Growing up Christmas was by far my favorite time of year. School out for a break, family all together, and much needed time to sleep, eat and play. It was great. Oh how I miss the traditions of my childhood. I wanted so badly to be old enough to play Rook with the adults. It was always so fun watching them laugh, yell and sometimes play dirty to win. It was always something they did and always something I wanted to be in on. Well by the time I was old enough to understand the game, that tradition was broken. I miss those days so badly. I wouldn't trade anything in the world for the memories made in the old yellow house. The house that truly built me.
The great thing about having so many beloved memories is the fact that I get to make them for my own children. We get to create traditions that our children will look back in aww about. I am so blessed to have the family that I do. Not only do I have an amazing family but the family I married into is amazing also. This time of year is always hard for me, I miss my mom and dad so much everyday but Christmas is always really tough. I miss my dad always guessing what we got him as a gift, I miss my moms cooking, I miss the enjoyment of waking up and seeing everything from Santa set up under the tree. Its such a joy to see your children's face when they wake up on Christmas morning. Justin and I made a decision before we even had Jax that we would only get our children 3 gifts each Christmas. Jesus received three gifts at his birth so they can relate to Jesus as we celebrate his birth. It also will teach them to truly be thankful for what they get, and to not just open a gift, look at then move on the next. I have always prayed to have humble children so we are hoping this will be a tradition that is cherished. Santa brings one larger gift and the stocking and a couple of books.
Jax loved everything...except the clothes...he could care less. Aria was just happy to be awake hahha..
Jax got clothes, batman converse, and a scooter from mom and dad, a tablet, 3 books and a stocking that included Thor from santa, A bike and a lightsaber from mimi and pop, a pillow pet/night light from uncle Stephen and aunt Kristina, a magnet man from aunt Ashley and uncle sean, a power ranger from uncle corey, a book from aunt iris, a cop car from uncle bobbie and aunt nancy, pjs, a army suit from his grammie, and hulk from Nana, toy story action figures from Christie and Jerry, and a john dear truck with blocks from aunt Candice and uncle dear, and spider man stuff from his grandma eva, and yo gabba gabba pjs and a jacket from his aunt nana. Id say he had a pretty successful day in the gift department. Aria got clothes, toms sandals, and a princess mirror from mom and dad, a stocking that included some toys, a light up toy and 3 books from santa, pjs and a tea cup set from mimi and pop, a princess toy book from aunt Ashley and uncle sean, a bear soft book from uncle bobbie and aunt nancy, pjs and an adorable outfit from garmmie, a glow worm from nana, a light up giraffe from nana, some bow hats from aunt nana, a rattle and toy activity ball from aunt Candice and some keys and blocks from her grandma eva. So needless to say my children got more than blessed this Christmas season. I also told the story of Christ's birth to Jax on Christmas night when I was tucking him in, and we sang him happy birthday. I think this will be the most important tradtion to hold onto as the children get older. Because HE is THE REASON for the SEASON after all!!
The tradition of Daddy and Jax putting the star on top of the Christmas Tree. Love it so much.
Also a new and crazy cool tradition is to go and look and explore a local families light display that is just beyond just a light display. Jax was in light heaven.
A must do tradition of going and seeing Santa and this year it was so great. He loved on each child and took the time to really talk to each one of them and was so sweet. He told Jax to "smile more, because he is always special" it was so sweet and totally worth the hour wait in the line. The picture turned our pretty cute also.
We also went to Christmas Eve service with Mimi and Pop, A beautiful tradition to keep alive every
year. Jax and Aria love church so much and it was fun to visit Pop and Mimi's church!
Jax helped me bake homemade chocolate chip cookies for Santa and he was excited and sort of confused about putting them out for Santa to eat.
Silly Santa must of forgot to wipe his feet off when he came in, because he left magical footprints on the floor...
Cousins are a childs first friends, Cousins are a blessing and a huge part of our families love.
Jax and Aria have so many wonderful cousins and I can NOT wait to see them grow up together just like Justin and I did with our cousins. Cousins are truly your first best friends!
Justin and I are so blessed with the family that we have and the love that's given. I couldn't thank God enough for where I am in my life today. I wont say its easy or that I don't have my moments of absolute pain but no matter what family is family, and family is love. Always.
So if you have lost a loved one remember that no matter how hard it is sometimes we have to cherish the memories and remind ourselves that those memories will never leave us and that is gift in itself.
Aria update
She is a complete chunk and is just happy as can be. She hates to roll on her belly but will continue to roll on her belly the second her roll her back to her back. She has started to do some formula in the evening to help with her constant want to eat, and this helps her sleep at night. She talks non stop and sometimes likes to yell really loud just to hear herself yell. She has decided to switch the brand of pacie she likes yet again. She now likes the MUM brand and wont even try the others. She got to meet her great Grammie and totally became a Grammies girl, They would rock a lot and Aria ate it up. She still prefers to be held over anything else and loves and I mean loves to chew on her left hand. She has found her toes and has really enjoyed talking, grabbing and looking at them. She is in mainly 6 month clothes and can only wear 2 pair of her many many shoes because her feet are still tiny. She loves her bumbo but only for a little while, and the swing only if she can see and watch jax. Other wise she screams. She is still so cuddly. She is getting bigger and more beautiful by the day.
Jax update.
He has decided that sleep is for the birds, and that trying to sleep in moms bed is so fun. He went from being the best sleeper ever to an absolute nightmare. Besides that he is talking and saying so many adult like sentences, He told me "im serious" the other day. He loves chocolate milk, power rangers and still bat man of course. He loves to "shave" with daddy and to help out in the house which is so awesome. The love he has for Aria is growing and he plays and talks to her all the time. He really is the best big brother. He also now has the complete set of avenger action figures. He is one happy spunky little man.
