Jolene checking in from the Texas Hill Country. Today is release day for The Texans Twins! While trying to keep myself distracted so I won’t obsess over my latest release I’ve been decorating for Christmas.
As I open boxes and go through all the decorations I get to recall all the blessing from the past.
Sometimes you get no warning that something will happen the last time. Without fanfare, it slips into the past. The last time you carry your sleeping child from the car to their bed. The last time you watch the Olympics with your dad. Or the Christmas that will be the last time your mom gives you her annual angel.
When we bought our first house, I decided I wanted a Christmas tree based on the Luke 2:8-20.
Each has a special memory
Luke 2:8-20 New International Version (NIV)
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
That year, twenty-one years ago she gave me the first of many angles. It became an annual event. For ten years I would have a new angel to add to my collection.
The last angel
We lost her without warning in November eleven years ago. Now each year as I pull out my ornaments it’s like I get to have a conversation with my mom again. We get to remember each holiday and what was unique about that year. Each angel on the mantel is a special gift from my sisters, mother, husband, and daughters.
In my collection on the mantel, you might notice a little white plastic reindeer. My great-grandmother let me pick an ornament off her tree when I was five. It would be her last Christmas.
The interesting thing is for the last eleven years someone (without knowing my mother) has given me an angel. Some are from students others from family or friends. Last Friday I had dinner with a few of my writing buddies, and one of them brought us all little angels.
My newest angel given to me by a friend.
It makes me smile to think my mother is still managing to make sure I get a new angel for my house each year.
As a writer, everything in my life inspires the stories I create. In my current series Lone Star Legacy, it is centered around four sisters. I can’t imagine writing a story without family threads.
Have I mentioned that TODAY Is RELEASE DAY for the paperback? If you preordered, it is being delivered. You can also find it at most Walmarts and at some Barns and Nobles. If you go into the bookstore and can’t find it, they can order it for you. ?
The Texan’s Twins:
The Texan’s Twins. Print Book is available. Ebook Jan 1 2007
Big Texan Reunion
Between providing for her five-year-old twins and achieving her dream of running a wildlife sanctuary, Danica Bergmann has no room for anything—or anyone—else. So when the wildlife volunteer she’s taken on turns out to be Reid McAllister, her secret husband, who disappeared before she got a chance to reveal she was pregnant, it flips her world upside down. Six years ago he wasn’t worth chasing down, but Danica can tell Reid’s a changed man—and he’s still the only man she’s ever loved. It’s a long road to redemption, but can Danica learn to trust Reid with their children…and their future?
The Texan’s Twins are out now, but interesting enough it has a Valentine’s Day theme. It was also inspired by the song “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Around the Old Oak Tree.” The hero has been in prison. It is a story of forgiveness and redemption. This hero had me in tears, wanting him to get his happy ending.
If you love Christmas stories and haven’t read mine yet, there are two available in ebooks and are sale!
My first book: Lone Star Holiday.
Lone Star Holiday available now for .99
A Texas Christmas Wish:
A Texas Christmas Wish available now for 1.99
I’ll pick one person at random that tells me about their favorite ornament to receive this angel and a copy of The Texan’s Twins.
Leave a comment and the book and angel might be yours!
Jolene’s life, much like her stories, is filled with faith, family, and all of life's wonderful messiness. She knows that, as much as the world changes, people stay the same. Good and evil. Vow-keepers and heart breakers. Jolene married a vow-keeper who showed her that holding hands and dancing in the rain never gets old. She loves creating stories of love and faith in her much loved Texas.
Hi Jolene, what a lovely way to remember your mum:) I have to confess to not really having a favourite ornament- my kids are still young and making them!! We have a Christmas pyramid that I love, when the candles are lit, the heat spins the ‘windmill’ blades and the nativity scene spins- not really an ornament as such, but my favourite Christmas decoration.
Blessings:)
My favorite ornament was a little Rudolph golden metal cut out with a Ruby red nose. It had been one my mom picked out when she was a kid and had her name engraved on the back. My mom died before I was two so I loved it. Unfortunately it along with all my grandmother’s other ornaments collected over the years are gone now thanks to my ex-fiance, the last year I got to put them up was 2009. So now I treasure the handmade ornaments my daughter (who just turned 15) made in elementary school.
We have a big red Mickey hanging on our Christmas tree. Can’t remember when we got it, but I do remember the kids helping us pick it out in Disney and marveling over how shiny and pretty it is. Yup, that must have been quite a few years ago.
Love to read these books,would love to win
Merry Christmas Jolene! My youngest son’s thumb print mouse in a small gold frame, which he and his teacher made in preschool, is my favorite ornament and one of the first that get hung on the tree. Watching my inquisitive 11 month old granddaughter, I only have Fisher Price holiday toys and stuffed animals as decorations this year. I miss the lights and reminiscing over ornaments, especially the ones I purchased at the German Christmas market. Those remind me of my German heritage and my parents. Your books sound fascinating. I enjoy sharing books I receive with my book club friends. Blessings and a Happy New Year.
Merry Christmas. I love that you are still getting angels. My two favorite ornaments are the “baby’s first Christmas” ornaments I have for each of my kids.
This book has been on my “want to read” list since I saw your previous post about it. It looks good! My mom bought me an ornament each year as I was growing up and those are my favorites.
What a sweet story about your Mom and the angels!! My favorite ornaments are those made by my daughter…at school or with her piano teacher!
Would love to read your book; thanks for your giveaway.
Merry Christmas!
That sounds beautiful! My kids are now 19, 21, 24 & 26 so I have many ornaments that they made over the years. They touch my heart more now then they did then (I loved them then too)
Oh Cassandra that is heart breaking. But you have in you memory. And the homemade ornaments are the best.
I love the family memories we have in these things. :)
Thank you for stopping by, Martha.
Oh, I have some of those thumb print mice! There were years I didn’t out out certain ornaments in order to protect them. lol. Babies make the holidays special.
Oh my gosh – I love those too.
What a great tradition!
Thank you, Jackie. I love all my homemade ornaments too! By-the-way, the story I’m working on now – is one of the sisters in this series. Her name is Jackie. :)
My favorite Christmas ornament would be my Lionel train collection. My husband started the collection and after his passing, since I like trains as well, I decided to keep collecting them each year. Merry Christmas!
My favorite ornaments are angels as well. I seem to get one almost every year. I also love ornaments of my children when they were smaller, Or ones they made when they were young.
Happy release day! My grandma used to give me a new Christmas bulb every year. When she died my mom picked up the tradition.
My inlaws have one of those, and it enthralled my kids when they were small. Now it enthralls the next generation!
I collect angels as well. My tree could be catalogued as “Hark the herald angels sing!” But many of my fave ornaments aren’t angels. There’s the origami swan my son made the year he broke his leg, the ‘baby Jesus’ nestled in half a walnut shell my daughter made, and many others handmade by family and friends.
What a sweet memory. I always wanted a train to go around out tree. <3
I wouldn’t be able to tell you which ones I love more , the gifts angels or the ones my kids made as they were growing up. Special memories attached to each one.
Awww… that was sweet of your mom. <3 Merry Christmas.
It wouldn’t be a Christmas tree without the homemade ornaments from the kids. As teachers my husband and I have received some special ones from students.
I’ve got so many favorite ornaments! My piano teacher made me a couple, years ago, that have angels in them. A friend of my aunt makes felt ornaments, and I have several cats she made for me. There are special ornaments picked up from trips – a cat I bought in Vienna, several from Cambodia, cloisonne ornaments from Hong Kong. How to pick just one!
My favorite ornaments are the ones my mom made before Parkinson’s. Merry Christmas ??
Several moves ago, I had a thin foil angel ornament. I wish that I still had it.
So proud to have personally known your mom! And to watch you and your writing grow, sometimes I feel like I am doing it for her! Hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! ……Linda
Oh I love the idea of getting something from the places we visit. I’m going to start doing that. ❤❤
❤❤❤Thank you for sharing.
Aww. Linda. You made me cry. Thank you for being a cheerleader, encourager & an inspiration.
There have been some I’ve lost due to moves. ?
I love that the ornaments have special memories for you! Your Christmas books sound wonderful. My favorite ornament this year is from an author, Rachel Hauck, and says, “Because I love you, always have, always will.” -A Royal Christmas Wedding By Rachel Hauck. It’s a somewhat flat red ball ornament, and I love it, especially because the book is so good!