Holiday Traditions

Dictionary.com defines tradition as "the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice."  While that is a perfectly apt definition, I don't think it does traditions justice.  For me, traditions are so much more than that.  After all, traditions only become traditions if they are special enough to be done repeatedly, right?

They are special to us (or at least to me) because they connect us to the past and to each other.  They are something the participants all do together; something that others have down before and that, hopefully, some will continue to do in the future.  

I tend to be rather nostalgic, so I love traditions.  I find them comforting and reassuring.  They remind me of loved ones and make me feel like I am giving my girls a foundation they can carry on to their families some day.

Here are two of my favorite family traditions.

When I was younger, we (my mom, dad, brother, and me) always went to my MamMaw's house for Thanksgiving lunch.  Other family was there as well.  For as long as I can remember,  my grandmother had these little paper turkeys.  Each one had a scripture verse or a line from a hymn on it about being thankful.  Before the meal, everyone took a turkey and we went around reading our verses.  This is what we did in lieu of a formal prayer.  Although my Mammaw passed away several years ago, we still carry on this tradition now when we have Thanksgiving lunch with my parents.  The poor paper turkeys were looking a little rough, so my mom has re-written the verses on some beautiful cards.  The past couple of years have been extra special because even our youngest children are now old enough to read and fully participate.  I love the meaning behind the verses and the reminder they give us to be thankful for our blessings.  As everyone reads, I am transported back to my grandmother's house.  I can see her face and smell her house.  At that moment, I am certain she is there with us.

The second one is a Christmas tradition.  I remember my parents doing this with us and, I do it with my children.  Every December 24th, we attend the Christmas Eve service at our church.  When we get home, we slip into our pajamas.  Of course, the children are super excited.  They put out milk and cookies for Santa.  They are unusually eager for bedtime.  Before we tuck them in, however, we pull out our gigantic family Bible - the one that David and I got as a wedding gift.  We sit on the couch by the light of the Christmas tree.  Snuggling together, I turn to Luke: 2 and read the story of Jesus' birth.  I remember as a child climbing up on my dad's lap by the tree when I was growing up and hearing the story.  I remember my mom's steady voice reading those verses.  As we approach the end of the craziness of holiday shopping and parties and baking, we take that moment to re-center and re-focus on the reason for the season.  There's just something about he ambiance of the Christmas lights, the beauty of the story, and the rare calm in those few moments that just fills my heart.  I hope it does the same for my girls and that they will, someday, do the same thing with their children.

So, what are some of your favorite holiday traditions??   

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This post was written as part of Finish The Sentence Friday.  FTSF is hosted by some wonderful blogging ladies.  Please give them a visit and check out all the other blogs that participate as well!

Janine at Janine’s Confessions of a Mommyaholic

Stephanie at Mommy, for Real

Kate at Can I Get Another Bottle of Whine?

Kristi at Finding Ninee

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Don't forget to come back on Dec. 18th and share what you have done to share hope, peace, joy, and love!!  For ideas and how it works, click HERE.

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What My Kids Are Thankful For

For my Finish the Sentence Friday post last week,  I shared some things for which I am thankful.  I also shared some quotes that reminded me to show gratitude more often - even this time of year when it seems a bit cliche.

For my Tuesday Ten this week, I decided to ask my kids to share what they are thankful for.  At first, I thought getting them to list ten each would be a stretch.  I was pleasantly surprised when they came up with ten (and then some) quite easily.  I was also impressed by the things they included.  I knew already that they are not particularly materialistic kids.  However, it was so wonderful to hear them affirm that they know what is really important in life! :-)

What My Kids Are Thankful For Right Now

Emily (age 6)

1.  Me! (meaning herself)

2. A loving family including mommy, daddy, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins

3.  Life

4.  Food

5.  Home

6.  God

7.  Sophie (our dog)

8.  Friends

9.  Teachers

10.  Clothes

11.  The Earth

12.  A comfy bed

13.  Toys

Megan (age 8 -almost 9)

1.  A roof

2.  Mommy and Daddy

3.  Food

4.  God

5.  Nature

6.  Sophie

7.  That we have money so we can ride horses

8.  That I'm unique!

9.  That our grandparents live right behind us

10.  Teachers

11.  That we have a big yard to run around in and a trampoline

12.  Clothes

13.  A comfy bed

14.  Toys

Rachel (age 11)

1. Family

2.  Sophie

3.  A house

4.  Food

5.  Clean Water

6.  Friends

7.  The ability to go to school

8.  Nature

9.  The color blue

10.  Music

Happy Thanksgiving dear readers!!  I am so thankful for you and all the support you have shown me and this blog over the past several months!  I am taking a couple days this week to "unplug" and spend precious time with my family.  I will have a new post for you on Friday to tell you about a very special Mother of All Meltdowns holiday promotion!!

For now, I will leave you with a couple more quotes that spoke to me today!

Thankful

When I first read the prompt for this week's Finish the Sentence Friday, I was less than excited.  (Sorry ladies - you know I love you!)  You see, listing things I'm thankful for seemed a little boring and cliche at this time of the year.  Then, our lovely hostesses announced that there would be a second option this week.  I could write based on the prompt "When I think of the word "pilgrim," I think . . .   

Yeah.  I decided to stick with boring and cliche. :-)

Looking for a little inspiration, I googled "quotes about thankfulness."  Of course, I found hundreds of them. 

Since I'm a writer, you know I love words and I find that words can be very inspirational.  As I was reading all of these quotes, I realized that there really is nothing boring or cliche about being thankful and showing gratitude.  I think, sometimes, we get so caught up in our crazy, busy lives that we just don't take the time to count our blessings - literally count our blessings.  We are bombarded with advertisements and comparisons that leave us wanting more; wanting better; wanting....wanting.  

The truth is, I am supremely blessed and should, therefore, be supremely grateful and thankful.  

So.....

Right now, I'm thankful for . . . . 

• My family. My beautiful kids.  My wonderful husband and our solid marriage.  My amazing parents.  My brother.  All of my in-laws.  My nieces and nephews.  I am thankful that my parents taught me to value my family and that I have such a wonderful one.
• My house.  So many people would love to have just a roof over their heads.  I am blessed to have a lovely home that is spacious, safe, and warm.  It is filled with memories and love.
• My friends.  My online blogging friends whom I have never met, but who know me as well as anyone.  My "in real life" friends who are supportive and encouraging.  The friends that are too far away and the friends who used to be.
• All of the modern conveniences that make my life so much easier and more efficient. 
• Teachers who inspired me and challenged me.  Teachers who now inspire and challenge my kids.
• Freedom to be who I want and live how I wish in a country where all are welcome.
• Music that sparks something in my heart; makes me feel something in my soul.
• Words that I can speak or write to express myself and that bring me closer to the people I love.
• The little, trivial things in life like coffee, warm pajamas, delicious food, good books and movies, smell-good candles, fluffy towels, and chocolate.
• Right now, I'm also thankful for these quotes that inspired me and reminded me that gratitude is NEVER frivolous or trite.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!  May you count your blessings and be grateful today, tomorrow, and always!

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This post was written as part of Finish The Sentence Friday.  FTSF is hosted by some wonderful blogging ladies.  Please give them a visit and check out all the other blogs that participate as well!

Janine at Janine’s Confessions of a Mommyaholic

Stephanie at Mommy, for Real

Kate at Can I Get Another Bottle of Whine?

Kristi at Finding Ninee

Helping Others This Thanksgiving

Monday night, my super picky six year old turned up her nose at the dinner I had prepared because the casserole had a little broccoli in it.  You may have seen my Facebook post about it:

Well, she had a point about the artwork, but, eventually, she managed to scrape off some broccoli and take a few bites.  This is a scenario that is played out frequently at my house (minus my superior seriously inferior parenting strategies.)  Fortunately though, I am always able to put a reasonably healthy meal on the table for my family even it if they don't like it.  My kids don't go to bed hungry.  Sadly, that is not true for many, many families in the United States and around the world.  There are far too many parents who cannot afford to feed their families healthy meals - or any meals at all.  There are far too many parents and children who go to bed hungry each night.

There is something you can do to help.  Along with the other authors of The Mother of All Meltdowns, I have made a donation to support The Scary Mommy Thanksgiving Project.

The Scary Mommy Thanksgiving Project gives mothers and their families an evening of food, love, and warmth, without the stress and worry they battle the rest of the year. With your help, MOAM has adopted three families and would like to adopt more. Please donate with MOAM by going HERE, or consider giving directly via Scary Mommy.  $50 will adopt an entire family, but any amount you can give will help.  As of noon on Tuesday (11/12/13), there were still 97 families on the list waiting  for assistance.  You can also send checks to:  Scary Mommy Nation • PO Box 20866 • Baltimore, MD • 21209