Christmas Memories

 It's Christmastime!  and for whatever reason I've been feeling extra nostalgic this year.  I've been remembering the excitement of the Christmas decorations coming out of storage....the plastic based candles that mom would put in all the windows....the big multi colored bulbs on our Christmas tree....the nativity scene with the cutest little lamb.  I've been remembering the stops at all the family events that we would make....making time for each gathering....how on my dad's side we would all spend the night at one family's house....that's right, all 8 of my dad's siblings and their families, crashing together for one crazy night of games, food, and fun.  And on my mom's side, spending the night on Christmas eve night at Grandpa and Grandma's house with my brother and two of the best cousins...and Grandpa pulling one of us into his lap on his recliner to help him read the Christmas story from the book of Luke.  And our church caroling night....bundling up and heading to church to get our caroling group assignments...loading up the care packages that each family we sang for would receive....sloshing through the snow as we tackled our route...getting out, singing, getting in, getting out, singing, getting in....just a quick  blow of a pitch pipe and we were off to the races with four part harmonies of the traditional Christmas carols...and then heading back to church...peeling off all of our layers...and having snacks and hot chocolate all together.  What a blessing these memories are....and as I look back, I realize not one of those memories has anything to do with a gift I received.  Of course at the time, as a little girl, there was so much excitement around what was waiting for us under the tree....but that's not what has stayed with me....because the gift....the true gift that I was given every single Christmas season...was the gift of love.  First and foremost always being reminded of God's incredible love for us as He sent us Jesus...and feeling so much love and joy in each and every tradition that was created.  And giving love away...as we caroled, or gave to a family in need, or exchanged presents with each other....love was at the core.  What an incredible blessing....and one that I strive to continue to pass on as we make traditions of our own....making Jesus and His love, the center of it all!

Most of our old photos are in albums back home at Mom and Dad's house in Ohio.  But I do have a few random gems from what I'm guessing is around 1985ish....

a few things about this photo....it's at my Great Grandma's house...she always put that little Christmas tree on a table...my brother, in the green shirt, looks less than thrilled....I however, look very happy because I'm holding the bowl full of numbers for the grown ups to pick out of to play their gift exchange game.  

my brother's face in the previous photo explained...turns out he was the one who wanted to hold the bowl while the grown ups chose their numbers.  I was probably not as happy anymore.  Ha! and that's my momma, looking classy as usual.  

I went through a pretty intense phase of all things Strawberry Shortcake...so you can imagine my joy when I got this beautiful nightgown. 😊

again my brother looking less than thrilled....I'm still looking happy and it looks like I added my Strawberry Shortcake baby doll to the mix...and why in the world is my youngest cousin in a box? lol! and that's Grandpa on his chair, where he would read us the Christmas story...he's just trying to calm the chaos and get a picture with his grandkids.  

Ah yes....wonderful memories indeed.  

Wishing everyone the Merriest Christmas season....fill it up with love!