Thoughts on Traditions

"The way you celebrate Christmas can be a gift in itself, handing down traditions that will give your child a feeling of continuity, comfort and joy in all the Christmases to come."
-Fred Rogers (Mister Rogers' Neighborhood)


I'm a quote hoarded. When I read a quote that sticks with me, I write them down. Sometimes I'll find a post-it note stuffed in a magazine or a random drawer with a quote I liked written on it. It's always a nice surpise to find a long-lost quote.

Anyway, this is the quote I found this morning. And since it is Christmastime, and I'm stuck inside because the wind is howling too badly for me to take Grace sledding, I figured I could think about traditions.

One of my favorite memories is decorating our Christmas tree. Our tree is a hodge-podge of ornaments. Each one of us has a personalized name ornament from Bronners. There are handmade ornaments from my "wish-I-was-crafty" stages. There those oh-so-wonderful paper ornaments we made in elementary school with our school pictures smack dab in the middle. And then there is a mixture of old and new ornaments gathered throughout the years. This is my parents' tree, but the tree Matt and I have at our home resembles this one.

We have the Bronners' ornaments with our names. I have handmade ornaments from students. I have extremely old ornaments that belonged to my grandparents. My Cabbage Patch kid ornament and mouse ornament are two of my favorites. Matt has an Onsted football player ornament with the number #8 on the jersey.

Putting up our tree is one tradition that will remain close to my heart. As soon as Grace is old enough, I hope she'll enjoy this tradition and hearing about each and every ornament on that tree.
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I had every intention to write about more than one tradition. I guess I'll save them for another post.

A Belated Wish

Merry Christmas

Forget Presents, Give the Girl a Sock or Strings or Paper

December 25th will mark Grace's first Christmas. But if her track record continues, I have a feeling that she won't be too interested in the presents. Instead, she'll continue to eat... her socks

and the strings on anyone's sweatshirts

or paper.

Her new found paper fettish leads me to believe instead of playing with the presents, she will eating the wrapping paper.

Santa Baby

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Thanksgiving

"Be present in all things and thankful for all things"

-Maya Angelou

Attitude of Gratitude

"Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

-Plato

1. Mind your manners. Say please, thank you and excuse me.
2. Smile
3. Pick up after yourself and for someone else too. Be happy you have someone to pick up after!
4. Notice when others do kind things for you, show gratitude by action or words.
5. Say I love you before you leave in the morning and before bed at night.
6. Give hugs daily.

7. Always kiss me goodnight.
8. Don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself. Focus on the blessing of today.
9. Write your blessing down.

10. Show thankfulness for even the little things others do for you.
11. Leave notes in unexpected places like lunch boxes and under pillows.
12. Encourage someone with a compliment.
13. When all you want to do is complain, start listing everything positive in your life.
14. Keep track of what you are thankful for all year long. It shouldn't be only at Thanksgiving time.

15. Remember to thank God for blessings each day.
16. Never forget to write a thank-you note.
17. Do special things to cherish time with your family.

18. Reflect on happy memories regularly. It's okay to hear, "Remember when.." for the thousandth time.

20. Help someone out without them having to ask you. Watch for someone in need.
21. When you are doing household chores, be grateful you have a home to clean.

inspired by (In)Courage