O Christmas tree

As we picked out a Christmas tree last week, Alex and I kept laughing because Serene moseyed about the trees on a mission to touch and embrace every fir she encountered. The process of procuring and decorating our Christmas tree went more slowly this year, but was exceedingly endearing. We spruced up the tree with mostly handmade ornaments from the past two years: feedsack fabric ornaments and paper doily snowflakes made during our first married Christmas two years ago; a paper heart garland from our wedding; vintage message-in-the-bottle ornaments made last year; and fabric toadstool ornaments on clearance from here last year. Serene just wanted to play with the decorations the entire time, and once they hung on the tree, proceeded to destroy. We spent most of the rest of that day and week disciplining her and teaching her not to touch the tree. Thankfully, she doesn't approach the tree much anymore, though it's probably because she's much more keen on unearthing the gifts underneath. Every Christmas is so special, as we reflect on all the goodness with which we've been blessed that year. Grateful to be celebrating our third married Christmas, Serene's second Christmas, and most importantly, lest I forget in the holiday hullaballoo, another glorious year to celebrate Christ's birth.