The Christmas Ring by Karen Kingsbury (review)

 One of my goals for the year 2026 is to read more books and hopefully, hopefully, hopefully get the one I've been working on ready for publication - what's taking so long with that is a story all on its own.  I've been getting a head start on my reading goal and already finished one and the next one was this, The Christmas Ring by Karen Kingsbury.  When I saw the movie was on television my husband asked if I wanted to watch it.  I said I'd have to read the book first.  So, to my surprise, on Christmas he gifted me with the book and it took me two days to finish it.  

It isn't a thick book, 185 pages to be exact; not including her acknowledgements and discussion questions at the end.  It was one of those stories that was hard to put down because I wanted to know if the character would ever find the ring she had lost.

The Christmas Ring is a romantic drama about rediscovery and redemption.  Vanessa Mayfield is a military widow who had lost the family heirloom ring that had been passed down since her great-grandfather found it in France while serving in World War II.  During her search, she discovered a cute antique shop where she also met owner, Ben Miller.  The two had an instant connection and became closer through texting, video chatting and eventually dating.  Just as Ben was about to declare his love for Vanessa, he learns more about her missing ring.  Is he able to find it and return it to her?  Well, I can't give away too much detail.  

Karen Kingsbury, a #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is an inspirational storyteller with almost 100 books published.  She's also a writing professor at Liberty University.  I have not come close to reading all of her books but each one I have read so far holds my attention from beginning to end.  If you are looking for a Christian author who writes fictional stories I highly recommend her.  

For the first time for Karen Kingsbury, the movie had been created before the book.  Starring Jana Kramer, Kelsey Grammer and Benjamin Hollingsworth I'm excited to see how similar the film is to the book.  I'm not a huge fan of the Hallmark movies but this one sparks an interest for me, especially since it's from Kingsbury.  I'm not sure when I'll see the movie but once I do I'll let you know.  Stay tuned.  

As I continue on my reading goals I think it would be fun to write a review on most, if not all of them as it will add a little something different to this blog of mine.  

And Just Like That ...

 Christmas is over!  But we are in full swing of vacation until January 5th and I'm excited for sleeping in, extra relaxing time and being home with my family.  

The in-laws came over on Christmas Eve and I made lasagna and we exchanged gifts.  They joined us for our church's candlelight service.  My son played trumpet in the orchestra and even got a solo.  He did amazing.  I used to feel bad about not making it to Long Island for my sister's Christmas Eve party with my extended family but over the last few years I'm quite content with being at home and I'd much prefer spending the night before Christmas at church celebrating the One who came to earth as a baby to save us from our sins.  

After the kids went to bed I rushed to finish all of the wrapping and set the gifts under the tree.  We slept in on Christmas Day, which is different from how we used to get woken up really early by eager small children.  Now that they are older they don't seem as impatient to rip through everything under the tree.  It's also become a bit more difficult figuring out what to buy them now that they are in the teen/young adult ages but they seemed happy with what they got.  

And Brooke was spoiled, too!

My parents came in the afternoon and sat through the Commanders/Cowboys game the guys insisted on watching and I made a nice ham dinner.  My daughter has been fighting sickness ... again ... so she tried to keep her distance.  

Today my son worked and when he got home they turned on the next new episodes of Stranger Things.  

Christmas seems to come by so quickly and I never feel ready for it until it's over.  Every year I say the same thing and I'm going to say it again - next year I'm going to be intentional about starting and finishing the shopping early, take more time to bake cookies and all the festive things, and just not wait until the night before to get everything wrapped.  Next Christmas will be back again and it will arrive quickly because time seems to be moving faster now than it ever did.  

I hope your Christmas was special and filled with love and joy!

Five For Friday: Christmas Edition of "Would You Rather"

 Hello friends!

I'm not consistent with the Five for Friday and this week I decided to pull five Would You Rather questions I found from the internet.  There was a bunch of questions but I pulled 5 that I thought was the best.  If you have the time and want to play along I'd love to read your answers in the comment section or on your own blog.  Let's go ...

1.  Would you rather give gifts or receive gifts?

Give.  Receiving gifts is nice and appreciative but I feel awkward accepting things from others.  I'd much rather give to others.  

2.  Would you rather travel for Christmas or stay home?

Stay home!  

3.  Would you rather go to a Christmas party or or have a Christmas movie day?

Definitely would rather stay home and watch movies.  

4.  Would you rather open Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

I always give my kids one gift on Christmas Eve and it's a pair of new pajamas and a book, maybe some candy too.  Everything else is opened on Christmas morning.  

5.  Would you rather live in a snow globe or a gingerbread house?

Gingerbread house.  I can eat my way out of that.  

Prepping for Christmas 2025

  As I was reading BillieJo's blog post for today she said something that really stuck with me, "This is the only Christmas 2025 we will celebrate."  Wow!  That's pretty powerful.  Yes, we do have Christmas year after year but this will be the only one of the year 2025 and the only one that will be everything that it is.  With having a mother in late stage Alzheimer's who also battles other health issues I do keep in mind that this could possibly be the last Christmas we have with her.  In fact, it could even be the last one I have with my father or my husband's parents, or anyone for that matter, since none of us know when our time is coming up.  I know that sounded morbid, maybe, but you know what I mean.  This is also the last Christmas we have before my son goes off to college.  He'll be home next Christmas for break but it will feel very different.  Christmas no longer feels as it used to and some traditions have changed (like Santa Claus - my kids don't believe anymore) but so much is still the same.  Every year we celebrate the true meaning, the birth of Jesus.  We'll attend our church's Christmas Eve candlelight service and then wake up on Christmas Day to open gifts.  That moment I have in the morning with just the four of us is special and it won't be long before my kids will be doing that in their own homes with their own families.  Every Christmas will continue to have some of the same traditions but then some changes as well.  Change ... ugh, I don't do well with change at all.  

But I won't think of the past or even the future.  In one week we will be celebrating the Christmas of 2025 and I will do my best to make it as wonderful as it can be.  No stressing over what I can't control.  Like, finding out one week before the holiday that my sister-in-law decided she did not want to host dinner at her house, which had been tradition for years.  It's okay, I understand the financial burden of it all but now I have to take time to clean and organize a house that isn't very clean at the moment and doesn't have a lot of space to hold guests.  I know, we'll figure it out.  I'm also not finished with Christmas shopping and, as usual, I'll be stuck in the middle of crowded stores trying to get it all done.  But, like every year, it will get done.  We haven't watched all of the Christmas movies I've wanted to because everyone has their own busy schedules and we all need to be here and there and by the time the kids are home they are exhausted.  It's okay, we've already seen a few movies and we'll squeeze some time for a few more.  

Christmas is about celebrating the birth of our Savior, the one who brings peace to the world.  What would Christmas be if we didn't surround ourselves with peace?  This holiday season I am choosing peace over stress.  

And yes, you can spot my children's school pictures for this year.  Every year the pictures in those frames change but this year is my son's last.  That picture will remain.  My daughter's will change three more times.  

Time doesn't stand still but for the next week it's all going to be about Christmas 2025 and I'll cherish every moment while it's here.