Traditions

My family has so many little traditions during the Christmas season. To me, traditions seem to go hand-in-hand with great Holiday memories, and man do I have lots of those. Here are some of those memories and traditions that my family enjoys every year:

~At some point, all of us break into loud multiple-part harmonies to a Christmas carol. We're talkin' full-out choir.

~There's one single blue bulb on our highest strand of lights on the Christmas tree. We replaced the white bulb with a blue one the year my Grandpa died. Blue was his favorite color, so the blue light makes us think of him every time we decorate the tree.

~Ever since before I can remember, we've listened to Amy Grant's Christmas CD (cassette tape prior to CD's). Yes, I know every word of every song. Yes, it makes me feel like a kid. And yes, it would never feel quite like Christmas until I hear 'Tennessee Christmas' playing in my living room.

~My sister and I open one stocking stuffer gift on Christmas Eve right after the Christmas Eve service at church. This one, we actually didn't do this year... who knows why!

~I will always love Christmas Eve services.

~My family reads the Christmas Story from the Bible on Christmas Eve.

~The toilet paper roll Nutcracker that I made in kindergarden will forever hold a special place on my mom's mantle.

~My sister and I annually attempt to hide some of our homemade childhood ornaments in the back of the tree, but later that day, we find them RIGHT in front at eye level. THANKS MOM.

~On Christmas morning, I always open gifts on the floor. I don't know why, but the couch is not the place for opening gifts.

~The pets get treats from Rudolph and we spend the morning laughing at my cat who's high off catnip and my dogs who don't waste any time inhaling their dog treats.

~My dad goes to all extremes with the outdoor Christmas decorating. We have always loved lights on our house... the more the better. Tacky is not in our vocabulary. But in my opinion, our house has always been the prettiest on the street.

~We enjoy a cinnamon coffee cake while gifts are being opened.

~My sister and I don't shower all day. :) We try to stay in our PJ's as long as possible.

~Gift opening goes in a circle... one gift at a time to completely admire everything new.

~I bake with my mom and we fill trays of treats for the neighbors. There's new recipes and easy concoctions every year!

Hope everyone enjoyed some of their own Christmas traditions this year!

Christmas-y Night

Today was a crazy day.

It was the last day for me teaching/observing the adapted p.e. class at Rock Bridge High School. What an awesome experience it's been. I loved the physical therapist I was able to shadow and I was really lucky to get to meet some of these kids with special needs. I was able to create their own individualized workout plans depending on their own abilities, and let me tell you, I got some great laughs with these kids! I hope I'll have time to help out in the class again next semester.

I also loved being able to spend some quality time with my best friends and roommates (one in the same) tonight. We had great chats, enjoyed the best sangria I've ever had, and took a trip to the magic tree! The perfect Christmas-y night. The only thing that would make it better would be a blanket of snow.

On a serious note, tonight one of our neighbors next to my parents' house had a heart attack and passed away. It was so crazy because we just saw him this morning and within one afternoon, so much dramatically changed for his family. It definitely keeps things in perspective. Life is so, so fragile.

Crazy day, lots of thoughts, lots of love, and lots of Christmas lights.

Blessed by People

The other day, I happened to come across what just might be my current favorite Bible verse. Just read it and let it sink in.

"Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

How awesome is that?

My Christmas break has been such a wonderful, eye-opening and memorable break so far. It's interesting to me that every year I appreciate Christmas for a different reason. This year, I feel blessed.... very extremely blessed by the people around me.

Yesterday and today I was able to spend good time with my youth pastor's family from when I was younger. It's crazy how some people can leave a lasting mark on you. This family is fabulous and seemed to be placed in my life at just the right time to create mentorship and friendship. Not only that, but lots of old friends have been in town for the holidays so we had a mini youth group reunion! It was so fun laughing together and reminiscing about some of the greatest memories I have. Keeping in touch with my youth pastor's family and watching childhood friends grow up have been so awesome. I strongly recommend staying in touch with people you love :)

My great-grandma is 93 years old and living in a nursing home. She's had Alzheimer's for years now. Over time, her health has gone up and down, and she's gone on and off of hospice. So many scares, so many times when we thought she would get to meet her Lord that night, but every single time she somehow pulls through. I guess I'm lucky to have longevity in my genes. But these days, I think, "Why would I want someone I love to keep living when she's unable to eat or drink herself, needs assistance with every aspect of this so-called "life", and can not recognize her own family members?" It's interesting when you're able to realize that hey, I'm not praying for Granny to keep "living" her life in THIS world anymore when she has such an incredible, miraculous LIFE to live somewhere else!! It would be selfish of me to want her to stay here. Well, this past week, Granny started going downhill again.

Christmas is not just a one day celebration. It's an atmosphere of love. This year, if my Granny passes away around Christmas day, my mom and dad will have to travel across the country to help my extended family with funeral arrangements, etc. And it might be just my sister and I spending Christmas day together.

All that to say...I'm glad that Christmas has become more than just a day. If Granny passes away this week, it would be strange not spending Christmas with my parents, but in the long run, I think I can share the love with my family who would need my parents more on December 25th than I would. And I can thank God that Granny might be celebrating Christmas in a much better place.

Cheers to the end of an amazing semester and Merry Christmas!!