Traditions

Okay, so for the past few days I've been a little bummed about missing all of the family Christmas activties. Like, the Hansom Christmas Party, the Rice Christmas Party, going to the Mesa Temple and seeing the lights, etc. My friend Teresa came over tonight to bring over the gingerbread house that I won at Enrichment (we're decorating it tomorrow... it's so cute!) and I was talking to her. All of their family lives in Utah, and she only gets to see them once a year (either Thanksgiving or Christmas) and it completely makes her sad, too. However, she decided that this was HER family now, and she needed to make it good for them, so they started their own traditions, like the gingerbread houses.

So, I know that this isn't rocket science, but it's like a lightbulb went off in my head. We are here, and we are our own family (despite how much we're missing everyone) and need to make the best of it. I decided a long time ago that no matter how much money I had or how sad I felt or how rough a time I was having, I was never going to let my kids have to feel it, too. I mean, I don't want to be unrealistic with them, but there's simply no reason for my children to have to worry about those things. The only promise of childhood is that it will end, right? They deserve a wonderful Christmas. And starting our own traditions is a perfect way to put my thoughts into action.

So, tomorrow for FHE we are decorating our gingerbread house, and I'm going to get the recipe from her so we can do it EVERY year. I'm trying to think of some other fun traditions... any ideas, anyone? What did your family do that was special (besides having parties with extended family... lol). Caroling? Baking cookies? Crafts?

Sorry for going so many days without pictures. I've got some cute ones, it just takes forevah to download them on the computer. I'll post Grace's first time out (there's a story with that) and our gingerbread houses tomorrow (or is it today, it IS rather late, hmmm...)). Until then, make it a great one!