If I was told I had to limit my UA-cam subscription and watching to just one- I would easily choose you. You have such a wonderful “balance” of just enough in your sharing of your life. You make your ordinary life extraordinary due to your gratitude and humility. Merry Christmas and Great Joy in Jesus !
First, your hair looks so pretty in a bun! Secondly, you never fail to boost my determination to run a tidy and welcoming home. Finally, I had to chuckle at the question about parenting getting easier as the kids get older. My six kids are 18 years down to 6 months. I love all the ages and stages, but it definitely has not become easier. 😂 The needs of babies and toddlers are wonderfully finite and simple. The emotional needs of teenagers are much more complex, and a hug from mom no longer heals all wounds. It's really hard to not be able to fix it all! Plus schedules get very complex with multiple older kids.
My kids are now all out of the house, mid 20's.... probably my favorite season of parenting! The hard part is over! And now it is all fun and games, events, hanging out, being picked up to go to the Nutcracker Ballet...or the Tree Farm, socializing in our home/hot tub... going on trips with them... it is the best!
The best part of older kids is you can get more sleep. But it is still hard. Dealing with emotions is very hard. When something hurts them you feel it too. As kids get older they begin to pull away and try and find themselves. Every stage has its own problems and joys.
You look extra pretty in your red dress and up swept hair. I always enjoy your videos, and I understand why so many of us find you calm, practical and charming. You keep reminding us that you're not always calm, but we see a young woman with an amazing amount of patience and serenity.
This was so enjoyable to watch Hilary! My daughter is 26 and we approached Santa much in the same way. When she was 6 (in the middle of summer) she said to me “mama, I’m going to ask you something and I would appreciate if you tell me the truth…you’re Santa, right? Poppy taught me about St Nick. So I think Santa is a spirit of St Nick, but you buy the gifts, don’t you?” 😂 I had no choice but to tell the truth. Especially in the middle of the summer when you’re not prepared. It was 20 years ago but feels like yesterday. Cherish these years! There is so much good about adult children too, don’t get me wrong. Merry Christmas
I look forward to this video each year. I’ve been watching since the very beginning of your channel. You’ve inspired me in so many ways. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
Love you tackling Q&A with such grace. I am a long time follower, eons older with a grown son but find so many tips that you use to work so well in my life. Hope you and your family, near and far, have a blessed Christmas.
We have found that adding onto our home was cheaper. Adding a room was about the same cost for the realtor fees. We got just what we wanted. Thanks for the Q & A
That’s great! If we were to add on it would ideally add some sort of a great room off the back of the kitchen and then expand a bedroom/add a bathroom which around here would be quite pricey
Thanks for the life update! I have such a small family that wrapping gifts literally takes me about one hour, plus we are empty nesters. It makes a huge difference when you don't have littles around, but I definitely remember those days . . . and miss them so much! The joy of little ones on Christmas morning is priceless. We, too, always stressed the gift of Jesus, our Lord and precious Savior!🎁❤
It was so nice to see this video. I find wrapping a relaxing activity. I like to keep it simple. For years I have offered to wrap for people. They bring me their supplies and I will do it for them...My gift to them. I enjoyed hearing the questions and answers.
We LOVE the Green Ember books, they are our family’s absolute favorite! We’ve met the author twice and he is an incredible human being, such a kind, caring man who loves to serve people through his storytelling. I hope your daughter loves reading those books. Merry Christmas!🎄
Merry Christmas Hilary As you were talking about staying calm. I think it is okay to let children see us frustrated. Then they learn how to react in a proper way. I can remember tension escalating (especially when we hit the teen years) and I would tell my child okay let’s just start over. It worked every time. I think I needed a reset more that they did. My children are now adults and they remember those moments as well. We all have a lot of respect for each other.
You've motivated to get some things done today! Saturday my daughter danced in the Nutcracker for the first time, and I thought of you taking your girls to see it every year ❤
Wow! You wrapped so many gifts while answering questions. You make a perfect case for organizing and buying gifts early in the season to cut back on stress. Bravissima!
Loved your question and answer video! I to got married young at 19 and we had five kids. They’re all grown now, we went from a smaller house to a big house now we’re back to a small house since all our kids are grown so you really do have the perfect house. You can live in it comfortably while they are young and then it will be the perfect size after they are all grown and leave home 😊
Hilary, I have officially been watching you for 10 years! I believe you were pregnant with Evie or she was a very small baby when I started watching. Glad to keep following along! ❤
Thank you for sharing, Hilary! So kind of you to so patiently answer questions from everyone while wrapping today! Love the sweet gifts you’ve chosen! ❤️💚 The kiddos are going to be so excited! 😊 (As a devoted bibliophile, myself, I know I would be partial to the great books and book tees! Not just as a little girl, but as the little old lady I am now!) ☮️🧡📚
Hi HIllary, as another subscriber noted, your hair looks great up! Also you are just so amazing wrapping, and answering questions all at once! And your gifts looked so great! Thank you for sharing!
Always love your Q and As. Hoping in the next vlogs to follow youll share neighbour gifts and what your stocking stuffer is for your siblings? Always love seeing those ( and miss your trader joe haul)
We, too, chose to not portray Santa as real and to emphasize the real Christmas story. But we had lots of fun with Santa activities. Thanks for the lovely ideas and attitudes you present.
When you asked earlier yesterday if anybody was done wrapping I immediately read that as SHOPPING. 😂 🥴Wrapping I need to start. I have a habit of waiting til the day before and I feel like I do well under pressure!
Hilary I don’t comment much but have been watching your videos for years since Evey was a toddler. I so enjoy your videos and love all your content! I appreciate all that you share and all the work you put into your videos. You’re such an inspiration in everything you do and are. Thank you and Merry Christmas to all of you! Blessings always! 🎀✝️🙏🏽
I love your home too and there is so much room to expand and that area is to me fabulous ❤️🌲🌲🌲🌲loved your Q & A darling I look forward to this every Christmas holiday 😊🎉
When I put off something I like to do to reward myself, I usually don't get much done because I am too tired at that point! Hence it takes forever to finish a book.
You are one of the first channels I watched when I discovered UA-cam. I think I enjoyed your content for 6 years or so before I started mine. I love your editing style and content❤❤ This was a fun video, and I enjoyed it. Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family♥️🎄
Good morning Hilary. I enjoyed the Q & A and the wrapping 😊. Hope you’re having a nice day and staying dry today 🌧️☺️. Merry Christmas to you and the family! ⛪️🎄🕊️
I laughed at the cleaning bathrooms comment, that’s the first thing that popped into my head, too. 😂 I freelance as a professional video editor, so if you ever do get to the point that you’d like to hire out that part of the creative process, I’d love to talk! I completely hear you on the topic of kids getting older and their friends discovering their “online presence” as it were. I think it’s such a tricky subject, but I really appreciate the balance you strike with what you share and don’t share about your kid’s lives.
Great video Hilary…funny your last question/answer about editing…which I know absolutely nothing about… Each year I put together a year in review family photo book and give them to each of my sons and their families…mainly because as Nana I’m always taking pics of everyone on my phone…anyway…it’s fun but so much work that I wonder. How you young ladies have patience and time to edit every day? I admire all you do and hope that it is truly profitable. Have a great week before Christmas.🎄
Lovely video as usual. May I say how pretty you look! Your hair looks great up like that, and that’s such a pretty dress. Merry Christmas to you and yours! 🎄❤️🎄
Silly question: what temp do you keep your home at? Your outfits are lovely, but I always think it seems so light I. The winter. I am always freezing and need tons of layers. Wondered if you run warm, or just not as much of cheapskate as we are either the thermostat.
I usually start out with more layers in the morning and then take them off as the day goes on, since I do run hot. It hasn’t been very cold here recently either 💛
And Saint Nick punching a heretic at the council of Nicaea 😂. We approached Santa similarly. I just turned 40, and my eldest is 20 this month😅, and definitely every age I have parented thus far has its own special joys and challenges.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17 ❤
Hilary, love your hair in a bun. You’ve probably talked about it at some point and I’m not remembering, but can you share where your bell and star garland is from? Thanks! 🙏🌲☃️
Thank you for sharing, it’s always fun for me to see what others get for Xmas and to hear your response to questions. Just wondering what the other 2 gifts are for the boys that you are purchasing? Also won’t the bedding for the girls put them one over the 5 amount? I do the same with grandchildren. I give each the same number of gifts but may not be exactly the same cost, depending on age of child. I love your take on how to think about Santa. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 🎉.
Your children will have a great Christmas.I wish there was more gift ideas for grandparents.We just have 3 granddaughters.They have no needs and are well provided for but we love to gift them.They have lots who also buy for them.I know stuff gets overwelming.I know gifts of experiences is always good too..I just struggled this year because one turns 9 and twins are 5.The twins have lots clothes from big sis and toys and books from her as well..too much!
I follow your caramel recipe every year for Christmas and went to go make it now and I that the video has been taken down. Is there anyway I can get your instructions?! They make amazing caramels!
I’m sorry, no I don’t remember the original recipe I used. I found quite a few when googling, I didn’t remember which one I used but there were a lot of great options, hopefully you can find one 💛
I need to implement this gift giving rule! It's a great idea! Also, just a reminder to anyone who sees this: the churches in Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus, have canceled Christmas for the first time in history in solidarity with their Palestinian brothers and sisters. The best thing we can do this season is call for a ceasefire. I doubt Jesus would be okay with a genocide and the slaughter of innocent civilians.
If I was told I had to limit my UA-cam subscription and watching to just one- I would easily choose you. You have such a wonderful “balance” of just enough in your sharing of your life. You make your ordinary life extraordinary due to your gratitude and humility. Merry Christmas and Great Joy in Jesus !
First, your hair looks so pretty in a bun! Secondly, you never fail to boost my determination to run a tidy and welcoming home. Finally, I had to chuckle at the question about parenting getting easier as the kids get older. My six kids are 18 years down to 6 months. I love all the ages and stages, but it definitely has not become easier. 😂 The needs of babies and toddlers are wonderfully finite and simple. The emotional needs of teenagers are much more complex, and a hug from mom no longer heals all wounds. It's really hard to not be able to fix it all! Plus schedules get very complex with multiple older kids.
Pretty much what she said about the various ages of kids?🤔(17:29)
My kids are now all out of the house, mid 20's.... probably my favorite season of parenting! The hard part is over! And now it is all fun and games, events, hanging out, being picked up to go to the Nutcracker Ballet...or the Tree Farm, socializing in our home/hot tub... going on trips with them... it is the best!
The best part of older kids is you can get more sleep. But it is still hard. Dealing with emotions is very hard. When something hurts them you feel it too. As kids get older they begin to pull away and try and find themselves. Every stage has its own problems and joys.
You look extra pretty in your red dress and up swept hair. I always enjoy your videos, and I understand why so many of us find you calm, practical and charming. You keep reminding us that you're not always calm, but we see a young woman with an amazing amount of patience and serenity.
You're just the most amazing wife/mom/homemaker. You never fail to inspire and lift me. And you ARE always calm, as much as is humanly possible! 🎄
This was so enjoyable to watch Hilary! My daughter is 26 and we approached Santa much in the same way. When she was 6 (in the middle of summer) she said to me “mama, I’m going to ask you something and I would appreciate if you tell me the truth…you’re Santa, right? Poppy taught me about St Nick. So I think Santa is a spirit of St Nick, but you buy the gifts, don’t you?” 😂 I had no choice but to tell the truth. Especially in the middle of the summer when you’re not prepared. It was 20 years ago but feels like yesterday. Cherish these years! There is so much good about adult children too, don’t get me wrong. Merry Christmas
oh what a sweet story • good segway to share Christ • and sounds like you have a beautiful relationship with your daughter 💕
I look forward to this video each year. I’ve been watching since the very beginning of your channel. You’ve inspired me in so many ways. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
I look forward to your wrapping and chatting video every year! Merry Christmas! 🎄
Love you tackling Q&A with such grace. I am a long time follower, eons older with a grown son but find so many tips that you use to work so well in my life. Hope you and your family, near and far, have a blessed Christmas.
Ditto, Claudia! 😊
Same here
We have found that adding onto our home was cheaper. Adding a room was about the same cost for the realtor fees. We got just what we wanted. Thanks for the Q & A
That’s great! If we were to add on it would ideally add some sort of a great room off the back of the kitchen and then expand a bedroom/add a bathroom which around here would be quite pricey
I canj ust imagine tthe excittment at your house Christmas morning. Enjoy these years as they go quickly and become treasured memories.
Lovely video and you look so elegant in that dress and with your hair up.
Susan, I came on to say the same. Hilary is really glowing in this video and I love her hair up. Looking beautiful.
@@mrskerry8111 she certainly does
Thank you ladies ☺️
Thanks for the life update! I have such a small family that wrapping gifts literally takes me about one hour, plus we are empty nesters. It makes a huge difference when you don't have littles around, but I definitely remember those days . . . and miss them so much! The joy of little ones on Christmas morning is priceless. We, too, always stressed the gift of Jesus, our Lord and precious Savior!🎁❤
You look BEAUTIFUL today!! You look so pretty with your hair up, and your dress looks perfect!! Thanks for the inspiration!! 🌲
I enjoyed getting to know more about you. Thank you!
It was so nice to see this video. I find wrapping a relaxing activity. I like to keep it simple. For years I have offered to wrap for people. They bring me their supplies and I will do it for them...My gift to them. I enjoyed hearing the questions and answers.
We LOVE the Green Ember books, they are our family’s absolute favorite! We’ve met the author twice and he is an incredible human being, such a kind, caring man who loves to serve people through his storytelling. I hope your daughter loves reading those books. Merry Christmas!🎄
Loved the questions and answers!!!!! Merry Christmas 🎄
Merry Christmas Hilary
As you were talking about staying calm. I think it is okay to let children see us frustrated. Then they learn how to react in a proper way. I can remember tension escalating (especially when we hit the teen years) and I would tell my child okay let’s just start over. It worked every time. I think I needed a reset more that they did. My children are now adults and they remember those moments as well. We all have a lot of respect for each other.
That’s wonderful advice! 💛
You've motivated to get some things done today! Saturday my daughter danced in the Nutcracker for the first time, and I thought of you taking your girls to see it every year ❤
Great video. You are such an inspiration to all young Moms.
Merry Christmas Hillary. You sure have a lot of wisdom for a young soul 💖
Aw I just loved this! So cozy! Love all of the wrapping paper!
Wow! You wrapped so many gifts while answering questions. You make a perfect case for organizing and buying gifts early in the season to cut back on stress. Bravissima!
Your dress.is the perfect color for your skin tone! I have to do a bunch of wrapping today! ❤
Hillary, I love your hair up in the bun, so flattering! I enjoy your channel so much, thank you for sharing your life experience with us each week.
Not only do you look beautiful but you look healthy. Keep up your healthy lifestyle.
Loved your question and answer video! I to got married young at 19 and we had five kids. They’re all grown now, we went from a smaller house to a big house now we’re back to a small house since all our kids are grown so you really do have the perfect house. You can live in it comfortably while they are young and then it will be the perfect size after they are all grown and leave home 😊
Hilary, I have officially been watching you for 10 years! I believe you were pregnant with
Evie or she was a very small baby when I started watching. Glad to keep following along! ❤
Thank you for sharing, Hilary! So kind of you to so patiently answer questions from everyone while wrapping today!
Love the sweet gifts you’ve chosen! ❤️💚
The kiddos are going to be so excited! 😊
(As a devoted bibliophile, myself, I know I would be partial to the great books and book tees! Not just as a little girl, but as the little old lady I am now!)
☮️🧡📚
Hi HIllary, as another subscriber noted, your hair looks great up! Also you are just so amazing wrapping, and answering questions all at once! And your gifts looked so great! Thank you for sharing!
Loved seeing this…great wrapping paper and conversation! ❤️
We ❤ Green Ember!
Hillary you look beautiful in this video! Thank you for posting videos. Love them!
Always love your Q and As. Hoping in the next vlogs to follow youll share neighbour gifts and what your stocking stuffer is for your siblings? Always love seeing those ( and miss your trader joe haul)
I never did make it to Trader Joe’s this year, but I’ll be sharing neighbor gifts on Thursday 💛 Thank you for being here!
I like the idea of hiding the presents in the empty Christmas bins.
We, too, chose to not portray Santa as real and to emphasize the real Christmas story. But we had lots of fun with Santa activities. Thanks for the lovely ideas and attitudes you present.
Happy Holidays Hillary, family, and fur baby. Great practical gifts Hillary. Thanks for answering questions. STTB
Great video Hilary! Your wrapping is beautiful. Thank you for your candor. ❤
Enjoyed hanging out with you today, felt like I was sitting at your table. Good questions & nice wrapping.
Hilary, you look lovely in your dress with your hair up! You’re a wonderful Mom, I love listening to you talk about kids & I don’t even have any😊
Great Q&A….merry Christmas 🎄😊❤️
When you asked earlier yesterday if anybody was done wrapping I immediately read that as SHOPPING. 😂 🥴Wrapping I need to start. I have a habit of waiting til the day before and I feel like I do well under pressure!
I always look forward to this video every year at Christmas time. Merry Christmas to you and your family. 🎅🏻🎄😊
Love your Q & A’s! Also, your hair looks so pretty! Merry CHRISTmas!
Love hearing your thoughts and watching 😊
Hilary I don’t comment much but have been watching your videos for years since Evey was a toddler. I so enjoy your videos and love all your content! I appreciate all that you share and all the work you put into your videos. You’re such an inspiration in everything you do and are. Thank you and Merry Christmas to all of you! Blessings always! 🎀✝️🙏🏽
Love your hair up. Always have every time you put it up.
Good job Hilary❤️🎄 How nice they all fit in your bins!! Merry Christmas sweet Hilary😊
Happiest Christmas Blessings Hilary & family & look forward to enjoying, your wonderful videos again 2024! Xo 😘🎄❤️
I love your home too and there is so much room to expand and that area is to me fabulous ❤️🌲🌲🌲🌲loved your Q & A darling I look forward to this every Christmas holiday 😊🎉
When I put off something I like to do to reward myself, I usually don't get much done because I am too tired at that point! Hence it takes forever to finish a book.
Enjoyed this video with you wrapping gifts. Your home is so warm and cozy! Merry Christmas to you and your family!🎄❤️
Merry Christmas! You have inspired me to start wrapping!
You are one of the first channels I watched when I discovered UA-cam. I think I enjoyed your content for 6 years or so before I started mine. I love your editing style and content❤❤ This was a fun video, and I enjoyed it. Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family♥️🎄
So fun!
Good morning Hilary. I enjoyed the Q & A and the wrapping 😊. Hope you’re having a nice day and staying dry today 🌧️☺️. Merry Christmas to you and the family! ⛪️🎄🕊️
Have a lovely day Donna!
I just finished my wrapping this morning! It feels good, doesn't it!!! Enjoyed.
Thanks for sharing 😊
Enjoyed the Q&A and your hair looks nice up too. I have a few gifts to wrap I’m an organized mess at the moment. 😅
I laughed at the cleaning bathrooms comment, that’s the first thing that popped into my head, too. 😂 I freelance as a professional video editor, so if you ever do get to the point that you’d like to hire out that part of the creative process, I’d love to talk! I completely hear you on the topic of kids getting older and their friends discovering their “online presence” as it were. I think it’s such a tricky subject, but I really appreciate the balance you strike with what you share and don’t share about your kid’s lives.
You look lovely with your hair up Hillary. Merry Christmas!
Thanks for sharing, Hilary ❤
Did you show the bedding did I miss it? Lol I can’t miss a beat ❤
Great video Hilary…funny your last question/answer about editing…which I know absolutely nothing about…
Each year I put together a year in review family photo book and give them to each of my sons and their families…mainly because as Nana I’m always taking pics of everyone on my phone…anyway…it’s fun but so much work that I wonder. How you young ladies have patience and time to edit every day? I admire all you do and hope that it is truly profitable. Have a great week before Christmas.🎄
Again like most things in life, you learn and grow every time you do it 💛
I love your hairstyle in this video. Adorable.
I love Q and A's!! ❤❤❤
Lovely video as usual. May I say how pretty you look! Your hair looks great up like that, and that’s such a pretty dress. Merry Christmas to you and yours! 🎄❤️🎄
The Green Ember book series is so good!
Silly question: what temp do you keep your home at? Your outfits are lovely, but I always think it seems so light I. The winter. I am always freezing and need tons of layers. Wondered if you run warm, or just not as much of cheapskate as we are either the thermostat.
I usually start out with more layers in the morning and then take them off as the day goes on, since I do run hot. It hasn’t been very cold here recently either 💛
I. Don’t think I have seen your hair in a bun !!! So pretty ❤
Love your take on Santa! Do you have any book recommendations for young children pertaining to the story of St. Nicholas?
Hi Hilary! Your hair is so cute like that! Cleaning bathrooms is my least favorite home cleaning task as well. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!!
Love your hair in a bun. Very pretty!
Merry Christmas! Your wrapping is beautiful! Love your new hairstyle!
Hillary, you look so lovely in that dress! Thank you for sharing!!!
And Saint Nick punching a heretic at the council of Nicaea 😂. We approached Santa similarly.
I just turned 40, and my eldest is 20 this month😅, and definitely every age I have parented thus far has its own special joys and challenges.
Christmas blessings
Really like your short sleeve red/ white dress, wondering where you got it?
ThredUP, but originally Boden 💛
Your hair is lovely!
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
James 1:17 ❤
I’ve got to wrap my gifts!❤️🙏🏻🇺🇸🇦🇷
I told my kids that Santa is love!
Hilary, love your hair in a bun. You’ve probably talked about it at some point and I’m not remembering, but can you share where your bell and star garland is from? Thanks! 🙏🌲☃️
Thank you! The bell was from hobby lobby last year and the star from a yard sale a few years ago 💛
Thank you for sharing, it’s always fun for me to see what others get for Xmas and to hear your response to questions. Just wondering what the other 2 gifts are for the boys that you are purchasing? Also won’t the bedding for the girls put them one over the 5 amount? I do the same with grandchildren. I give each the same number of gifts but may not be exactly the same cost, depending on age of child. I love your take on how to think about Santa. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 🎉.
Your children will have a great Christmas.I wish there was more gift ideas for grandparents.We just have 3 granddaughters.They have no needs and are well provided for but we love to gift them.They have lots who also buy for them.I know stuff gets overwelming.I know gifts of experiences is always good too..I just struggled this year because one turns 9 and twins are 5.The twins have lots clothes from big sis and toys and books from her as well..too much!
I love your hair up. So pretty 💚❤️💚
Great video, and I love your hair like that. You look so chic ❤
Hillary my parents used to hide the presents in the car trunks!!
I stopped believing in Santa the year I realized the gifts that said from Santa were wrapped in the same papers as those marked from mom and dad. 🤣😂
YAY, getting my cup of coffee 🎉❤
I follow your caramel recipe every year for Christmas and went to go make it now and I that the video has been taken down. Is there anyway I can get your instructions?! They make amazing caramels!
I’m sorry, no I don’t remember the original recipe I used. I found quite a few when googling, I didn’t remember which one I used but there were a lot of great options, hopefully you can find one 💛
Get yourself a tape dispenser-makes it much easier to wrap!
❤❤❤
Does wrapping presents come with many years of experience? 😂 Haha my gift wrapping skills are terrible, but yours are so fast and beautiful!
Like everything else, yes 😌
Wear your hair like this everyday. ❤
💕
You look so beautiful with your hair put up like that....❤
I need to implement this gift giving rule! It's a great idea!
Also, just a reminder to anyone who sees this: the churches in Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus, have canceled Christmas for the first time in history in solidarity with their Palestinian brothers and sisters. The best thing we can do this season is call for a ceasefire. I doubt Jesus would be okay with a genocide and the slaughter of innocent civilians.
I have never seen your in- laws visiting from Colombia!!!!
My family doesn't visit from California.
😢
I believe that they have been. She would just never show them and keep that part of their life private.