Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Christmas Traditions

I remember when Laurie and I were first married, she was very concerned that we establish some traditions for our family.  I always sort of scratched my head at this, because I never thought that traditions were something that you planned. I always just figured they just happened...and then continued to happen...then poof! You have a tradition!  To be honest I don't know which is right. But I know that I like our Christmas traditions.

Our Christmas traditions begin the weekend after Thanksgiving when we put up the tree.  Pulling out all of the boys' ornaments--remembering what each one means and when and why we got it. We don't really do outside lights, but we hang a wreath on the door.  We also have a Nativity scene that we set up on the piano. We are still using the FischerPrice set--that way baby Jesus doesn't get broken!

Then there is the never-ending flow of sappy Lifetime/Halmark Christmas movies. I "get" to sit through a couple of those with Laurie.

I always look forward to the cookie baking day, where Laurie and her friend bake and decorate about 600 Christmas cookies.  I look forward to it, not because I like baking or decorating..... (I think you know where this is going). Yummmm.

The past few years we have been trying to do some kind of daily "Advent" focus with the boys. Taking each day in December and looking to the Bible about the true meaning of Christmas, but we haven't seemed to find one that we like that really works for us.

Christmas Eve service.Although I never grew up attending Christmas Eve services, I've grown to enjoy them and look forward to them. I'm looking forward to celebrating with Solid Rock this year.

For the past 14 Christmases that Laurie and I have shared to together we have visited all four sets of parents for some Christmas celebration and exchanging of gifts.  It is a whirlwind road trip but good to see everyone.

I'm looking forward to this Christmas, and I hope you are too!

Monday, December 2, 2013

Christmas Tree of Memories

I can remember the first tree that Laurie and I had for Christmas together. While I always grew up with "fake" trees, Laurie always had real, and I was excited to have a real one.  I can still remember the look, feel and smell of it.  It was so big (or maybe our apartment was just that small) that it took up half the living room and blocked the front door! One problem though, we didn't have any ornaments.  Laurie had some ornaments from her childhood, and I had some too, but it they looked so sparse on our spruce!

Fast forward 13 years...

We now have a pre-lit artificial tree. (I can have my fill of pine needles and sap on Wilderness, without the mess in my living room!)  Sometime along the way we decided to buy an ornament whenever we went on a vacation. Also, we get each of our boys an ornament that reminds us of something significant in their lives over the past year.  We plan to give the boys their box of ornaments to hang on their tree when they move out and start their own families.

So as I sit and look at my Christmas tree—I don't just see a tree—I see our family vacations to Myrtle Beach, Tennessee, and Chicago. I remember the year Jack loved to make sand castles, or the year he was in love with trains.  I remember when Josh water skied for the first time, or when he caught his first fish. I remember the twins’ first Christmas and how crazy life was. I see a tree full of memories, reminding me how blessed I am. I hope you have a memory-making Merry Christmas this year!