I feel myself getting caught up this time of year in trying to have the perfect Christmas. Mostly ideas of peaceful cookie decorating, picturesque holiday movie watching on the couch with the whole family and a fire going, and doing all of the festive things like visiting Santa, looking at lights. And then there are little things too, for me, like wrapping each present perfectly. And I can find myself, if I don’t catch it early enough, with these high expectations of what this time looks like for our little family.

The holidays, and pretty much all special events, are better when I lower my expectations. When it doesn’t go perfectly, I don’t want my kids remembering a mom that was flustered and upset. I want them to remember these special celebrations as moments of joy strung together.

So as we head into this holiday week, I pray for you, friend, a week where we let go of the reigns a little bit. We lower the expectations of our children’s reactions and actions, the perfect picturesque holiday scenes we have in our minds, and remember that the best thing we can give our kids is a happy, joyful mom in the chaos and mess of it all. (And then let’s just all plan to have a virtual glass of wine together at the end of the night. ☺️)

Happy Friday, friends. And Merry Christmas week! ~Lauren

We went and visited Santa a couple weeks ago. I wasn’t sure how this would go, honestly. I was prepared for tears. Harrison hadn’t visited Santa since he was 1, and obviously has no memory of it.

And Baby J, of course, has never visited the jolly old elf. But the boys did incredible. And I would have been just as happy with a crying picture with Santa. But it was such a joy to watch them enjoy their visit with the big guy.

THIS chicken and dumpling recipe was INCREDIBLE. Add it to your winter recipe rotation now!

These outdoor flicker candles have turned out to be such a good buy for just the right amount of ambience and light outside in my winter arrangements. They’d also be so cute inside a lantern, too.

For my ‘recipe’ for outdoor winter arrangements, see my post earlier this week HERE.

This cute dress for fall and winter!

And this one for a fancier night out!

How cute are these Santa nail wraps?

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As of last year, I officially have a favorite Christmas movie. I love this movie. I love the messiness of the big family, and bawl like a baby at the end. Ugh. If you’re looking for it this year, it’s streaming on Peacock. I’ll be watching this at least once more before Christmas.