Our First Christmas: Part Tree

This Christmas is mine and the hubs first Christmas together as a married couple. We have had about 4 together as a couple but since we had a long distance relationship for most of our time together, we never got to indulge or take part of traditions.

So this year, because we could, we decided to start our own. Because one day we will have children and we will want to have something unique for them to look forward to. It started this year with the tree. Oh, the tree.

Our first "couple" ornament.

Not long after we were happily wed we brought up the conversation of Christmas. Where we would spend the holidays and what we would get people were among the conversation, but those were dimmed by the radiance and importance of the tree. The debate began. Real or artificial? That was the question.

Mr. Russell grew up with a live tree every year. He and his family lived in the country on a lot of land. With goats. Do you have that picture in your head? They totally had a real tree every year. It just fit. Warm and cozy kind of home, warm and cozy kind of tree.

I grew up in the city. If you know where I am from you might get a chuckle from referring to my hometown as a city but when comparing it to the groom's homestead, it is a metropolitan. We always had a fake tree. It was just what we did. And I loved it. Easy set up, beautiful for 25+ days, and easy take down. What is not to love.

Case in point. We both grew up in very different households. And we both wanted to carry on our traditions.So after much debating and considering, I gave in. Write that down folks. It may never be written down again. So real tree it is in our house this year. And it may be the last.

This tinsel is my favorite part of the tree.

Yesterday N had the night off and we went to the most precious place called Merry Christmas Tree Farm. We walked down to the plethora of Leyland cypress trees, pines, and North Carolina furs. After about 30 minutes of finding the perfect tree and walking away to find another perfect tree (and repeat) we finally settled on a mighty fine one. She's a beauty. Once we decided, we had her chopped, shaken, and strapped to our car and we were on our way. Once home, we were ready to get her up and settled in.

A souveiner from our honeymoon to Disney World.

Another 30 minutes passed and she was in her stand and being decorated. We were loving our new start to traditions. Christmas music was on, Starbucks was in hand, and everything was almost perfect. Once the star was placed on top we snuggled her into her new home in the corner. We both took a seat to enjoy our masterpiece and I thought to myself, This is one of the prettiest trees I have ever seen. She is going to be the envy of all the little elves eyes.

There are even green birdies in our tree.

And squirrels. 

That thought came crashing down right when the tree did. Thats right. Our beautiful, perfect in every way tree was on its side with the star pointing straight at me instead of the ceiling where it belonged. All I could do was put my hands over my eyes and try to convince myself that it was a dream. Or a nightmare. I finally pinched myself hard enough to snap out of it and got up to help my husband stand up our toppled tree. No big deal, right? Wrong. Remember we had a real tree...that means we had previously put water into its basin. That water was everywhere now. I was mad. All I could say was, This would have never happened if we had gotten a FAKE tree.

And even peacock feathers that were left over from our wedding reception.

After some huffing and puffing on both of our parts, we got the ornaments picked up, the water sopped up, and the tree stood back up. But thats where it ended. We were tired.

And what tree is complete without a star perfectly placed on top. 

So today after school, we put the ornaments back on the tree. Our first Christmas tree. But not before we tied some rope to 3 bricks and then to the tree to hold her stubborn butt up. And then we kissed. I like that part of this new tradition. And I have to say, she is full of splendor. Would you like to see?

 She is just grand isn't she. I am in love. 

Rescue

Today I sat in church and in front of me was this little girl sitting with her 4 member family. It was no time before she did what all little kids do in church when they have sat still long enough...

She mosied on down to the ground and pulled out some toys from her bag. Among the books and crayons she took out, 2 toys were her focus the whole service. A princess doll and a boy doll. It was so sweet. I am intrigued as to how girls as young as she know that boys and girls belong together. But not just that...

She played and played and played and then I tuned in to what she was actually doing- she was making the girl fall off the edge of her chair and then that dashing young plastic man came to her rescue. The little girl would hold the fair maiden in limbo with one hand while she outstretched the guys arms out to be ready to catch his beloved with her other. I was over come with emotions.

I wanted so badly to crawl down on the floor with her and whisper to her this...

Sweet girl...there is a man who loves you as much as this plastic prince charming loves his molded maiden. His name is Jesus and he did the same thing for you as the boy did for the girl on the edge of your chair. You see, we all mess up. You are so young you have lots of mistakes to make, but the glorious thing about it is that man named Jesus covered them. Instead of you falling off of a chair edge time and time again, you sin. And instead of him jumping off to save you in a heroic bound, He did something different. With arms outstretched still, He was nailed to a tree and took all of the bad that you will ever do and swallowed it. So you keep playing with these two dolls. Continue to send that boy after the girl each and every time she falls. But always remember, the same feat has already been performed for you. You are rescued. And you are loved. You are held in outstretched hands. And every time you fall you will be caught.

What a beautiful story. I am so glad that i have a Savior who saves me daily. I rest in the fact that I am loved by the only man with outstretched arms who will never fail. Won't you be a part of this fairy tale love story too?

We're Expecting...

Something soon. But not a baby. sigh. And hopefully it will come a lot sooner than 9 months. But before I continue, there is a small disclaimer...please sign below before you continue. 

*Remember this is my blog and I write to remember my life. If you think I shouldn't write about things like this, then please direct yourself to the red X at the top right of your screen.

**This post talks about gas. And bowels. And tears. And even a baby. So if you don't want to hear me vent on my blog then again, please have the satisfaction of pushing the red X. 

______________________________________________

This is where you sign. 

Ok, so if you have seen me lately and noticed that I had gained a few pounds, I have. I am having some medical issues in the form of a clogged bowel system. If that didn't sound painful then let me explain myself. I have so much air built up in my system that I am too bloated to wear any form of pants that button. I am not a go-to-the-doctor kind of girl but I have been in so much pain that I drug my expanding self on in. The doctor wasn't sure what all was going on so he suggested an x-ray. If I wasn't nervous before, I was then. 

The x-ray tech does her thing and sends me on out. 5 minutes later the doc comes back in and tells me that he has never seen anything like it. My bowels are completely backed up. Cram packed. Stuffed. Which causes air build up. Which was causing terrible indigestion. No wonder I was so miserable. 

Today I went to school for the first time since I have felt so bad. The students saw my expanding belly and in all their sweet innocence they questioned, "Mrs. Russell, are you pregnant today. You look pregnant today. Why is your stomach so big if you aren't pregnant." 

Do you know how hard it is to long to be pregnant, to want to carry a child, and then to be asked if you are pregnant. Because you are so big in the mid-section. But instead the only thing inside is a belly full of gas. And indigestion. And a breaking heart. 

I wanted to scream, "NO I AM NOT PREGNANT. I AM FAT BECAUSE I HAVE A CLOGGED BOWEL SYSTEM." 

But instead I kindly explained the situation the best I could and added the fact that I was very uncomfortable and would need to be sitting down more than normal. But all I really wanted to do was cry. 

So I managed at school but can I just vent some more. 

OK thank you. 

And I understand that this is the worst blog I have ever written ,but when all I can feel are air bubbles moving around in my gut, I think I have an excuse to be discombobulated. 

I have now forgotten what I wanted to vent about. 

So yes we are expecting. A delivery. With the help of 3 laxatives. A big delivery. And I am not ashamed to talk about it. I have no modesty. That went out the door a long time ago. (Sunday as a matter of fact...when all this started.)

Now if you will excuse me, I am about to go wallow in my own pity. And drink another laxative. 

Sheesh.