25 Books of Christmas

I wanted to share with you a simple and fun Christmas countdown that I'm doing with the boys! I saw an idea similar to this on Pinterest a while ago and decided to take it on.

We will be initiating the 25 Books of Christmas countdown.
Each day in December, from the 1st until the 25th (Christmas), the boys will open one book that we will read together. It will be a tradition for years to come and can be adjusted as the boys get older.

25 BOOKS?! Isn't that expensive? Well, it definitely can be expensive, but if you don't mind garage sale-ing or thrift book shopping, it doesn't have to be. A few of the books that I am using are Christmas books that we already owned and have only read once or twice. About a third of the books are used books that I bought at garage sales and used books stores. It's also something that you can get the family involved with! I had a few family members that were excited to help us out and buy some of the books for the boys! With the help from family and buying used, my total costs were under $40. To save money in the years to come, I will use most of the same books, but add a few new ones to keep it fun.

I decided to use a majority of Christmas themed books and a few others. You could use any genre of books depending on your kiddo's interests. Since my boys are young and I will be reading the books to them, I leaned towards fun, interactive books and easy reads.

At the end of this year's edition of 25 Books of Christmas, I will post some feedback and a completed list of the books that we used!

I will do my best to share the book that we are reading each day and Eli's opinions of them.
If I can get my Instagram feed incorporated into this blog, then you will see the daily posts here.
If not, just follow me on Instagram: @captaintay

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Letters to Eisley | 2.16.13 |

Disclaimer: I pray that you would see the struggle, the fears, the thoughts and the feelings that I had at the time and know that they were legitimate. Also know that I am extremely grateful for all of the blessings the Father has given us. Including our boys. Yes, one of the greatest desires of my heart is to have another daughter, but I love both of our boys with every thing that I am. I didn't want to leave words out in fear of someone thinking wrongly of me or my intentions. I want to be real.

It's been a while.

The holidays were extremely hard without you.

I still have a hard time going somewhere. Not having to, or getting to, care for you...making sure we have everything that we need. Every time we leave the house, I have that feeling that I'm forgetting something. It's because I don't have you.

Not too long ago, Dad and I found out that we're going to have another baby. I'm so scared and excited. I can't go through this again. What if it's a boy? What if I never have another baby girl? I know it's silly to worry because God has blessed us. I feel like it should be a girl. I don't want to get my hopes up, but they are already up. I never longed for a daughter so much... until we found out that you were a girl. Now that I don't have you, my heart aches for a daughter even more.

I miss you so much... every day.

Today was a really hard day for me. I was thinking of you all day and of my grandpa, your Great-Pappy. His health with ALS is declining rapidly. We plan to go see him; we leave Thursday. We are just praying that he makes it until then.

I heard my Chris Tomlin song (I Will Rise) as we drove Nana to the airport. I could only think of you ( as I do every time I hear it) and of how Pappy will be joining you soon. You will have some good laughs with him. I hope you dance with him too.

I have never longed for Heaven more than I do now. I'm jealous that Pappy will meet you and Jesus before I will.

I love you, baby girl.

You're a big sister!

xoxo Momma

read the previous letter here

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Letters to Eisley | 11.30.12 |

I got through my birthday without crying! 

That doesn't mean that I wasn't sad though.

God just really protected my mind and gave me great strength yesterday. I got to relax all day and had a nice dinner with our family.

It was a good day. 

Today I bought a shadow box to put some of your things in. Daddy and I will put it in our room so that we can always remember the time that we got to spend with you.

I still can't believe this has happened.

It seems like such a blur.

It seems like ages, yet it's been four weeks.

I miss you, love.

xoxo

Momma

read the previous letter here

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Letters to Eisley | 11.29.12 |

Today is my birthday.

It's such a hard day.

I don't really know how to celebrate because you should be here.

You should be sharing this day with us.

Perhaps you would have been born today and we would share and celebrate this day forever.

I miss you so much, Eisley. It's not fair that I have to miss you. Especially today.

I'm just thankful that God is taking care of you... and all of us.

Know that Daddy and I love you very much.

We miss you like crazy.

xoxo

Momma

read the previous letter here

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Letters to Eisley | 11.15.12 |

It was two weeks ago today
that I gave birth to you.
Yesterday we went to the funeral home to arrange things for your earthly body. It was really hard for me. I constantly have to give you up. I don't want to. It's not fair.

We bought you a special dress to be dressed in and sent a blanket and family picture along with it.
I also printed out a picture of you from the first time I held you. When I hold the picture, it's almost like I'm holding you again.
It's such a perfect picture that's a perfect reminder that you are now forever perfect.

I hate that you're so far away.
I miss you so much and I really can't wait to see you again soon.

xoxo
Momma



read the previous letter here

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