Day 12

Day 12: Birthday Cake for Jesus!
Each year I am with the Trapp family for Christmas, a delicious cake is made to celebrate Jesus' birthday. This year was extra delicious with a Julie Trapp chocolate peppermint cake specialty.

I want more of it every time I pass the cake dome in the kitchen. Perhaps that is a little insight into our hearts....we desire Jesus' yummy birthday cake, but really we don't need the cake.
All we need is Jesus. So to conclude my 12 days of Christmas essentials, I will say that if you made a birthday cake for Jesus, that is really fun and we share in that tradition, too. But even better than the best of cakes is the sweetest joy of Christmas: the birth of Jesus Christ. I hope that today you experienced a taste of the glory of God through the gift of his precious son.

And to go full circle with my 12 days , how about another Andrew Peterson song to remind us of our true need today and every other day?! Merry Christmas, Hallelujah, Christ is born!!

Day 11

Day 11: A December dose of Santa!

On the 11th day of Christmas my parents gave to me...

...a picture of my 14-year-old-dear-deaf-grumpy-childhood-dog-Omar with Santa. (p.s. Did Santa get a manicure?!)

A lot of people keep mistaking this year as Owen's first Christmas. But I have proof that this little man squeaked in an extra Christmas last year....

I referenced his hands in my advent devotional, but do you see that red paperclip? It is a size small paperclip, and that. my friends, is how big Owen's hands were last Christmas.

Last year that sweet baby slept through his Santa visit.

This year he could not have been more thrilled to see that big, bearded fellow! We took him on a special outing to the Galleria just so that we could get the cutest cheese-ball Santa pic on the block.

And then we happened to run into Santa the next week while we were running errands.

And THEN we bumped into him AGAIN this week at the airport!

I think his first Christmas was the last time he will ever sleep through a Santa visit. I know one thing for sure: this kid made a jolly new friend this year. Let's hope the excitement doesn't keep in awake tonight! Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas everyone!

Day 10

Brought to you from Tuscumbia, Alabama...

Day 10!! Traditions, Traditions, Traditions...

As I sit here in the kitchen while my mother-in-law works on baking her famous gingerbread boys, I am reminded of how much we anticipate family traditions this time of year. John and I both grew up with many of the same Christmastime traditions: Christmas eve service, Christmas morning in pajamas, baking and consuming a lot of cookies, and even crazy scavenger hunts to find the specialist of gifts.

With this being our 4th Christmas married, John and I have developed a few traditions of our own....

We always stuff stockings for each other and exchange our gifts the night before we leave to visit family.

In those stockings, there are many treasures...even some for Carolina:

(Her favorite movie, Marmaduke, and a marshmallow Hello-Kitty Pop)

In MY stocking, I get a different cookie-cutter each year:

Bear, Bell, Baby, Heart : )

In case you didn't already know this, John and I love games. In fact, when we were engaged, our Vandy friends threw us a board game shower. So, it didn't surprise me that he made up another riddle as part of our Christmas gift traditions this year: I was given a tile from the game, Bananagrams. I had one guess to try and guess the word or phrase, and when I guess it correctly, I will get the gift. With the single letter choice of this year, I quickly and enthusiastically guessed, "Turks and Caicos!". The answer was no : (. I already have my guess for next year, and I hope that I forget about it in the meantime or else I will go crazzzyyyyyy.

Games we have been into this Christmas: Stratego! Aside from the fact that it makes me anxious and frustrated and full of rage and I only beat John the first time we played and I haven't beaten him since, I do enjoy it a lot. : ) We just opened gifts from my cousin and were thrilled to add Blokus to our collection (Thanks, Lindsey & Drew!!!). I also gave John a new game this year but I cannot reveal it because another family member--who shall remain nameless---may be getting it, too. Speaking of new, I am slightly obsessed with my new IPhone from John and may or may not have started 7 words with friends games on it yesterday during our long travel day yesterday. Also, if you have a little one around you this Christmas, download the pat the bunny app!

I love our family traditions, and from here on out we have the wonderful privilege of bringing Owen in on those traditions and starting new ones in our Trapp family. Speaking of Trapp family, Owen's cousins are on their way over. First Christmas with the cousins!! Hope you are headed to family today to enjoy some of your favorite traditions together.

Day 9

Day 9: Nativity Neccessity

I love the seeing my Willow Tree Nativity Scene as a visual and tangible reminder of the birth of Jesus.

Owen has his very own nativity set, too...

...He definitely gets the tangible aspect of it, but I'm not quite sure he see it as a reminder of the birth of Jesus just yet:
Owen's Nativity Set

His new favorite thing is dropping anything and everything (including shepherds and wise men) down the step.
Perhaps next year he will appreciate what the nativity set represents ; )

Day 8

Day 8: Candle Delight

Let's be honest: Owen can produce some not-so-great smells. So, there is nothing better than the scents of Christmas to diffuse some of the daily diaper stink. I love walking in the front door and smelling the fresh pine on Christmas tree, and baking cookies this time of year is the sweetest of aromas. But t0 me, nothing quite tops lighting some yummy holiday candles.
My favorites?
Of course I am partial to the Trapp candle Holiday scent:I'm also obsessed with my ever-so-appropriate Nest candle (Moroccan Amber is the flavor of choice):

The latest scent lighting up our house is from my new Illume Anthropologie candle in a delicious Mulled Wine aroma:

What is your favorite holiday scent??

Day 7

Day 7: Christmas pjs!
Yes, Christmas pajamas are a must...and since we had our pajama playgroup party today, you'd best get ready for some major baby pj cuteness:

Oh, and mommies got to wear their pjs, too! Which meant that my friend Sarah wore the most incredible striped onesie pjs. Although not nearly as cute as Sarah's (or Owen's), I wore pjs, too. I also wore what I wear every time I am at the house: My UGG knit slippers. Trust me, I never intended to own UGG anything, but last year for Christmas my mom got them for me. Let's just say if I was Oprah and still had a TV show and gave a bunch of expensive stuff away every year, they would be on my list of favorite things for every audience. In fact, I wore mine so much this past year that mom got me a new pair and they feel like fluffy clouds every time I step. I seriously feel like my nasty runner's feet don't deserve such plush slipper-wear, but I will gladly make shameless plugs for new pairs of UGG slippers each Christmas from here on out. I suppose that my slippers are not only a Christmas necessity, but an every day essential in my world...as are Owen's old-man, plaid pajamas : ).

Day 6

Day 6: Christmas with my girlz

Although my days of mommy-daughter cookie exchanges and secret Santa exchanges with my high school and college friends may be over, Christmas can be a special time to catch up with friends. That was actually a huge blessing in the midst of last year's Christmastime because so many people passed through Nashville during their travels and would take time to visit with us.

So far I haven't been doing the greatest of jobs with that considering I had to miss Amanda's cookie exchange, Kelley's wedding, and Kendra's birthday party this month. Good thing I have these lucky ladies to keep me company in the ol' Trapp nest:

Sassy Snow-woman

She seriously makes my day.

Ageless Angel

This angel has been in the family for years, and now it is at the tippy-top of our Trapp tree each December!

Baking Beauty
My newest kitchen companion!

This post is as much about fun with friends when you are home for the holidays as it is my favorite Christmas decorations. So since those 3 tacky treasures don't always keep my social life thriving, tonight I attended the tacky Christmas student ministry party ; ). Tomorrow I am piling it on with 1) hosting playgroup 2) attending a jewelry party and 3) attending book club. Tis' the season to be girly?

Day 5

Day 5: Paninis!

I know not everyone associates Italian hot-pressed sandwiches with Christmas, but I do! Around Christmastime, our family always has an annual panini making contest. Weird? Yes. Awesome? YES! I can't even remember how it got started, but lets just say I'm glad it did!

Gretchen & Danny couldn't make it this year and we weren't nice enough to wait until we get to Colorado in a couple weeks, but we had our dear family friends, Mama K & G-man, over for the night of fun.

Last night their were 3 entries (1 per couple), and for some reason we decided not to vote on a winner to which the competitive spaz I am was silently fuming, but I realized somewhere in the midst of it that it was actually fun(ish) to enjoy every one's and not pick a winner!

Guess what ingredient made all 3 paninis by coincidence?

BACON! (Also some form of cheese)

My parents made a glorified BLT.

John and I made a puff-pastry layered rotisserie turkey-bacon panini with homemade spinach-artichoke dip. (I will blog the recipe sometime)

And Karen and George hilariously typed out a description of their panini and brought it...

All of the paninis were great...as you can see, I was so excited to start eating them that I forgot to take a picture until midway through:

Nothing says the holidays like a nice meal around the table with family. You may not be up for starting a panini making contest in your family, but if you need a last minute Christmas gift, might I suggest a panini-press?!?

Day 4

Day 4: Chrissy's Christmas Countdown Calendar

Who doesn't love the countdown to Christmas? The anticipation is one of the best parts, and since I was a little girl I have loved my advent calendar. It would hang on the back of our basement door in our kitchen and I used to sit and play with it for hours. Now it is fun to picture Owen playing with it, too. (He is not interested yet...trust me, I tried).


Here it is:

I took this picture on Wednesday and I am in Austin now, so looks like I get to add a few 80's style ornaments to the schnazzy felt tree when I get home. AND, for the past 2 years, my sweet mom has given me the online Jacquie Lawson Advent Calendar. It is so much fun--Owen even likes this one, and I get two calendars to mark each day.

Less than 10 days! : )

Day 3

Day 3: A little heart-to-heart
Especially during this time of year, I think we all so desperately crave something tangible to bring us all that feeling of warmth and security...and all of these things:

I know that in the next week I will continue to blog about the oodles of stuff that will make me smile a little bigger this Christmas, but I just have to talk about the truth of the matter today: ALL gifts during this time of year come from the giver of all things, our gracious God. I really believe that when we crave something to hold or see that gives us that Christmas-y feeling, what we really are craving is a heart-to-heart with the one who provides it all. We want to experience love deeply and peace strongly and we often get confused at who or what can satisfy those desires. He is who has the power to fill my life all of that, and he promises to draw near to me as I draw near to him.

So, as I shared my life story with my community group last night (yes, we joined a wonderful community group!!!), the Lord was kind to remind me of the incredible hope he has poured out to my life. I struggle on my own. I am so often a consumer of more things and good feelings when I truly need to be consumed with Jesus.

As a part of sharing my story last night, we were asked to share a verse or passage that has had meaning in our life. This is what I chose.

Lamentations 3:22-24
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."

I know it feels like we just gave thanks at Thanksgiving, but it should never cease...as the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. It is, my friends, a Christmas necessity to ask for the gifts we truly need to sustain us. He can help us put our hope in him. He can bring us joy when we can't muster it up on our own. His message is one of grace and peace and he is waiting for a heart-to-heart with us today.

Day 2

Day 2: "Be bundled" necessities

Believe it or not, we have had a handful of chilly days this December down here in H-town. This past week it was time to bust out or favorite cold weather clothes to ensure we we could be bundled properly. {Side note: I feel like I am judged every time I am out with Owen and he yanks his socks and shoes off and people start talking to him in a baby voice telling him he must have cold toes. I find it necessary to tell them the truth that after the 12th time of him pulling off his socks, one got lost in Target and one is in my purse. What I really want to do is yell and proclaim that I am a good mommy and I DO properly bundle my baby.} Owen really does like to pull things off and throw them these days. It is a good thing he likes his new Mini Boden monkey hat and mittens:
In addition to cute hats and mittens, I do think that everyone should get the chance to go swing in their pajamas : )


And even if my hair is i knots and I have Owen boogers on my shoulder, I always feel better when I make it out of the house in my favorite boots:

Too bad it is 75 degrees in Houston today....but I hope you have dug out your cute warm winter happies wherever you are!

Chrissy's 12 Days of Christmas Essentials: Day 1

I met someone at Starbucks over the weekend and I realized (as I watched dozens of students buried in their books) that a smidgen of my Christmas cheer may, in fact, be stemming from the reality that I am not taking final exams this year! I do believe that last years classy studying experience was certainly the grand finale of finals.

Anyway, I am thankful to finished with that chapter of my life and aside from my latte-a-day + no studying regime that I have been on, I have been especially enjoying some Christmasy things this year. So join me for the next 12 days (oh my gosh I am going to blog for 12 days in a row!) for my rendition of the 12 days of Christmas (essentials).

Day 1

Andrew Peterson's Behold the Lamb Album. This is not at all new, but it is SO good. We listened to it so much when we were in Nashville last year and we even got to go to the concert. I especially love this song. The words get me every time. I can relate to Mary with some of the emotion she was going through during a scary labor..until you get to the part where she birthed the maker of the moon who can make the mountains move. And then I am left in complete awe and a puddle of tears at how beautiful the birth of Jesus really was and is. I hope you have this album and that you get it for all of the special people in your life!

12 months old!

I am emerging from my cave! But let me just tell you that this "cave" has been the holly-est and jolliest of caves. It has consisted of Christmas dinners, decorating trees, buying presents, taking a certain someone to go visit Santa, stuffing Christmas cards, playing board games with friends, hosting get-togethers, baking gingerbread cake and chasing around my nearly walking one-year-old. What do all of those things have in common?!?!

They are ALL things that I did not get to enjoy last year!!!!! Oh my gosh I can't even tell you how elated I was to be at the Women's Christmas Dinner at church last night. You would have thought that they spiked my tea because I just kept walking around at the end saying, "That was too short! Let's stay longer!". It has been such a blessing to be able to enjoy this season.

And guess who else has been enjoying this season?? That is right... the "O" man himself.

Owen is loving life (and I am loving Owen!!!). He is pulling up on anything and everything and cruising right along. He would rather be clapping than napping (seriously, he spent 25 minutes sitting up in his crib clapping today when he was supposed to be napping). He is very verbal....his babbles are loud and proud even in the most public of places. Owen knows how to draw a crowd, and he loves going places. He almost always saves his fussies for me when we get home. He is still super squirmy, yet still full of cuddles in the quieter moments. Owen's doctor says he is in the 40th percentile for weight and 40th percentile for height and is predicted to be 6 feet tall once he is finished growing. He has developed quite the appetite these days, too. Looks like his itty bitty days are long gone. 'Tis the season to be jolly!

Catching Up

Whew! Can I blame my lack of blogging lately on having a one-year-old? I think that is what I will do...

I have pictures to upload and share, but today I just want to catch you up to speed on some of my Autumn Nest List items:

1) We had our November playgroup at the Houston Zoo. It was super fun...but I must report that Owen's top 3 things he spotted while he was there were as follows:

1. The posts that fenced in the animals
2. The puffs I brought him for a snack
3. His own reflection in the sea otter aquarium

So maybe we will try the zoo again in the Spring.....

2) I bought a shoe rack. AND yesterday my husband assembled it for me. I am happy to report that there is already one pair of shoes currenly housed in it (although neither the shoes nor the shoe rack have made their way into the closet yet, but let's not get too ambitious).

3) Remember that advent devotional I said I was going to write? Well here it is...

2011 WESTLAKE HILLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
advent devotional
Saturday, December 3

He answered, “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Luke 10:27

Last year, our son, Owen, spent his first Christmas in the NICU. Believe it or not,
he also completed his first art project while he was there! A couple of days before
Christmas, some of the nurses at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital made a reindeer
using Owen’s hands as the antlers and it hung proudly on his hospital door for days.
He had the tiniest hands I had ever seen. As I admired his artwork, I couldn’t help
but think about how God has the whole world - including the little bitty babies - in
His hands. Baby Owen was born two months early while we were on vacation and
God took every opportunity during Owen’s stay in the hospital to remind me of how
much He loves His children.

We did not anticipate last year being Owen’s first Christmas, but there he was in his little hospital crib: tiny hands and all. I am struck with emotion as I think about this coming
Christmas when sweet Owen will use his hands (now much bigger and busier) to tear apart wrapped presents for the first time on Christmas morning and discover the many treasures brought his way. I have been entrusted, as his mommy, to help him discover the greatest treasure of all: the gift of Jesus and His indescribable love for His children.

When I think about Jesus being a gift to us, I often think about Jesus’ loving hands.
I read stories to Owen about Jesus using His hands to heal. I picture Him calling out
to the Father with His hands as He prayed, and I think of His hands being pierced
with nails on the cross when He died to save us. Yet, I rarely picture that the life of
Jesus began with tiny precious hands, made by our Great Creator. Jesus had the most
remarkable birth story of them all. God’s hands took on flesh. They were made with
a love big enough to hold us all. So let us not forget this Advent season that He has
you and me, brothers and sisters, in His hands, too. Not only does He have us in His
hands, but He will not let us go. Together we are loved, forgiven, and secure in His
hands. And together we are called to love.

God, thank You for the love You have shown us through the gift of Your Son. As we
reflect on Your Son’s birth, help us to love and serve You and to love and serve one
another during this Christmas season. Amen.
Chrissy Trapp
Former WHPC Member

If you would like to download the rest of the devotionals, follow this link.

It was fun to celebrate that Owen was born, but November is certainly over! Now we are getting into the Christmas spirit as we rejoice over the birth of Jesus...hope you are, too!