Adrianne came over and helped me get going on the tree. Dad tested all the strands of lights and she and I put them on the tree. Darla knew exactly what was going on! How does that happen from year to year??? As soon as the lights are turned on and laid on the carpet she creeps right up and lays down on them. Every year she does this. And she is really put out when she has to move so you can string them next. It is the funniest dang thing.
She wouldn't look at me because she didn't want me to move her.
Check her out. She would lay here for hours if you let her. Do you think they generate that much heat?It has been exciting to see everyone's different style, preference, traditions for Christmas Trees! I have enjoyed observing how personalities come out in their trees. Mine is no different. I do not have a designer tree. Over the years we have affectionately dubbed ours the Family History tree. It has evolved through 32 years. It tells the story of our life and our family. We have country ornaments. Fancy ornaments. Formal ornaments. Cyrstal ornaments. Paper ornaments. Kids school ornaments. Contemporary ornaments. Victorian ornaments. We have ornaments that remind us of very hard, terrible times. We have ornaments that remind us of happy, wonderful times. It all goes on the tree.
A silver, glittery star from a dear friend who, decades ago, knew my baby blues were more than that and brought this over on a day when I needed encouragement. It gave me hope to know that I would get through this, and the Lord answered my prayer through the love and insight of someone else.
I made these Vacancy signs years ago when I had a sweet experience while reading the scriptures about the Christmas story. It is simple plywood reminding me of the stable where Jesus was born and more importantly to make sure I have a 'vacancy' (room) for Him and not turn Him away. I always put this in the front center of the tree.
This sweet, little Victorian bulb was made by my mom. One year they had fallen on very hard times. They were only going to be able to get a small gift for the grandchildren. My mom felt so bad and kept apologizing over and over. I told her it was fine and that the spirit of Christmas was what was most important. Imagine my surprise when this little box was under the tree! It contained 4 of these precious bulbs made from leftover crafting supplies she put together! There was a simple note inside: "Merry Christmas! Love, Mom" I still have the note and the same box and relive this tender time each year that I put them on the tree.
This is one of a set of 12 counted cross stitched angels that I saved my babysitting money to buy so we could have ornaments. Each week I would go and buy one of the items I needed to make them. Cloth, thread, needles. Then on a cold evening, we bundled the boys in their footed sleepers and went to the craft store so I could get the frames and red ribbon. We counted out $6 in change at the register in order to get them and came home and cut them out, framed them and placed them on the tree. It was so simple and we were so excited and happy. Hard times, but we didn't know any better!
Same with these. Kim Ridge, a dear neighbor from our college days, gave these to me from a kit she got at a stitchery club. They are felt and thread. Look at all those TINY stitches! I did these at night when the kids were in bed and Duff was gone every night studying to take the CPA exam. There are 6 of them, all different patterns.
When Christine was a toddler, I had her in the stroller and we were Christmas shopping. It was lunch time and nap time and I had pushed her to her limit just trying to get that one more thing done before loading her back into the car. She had HAD IT! A kind store owner came up to me and handed me this angel ornament and said, " Here is for your precious angel!" She gave it to a very flustered mother and screaming, red faced baby girl and it took all the frustration out of me. I just relaxed, realizing that this too would pass. She fell asleep before I was even out of the parking lot and I had a quiet drive home to reflect on this stranger's compassion and generosity.
There's not enough room to tell the stories/history of each ornament on our tree. But we appreciate the chance to reflect and remember at this time of year. We love to hear and tell the stories of how far we have come through the Savior's love and atonement. Without it we would be nothing. When all is said and done, it is because of Christ that we got through the difficult times and rejoice through the good ones. These ornaments are symbols to our family that He was born a babe in Bethlehem and lives still today.
A silver, glittery star from a dear friend who, decades ago, knew my baby blues were more than that and brought this over on a day when I needed encouragement. It gave me hope to know that I would get through this, and the Lord answered my prayer through the love and insight of someone else.
I made these Vacancy signs years ago when I had a sweet experience while reading the scriptures about the Christmas story. It is simple plywood reminding me of the stable where Jesus was born and more importantly to make sure I have a 'vacancy' (room) for Him and not turn Him away. I always put this in the front center of the tree.
This sweet, little Victorian bulb was made by my mom. One year they had fallen on very hard times. They were only going to be able to get a small gift for the grandchildren. My mom felt so bad and kept apologizing over and over. I told her it was fine and that the spirit of Christmas was what was most important. Imagine my surprise when this little box was under the tree! It contained 4 of these precious bulbs made from leftover crafting supplies she put together! There was a simple note inside: "Merry Christmas! Love, Mom" I still have the note and the same box and relive this tender time each year that I put them on the tree. 
This is one of a set of 12 counted cross stitched angels that I saved my babysitting money to buy so we could have ornaments. Each week I would go and buy one of the items I needed to make them. Cloth, thread, needles. Then on a cold evening, we bundled the boys in their footed sleepers and went to the craft store so I could get the frames and red ribbon. We counted out $6 in change at the register in order to get them and came home and cut them out, framed them and placed them on the tree. It was so simple and we were so excited and happy. Hard times, but we didn't know any better!
Same with these. Kim Ridge, a dear neighbor from our college days, gave these to me from a kit she got at a stitchery club. They are felt and thread. Look at all those TINY stitches! I did these at night when the kids were in bed and Duff was gone every night studying to take the CPA exam. There are 6 of them, all different patterns.
When Christine was a toddler, I had her in the stroller and we were Christmas shopping. It was lunch time and nap time and I had pushed her to her limit just trying to get that one more thing done before loading her back into the car. She had HAD IT! A kind store owner came up to me and handed me this angel ornament and said, " Here is for your precious angel!" She gave it to a very flustered mother and screaming, red faced baby girl and it took all the frustration out of me. I just relaxed, realizing that this too would pass. She fell asleep before I was even out of the parking lot and I had a quiet drive home to reflect on this stranger's compassion and generosity.
There's not enough room to tell the stories/history of each ornament on our tree. But we appreciate the chance to reflect and remember at this time of year. We love to hear and tell the stories of how far we have come through the Savior's love and atonement. Without it we would be nothing. When all is said and done, it is because of Christ that we got through the difficult times and rejoice through the good ones. These ornaments are symbols to our family that He was born a babe in Bethlehem and lives still today.Jesus Is The Reason For The Season!
