Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Oh evergreen unchanging...for the most part. :) Even the most steadfast traditions change from time to time, as I am coming to find (and reluctantly accept). Of all the Christmas traditions in my family, the tree was probably the one taken most-seriously.
From the time that I could walk, my mother and I would go out every year into the woods (and I don't mean a Christmas tree farm...I mean the real woods...lions and tigers and bears, oh my woods) and we would hunt for our perfect tree. Because we were not on a Christmas tree farm, most of the trees that we found were a bit on the...um...scrawny side. But scrawny was just exactly how my mother liked them best. In fact, some years we had to cut down two little ones and tie them together with bailing twine in order to create enough branches to constitute an actual Christmas tree. Then we'd load it up in the truck and we'd head home to set it up and decorate.
I'm telling you, Charlie Brown has nothing on my dear mother. She would hang every strand of lights, ever ornament, every length of tinsel (not matter how mangy) that she had ever owned, on that tiny little tree. How those trees every remained standing I have no idea but they were perfect and beautiful and it was our tradition together.
One year I created a paper angel (I think I was in Brownies at the time if that helps you to put the time frame into perspective). My mother fell in love with that angel and since it's creation, it has been at the top of every Christmas tree.
I remember one year in particular, my mother had been very ill and was in the hospital. A few family members decided they would surprise mom and bring her a store-bought Christmas tree (live but full and beautiful). Those poor unfortunate souls didn't realize what they had done. I have never seen my mother so upset and angry. Hahaha. I still laugh when I think about it. She drug that tree outside and hacked off about two-thirds of its branches. Even then, she was not happy about it.
When Mike and I were first married we still had live trees. Now our tree is fake (pre-lit) and the only ornaments I can hang are a few non-breakable ones, which have to stay a good three feet up the tree.
But a few things haven't changed. My paper angel still sits at the top every year. I still sit for a few minutes every night and just look at the tree and soak up the beautiful feelings that it inspires. I still think of my angel mother and shed a few tears for the Christmas that is coming that I won't be able to spend with her. Traditions may change slightly, but the feelings that inspire them are constant. I hope that we all can enjoy our Christmas trees, whatever they may look like...and that, most importantly, we will cherish the memories with loved ones here and those who we will be with again one day.

Happy 6th Birthday Caeden!!!

We sure love this awesome little boy!

"Focus" is the Word of the Day

Today at school, the children were taken to a special demonstration of karate. Their teacher was asked to pick one student who demonstrated the most "focus" in class. Caeden was picked (don't worry, I'm just as surprised as you are-after all, this is the child I have to tell twelve times in a row to put on his pajamas)! So he got to go up and do a demonstration with the karate teachers. Using only his foot and some good ole fashioned "focus", he broke the board!! We were really excited about this. :)

If You Give a Nathan a Banana

He will take it down like it's his last meal!

A Pleasant Surprise

I had the unexpected privilege of getting to see my cousin and his ADORABLE family this weekend as they were passing through Richmond. I must say, when it comes to cousins I really hit the jack pot. I have pretty awesome cousins on both sides of the family and my husband's family as well. This cousin in particular, however, has a very special place in my heart.
When I was really little I wanted to marry him. I know, I know, you're thinking "that's gross" or "maybe her hometown rests a little too deep in the forest". Let me just reassure you, if you ever met my cousin, you'd see that my crush was completely justifiable. James has always been that crazy, funny cousin who treated me more like a little sister than a cousin. We never lived near each other so our visits were not as frequent as some (though with his easy recollection of all my embarrassing childhood quirks, I'm thinking it's probably not all bad that he wasn't around during my dating years), I always felt close to him. All in all, he's just pretty awesome. His wife is awesome. His kids are awesome. It's like one big Harrington bundle of awesome-ness.
Our visit was brief but wonderful and reminded me of how wonderful family is!

Prayer Request

Well, in keeping with our 2010 Ramsey family tradition, Suzy will be going in on Tuesday for surgery. This is a very simple surgery to help with some eye issues she has had for several years. While it is not "major" surgery, it is always a bit worrisome for parents. :) Please keep our little Suzy-lou in your prayers that all will go well, that the doctors will be guided and that her recovery will be quick and as pain free as possible! :)

A Little Side Note

On my previous post.....even the most creative things will not make it "fun" to lock your keys in your car at the grocery store with four children. They just won't.