’s be real—it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, right? Just because good things happen doesn’t mean the hard things don’t come along for the ride too. But hey, let’s save those trials for another post. For now, we’ll focus on the wins!