'Christ'mas Time

I love Christmas time. I hate how fast it flies by and how busy this time of year is (especially at work). This year I am really trying to do more with Noah. I LOVE LOVE LOVE traditions. We started this Christmas time out with visiting a live nativity. I have never been to one before, but I can say I will go every year from here on out. It was amazing. Tim and I took Noah one night and the line was over 2 hours long and I had not had dinner yet (and being pregnant that is not a good thing), not to mention the temperature was in the teens. So we decided not to stay. Noah was crushed, so I promised him we would get there right when it started the next night. Megan and Brinlee were troopers and joined Noah and I (Tim had to work). It still took us almost 2 hours to get through and the temps were still in the teens, but the feelings were well worth it. Noah got to see the ‘hotel’ that Jesus couldn’t stay in and the ‘barn’ that he was born in (3 years don’t understand inn and stable that well). I think he loved the animals the most. That brought the meaning of Christmas to me.

Then on Monday of this week Tim and I went to the Forgotten Carols with my family. This is a tradition that my family has being doing for 13 – 15 years, and we LOVE it. It is the same play year after year, but the spirit there is the same. The last 4 years have had a little different feeling. This was something my mom looked forward to and we loved sharing with her, so now going without her adds a lot of tears to the night, especially when we sign “We will be together again someday”.

Noah and I have also made a gingerbread house, Christmas cards, and sugar cookies.

I am really hoping to find more traditions that I can bring into my home to help with the holiday season and especially to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Please let me know if you have any great traditions because I would love to incorporate them into our house.