What Christmas Means to Me

I can't help but write down my feelings on such a wonderful holiday. I truly love Christmas! My heart is just filled with such joy and gratitude that it would be an injustice to not write it down!

Our house is filled with Christmas decor, the tree decorated with all our homemade ornaments, our stockings are up, and the smell of no-bake cookies are still lingering in our home from yesterday. There is something so very comforting about such a set-up. I know that a lot of my feelings come from such wonderful traditions that my parents had set for us at home. From laying underneath the Christmas tree with my father while we read stories or simply talked about life, to smelling my mother's incredible chocolates that she makes every year and gives them to others. From the "24 Days of Christmas" to the "Secret Santa", it all reminded us of the True meaning of Christmas and gave us something to remember over all the years. I grew up in a home that cherished warm memories. Not only cherished them, but invited them in. My parents recognized that this is what living is all about. Family, and remembering why we are here. I have warm, warm memories of growing up and celebrating Christmas. I also love listening to Oli as he describes to me his Christmas growing up. It never is the gifts that is remembered, it's always the time spent with family that is what stands out. We both grew up with warm memories of Christmas, and we are very grateful for that.
To me, Christmas is a time to step away from the hustle and bustle of every day living, and to enjoy something spectacular. It's a time to slow down, look around you, and take in the wonderful family and life that is surrounding you. It's a time where you give little goodies to your friends, reminding them of how you appreciate their friendship.

I love the fact that now Oli and I are forming our very own traditions in our little home. We really honor tradition, and we try to make it something of our own, while also gleaning from our parent's wonderful examples so that when we bring our children into this world, they will have something that separates them from the world. Something that welcomes in warm memories and encourages love at home. That's what tradition speaks to me. Not the gifts or the little gadgets, that is something that will always change. It's having the altruistic moments of laughing until you have little tears streaming down your face (yes, that happens quite often in our home :) or giving someone a hug, and telling them you love them. That for me is my favorite gift. I really love this time of year, and I am very grateful to have this time to step away from life for a little bit and remember how lucky I am. We all have something that makes living so much sweeter. Hopefully we can just remember to thank them.

Although I have a bajillion pictures to post, I couldn't help but write down the feelings that have been swelling within me for a while. Here is a toast to enjoying the Holidays :)

I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday!