Jenn & Levi hold a special place in Morgan and I's hearts for numerous reasons, but I'll name 4. {just because I can.}
1. I met Levi 2 weeks after he got home from his mission {before Morgan did!!} and he was reallllly awkward. {he still is, but not as much}
2. When Morgan and Levi finally met we used to go on "3-wheeled-dates" as Levi calls them before Morgan and I were ever "together". They were fun, and those were the times I started falling for Morgan.
3. Also before Morgan and I were ever "together" we hung out all the time at my apartment, and one particular night we invited Jenn and Levi over... to meet. And meet they did. Now.. they are married.
4. Jenn is beautiful. And smart. And kind. She pretty much encapsulates a lot of what I wish I could be. Also, we can talk for houurrsss and not even notice. In 3 words: I love her.
We started off with Christmas Eve at Morgan's house with his family for the ceremonious opening of the Christmas Eve PJs. Growing up this was a tradition I had at my dad's and I was really happy I still got to experience that even being far away from my family.
{though all of Morgan's family treats me as family anyways :)}
cutest. picture. ever :).
Maddy face loved her new PJs
add the "kids" after opening our PJs
Then Morgan and I went back to my apartment to start our own Christmas Eve tradition - which included PJs, our "Gift" to Christ & reading Luke 2
and our other new tradition: Christmas colored brinner! Ornament shaped biscuits, green eggs and red{ish?} turkey bacon
Our very first Christmas Eve together!
I started making my usual sugar cookies a little late in the season and we finished them up that day. they were still delish.
And then Christmas morning! Morgan called me when everyone woke up and I drove over - after opening presents, skypeing with Morgan's dad {side note: he is coming home SOON! YAY!} and making breakfast for everyone we then went over to my apartment for "our" Christmas.
When I posted back here, I mentioned a new tradition that Morgan and I wanted to start doing together that would help us to try and focus less on gifts and more on Christ. I stumbled upon a blog post that gave me a lot of inspiration {this one} and Morgan and I talked about it and changed a few things to fit "us". We wanted something that we could do together right now, but also could apply to when we start a family. So, the deal is you have a max of 5 gifts {excluding Christmas Eve PJs}
1. you WANT. 2. you NEED. 3. you WEAR. 4. you READ. and 5. from SANTA
We thought this would not only help us to focus on what is really "essential" but also be constructive in our gift giving in that we really begin to think about what they need and giving them something to read instead of just a bunch of "stuff". We wanted to make sure that we couldn't go overboard or try to outdo one another. And we really wanted to have time to remember Christ's birth and to not focus so much on the gifts.
I'll be honest at first it was a little difficult, I kept finding stuff that I knew Morgan wanted, or I thought he would like after I had already gotten his WANT. I felt myself showing a little restraint and remembering why we wanted to start this tradition in the first place. It introduced a sense of simplicity into our Christmas season, and it was really a blessing.
I created these tags for us out of construction paper & Morgan laminated them at work. Then we just used one uniform wrapping paper for each person so we could tell whos was whos {like thats hard with just 2 people, but whatev.} These are mine to him.
and these are his to me. and he was way more creative at wrapping. I used twine, he used ribbon. oh well.
my beautiful scentsy! {a WANT}
his WANT
and THIS was from my parents my very own kindle! :)
Overall this Christmas was wonderful and looking back on it now it is so wonderful to have those memories with Morgan and his family. I'm so grateful for the people that are in my life that make me feel like this place is my real home. And I'm grateful for a man who I can share every special moment with.
