A traditional Christmas!

          This year we are going to cut our own tree!

                                                               © Mckgamer | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos



We bought a artificial tree about 6 years ago. It is looking ragged and worn out. It is time for something new. We decided that a real tree is the answer this year. We are looking forward to the experience of taking the kids out and letting them help pick out the tree and cut it down. There is something magical about it.We are looking forward to making memories with the kids that will last a lifetime. I hope that they will remember going and picking out a tree for years to come. I have taken  time to begin teaching my daughter the art of the divinity candy. It is a tradition passed to me from my Grandmother. I hope that my children will continue the tradition and that many good memories will come from this tradition.

A few days ago,I had a discussion with some of the neighbor ladies. We were talking about regrets. We discussed a talk by Dieter F Uchtdorf  given in early October (The link is below). He talks of terminally ill people and how many of them regret not spending time with their loved ones. Oh how they wish they would have taken the time to slow down from work and other things to really enjoy loved ones. One of the other regrets he talks about is people not living happily in the moment. He states "We shouldn’t wait to be happy until we reach some future point, only to discover that happiness was already available—all the time! Life is not meant to be appreciated only in retrospect. “This is the day which the Lord hath made … ,” the Psalmist wrote. “Rejoice and be glad in it.” Brothers and sisters, no matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish. There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it."

This time of year should be joyful. It should be a loved and cherished time of year. But alas, all to often it is over scheduled, overstressed, and overdone. I want my family to remember the good things about the Holiday season. I do not want them to remember that Mom was stressed out every Christmas. I want to be able to enjoy the holidays as much as the Children. It begins with slowing down and focusing on what is really important. This holiday season We are making memories to last a lifetime. What are you doing this holiday season?




of-regrets-and-resolutions Dieter F Uchtdorf