“Oh Mom, I just can’t wait for the most wonderful time of the year. It’s so cozy with lights and hot chocolate, our special family traditions and . . .”
My heart warmed as I agreed with our youngest daughter. The first commercial for “Countdown to Christmas” played and our reminiscing of special memories gone by rushed to the forefront. (Yes, I’ll be watching all those movies. ;)) Creating those special memory-making moments matter, they really do.
I can barely believe that our baby girl, our youngest child, just turned fourteen and that our eldest will be getting married a few days after Christmas. (I keep telling myself I’m too young to have a married child. ha!) 🙂
I have all the mixed emotions about this new season we are entering. This is my first born, my baby, the one who made me a mommy and I can remember that day like it truly was yesterday. All the emotions and memories, the smells and sleepless nights – they’re all right there.
This was the last Christmas picture we took without our wonderful new addition, but I couldn’t be more thrilled to add an amazing new daughter-in-love that couldn’t be more perfect for our son. (They got engaged last year around the same time.) I’ve prayed for nearly 24 years for this precious girl, long before I knew who she’d be, and now that I’ve put a face and name and personality and big, huge heart to my prayers, it’s humbling and joyful and ALL. THE. THINGS!
It’s going to be a magical celebration and I’ll make sure and post lots of pictures.
As the kids have gotten older, carving out special family time has become a sacred art for me. This past semester, our son has moved home until the wedding, so we’ve soaked up these last few months and created some precious memories. When your kids are tiny, I understand how the days drag, but now I realize how fleeting they really are and my deep desire to be intentional and mark moments that matter has made it all worth it.
You’ll never regret choosing family first. There are so many “good” and even great choices on how to use your time, but in the end, pouring into your children, creating memory-making moments and diving deep into their unique personality bent is such important use of your time.
At a gathering this past weekend, a friend stated she’d never seen an incredibly popular Christmas movie. I honestly clutched my heart and declared that one of the worst Christmas crimes I’ve heard. My heart hurt for the wonder she’s missed. We have two big movie traditions. First, every December 23 for decades, I pop homemade popcorn with lots of butter, our family grabs our fuzzy blankets and we watch this movie together by the glow of the fire. Then when the movie is done, we all sleep under the cozy white, tree lights. It’s a tradition that if we miss it, the kids let me know about it. Yes, even last year, our twenty year old son reminded me.
The next movie tradition stemmed from the fact we rarely went to the theater when they were little, so for years, the only movie we’d take the kids to see was a new Christmas movie that came out for the season. They’d talk about it for months since it was such a treat.
For years I’ve declared, it’s the little things that are the big things in life and it’s proven true over and over.
Along with fun traditions, keeping the Advent season fresh and alive for our children ranks as one of the most important.
As we read the Christmas story out loud over the years, I’ve always asked them to imagine that they are taking the journey along with Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men and the Shepherds. I ask them to use their senses. What do they hear on the trip? Do they smell the animals? Can they feel how tired Mary must have been after riding so long on the donkey?
For years, we never went to see movies in the theater, so when we started a tradition of one movie together oer Christmas break in the real live theater with actual movie popcorn, it because a day the kids looked forward to every year. (See, simple, right?)
When I heard about the new Christmas movie, The Star, and that it shares the Nativity story, the greatest of all stories from the animals’ perspective, I knew it would be a family favorite.
In THE STAR, a small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams.
On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a lovable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become accidental heroes in the greatest story ever told – the first Christmas.
They’ll love it and I can’t wait to hear what you think.
Can you even believe we’re talking the holidays already?
Ours will look a little different this year due to the wedding, but wow, what a special reason to change up our schedule.
What are some of the things you’re most looking forward to?
