We survived our weekend with four parties, though we sadly missed the fourth and final party last night. It was a very full weekend overflowing with love and blessings. We are truly blessed with amazing friends and family.
Tonight I wanted to share with you a few new and old traditions we’ve started as a family, especially now that Elizabeth is beginning to comprehend things. Mom was the tie that bonded our holidays together and kept everything perfect and running smoothly. But since she’s no longer here, and since there’s been a few other family circumstances, we are focusing on making our own family traditions. I’ve stated several times that we are cutting back on Christmas this year and recalibrating our eyes to focus on the true meaning of Christmas – Christ. But kind of like that old Girl Scout song, we’re making new, but keeping some old.
These little guys have been climbing into my tree since my first Christmas! Here’s Daddy, Baby, & Mama Reindeer, and we have more just incase  |
One thing that my Mom’s family has done for three generations now, is have what is now Cousin’s Christmas. My Maw-Maw was one of nine girls and after they got married, each Christmas they’d have a slumber party, which I remember very clearly! Well then, my Mom started hosting Cousin’s Christmas for her generation, and now Tania & I (Maw-Maw’s two granddaughters) host it for our generation and for Mom’s generation, too! This was one of the parties we had this weekend! We all get together and bring a snack and have an ornament exchange! It’s so fun, and always hilarious!
| Some of the gals that were there! Yes, I have a huge family and we are very close!!! It was very dark down there. |
We have traditions at home, too.
| 2008, our last Christmas together! Yes, even Jade gets Christmas pajamas! |
Jaima, first I promise never to leave a comment this long – EVER again. Second, I’ll explain why this man type face is in your comment section. I noticed you in the Blissdom twitter stream. I blog in this community brimming with full of awesome Christian moms, because Christian moms write about God like nothing I’ve ever read before. I went through all of seminary, and was assigned only one book written by a woman. Christian moms have access to the love of God like no one else. And now I get access too – by reading and being read. Anyway, that’s how I found you. And again, sorry for the long comment, it’s just this one – so long – just this one to say hi – and make sure it’s okay that I comment on your site. Being a single, never been married man in this community, I’ve learned a tiny bit of sensitivity – enough to know I shouldn’t just barge in without explaining why.
And about your post – those reindeer climbing that ladder – absolutely full of awesome. And the advent calendar that belonged to your hubs – I heart how that says family, and memories. And your “cousins Christmas” – made me smile. I also, by the way, heart how you have extra reindeer – just in case. And in my family, we always opened one – just one gift – on Christmas Eve. It was an out-of-town gift – from an aunt or someone – the gifts from “Santa” weren’t out yet – nor were the gifts from mom and dad – so they were the only ones we could open up anyway. The memory makes me smile. Thank you for it. Thank you for all the smiles I had reading this whole thing. Smiles are important. Anyway, I’ll be back to read more if it’s ok, leading up to Blissdom, and afterwards. I might also follow you on twitter soon – just so you know. God bless and keep you and each and every one of yours Jaima.
Wearing Christmas pajamas on Christmas is so much fun. You get into that festive spirit and enjoy the evening to the fullest.I have bought new Christmas pajamas for my kids and husband from SleepyHeads.com. I am sure they'll love my Christmas gift