A nighttime home tour aglow with twinkle lights and candlelight for Christmas, with a gentle reflection on the power of anticipation and faith.
It’s that special season again.
The gifts are wrapped, the last tools have been put away until January, and I’m signing off to enjoy some unplugged time with family.
Before I go, I wanted to share one of my favorite parts of this time of year: the quiet warmth of twinkle lights, the soft glow of candles, and that delicious hum of anticipation.
I’m joining my dear friend Rachel from Maison de Pax and a group of talented bloggers to share our homes lit up at night for the annual Christmas Nights Tour. If you’re arriving from Rachel’s beautiful space at Shades of Blue Interiors, welcome!
One of my favorite views is our dining room at night. There’s something about the way the lights and candles soften the room that makes ordinary moments feel a little more sacred.
In just a few days, Regan and Olivia will bound down those stairs to see what Santa left. When I was a child, that rush of discovery was the highlight of the year. Now, I find I savor the slow, expectant days leading up to Christmas even more.
The anticipation—the waiting—is often sweeter than any present under the tree. As I grow older, I see this is true beyond the holidays: the journey frequently becomes the richest part of the story.
It might sound cliché, but it’s a thought that comes to me in the quiet glow of our home after the girls are asleep and the pace finally slows enough for reflection.
I’m profoundly thankful for this home, for my marriage to Robert, for our girls, our health, and our nearby families. I’m equally grateful for the journey that brought us here: the early years living with my parents after Olivia was born, the late nights working toward stability, and the moments when we had to lean on each other the most.
Six years ago, around this same time of year, Robert graduated from college and we became first-time homeowners. We’ve made mistakes, learned a lot while renovating, and argued about projects more than we probably should have—but those trials shaped us into who we are now.
We moved into this house to be closer to family and to give our girls room to grow. We celebrated when Regan arrived, and we weathered hard health seasons together. Robert left his office job to work alongside me on the blog. None of it was easy, but none of it would I change.
Looking back, the hard days trained us, prepared us, and taught us where to find blessing—often in places we didn’t expect. There were times I wished to hurry forward, praying for the life we have now, but those quiet, difficult seasons gave us strength and perspective.
So here we are, mere days from Christmas. Olivia is already ready to fast-forward, just as I once was. Still, there’s a special kind of magic in these waiting days—the soft rituals, the small moments, the time to be present.
No matter what you may be facing this season, I hope you can find the goodness in the waiting. Your version of “Christmas”—whatever milestone or dream you’re longing for—will bring joy, relief, and love when it arrives. But don’t rush past these “before” days. Before the spouse, the baby, the dream job, or the big house, where you are right now matters. It’s part of the plan, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
Finding the blessings in the waiting takes trust, steady faith, and a willingness to believe. Choose to look for the good in each ordinary moment, and you’ll find it.
“I have come into the world as light
so that no one who believes in me
should stay in darkness.”
– John 12:46
Wishing you a merry Christmas and a joyful New Year.
I’m deeply thankful for each of you. What began as a tiny blog my mom used to read has grown into a community of people who care about creating homes where family thrives, friends gather, and love is shared. That is how lives—and the world—are changed.
Next on the tour is Janet’s lovely home at Shabbyfufu—her twinkling lights and cozy vignettes are sure to inspire.
