Christmas Archives - Page 3 of 6 - Through Heather's Looking Glass

Learning to Love January

January 2, 2015 by Heather

Anyone who has read my blog for awhile knows how much I love Christmas. I may have also announced once or twice that January is my least favorite month of the year. It’s cold. It’s dark. There are no Christmas trees or lights or baked goods. Frankly, January has always been pretty depressing to me. As I type this, it is freezing cold and pouring down rain, and we have just put our Christmas decorations away. What a pathetic day! The holidays were over in the blink of an eye, and I am left with….blah.

For the past couple of years, I have combatted the January blues by booking destination races in Walt Disney World. Last year Bobby and I ran the Dopey Challenge, and the year before that, the Goofy Challenge. We also ran the marathon in January of 2011. Having a trip to look forward to right after Christmas seemed to “get me though” the post Christmas depression. This year, we have no marathon weekend trip.

As I started thinking about my distain for the first month of the year, I realized it was all in my head and it doesn’t have to be this way. I can’t plan a trip for every January for the rest of my life, and I shouldn’t go through an entire month sad that Christmas is over, so I need to figure out a way to love January. So, here is what I have come up with so far.

1.) New beginnings: January is a great time to start anew. State a goal, get healthy, start over, and bask in the blank slate that has been wiped clean for 2015. Now is a great time to make some exciting plans and work on ME, inside and out.

2.) Long distance race season: Here in the south, the winter is when we have all of out half and full marathons. They typically start in October and end in March. I have several races coming up, so I need to enjoy this time of being able to run, and stay focused on my schedule and my goals. It’s an exciting time since I haven’t really raced in over a year now. I’m pumped!

3.) Enjoy the weather: It’s a crazy amount of hot here in Mississippi for the better part of the year. This fact especially stinks when I am trying to train for a race (or really do anything outside for that matter). As much as I dislike cold weather, I really need to learn to enjoy it while it lasts, because it will not last very long and I will be wishing for it back!

4.) Slower pace of life: As much as I love the time frame from Halloween through New Year’s, it’s typically also a very stressful time. Dinners and parties, things to do with family, church, friends. Lots and lots of pressure! As much as I say I would love the holiday season to go on and on, I’m pretty sure at some point I would collapse in exhaustion! Now that everything is put away and the house is back to “normal”, I can exhale and just BE, without wrapping presents, decorating cookies, and loading up the car to travel.

I’m sure some of you are like me and get the post Christmas blues, and that’s ok. It is an amazing time of year and being sad it’s over is normal. However, be sure to not let your sadness rob you of the joy of all the things January can bring.

QOTD: Any other great reasons to love January that you can think of?

Filed Under: blogging, holidays, Mental Health, tips Tagged: Christmas, holidays, january, tips

Christmas 2014 in Pictures

December 29, 2014 by Heather

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! Another one has (sadly) come and gone. It’s always depressing to come home after the holidays and see all of my Christmas decorations still up. It makes me want to just take them down and wait for next year. We had a great time with family, and while Christmas looked VERY different this year with the baby, it was still fun.

Because Bobby had to work, we didn’t arrive at my parents house in Louisiana until late Christmas eve afternoon. I was a little bummed because I usually bake all day with my mom on Christmas eve. Emma Kate had a bit of a meltdown as we got near the house, so she immediately took a nap and by time we unloaded the car it was almost dinner time.

That night, we watched Home Alone, and my dad read the Christmas story out of the Bible. We were so tired we didn’t even read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.

The baby was up at 2:00 and she usually sleeps through the night so we are chalking it up to being in a different environment and an over stimulating travel day. She was up again at 7:00, so we knew we had a 1.5-2 hour window to eat breakfast and open gifts before her first nap. Christmas day is also my mom’s birthday, so we had a lot to celebrate!

Emma did great while we opened gifts. She even got a few of her own.

We all headed to my cousin’s house for lunch and got to see extended family.

After hanging out, eating, and opening gifts there, we headed back to my parents house for dinner and my mom opened her birthday gifts. My little Santa was wiped out and took a nap.

Friday morning, Bobby and I went for a ten mile run. It was pretty slow due to some tightness in my IT band and such, but we did it and I feel more confident about the Rock ‘n Roll New Orleans half marathon we are running next month.

Friday night we attended a neighbors annual Christmas party. Emma Kate only stayed for a few minutes and Bobby walked back home with her. Poor girl stayed tired and cranky for the past couple of days. SO many new houses, people, and a different routine really did her in.

Saturday it pretty much rained all day. My mom took my sister to the airport, and my dad and I ran some errands but other than that we hung out at the house playing with the baby.

That night, we drank champagne and played Buzz Word. It was incredibly entertaining. We played boys vs. girls, and of course my mom an I won. It was so much fun and a great way to spend our last evening.

Sunday we hung out at the house again, ate lunch and then loaded up the car and headed home. It was such a whirlwind and I cannot believe my favorite time of year is over so quickly. I grossly underestimated just how fast it would fly by with a baby! I can’t wait until next year when she will be more aware of what is going on. It’s going to be fun! I’m already ready for it!

QOTD: What was your favorite part of Christmas 2014?

Filed Under: baby, family, holidays Tagged: baby, Christmas, emma kate, family

Merry Christmas 2014

December 24, 2014 by Heather

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends. Enjoy your time together, and remember the true and whole reason we celebrate in the first place!

^“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11-12

Filed Under: baby, family, holidays Tagged: Christmas, Christmas card, Jesus, Merry Christmas

Cheers To

December 17, 2014 by Heather

Christmas is my favorite time of year. I am big on tradition and doing fun and special holiday themed things with my family. I am so glad that in the age of smart phones, we have an easy way to capture and upload our favorite memories for all to see, and well…not to mention I am totally obsessed with Instagram. During Christmas and New Years, a lot of people say “cheers” to many different things. What if I told you that you could win prizes just for sharing your #CheersTo moments?

This holiday season, Zevia is spreading the holiday cheer! Follow Zevia & share the little moments that mean the most to you on Instagram or Twitter with #CheersTo for a chance to win prizes now through December 31, 2014. Be sure to follow along on their Instagram & Twitter feeds for the daily winners!

For example, moments like ….

-your child participating in a Christmas program at school

-decorating your tree with loved ones

-shopping for and wrapping those special gifts

-baking with your friends

-giving back, volunteering at a soup kitchen or toy drive this holiday season.

Zevia wants to see your moments! Simply post to Twitter or Instagram, use the hashtag #CheersTo, tag @Zevia on twitter or @ZeviaLife on Instagram,and you can win one of many many prizes!

Did you know that Zevia is also great in a cocktail or mocktail? (Perfect for saying “cheers to” those special moments!” So far, my favorite is Black Cherry and rum with some ice. Cheers!

Cheers to

QOTD: What special moment has already happened for you this year that you could share in this contest?

Disclosure: I was provided with product from Zevia. However, I have been drinking Zevia for years and love all the flavors!

Filed Under: family, holidays Tagged: cheers, Christmas, family, holidays, traditions, zevia

What’s On Your Tree?

December 15, 2014 by Heather

When I visit someone’s house during Christmastime, I like to spend some time looking at the ornaments on their tree. Not only do I find them beautiful and fun, but I think you can find out a lot about a family by looking at their tree. I look at it kind of like a scrapbook of sorts, and think that Christmas trees have so much personality! Let’s take a look at what I am talking about.

Here are a few of the categories of ornaments you can typically find:

Hobbies: A lot of people have ornaments that tell you about what they like to do. For instance, my dad has a couple of golf ornaments, and at my house, you will find a volleyball ornament and running ornament.

Favorite things: Just like different hobbies, everyone has their favorites. Movies, sports, teams, animated characters, sayings, and colors. Bobby has a Gandalf ornament on our tree, and I have a New Orleans Saints Superbowl one. Also, anyone who looked at my tree would know that I am a fan of McAlisters, especially their sweet tea. You may also find a few Disney princesses chilling on my tree.

Occupation: Ornaments may also give you a hint as to a persons occupation.Fun fact some of you newer readers may not know, but I used to teach 5th grade!

Handmade/Kid ornaments: Whether you have children in your house or are just sentimental, you probably have a few very old handmade ornaments hanging on your tree (ok, some of them may have been pushed to the back). The two below are ornaments that I made in grade school but can’t seem to part with. besides, who HASN’T made a clothespin reindeer?!?

Places Visited: Another favorite category is places visited. I know a lot of people (myself included) that like to collect ornaments whenever they go on vacation or visit a new place. I think these are a great reminder of the fun vacations I have had, and bring back some of my favorite memories. I have several Disney resort ornaments, but the Polynesian and Grand Floridian are my favorites, along with my Disney Cruise Line and Disneyland ornament.

Favorite Memories: Following along the same thread as vacation/places visited, a special milestone such as a wedding or gradation always make great ornaments. Some of my favorites are ones that we purchased after running races. For instance, below you will see the ornament I bought after we completed the Inaugural Dumb Double Dare in Disneyland.

As much as I love all of my ornaments, this last one means the most. If it wasn’t for Jesus’ birthday, we wouldn’t even be celebrating at all HE is the reason for the season, so amongst all your shopping, wrapping, eating and baking, don’t leave him out. Happy Birthday Jesus!

QOTD: If I looked at your tree, what would it tell me about you?

Filed Under: Faith, family, holidays Tagged: Christmas, Christmas tree, Disney, Disney Cruise, Disney ornaments, Disney World, Disneyland, runner, teacher

Lately…December 2014

December 12, 2014 by Heather

December is such a busy (but fun) month. Here is a peek into what we have been up to lately at the Montgomery house!

Decorating for Christmas

Getting lots of smiles from this little girl

Going on runs preparing for the Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans half marathon.

Dressing Emma up in ridiculous outfits

that happen to also be adorable

…and making her visit with Santa.

which she was not a big fan of doing.

BUT, we are LOVING bath time and splashing in the water!

QOTD: What have you been up to this month?

Filed Under: baby, fitness, holidays, running Tagged: Christmas, emma kate, rock n roll new Orleans, running, santa pictures

Christmas Decorating 2014

November 24, 2014 by Heather

We decided to decorate our house for Christmas a week early this year since my parents are coming in town for Thanksgiving and I’m not sure if they will be back before Christmas. Of course it was cold all last week, but warm the day we decorated, it was typical Mississippi weather for you. Not very Christmas-y, and we didn’t light the fireplace, but we still had a good time!

It was fun decorating in the new house because I got to figure out where to put all of the decorations for the first time. I’m sure I will end up moving things around, and we still have to decorate outside, but I am happy with everything so far. We still have to put nails in the mantle for the stockings, and I need to get some battery operated lights for the garland around the fireplace.

Love it!

Emma Kate wasn’t sure what to think.

Fascinated by the tree

Hanging her “baby’s first Christmas” ornament from grammy and grandpa

My firstborn girls Bella and Sassy.

Thanks to Baby OshKosh B’gosh for the adorable outfit! They also sent a cute dress and sweater she will wear for Christmas!

Important decorations in my house

I can’t believe it’s so soon!

Bobby telling Emma Kate about the different ornaments.

Family selfie!

We ordered pizza after (a tradition) and watched TV by the tree. It was a great night!

QOTD: Do you have any traditions when decorating for Christmas?

Filed Under: baby, family, holidays Tagged: Bobby, Christmas, decorations, emma kate, family, poodles

Christmas 2013 in Pictures

December 27, 2013 by Heather

I had a wonderful Christmas holiday, full of fun, family, and food! I hope you had an amazing one as well, and I hope you made some new memories that will last forever! Here are some of my favorite moments from Christmas.

My house decorated for Christmas

My parent’s tree

3.5 mile run on Dec. 23rd

We visited my grandmother and uncle, he gave us the most amazing chocolates from this cute shop in New Orleans.

Christmas eve was all about baking and cooking! Not sure why my dad is pointing a knife a the camera.

Snickers cookies for the 12th year!

Christmas eve church service

Jack Frost adult beverages with dinner.

Then it was Guestures by the fire

We laughed and laughed!

Christmas morning!

I have the most generous parents.

I also have the sweetest husband.

At my cousins house, we had lunch with extended family, aunts, uncles, etc. I finally got to hold this little guy. This is Colton, my 14 week old cousin! I think he likes me. Smile

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is also my mom’s birthday, so that night we celebrate! Fun fact: Her name is Mary, and her mom wanted it to be spelled “Merry”, but the nurse messed up and spelled it “Mary” (thank GOODNESS!)

QOTD: What was your favorite part about Christmas?

***Winner of the Smile Brilliant Giveaway is Julie M comment 95! Please email heatherslookingglass@gmail.com

Filed Under: family, holidays Tagged: Christmas, family, holidays

Merry Christmas 2013

December 25, 2013 by Heather

From our family to yours, have a very Merry Christmas, and remember why we celebrate, the birth of Jesus! Luke 2:1-20

Filed Under: Faith, family, holidays Tagged: Christmas, faith, family, Jesus

Christmas fun in Disney

November 11, 2013 by Heather

Today is our last film day in Disney and we are super excited to be going to Mickey’s very merry Christmas party tonight! Bobby has never been so it will be a fun time.

I promise when I get home I will get back to regular blogging. But for now I am enjoying my last day here. I will be sure to post pictures from the Party on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Have a great day all.

Filed Under: Disney, vacation Tagged: Christmas, Disney, vacation