Books of Love

Tomorrow is our 5 year anniversary.  Wow-has it really been 5 years?  It's almost silly to me to think back 5 years and how much has changed in that time.  I'm happy to report that marrying Dustin was a very wise decision on my part even if maybe not so great on his.  ;)  He puts up with a lot.  I'll spare you the mushy gushy's, but lots of love all around.  One thing I do want to share with you is this special tradition we have for our anniversary.  We buy a Christmas book.

It started the day after we were married.  We were married in Salt Lake City and stayed a few days there before traveling to our family's homes for Christmas.  We went shopping and ended up in a bookstore and saw the pretty stack of Christmas books they had.  We started flipping through them and I found "I Believe in Santa Claus".  What a beautiful book.  It parallels Santa Claus to Christ and reminds us what this fuss is all truly about.  We had to get it.  We decided right then and there that we would make a tradition of it, and would add a new book to our collection each year.

I can't tell you how I've come to love this!  When the Christmas books start hitting the racks, we keep our eyes peeled and start thinking about what book we will add.  The second year it was a lovely copy of The Night Before Christmas.  The year we became parents it was "You are my Miracle."

Perhaps my favorite (OK-tied with "I Believe in Santa Claus") is "A Christmas Dress for Ellen."  I have yet to read this book and not end up in tears.  Which says a lot-I'm not a generally teary person.  Every time I read it I think " I've read it 20 times, surely I won't cry this time."  Nope-every time.  Another truly feel good back to the basics Christmas story.  It's true as well, and actually took place in a town an hour from here.

So tomorrow we will go search out a new book and celebrate the best 5 years of my life.  We don't have a book planned this year as we haven't been out and about that much.  We've done hardly any shopping which I'm not stressed out about at all.  Lot's of homemade happiness on it's way to our loved ones this year.  The result of having all my projects turned in and a month of quiet time.  It's been the most relaxed Christmas I can remember.

I hope you are faring well too, and instead of toasting my creativity today, maybe thank my husband for being the most supportive spouse I've ever encountered.  This all wouldn't be possible if not for him.

Comments

[Debbie Sinclair]

Sandi: Love your blog. This year check out A Stranger For Christmas by Carol Lynn Pearson. Even if you don't get it for the anniversary book, it's one you will love. Merry Christmas, Debbie

[Amber]

Oh, I love your anniversary tradition! And what a wonderful thing for your children to have one day...have a great day and hope you find the perfect book!! What a wonderful post about your husband too...I feel the same way about mine...I don't know what I'd do without him!

[Kim McBirnie]

Many congratulations on your anniversary - and for many, many more to come. We always buy a new Christmas book every year, our oldest child, Alexander, is seven now, and it started with his very first Christmas. I love those new books, and every year that we re-read them, thinking of all that has gone before and all that is still to come. Building tradition in to your family is important! I don't know about my children, but it certainly makes me feel safe and loved. When they get older, I would recommend 'A Box Of Delights', or 'The Children of Green Knowe' - good ones for your inner child now! Merry Christmas to you and yours,
Kim xx

[Carrie]

You are so cute......I hope you have a fun anniversary! It's nuts how fast five years goes by! I love to see your pictures. Miss 'ya lady...come to think of it, I'm going to go call you...talk to you in a second! luvs.........

[Ginger]

Happy Anniversary... my hubby and I are celebrating 10 years tomorrow!

Merry Christmas!

[Pat]

What a nice story and a wonderful idea. Happy Anniversary! I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a year filled with peace and good health.

[Katrina]

Love your anniversary tradition. We also collect Christmas books. My daughters get 1 each every 1st of December. We read these for just 1 month each year to keep them special. These gifted books will be theirs to start their own family collection when they leave home. My oldest darling got a Christmas Stories collection from the little house on the prairie this year. She just loves it.

Happy anniversary and I hope you find the perfect book.

[Lisa]

Congrats! What a sweet tradition. Great books too. I also printed out the peppermint pinwheels recipe. I'll try it when I get a break.

Happy holidays!

[martha schuster]

happiest of anniversaries! what a beautiful tradition! is it too late for me to start this? such beautiful keepsake.

incidently, i keep your blog open most of the day so i can listen to your beautiful music. my children discovered the polar express this year, so i'm made to repeat the first song over and over!

and, i know we only touched on this briefly, so you'll have to share with me more later, but you have a lovely eye for photography. i love the shot of the books!

happy holidays to you!

[Carrie]

Sandi...just so you know I DID start a blog...just for you girlie. That is my anniversary presant for you. I still have a couple more blogs to post this afternoon but I'd thought I'd give you a headsup. it's jojogirl13.blogspot.com The "l" in girl and "1" in 13 look the same but they are different... LUVS TO YOU Carrie

[Cassi]

What a beautiful tradition... And happy anniversary.

[Steph]

We started this tradition in our family as well, we get a new Christmas book every December. On of our favorites, since we have boys, is the Lego Christmas story complete with lego people depicting the whole story. It's a hoot! We put the books away with the rest of the Christmas decor so they stay "special".

[Laurie]

Happy Anniversary! What a fun tradition....we love Christmas books, too....been collecting lots this season!

[Patty/MODKID]

Happy Anniversary, Sandi & Dustin! May you have many, many more!

[Jenni]

Happy anniversary, you guys! I hope you have a fantastic night, with many more to come! :)

[Carol Van Rooy]

Lovely blog. I have just recently started the tradition of Santa Mouse with my children. They always think it's a hoot to see what Santa Mouse leaves in the boughs of the tree.