Happy Friday,
We took our kids on a trip last week to the Biltmore for Christmas. If you don’t know, it is America’s largest home and a fun fact, kids under a certain age are FREE.
So we figured even though they are young it would be a great quick trip as a family.
It was fun to see the awe and wonder everyone had in seeing how big the house was. Even though my 5 year old had a breakdown behind a big velvety curtain because “she thought we were going to be sleeping there.” haha
We came back to our home and the kids noted how low our ceilings were compared to those of the Biltmore’s and how small our rooms were, but ya know, we all agreed that we feel even more blessed than the Vanderbilts who built the Biltmore, because we have one another.
I hope you feel that too this Christmas season.
We can look at someone who has all the things, but at the end of the day, if we have one another and a deep contentment in Jesus, we really are so blessed.
I am going to sound like a hypocrite giving you more ideas to spend money on for Christmas haha, but I did want to be a help in case you have some last minute gifts for your husband, parents, MILs, or siblings.
Those are the gifts I have to finish up on, since, praise the Lord, my kid’s gifts are done and wrapped (first Christmas ever I have had it done this soon) maybe I should pretend every year I am going to have a baby at Christmas haha!
I asked my mom, MIL, dad and FIL for their favorites from this year and some of these came from them!
IDEAS FOR INTENTIONALITY:
For Women
My Mom said some of her favs this year were:
She loves to workout, and she does such a good job of being routine with putting herself together!
- Kate Spade Earrings: These are some simple, yet pretty earrings she has enjoyed this year.
- Kindle Paperwhite Signature Editionand her flower case to go along with it:She is so disciplined in going to bed early each night to read. I have always admired that about her!
- Morrocan oil:I do have to say I hate fake fragrance, but for some reason this is the only one that never ever bothers me and I still like to put it on the ends of my hair when it feels dry. But my mom loves using their whole collection.
- Self Curling Curling Iron: My mom has always been a hair person, so if she recommends this, it must be good!
And here is what my MIL has loved this year:
She loves to be in the kitchen, travel, and is really health conscious!
- Glass Pitcher: My MIL loves to make a big batch of herbal cold tea that my kids all love!
- Double Walled Insulted Mugs: These mugs are made out of the same kind of glass as pyrex, but also a similar glass they use in labs so they are hard to break.
- Lightweight Travel Toiletry Bag: She said she just loves this bag! She is retired and takes lots of trips, so I bet this one is a gem at a good price.
- Dress Up or Down Black Jumpsuit: I remember her telling me how much she loves this jumpsuit and how flattering it is on so many body types.
For Men
Here is what my Dad has enjoyed this year:
He is a handy guy who enjoys fishing and doing wood working projects.
- Magnetic Pickup Tool: My dad is a handy guy and I thought this was a really interesting handy gadget!
- Fishing Tackle Box: My dad is so good about fishing with my boys behind their house when we come in, so if you have a fishing man in your life, he might find this handy! And this is the reel linehe has enjoyed so much this year!
- Basic Speed Square Measuring Tool: My dad builds all kinds of woodworking beauties and he said this is actually his most used tool under $100.
Here is what my FIL has enjoyed this year!:
He is retired, likes to workout, and loves to travel!
- Bluelight Blocking Reading Glasses: Basic, but handy!
- Affordable Massage Gun: I have seen a lot of massage guns but they are usually $100’s so I thought this was a better gift price option.
- Basic Athletic QuickDry Shirts: These must be good because they have 52,000+ ratings and are a 4.5 star!
- Portable Bose Bluetooth Speaker:I think he takes this with him to workout, but also by the pool.
NEW ON YOUTUBE
Renewing My Mind Changed Everything in Motherhood – I wouldn’t want to live one day in motherhood without what I am sharing in this video. It truly shifts everything we do.
We Can Stop Waiting for “Easy” Motherhood – This simple shift made a HUGE difference in the way I see life and I really believe it can for you too!
ON THE BLOG
How to Get Ready Early For a Stress-Free Christmas
Sending love,
Lana
P.S. Need a great little Christmas show to help kids understand that Christmas is really about Jesus? This is one of our favs!
Pregnant P.S. I talked with a friend recently and she said what helped her most in her last birth was realizing that she needed to take more ownership for how her birth experience went… More of saying what she needed, more advocating for herself, and less expecting her husband or anyone else to come save her from the journey only she could take with the Lord through the birthing process. I think that is a good word! So many women want to outsource the whole birthing prep process and hope for good results. I want more for you and to help you feel equipped to bust through those mental fears that slow many women down in birth. I am right along with you – 37 weeks pregnant and going through the surrender process too! But that is why I made Labor Without Fear. I didn’t want other women stuck in that fearful spot feeling helpless anymore. I want you to feel empowered to do all you can to prepare for birth and then leave the rest in the trusting hands of the Father.