Midnight Gladness

Good morning! An idea + the first glimpse of our '23 Christmas tree.

For the past *multiple* years, the Martin fam has made do with a tabletop Christmas tree. Tragic, right? My teenagers suddenly think so. The biggest problem is our lack of open floor space. Cory and I had a brief foray into yoga just after the new year, and when I realized there’s nowhere in this entire home (with the exception of my kids’ bedrooms COUGH COUGH) for two side-by-side yoga mats, I wept first-world bitter, invisible, inaudible tears.

Anyway, the tree. For the life of me, I don’t understand how anyone in this household feels entitled to an opinion, since they all ceased assisting with Christmas decorations years ago. Alas, this year Ruby and Silas waged a joint campaign for a “big tree.”

I relented and looked twice at the thrift store. No dice.

So they wisely-yet-casually mentioned it to my mom over Thanksgiving and voila…

(paper plate decor ON LOCK!)

We are now the proud owners of the $39 tree my mom hasn’t put up in years. (Is Christmas negligence hereditary???) I decorated it today while a child convalesced on the couch.

Which brings me to our next item of business…

True story!

I’m telling you for two important reasons.

1. It is my literal job to inform you of such things.

2. This is your LAST chance to pay two bucks for me to read an entire book to you.

This ChristianAudio $1.99 sale ends tomorrow, Dec 1, so don’t wait! You’ll notice a “Gift This” link right under the “add to cart.” I’m just saying, a $2 audiobook from an author who sends you love notes at midnight would make an excellent stocking stuffer or bestie gift.

Jen Hatmaker described Start with Hello as “lovely, warm, honest.” Osheta Moore said it is “a love letter to community and a call to action toward radical, realistic hospitality.” The Nester named it “One of the best books of the year” and her sister (also a true story!), Emily P. Freeman, described me as “a sidewalk poet and an everyday prophet,” which means she’s now tasked with writing all of my future bios.

Anyway, we think you’ll love it! As we approach a new year in a bewildering era, there’s no better time.

Okay! I should have been in bed hours ago! Morning comes early!

(I hope you’re all snuggled in and having the best dreams. Or if you’re a West-Coaster or an Across-the-Ponder, I hope the moment you’re in is peaceful/silly/choose your own adventure.

XO