our home at Christmas time

 

I don't really know what my decorating 'style' is. At Christmas time I pull out the same old things (that I really do love), and just try to switch it up each year by moving them into different locations. My goal is simplicity and sentimental. But every year I feel like there isn't that sentimental feel and maybe a bit too much simplicity. :) After going to my parents home last week, it dawned on me that that is what I love. Cozy and warm and decorated with pinecones and birds. So for next year I've decided my mom will come and help me decorate :)  

simple Christmas decor

Christmas around our house is just plain simple. I don't know how we have four totes full of Christmas decorations because every year when I pull it out and spread it around our home, it sure doesn't seem like we have that much. But I like it that way. My hope is that it feels reverent and calm, but also a place where I can tell that kids live here. (though I do think the noise and the toys scattered across the house are a pretty strong indication that there are kids here! and that's probably why I try to decorate the way I do)

One of my favorites this year was the advent we hung up. Just white bags with adorable teeny Christmas tree clothespins. And inside each bag was a piece of the nativity scene that I sewed together last year. (got the idea from one of my favorite blogs)

And my favorite way to enjoy our home at Christmas time is all cuddled together on the couch with the Christmas lights on and a Christmas movie playing. Just can't beat it.

how our home looked at Christmastime

 This year our decor was simple, homemade, some old favorites, and some new things. The Christmas tree was small. I wanted the white tree to be our basement tree, Justin was not convinced that a real tree was the way to go, and our big tree was just not working for us. So the little tree it was. 

My favorite scene was these boys under the tree trying their hardest to decide what the jingle sound was in their boxes.

now that's love

When we moved into our home three years ago, there were a few things I did not love about the house. But there wasn't anything I disliked more than the color on the walls. Blah. Justin, on the other hand really didn't mind the color at all. Three years later, I somehow convinced him that it needed to change. And not just the paint, but to add some character as well. He has spent hours these past few weeks making that change happen. He spent that time making our home how I would like it because he knew it would make me happy. Seriously, that's love.

We were going to go for a warm gray throughout the home, but thanks to my wise sister (who is always my go to when it comes to home projects) and her talented friend, they convinced me to go bold. Go for color. I am still a little shocked that Justin loves it. 

When Levi saw me painting the wainscoting white, he told me, 
"Mom, stop painting everything in our home white. Why can't you paint it black!"
But when he saw the blue go on. We had his full approval. 

 ^^ Justin built this awesome ladder extension. This way the ladder wasn't leaning against the wall while painting. No worries, I was completely safe. I only look super awkward because I was 8 feet off the ground. ^^ 

Still so weird walking into the family room and seeing this, but I am not missing that orange beige wall one bit.

 Now Justin is building a new desk with drawers and a cabinet for our computer area. Seriously, it's love I tell ya.