with Carrie @ Thoughts, Ponderings, Musings
Traditions are an important part of any holiday season. They recall fond remembrances, create new memories, and grant security in a changing world.
Change is inevitable, and as transitions in our lives happen, we have to be willing to be flexible and to compromise.
So, as a young couple with a growing family, it was time for negotiations...
“You just need to unwrap ALL the presents and have everything under the tree for them to see it all at once. Just let them dive in and go for it...”
“You need gifts to UNWRAP. That is part of the fun. We can leave a couple of things opened beside the tree, but they need boxes to unwrap and open...”
We resolved the matter by meeting half way...50% of the gifts were wrapped and 50% were left opened...
Now since there is nothing much sweeter than seeing a child’s eyes light up when they see the wonder of Christmas gifts, mom HAS to be in a position to capture this sight firsthand.
Because boys will be boys, this meant guarding the entryway into the living room on Christmas eve...even if it meant laying trying to sleep in the hallway...
Trust me...this is not a good tradition...
But...
The faces of my boys on Christmas morning made it all worthwhile...
Oh...and by the way...the only thing sweeter than seeing their eyes light up when they see the wonder of Christmas gifts?
Seeing their faces shine when they meet the Wonder of Christmas...Jesus!
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8 thoughts:
ha ha ha ha! I LOVE the look on baby Ben's face! All our gifts are wrapped now, so it's not as much of an issue.
What sweet memories. Those faces
are darling. I remember leaving
presents unwrapped and wrapping
some too. I'll never forget how
excited Seth was at the age of
three when his grandparents got
the Fisher-Price farm for him.
He ran into the room and saw it
and said,"My farm! I knew I wanted
that!"
Oh how sweet! You are so right, we must be flexible and make room for both sides of the family's traditions.
Sweet photo of your boys!
Now that may be the boys I remember! Love your Flexible words!
kim
Precious memories - thank you so much for sharing them with us. i love the part about the TRUE wonder of Christmas - Jesus. How in the world did Christmas get so turned upside down anyway??
Love you -
What adorable boys! My brother hid and caught my dad being Santa early one Christmas a.m.!!!
PRECIOUS! I have such special memories of being a youngin, and making plans with my brother and sister, because I wanted to "be sure to see their faces" when they walked into the living room. Guess it was the "motherly instinct" kicking in back then. LOL And now that I'm a mom of two "youngin's of my own," I can totally understand this excitement and precious memories needing to be captured on film...or...digital what-cha-call-its?? LOL :)
Ohhh my blessings Karen... Now how this this beautiful ending bring tears to my eyes! These are such precious memories and recorded now for all to treasure!
I can't believe you guarded and slept in the entryway to the living room Christmas tree and gifts!
Beautiful example of compromise! That would never work at my home.
Who wants 50% unwrapped??? (lol)
(though I think there definitely times that we had unwrapped like with our Sheltie puppy...not entirely)!
I love that precious photo of your sons JOYful faces and I can imagine
that was reflected in yours as well. And there is nothing better than your wonder filled ending:
"Seeing their faces shine when they meet the Wonder of Christmas...
Jesus!"
I LOVE THIS!!! May the wonder of CHRISTmas live on in them and through them and all God's children know this WONDER and JOY of Christmas!!! Your words so beautifully wrapped up with this memorable BOW for all eternity...
I love your Christmas style of sharing memories of your heart to ours! You are so gifted in your writing...concise and drawn or woven together with a ribbon of Love!
Love(hug)peace (prayers) and JOY,
Peggy
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