Tradition, and Too Much...

Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2008 was all you hoped it would be. Funny how every time January 1 rolls around so many of us give pause to reflect on months recently past. Then, without hesitation, we roll right into resolution mode for 2009. I, myself, am no different than most, except that I NEVER resolve to do any ONE thing specifically different. For me, it is the bigger picture I am always looking at. What was the overall feeling of the year for me, for our family, the environment at work? In 2008, the answer was exhaustion and resistance.

I never felt I/we as a family had enough time, enough laughter, enough help, or enough of those wonderful spontaneous moments of love. Too much was missing. In the past, I have found if I try to micro-manage these issues I won't find success. Diets, for example, never work for me. I haven't been on a single one in my life because I know I would set myself up for failure--if I feel healthy then I am healthy. If I am feeling sluggish and tired, then the problem is bigger than just what I am eating. I always look at the bigger picture. So, this year, I am looking to mimimize my expectations for each day I am granted. I want to resonate PEACE and hopefully peace will come my way, my families way, and the way of our company. What a blessing that would be! I'll let ya know next time this year how it goes!

With the state of the economy right now, it would be no surprise to say, we intend to do as everyone is doing right now, cut back. As I was approaching hour three of putting away the Christmas decorations, it hit me (and my aching back!) we have A LOT of decorations! You know, we haul these things out every year and then back into the garage again every new year. Juan opted out on hanging the outside lights except for a token string around the garage door. The kids were a little bummed but I was okay with it, and, he got a few more hours of rest he really needed during his week off. As I was packing up bin after bin, I was reminded how much I really like decorations but it is the sentimental ones that I will continue to treasure and hold on to. All the rest, I may toss. I used to buy something new every year but I think those days are over. I went and got my camera and snapped some pix of the ones I truly love, just in case some day they aren't here anymore.

The angel, my aunt Nena just sent me this year. She said she had her for decades and is now passing her on to me. Isn't she lovely? The green plate with a Christmas verse written on it

was given to us by my sister, Tanya, shortly before she passed away. Tanya gave each of us a different verse from the story, Twas the Night Before Christmas, each written in her own handwriting. She was only 24 when she made them, and she knew she was giving us a gift that would continue to give. I love it. My kids have their own trees in their rooms, Niko, my little drummer boy, has a cool blue tree filled with silver drums, topped with a skateobarder ornament given to him by his friend Brendan. My girly-girl, Lauren, has a bright pink feather tree with fun brightly colored ornaments. In the kitchen, we have a family tree where ornaments from around the world hang, representing places we've been. It is also covered with lots of history--fun, sentimental ornaments given to us, or ones they have made. To the left of the tree is Santa and his sleigh that is Niko's favorite, and the right is the crystal Nativity that is Lauren's favorite. Out in the foyer is my Winter slowglobe collection and Juan's favorite frosty!

And, all around the house are photos we keep in the holiday boxes to pull out every year of Christmas's past.

On the front door, is a wreath that has greeted our guests every year when we have our children's school friends over for our fun Christmas party, and, entwined throughout it all are decorations from my grandmother. Every year she gave us some kind of festive decoration because she knew how much I loved this time of year. I smile and say, "Thanks, Gram. Merry Christmas" every year when I put them out and without fail, I ache to share just one more cold winters night talking with her and my gramps in their Tennessee living room. My favorite, is the embroidered piece I hang on the wall that she sent me a long time ago. It was stitched by my biological mother when I was a child (sorry-couldn't get this picture to attach!).

Tradition: My mom's baked breads and my dad's oyster pudding. Opening one gift on Christmas eve, and hanging all the beautiful cards we received throughout the month. Honey-baked Ham and devilled eggs--YUM! Being surrounded by generations of family and knowing Christmas isn't just for children. Most importantly, knowing the real Reason for the Season.

Too much can be a good thing if it comes in the right packages...may each of you have too much love, too much tradition, too much time, too much help, too much laughter, too much fun, and may all THAT bring each of you too much PEACE in the year to come and truly a HAPPY NEW YEAR!