Christmas Tree

Our lives have changed so much in the past 10 years.  Two new home addresses, different church body, becoming empty-nesters, adding in-laws and grandchildren,  tripling the number of employees and on and on.  But two changes have our entire family learning to develop new Christmas traditions – no more retail food and no more deer processing.  Traditions that previously were simply not possible because of our business involvement in retail sales and deer processing are now possibilities and we’re learning to create them for ourselves.  If you’re in retail food every holiday is demanding and leaves little time to create holiday traditions that others are used to. Being involved in deer processing consumed ALL of December.

As our children were growing up any and ALL Christmas decorations were put up the weekend after Thanksgiving because there would be no time to do it after that weekend.  We compensated for the lack of normal Christmas traditions by doing our own emphasis at Easter.  Sending Christmas cards was replaced by sending Easter cards and an occasional family letter.  Making Christmas cookies was replaced by making peanut butter eggs.

Last Christmas I did no decorating because I was busy packing to move in January.  So this Christmas season after having 11 months to settle into our home I was so looking forward to decorating and all the things that the season brings.

This weekend Jay & I did something we’ve never, ever done before – went for a Christmas tree together.  AND we decided to try a stab at possibly a new tradition for us and take all the grandchildren along.

So Jay headed out to one sons home to pick up their three children and I headed to the other sons home to pick up their three children and we set out to bring home a tree.  After a pizza supper the kiddo’s helped Pappy drag in the tree.

During the tree trimming Jay commented about nothing like waiting until you’re past 50 to string lights on a tree.  =)  Some changes in life bring about some new and fun things.

When we had the lights on, bead garland strung and decorations hung they gathered for a picture. 

Baby Caleb was inside where it was warm – didn’t have a warm place for him to be crawling around.  And Jessie is presenting her version of ‘smile for the camera’.

And then it was inside for some cocoa.  We’re hoping as this tradition grows to have a sleep over the evening we go for a tree with the grands.  So many new possibilities…..

I think I can quickly get used to new Christmas traditions.

 

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Dad update:  He has had a very good weekend.  Some strength has returned although he still tires quickly.  He is eating more and more and talking has become a little stronger.  Visitors have increased and he has enjoyed those but it’s still best to call and see how his day is going before stopping in.  And keeping visits short (10 minutes)is best as he tires easily.  He is grateful for all your care and prayers.