The most memorable Christmases are the ones you don’t expect…
Will welcoming them for Christmas
have him wishing for more?
Will welcoming them for Christmas
have him wishing for more?
Judd Wilson lives a solitary life…until he learns Nicole Taylor and her infant triplets need somewhere to stay. The cabin on his ranch is the perfect solution, but now his quiet Christmas alone feels a lot more crowded. Recently widowed, Nicole questions her swiftly developing feelings for Judd, even if the older man is wonderful with her babies. Is she ready to take that leap again?
ISBN-13: 9781335488435
Not My Mama’s Christmas
By Jill Kemerer
Have you ever reached early December, thought about the mind-boggling list of Christmas things you hadn’t tackled, and thrown up your arms in surrender?
That was me four years ago. (To be fair, that’s me every year!)
That was me four years ago. (To be fair, that’s me every year!)
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I’d spent almost two decades making Christmas as cheerful as could be and emulating my wonderful mother. I sent Christmas cards to extended family. Purchased oodles of gifts with care. Baked up a storm of Christmas delights. Wrapped the presents. Drove to see the pretty lights. Led the Sunday school preschoolers through their part in the Christmas Eve service. Whipped up special snacks for that night. Made a beautiful dinner on Christmas day. I loved doing it all. I could do it all.
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Then suddenly I couldn’t.
Blame it on book deadlines, my kids growing up, my father in a nursing home, getting older—I don’t know—but I didn’t have the energy for all the Christmas hoopla anymore.
So I shushed the voice in my head screaming, “You can’t quit now! This is Christmas. This is what you do!” and I made some tough choices.
Blame it on book deadlines, my kids growing up, my father in a nursing home, getting older—I don’t know—but I didn’t have the energy for all the Christmas hoopla anymore.
So I shushed the voice in my head screaming, “You can’t quit now! This is Christmas. This is what you do!” and I made some tough choices.
I realized it wasn’t going to be my mama’s Christmas anymore.
I stopped sending Christmas cards. I still feel bad about this one. But it meant not having to find a cute picture of the kids, have the photos printed, buy cards, address them, and buy the stamps to send them out. This took me at least a day to get done.
Christmas baking? I stick to three recipes. I bake them when I feel like it and freeze half to take out on the actual holiday. Easy-peasy!
Christmas baking? I stick to three recipes. I bake them when I feel like it and freeze half to take out on the actual holiday. Easy-peasy!
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Sunday school? After teaching for years, I quit. It was time for someone else to bless the babies.
Gifts? I buy gift cards for some people now. Since we still exchange gifts with both sides of our extended family (we draw names on one side), I have a lot of people to buy for. I realize it’s the thought that counts, but I struggle to come up with good gifts for this many people, and, frankly, my nephews love to shop for the video games they want. |
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We still drive around to see the pretty lights if the mood hits us. But it’s optional. And I enjoy making special snacks to eat after the Christmas Eve service.
I pared down my Christmas traditions and now have more time to actually enjoy the season. And I realized that over the years my mom’s traditions changed, too. Maybe this is my mama’s Christmas after all.
I pared down my Christmas traditions and now have more time to actually enjoy the season. And I realized that over the years my mom’s traditions changed, too. Maybe this is my mama’s Christmas after all.
What changes have you made to
Christmas traditions over the years?
Have a merry Christmas season!
Jill Kemerer
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Jill Kemerer is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of inspirational romance novels for Harlequin Love Inspired. Her essentials include coffee, M&Ms, a stack of books, her mini-dachshund, and long walks outdoors. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two almost-grown children. Please visit her website, jillkemerer.com. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
Jill Kemerer is generously giving away a copy of The Cowboy's Christmas Blessings
(Print - USA or E-Book - INTL)
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