Our Christmas Story
Our Christmas Present arrived yesterday, by plane, in the form of a 6′-3″ 15 year old boy. My stepson arrived in Atlanta & has come to live with us permanently. We thought this was going to happen around this time last year, hence the reason we moved our daughter Chloe into the Dining Roomβ¦ I swear I wasn’t crazy on that one. There was a plan behind it!! But unfortunately it did not happen, so plans changed, an office/guest room was made & that was that. Until a month agoβ¦
We all made the decision a month ago to make this big change, so between all of the Holiday Parties, decorations, Christmas Concerts & Chloe’s first ballet performance we have also been hard at work creating a bedroom for our son. We could have left the guest room/office as it was, however I don’t think he would appreciate Orangerie Floral Pillows as much as I doβ¦. so I did my best, at what I love & hunted the house to recreate a new space for him to call his own. I pulled out the tools & put together a few diys & got creative. Once finished, I tied the door up with a big red bow & after he walked in, I received the biggest embrace filled with pure gratitude. That hug was well worth the four coats of paint on the walls & all the hard work that went into creating this giftβ¦ In three weeks time.
So if you have noticed I have been MIA for the past few weeks, it is because we are trying to find our new normal. Chloe has stopped napping (which was my blogging time) & my office is now in our Master Bedroom, which makes computer work a little difficult with a sleeping spouse. And even though we now have four family members and a little dog in a 1000 sq. ft., 1 bathroom house, we wouldn’t have it any other way. We will find our rhythm and fall back into place, but please be patient with the me as we find that in the next few weeks.
I have a lot of exciting plans for 2015 & can’t wait to share them all with you. Starting with Todd’s room, of course. So give your loved ones a hug, enjoy this beautiful holiday & appreciate all the true gifts in life. Merry Christmas.
Love, Kristin
So happy for you guys! Can't wait to see the room π -Abbey
merry christmas to you and your family! cozy intimate houses are the best homes.
What an amazing blessing at Christmas! Congratulations, and I hope the transition is a smooth one for you all! Merry Christmas! π
So fantastic…can't wait to see the room! Merry Christmas to you and your family! Xo!
The best gift ever, for all of you. If I were you though, I'd start reading some parenting books about teenagers stat! I know you guys are probably on top of all this, I only say it because I have a 16 year old and know of what I speak! I'm sure your son is fabulous, but this stage in a teenage boys life is one full of change, it's kind of like having a toddler in that the changes are coming hard and fast. Your son has to deal with moving, starting a new school, living somewhere new with different people, having to make all new friends, and that alone can throw someone off kilter. But the teenage thing in and of itself is enough. Good luck to you all, and I'm so happy your family is all together now.
Oh how exciting!! Things have been a little of kilter here too… the Sunday before Thanksgiving we were asked to fill out all the paperwork to take in a foreign exchange student. In the course of 10 days we transformed the super girlie guest room/art studio in a boy's room plus found space for everything in that room. Trust me it was filled to gills! I pray that you have a truly Merry Christmas and will pray that the transition will go smoothly!
I thought I was going to burst into tears! Such a beautiful gift & teenage boys are hard to impress! Cannot wait to see your design & happy holidays to you & your fam! Xxx
Merry Christmas, Kristin. So happy for you and your family (and looking forward to seeing the new room)!
Nice story. You are a awesome stepmother. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
As someone who was the "step child" I'm so moved by your story. I really have no words but applaud you for you effort to make him feel welcome.
Such a lovely story, congrats to you all! Take your time finding your new normal – your faithful readers will be here when you're ready. Happy holidays!
CONGRATULATIONS on becoming a family of FOUR! how exciting for you!! Our house is 1015 sq ft, and we have had as many of 6 in our family (all grown men but me – the youngest being 16!!), so it can be done, LOL!! we do have 1 1/2 bathrooms, and a basement that we stuck some of the boys in…. but anyway – I just wanted to say I think close quarters just makes for a close family!! we were all here yesterday including a new girlfriend in the mix, and it was truly LOVELY!!! You will make it work, and I AM SURE you will make it all beautiful as well!! your hunting and decorating skills are amazing!!
What a beautiful post–your heart always comes through in your writing π Congrats and best wishes as you all transition in ghd next few weeks. Happy New Year!
I really admire you ~ this is a beautiful post! I've been a step-mom and it's not an easy task. Wishing all of you the best as you find your way. The big red bow was a great idea!