Tradition

There should be a WARNING sign for anyone who is tempted to start a family tradition. Through out our marriage we have started many traditions, which seem to stem with Christmas time. Once we tried to buy ornaments for each year, that had a significant meaning to it. Then we tried to give neighbor gifts; something other than baked goods; then we tried to read Luke each night of December. Many more that we have failed at terribly. With that failure comes guilt that we never finished, and a sorrow that will our kids have any great Christmas tradition memories?
Growing up the couple of traditions that my parents succeeded at were, the extended family production of the First Nativity. I was always the angel. Not such a surprise. This is something we moaned and complained about, and looking back I loved it. Then I remember staying up after the family had left the "Lindon" home, and getting a plate ready for Santa and his reindeer. I remember coming to a cross point that I needed to find out if Santa was real, so I made a nasty, disgusting mustard, horseradish sandwich. I knew that if Santa was "REAL" he would not be scared of my gross out sandwich. In the morning I ran up the stairs and sure enough, I was pleasantly surprised. HE IS REAL! One big bite out of the sandwich with a rep remanding note, that he preferred cookies and milk.
My dear Mom back in the '70's, decided to buck traditional stocking and designed "boots" red, with fur, pom poms, and modge podged each of our names across the front. I loved my boot, as did my siblings. Nobody else, as far as I know has a boot. This provides ample room for more gifts and great boot stuffers.



So, this is one tradition that I am happy to be reliving with my children. Thank goodness for Desert Industries, where I found these hard to find boots. I have yet to modge podge their names on the front. I hope my own kids will look back at their boots with fond memories.
I feel a sense of accomplishment.... and still trying to make a memorie out of a moment.

Snow Much Fun

What a fun week we have had. Shawn has been on an out rotation (Ogden) and to our surprise, he came home a bit early and with him the fun.
After the trees being up for a full week with just lights, the kids started to ask when we would put on the decorations. I have delayed this part of decorating the trees, for a few simple reasons.

1. we have a very active 1 year old. She was plenty busy with just the pretty white lights and the fact that the trees were something new, that she has never touched, pulled, or explored. I have been very content to just have the simplicity of just having white lights and nothing more.

2. I want that store front window Grand tree. With the beautiful decorations that all match, and have a theme.

My sisters and I have fond memories of coming home from school, and Mom would have the whole house glistening from foyer, to bathroom. Our tree was always flocked, with pink balls, lights glittery stuff all over it. Very beautiful, and one to brag about. Then there was the "faux" tree. This one I didn't care for too much, for the fact that we had to assemble it, and there might have been an argument or two about matching the correct limb with the tree post. Once it was together, Mom would carefully drape each bauble, and swag the jewels across it just so. And it was full of birds, and apples.
Shawns family would always get real trees, Dave always liked the Alpine looking tree tall and lean, and Sharon I guess she liked the full bushy tree, (that was really a bush, cut in the form of a tree.)I remember the first time going over and the McManus' would put their tree up on a table. I asked them why they did this, and they responded that it was so the children wouldn't mess with the ornaments. I think I responded something like, "you can take it off the table, cause you have no babies that will mess with them." They still kept it on the table regardless. Well years went by, and they moved on to a fake you out tree, one that was all assembled, and very tall. Can you imagine the surprise when they attempted to place it on the table and realized there was now no need for a table. Shawn has told me one of his memories of tree decorating was that his Dad loved Tinsel, and of course Sharon hated it. He said Dave wanted Shawn to place the Tinsel on, one strand at a time... needless to say he didn't follow instructions.
Saturday thru last night it snowed and we woke up to a Wonderland! We came home from church, and the children quickly changed into snow attire, and they were out the door, helping Shawn and all the neighbors shovel the walks. Before long a herd of kids were gathered for a snowball war; them against Shawn. He loves this. It's such a great excuse to peg the one kid in the neighborhood that just annoys him. They all love to take aim at Shawn.
Everyone back inside with the hands cold, and as they thaw out start to tingle. Wet snow clothes piled at the thresh hold, and Mom laughing as they retail their Snow adventures.
I love the beginning of the Christmas season. As we look at our tree. Not the picture perfect tree out of a Magazine, but still our very own tree with it's handmade decorations from school years past. Even older decorations from Shawn and I too poor to buy ornaments, so we hand made some, and a few strands of golden swag bells that Mom (Karma) gave to us. It is a modge podge of decoration, full of memories and it makes the kids eyes twinkle with joy as they look at it, so in turn as I watch them, it makes my heart happy to see them enjoy the simple beauty.
Making memories, out of small moments.