Christmas Sentiments

I get sentimental this time of year. We've been preoccupied with our basement finishing project, so it happened a little later this year than usual...but it still happened.  It hit the moment I opened up the ornament boxes. Certain ornaments got me all choked up, I couldn't help it.  You know...those ornaments your kids make for you at school or church.  They usually have some precious photo of your child, or a small handprint...those are the ones that have the tendency to melt my heart. 

Colin made this one for me in school last year. What a little cherub!

Sydney made this one for me 3 years ago in her church nursery class.  
I love that handprint! Though it seems to get smaller and smaller every year. Sigh.

Talon made this one for me in kindergarten....I remember his teacher wanting to help him do the weaving on it because he was a little behind on the project, be he insisted on doing it all himself.  Boy...was he ever so proud when he presented it to me!  
He's nearly 10 now...where does the time go???

As I pulled each sweet little ornament out of the box and handed them to my children to hang on the tree ...I marveled at how quickly time passes and was grateful to have these little treasures from my kids to display on the tree.  

Then I pulled out another ornament from the box...it was an ornament I won in our family ornament exchange game we play at my parents house every year. We play white elephant exchange style. One year, my aunt thought it would be fun to bring a few ornaments with photos of my grandmother as a little girl...those ornaments were the most popular and traded for again and again. It started a new tradition of adding a few fun photo ornaments of some of our relatives who have gone on.  The ornament I was about to hang on the tree was one I fought hard to win in the game...because it is a sweet frame that holds one of my favorite photos of my grandmother on my Mother's side. 

Then it happened again...another tear as I pulled another framed ornament with a picture of my grandmother on my father's side...also won in one of our family games.

One more ornament got me all sentimental...this one above.  

That's me!  

I remember making it at church during a primary children's Christmas party.  I remember going out in front of our church the week before to have my picture taken.  I remember those sneakers and the shopping trip I made with my mother to Mervyn's to get them. I remember my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Verus, teaching me how to tie those shoes at school with the bunny ears method. I remember that orange and navy plaid dress and the schmocking around my torso, and feeling so "grown up" because the dress had a tie on it. I remember that my knee high socks would never stay up, because I was constantly running around. I remember that "pixie" hair cut, and being so confused why my mother cut all my hair off after I said, "sure, I want a pixie haircut" after she had suggested it. I didn't know what "pixie" meant. I remember glueing each of those sequins onto that felt frame, and meticulously picking out just the right colors from the plate that they sat on. I can't believe that most of them are still there!  Most of all...I remember giving that ornament to my mother and remember how proud I was to present it to her. I always remember that feeling each time my kids give me their ornament presents from school...and year after year, I do my best to preserve those ornaments in hopes that I can give them back to them when they are all grown up.

Yes, I love this time of year!  

It is also this time of year, that I think of all the people who have touched me in my life, as I receive cards and letters from old friends far and near.

Silhouette digital die "Card Christmas Tree Trio" 

I would love to send a card to each and every one of you, and hope that you will accept my "virtual card" as I express my appreciation to you for stopping by my blog each month.  I could not be designing these products without those of you who buy them.  I am truly grateful to you for your support!

I also want to wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukah, a Happy Kwanza!  Whatever you celebrate during this season, you cannot deny that there is a special spirit about the month of December as we gather with our friends and family. May this season be your merriest yet!