whitney dziurawiec

Everyone always asks me why Christmas is my favorite. I got married in December and it was one big Christmas party. My first date with Jon was to a gingerbread house festival. My daughter is due Christmas Eve. I consider it an accomplishment if I make it until November to begin listening to Christmas music. And it's true, I do love Christmas. (although a Christmas wedding was the easiest and cheapest way to do a wedding. I'm serious. We saved loads on everything from venue to decorations.) (and also it's not like we PLANNED to have a baby due on Christmas Eve?!??) (Jon and my first date was to a gingerbread house festival because it was free #iamcheap) I, like many, am drawn to the lights and the decorations. The baking in and of itself is enough to make me Christmas's biggest fan. And I know it is cliché to say that this Word made flesh, this transcendent holy baby is the root of my delight, I find myself drawing new, rich truths each Advent that keep me coming b...

Candles are lit, Jon is gone, Ella Fitzgerald's Christmas album is playing, and I'm picking at some leftover gingerbread so it's high time I wrote again. Everyone loves October, but for me November takes the cake. But literally, my birthday is in November, so that's when I get the most cake. And all of the other celebrations are looming ahead: the family birthdays, Thanksgivings, anniversary, Christmas, and then the newest celebration added to the calendar: the birth of my daughter who up until that point will have only been a kicking, prodding being in my belly that keeps me awake. But in a moment, she will no longer be a faceless baby in my head, but a real child in my arms, and if what I'm told is correct, I will never be the same. That phrase scares me and I'm grieving the life I have now that is close to ending. My wonderful, 40 hour-a-week job that feels so holy and exciting and fulfilling will become only a small part of my calling. I will trade in lo...