Traditions

As the holiday season really begins to gear up, I begin to really think about the traditions I celebrate and why. Upon reflection I have to laugh at some of the reasons and some just warm my heart. Here are a few I am already getting ready for:

Thanksgiving- I love being single at Thanksgiving! I know, it sounds ridiculous, but I do! I have tons of invites from all of my favorite people to attend all kinds of Thanksgivings with them and their families or friends. Ranging from going to restaurants to huge family gatherings and formal to very informal. I can politely thank each person for their invitations and choose the one I feel most interested in. Then I donate my Thanksgiving feast (in non-perishable forms) to a food bank in the area. If someone is willing to share their feasts with me, I am more than happy to repay that favor to people who could really use it. If I choose to forgo any Thanksgiving (which I have done and will do again I am sure!) I enjoy pizza or sushi and put up all my Christmas decorations.

Arts and Crafts: I try to make as many presents as is possible. I watch throughout the year for things I can make that I know someone would like and as I get coupons for 40% off at Michael's and Joann's I buy the supplies so that I spend a little less. Now I have most of my supplies and I start to make the crafts I have been collecting. I love evenings of Holiday movies and craft projects.

Singing: I tend to be in multiple choirs and I spend a few hours a week singing some of my favorite songs, Christmas songs! We perform at church and other various places in the community. This year I am excited to be a part of an older choir, all mid-singles.

Gold Bows: Years ago my mom had a bunch of gold bows that went on the Christmas tree. If we did service we would get to put a gold bow and tree. I adopted this little tradition and make it work better for me. Each gold bow represents a way that I have remembered the reason to celebrate the season. I have a bow tree that is devoted to just the gold bows and it is always my goal to have the tree covered in bows by the time I take it down.

Cheese balls: It is just the way it should be. You should have at least one during the season. I found a great recipe that I have used for years and am working on adapting it to a slightly more healthy version of a completely unhealthy treat.

Black Friday: Every year a group of friends and I scour ads and find all the things we want for great deals. We wake up at ungodly hours and freeze. All in the name of fun! I am the kind who is up at 2 am out shopping or in line by 3. Yes, I take it seriously.

These are just a few of my traditions. How do you celebrate and make the Holiday special in your home?

Rockin' the Dinosaur

A picture of Christmas morning years ago, I believe I was 11...wow. Check out the dinosaur sweat shirt! Wow, that really takes me back. And check out the hair...wow. The way Rachel mimics Jeremy and Jessie...and Nathan standing on his tip-toes...and the way Robin just barely potty trained and now she has a baby of her own. Back in the day when there was only 6 of us and the girls out numbered the boys...back when a barbie was the best gift ever! I can only remember one or two things I got that year, a New Kids On the Block tape. Don't remember much else.

I remember the Christmas traditions and the fun of Christmas morning. Now, this year I get to pick my traditions and make them mine. It is an interesting place to be. I will share as I decide what these traditions are.

I am so grateful for so wonderful and caring people who want to make sure I am cared for this holiday season. I am blessed to know I am loved and important to so many.

Enjoy this next week and all the amazing moments and feelings that will surely come your way.

Pizza and the 24th of July

Today was Pizza Night for my family. The tradition is that when someone has a baby that the family, well everyone but new mom and baby because they are generally still in the hospital, everyone else goes out of pizza to celebrate. In talking with my mom today she told me that it was that day to celebrate Robin having Caius. So in honor of my family, I called on my best friends and we got pizza to celebrate. For a moment I was close, at least in spirit to the family and yes I enjoyed my pizza!

PS, Liz, notice a very cute and very well used purse on the counter behind me? LOVE IT!

After we played a little guitar hero, which I must admit I am getting good at. I am as shocked as the rest of the world by this news. I blame Logan.




We went to check out the fireworks as well. I was a fun night to just hang out and enjoy my friends. I really enjoyed that chance to just be with friends. They slip in and take the empty spots left by family far away.

After the fireworks, we realized that some of the trees had caught fire and the fire engines were there to put it out. it was pretty cool.

Oh and for a demonstration of the things that you can teach little boys check out Rachel's blog. She has the twins learning all kinds of things, but this one is worth the minute video she posted. Really worth checking out!