The wonder of it all...

Thank you for your genuine concern of everything being just right.

Thank you for the amazement expressed in your eyes and the enjoyment displayed in your smile.

Thank you, dear ones, for the LOVE you bring to this season, for the JOY you bring to our home, and for the BLESSING you are to our family.


And, most of all, thank you for reminding us just how magical this season really is.





We enjoyed every minute experiencing Christmas through YOUR eyes!

Home

Thank you for the food we eat;
Thank you for the world so sweet

Thank you for the birds that sing;
Thank you, God, for everything

For each and every child I pray;
Thank you for this special day.

This is the prayer/song that Seth and I sing every night together. It is from a favorite book that we used to read (given to Seth by Auntie Leah) and I put it to the tune of the old hymn: For the Beauty of the Earth. Seth loves to sing it and we always say a small prayer when we are finished followed by God bless Mommy, Daddy, Seth, Caleb, and Duncan. Usually he'll then add another random person (or animal) before we close with Amen. I like the idea of putting prayers to music especially for children so young that don't really know how to pray yet. It is amazing how these songs can come back into your head and bring reassurance and comfort during frightening or difficult times when you can't find the words to pray.

I think I was in junior high when my father started singing the blessing before we would eat. We would always sing the Johnny Appleseed song and close with a small prayer of gratitude and thanks. To be honest, I was really embarrassed during those teen years when friends would come over and we'd all bust out in song before eating. Now it only evokes warm feelings to think about it...like a giant hug from those you love most. On the rare occasions that all of us siblings are home together, it's neat to see everyone singing, all of our eyes darting around the room, taking the time to embrace before we dine together.

I am trying to be intentional at creating these small traditions for my boys. Family traditions create a familiarity of what "home" really is and, hopefully, a treasured childhood that they can remember fondly and retreat to in their minds when they need the comfort and warmth of home. I haven't put a whole lot of thought into what traditions I'd like to incorporate or when. Scott and I are kind of just letting the boys' personalities and interests guide the way. It should be a good mix of family fun considering that we are all so different.