Holiday Housewalk 2018
Friends, welcome to Holiday Housewalk 2018, hosted by my long-time blog friend, Jennifer Rizzo!
This is a fun tour that I participate in each year and always look forward to. If you are “walking” from blog to blog in this tour, then you just came from Melaine’s house at My Sweet Savannah.
WELCOME!
I’m actually writing this post from Nashville, instead of from my Kentucky home. I drove down yesterday to go to the Vince Gill and Amy Grant Christmas show at the Ryman! It was so good and certainly has me in the Christmas spirit.
I grew up on Amy Grant music, and it made me extremely nostalgic to listen to her sing last night. I thought of all the middle school years that I sang and listened to her music in my bedroom. And it was extra special to go to the concert with my oldest son, Jonathan last night and listen to her sing.
If you are new to my blog, Jonathan is my 19 year old singer-songwriter that moved down to Nashville in February of this past year. So this is our first Christmas season without all of my five kiddos living under the same roof. (cue the tissues.)
(Jonathan’s just released his first single, called Strangers.)
Jonathan was home for Thanksgiving, and we had some of our Christmas decor already up, and it made my heart happy to hear him keep saying, “Oh, it feels so good to be home! There’s nothing like it!”
I loved hearing that because I remember feeling that.
Going home never gets old. Even when I got married and started creating a family and home of my own, there was NOTHING in the world like going home to Mom and Dad’s. When I stepped in the front door, my heart would let out an inexplicable sigh and love would flood my soul.
And it wasn’t because of the Christmas decor that mom had put up around the house, although I always loved that part, but it was because I was getting ready to spend time with the ones I loved. Making new memories. Re-living old ones. Priceless treasures. Gifts from God.
One of my all-time favorite Christmas songs from Amy Grant is called Heirlooms, and if you haven’t heard of it before, you can listen to it HERE.
This song always brings tears to my eyes. It captures how my heart feels each year at Christmas.
So instead of me rambling on today about where I got my Christmas decor, or how I decorated each spot in my house, I thought I would just share the lyrics to Heirlooms in between my pictures.
Down on my knees.
Lifetimes of boxes,
Timeless to me.
Letters and photographs,
Yellowed with years,
Some bringing laughter,
Some bringing tears.
Time never changes,
The memories, the faces
Of loved ones, who bring to me,
All that I come from,
And all that I live for,
And all that I’m going to be.
My precious family
Is more than an heirloom to me.
Bringing their treasures
To lay at his feet.
Living and dying;
He gave life to me.
His love first pierced through me,
And all that I live for,
Is more than an heirloom to me.
My precious Jesus
Friends, my prayer for all of us is that we slow down to breathe in the wonder of this special season and soak up those precious memories with family and friends. And above all, celebrate the gift of Jesus. He is so much more than an heirloom that I am passing down to my children. He. Is. Everything.
Next up on the tour is my sweet friend, Vanessa, from At The Picket Fence. I know you will enjoy her beautiful decor, but be sure to read her post and see her beautiful heart as well!
Well now I’m crying!!! The words of that song are so beautiful and so filled with meaning and just exactly what my heart needed this morning and then your kind words about me just kept the waterworks going. ;-) Your home is so lovely and filled with such gorgeous details but what makes it the most beautiful is that your love for the Lord and your family truly shines through. I’m so blessed to call you friend and love that we share this Holiday Housewalk day! xoxo
Thank you, Vanessa! You are one of my favorites! Love you and miss you!! Merry Christmas!
Simply lovely with so many special touches! And I also love the words of that song—so meaningful!!
Thank you, Dawn!
That song! Amazing! Your home is gorgeous and can feel the love inside your beautiful home. I’m only 2 years away of our oldest heading off to college and I cry just thinking about it. Merry Christmas! xo
Thank you, Kristin! Yes, it is so hard when they leave. Such a strange season, but beautiful at the same time. I love watching Jonathan navigate his way in this world. He’s making this mama proud! :)
I know how you feel! My girls are freshmen in college and the house feels so empty (and clean!) without them! So good to get them home at the holidays!
Yes, Kelly! Can’t wait for Jonathan to get home on the 18th!!
what a beautiful way to share the true reason for the season. thank you for that! Merry Christmas. enjoy the holiday season
Thank you, Laura! xoxo
Such a beautiful, beautiful post. I can’t wait to hear your son’s single! Wow! You must be such a proud mamma. I love how you put the lyrics into this post. Though I haven’t heard the song before I now can’t wait to hear it. Your home looks so beautiful but the heart of you and you family is shining through. Merry Christmas, sweet friend! xx
Thank you so much, Danielle! I hope you are doing well. Merry Christmas!
Beautiful home! And “Heirlooms” is definitely one of my favorite Christmas songs by Amy Grant. :)
Thank you, Caroline!
Agreed! So true. Thank you for reminding us all that Jesus is the reason for the season. The Messiah.
Your home is so tastefully done as well and very cozy.
Thank you so much, Yvonne!
Where can I find the baskets you used for your front doors?
Where did you get the baskets on your front doors? Have been looking for something similar. Thanks!!
Your son’s song and voice are amazing! Of course, the Amy Grant song is so meaningful. Thank you for sharing your home and heart. Merry Christmas!!
Beautiful! Would you be willing to share with me the manufacturer of your front door?
I don’t know the manufacturer, but I got it at Elite Building Products, in Nicholasville, Kentucky. You can ask for Rob Blakeman, he knows me and knows what type of door I have. :)