storybook-cottage: the most Christmasy Family I know...

Back in 2000 I met a lovely young lady Rebecca at a New Year's Eve party.

That following summer husband Dion and I were married and moved to Chicago.

We have a mutual friend in our dear friend Gretchen, and so although Rebecca and I haven't spent a whole lot of time together, it feels like we know each other pretty well.

We make good fb friends.

Soon after we became fb friends, Rebecca's love for Christmas became apparent. I remember these photos she posted on fb a few years back, of her and her husband Eric's apartment. I couldn't find it, but I specifically remember a picture of Christmas stove burner covers. I was like, "this girl likes Christmas!"

When I think "Christmas"...I think "Rebecca". So it made sense to ask her if she would like to be a guest blogger and open up her house to us here at Storybook-cottage.

I think you'll enjoy her response....

"Lol! Oh my!!!!! While I feel so honored you would think of me, I have no clue how to blog! Kris' story is amazing! I am no where near that! And her decorating?!?! Gosh I'd love to have her come here to help me!

As much as I'd love to try to figure out how to write something for you, I don't know where I'd fit it in....
I have a sick baby, planning 3 cycle classes, Santa stuff to prepare before the kids get out for Christmas break on Friday (ugh), also just found out my in laws will be coming Christmas Eve and staying through the weekend, as well as Eric's brother! We now have swung into creating the perfect Christmas Feast!

Oh...and I almost forgot, we have our wedding anniversary Saturday too! Goodness I'd love to help you....I just don't think I'd be able to give you the quality that you need! I'm so sorry! Thank you so much for thinking of me! We really do love Christmas and all the magic, love, and JESUS it brings. Wish I could have offered you something! Maybe next year?!?! Praying you understand...love you sweet friend and wishing you a very blessed Christmas and happy New Year!"

Isn't that so relatable?!!!

Rebecca has her hands full! She just got certified in cycling, she has family coming in, and is doing everything she can to make the magic of Christmas come alive for her children.

Oh yes...her children...

What seems like just a short while back Eric and Rebecca had a little girl...

Not too long after, a little boy...

This little one came along....

And most recently this little cutie...

They're adorable, every one of them...

Yep...Eric and Rebecca have their hands full!

and feet...

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

This family's story begins with Christmas.

Eric and Rebecca met at their church's open gym while Eric was home from school on Christmas break.

Both of them knew pretty much right away they were to be together.

In Recbecca's words...

"We both kinda just knew! He is a whole Christmas junky just like me too. So it just worked perfectly. One thing I love the most about this time of year is that it is what brought Eric and I together. (It) adds a whole new spin for us as our journey together."

Their first date was over the mountain to see the Ligonier Christmas Lights.

(photo available here at G Squared Gallery)

They dated for three years, while Eric finished school.

In July 2003 he proposed....

a Christmas in July...he set up the tree and lights, hung stockings, played Christmas carols, the works.

The two of them decided on a Christmas wedding, December 12th. Their song and wedddng theme was "The Gift".

"(the) gift of our love to each other...then of course Christ's gift to us..."

Two months later they got news of a gift of another sort...and now they're a family of six.

And of course, they needed more space...their beautiful home today...

Their family holds the Christmas traditions close...

decorating...

putting up the tree...

making and eating the ornaments...

"most of my favorite ornaments are not on the tree this year because I don't want little hands to break (them)"

baking cookies...

elfing on the shelfing (meet Chris)

writing letters to Santa with the magical Christmas pen...

preparing Christmas dinner with family...

"the kids table"...giving thanks..

watching grandpa's Christmas train

...these little fingers managed to snatch the ginger from the kitchen, and then began to cook like her mommy.

setting out the nativity...

visiting with Santa...

classic

throwback...Rebecca and her twin sister's visit with Santa...

"This is the year my mom had us take gifts to Santa. She always felt he gives gifts and never got his own. (She) wanted us to give to him.

My mom has always been a huge Christmas person too. My dad has been in his own way. From very early on she taught us about giving at Christmas...not receiving.

(It's) why I think I love Christmas so much. I love to give."

"We have had the kids give to Santa in the past as well. The times we have, it's been an ornament of Santa bowing at Jesus' manger."

and putting out the cookies and milk by the fire...

"We have always cherished this time of year for the gift of each other JESUS gave us." Rebecca

It's that love of Christmas and the love this family has for one another that I thought would be perfect to share with you all on this day.

I hope you enjoyed Eric and Rebecca's Christmas story.

Each one of us has our own story. For some of us the holiday time is just absolutely crazy town as we make the magic of the season come alive. For some of us it has been difficult, facing the loss of loved ones, an unexpected diagnosis, or maybe a reminder that life is falling short of what we thought it might become.

For some of us it's pure magic.

For many of us Christmas falls somewhere in between.

Wherever you are in this season...whatever your lot...whether you are celebrating a holiday, or not at all, I believe that every moment is worth it. And I hope you see the purpose your life holds. You matter.

Today we celebrate a miraculous occurrence birthed from the ordinary. A king...not wrapped in Egyptian cotton...but hay. Not a man of strength, but a baby. A longstanding prophecy fulfilled that nobody saw coming. There is hope.