Each year Christmas becomes more special in my heart. Its a time that family gets together. I didn't think Christmas as an adult would be as exciting as it is for children until I became a Mom. Each year as the kids get older the more I love watching the joy that comes from them. As a Christian and a Mom my main job at Christmas is making the birth of Christ the focal point of Christmas. Its a hard task with how Christmas is marketed in stores, on TV and even the radio. It is marketed as an event of stuff and the want to the most gifts under the tree. This was the first year that Jax understood the idea of gifts and it was a struggle explaining to him that not having 100 gifts under the tree is ok.
Before we had children we discussed and agreed that each of our children would receive 3 gifts from us at Christmas. With a stocking of course and we made a deal with Santa that he would only leave 1 gift per child each year :) The reasoning is simple. 1. They truly don't need anything. But most importantly it allows us to explain Christ's birth and how he received 3 gifts on the day of this birth. If the son of God got 3 gifts then 3 gifts is more than enough. I will say this year was harder than normal to only get 3 gifts because I love to gift people and I mean kids toys are pretty fun.
I am reminded this morning though how glad I am that we set this rule so many years ago. Both of my children have opened every single box and toy and has played with it for 15 seconds before moving on to the next toy. Its not their fault they just want to see what the next toy can do but it is a good example of our society today. The idea that one thing is never going to be as good as the next item. The idea that we need as much stuff as possible to be happy. When in reality its the people and family we are around that should make us feel the happiest. Its a constant struggle.
For example as I have gotten older my favorite part of the Holidays is playing games with family. Its a mixture of comedy and competition that is so much fun. Don't get me wrong I enjoy getting gifts but playing ultimate Frisbee on Christmas eve and cards against humanity on Christmas gave me so much joy. To me that is what Christs birth should be about. Family, friends and giving back to others.
So as we welcome 2017 my goal is to teach Jax and Aria the true meaning of being Christ's children and how to serve him to the fullest.
Monday, December 26, 2016
Thursday, December 1, 2016
A tree full of love.
Growing up I loved decorating the tree for Christmas. I loved getting out the ornaments I had made the year before. I loved the fake apples that we put on it every year and how after the arguing that would occur (because that happened every year haha) I would look at our tree with such happiness in my heart. It was the start of Christmas and time with family.
My Mom had this glass tree with holes and I loved changing the colors on it. She would make fudge and peanut brittle that was a favorite among many. My dad loved the light up star for the top of the tree. Its the small things I remember and cherish even more to this day.
I may not have that glass Christmas tree or the light up star but they will forever be in my heart. Even though I miss my parents even more during the Holiday season I know those sweet memories are being passed down to the next generation.
Each year the few days after Thanksgiving I pull out our decorations and start the process of decorating. Jax and Aria loved putting the ornaments on the tree this year. Each one placed in the exact spot it doesn't belong...but each on hung with laughter. Each year the kids pick out an ornament to add to the collection of memories. We have baby ornaments for Justin and handmade one from Jax. We have glittery ones and even a power ranger one. We have a marine for support of Stephen and handmade ones from Grammie. It is a tree full of memories. I look on Pinterest and facebook and see all the beautiful, well organized, color coordinated trees and still love mine more. It is a tree that may be small and fake but it is a tree that my kids will remember.
We made hot chocolate and laughed. It was perfect way to start the Christmas season.
She loved looking at all the ornaments and moving them at least 100 times!
Jax putting the finishing touches on.
My Mom had this glass tree with holes and I loved changing the colors on it. She would make fudge and peanut brittle that was a favorite among many. My dad loved the light up star for the top of the tree. Its the small things I remember and cherish even more to this day.
I may not have that glass Christmas tree or the light up star but they will forever be in my heart. Even though I miss my parents even more during the Holiday season I know those sweet memories are being passed down to the next generation.
Each year the few days after Thanksgiving I pull out our decorations and start the process of decorating. Jax and Aria loved putting the ornaments on the tree this year. Each one placed in the exact spot it doesn't belong...but each on hung with laughter. Each year the kids pick out an ornament to add to the collection of memories. We have baby ornaments for Justin and handmade one from Jax. We have glittery ones and even a power ranger one. We have a marine for support of Stephen and handmade ones from Grammie. It is a tree full of memories. I look on Pinterest and facebook and see all the beautiful, well organized, color coordinated trees and still love mine more. It is a tree that may be small and fake but it is a tree that my kids will remember.
We made hot chocolate and laughed. It was perfect way to start the Christmas season.
And at last hot chocolate.
XOXO-Tiffany
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)