Mr and Mrs Andy

This ornament was a couple long before Brent and I were! My parents had them on their tree and now I have the privelege of hosting them every Christmas on mine! They have stayed true to their love throughout the years and I make sure they are placed together on the tree every year in tradition.

Remember when Raggedy Ann was loved more than Barbie? She has such a comfort about her and so many little girls had their very own doll to go to sleep with every night. What simple times we long for. The comfort of a rag doll.

Nothing but Love....

The year was 1995. We were all living in one house at some point of the year. When I say all, I mean Brent's parents, Jennifer and her family, Todd, Deborah and Brent, Tyler and I. None of us had money and I can't remember how we all made it through that year. I was not working outside of the home, so I watched Sarah so Jennifer could work, transported people to and from work and tried to put dinner on the table when I could for everyone. We truly had nothing but love that year.

That is what I love about this ornament. Jennifer made us these. Mine is the only one that had made it though all the moves intact. I love that we all survived that year and something beautiful came of it. I love handmade gifts! There is so much love and thought put into them.

With a failing economy, I am very scared. I keep wondering how we are going to make it each and every day. The last time I remember feeling like this, was during the time of this ornament. We did pull through. We did it as a family. It took everyone doing their part. We need to find that courage and strength and teamwork to do this once more! Through God, we will survive!

Our First Ornaments

These were the first two Christmas ornaments Brent and I bought for each other. I actually remember us buying them together. It was in Wisconsin and we bought them before we got married that December. I remember what a special moment that was realizing that we were forming our own family and were starting our own decisions. Decisions that were as simple as choosing which ornaments we would purchase for our very own Christmas tree.

How far away that day seems to me right now. I wish that was the biggest decision we had to make this Christmas. Choosing and ornament for a tree seems such a simple and magical moment to be experiencing and yet doesn't every good story start with a simple moment such as this?

I love that Brent and I are still able to put these two on the tree together after all these years (almost 16!) These little plastic ornaments have made it through many moves, homes and various Christmas trees. God has blessed our marriage as well. We have also been through many moves, homes, children, illnesses and experiences. God had been faithful!

My Silly Little Man

This brings back some of my favorite memories of Christmas. This is not the original silly man, but one I had found a thrift store. He looks almost identical to the one I remember from my childhood. I actually have him sitting on my desk to look at while I work.

When I was around Dakota's age, I remember seeing him for the first time. My Nanny would put up a special wreath every year and this little man was perched up in the wreath along with the other decorations. I loved to look at him and my biggest desire was to hold him in my hands.
"Nanny, I want to hold that silly little man in my hands!" I would beg over and over and over. It was explained to me that he was glued onto the wreath and could not be released from his Christmas captivity. I cannot tell you how many years that went on. It became a Christmas tradition for me to beg and plead for this request.

I love this story because I know if Nanny had taken him off the wreath the first time I asked, the story would have been over. It would not have carried on from year to year. Doesn't God do this for us? If He gave us what we wanted every time we asked, our story would not continue on and on..... He loves to keep His story alive in us. The hardest part is realizing that it isn't about our desires but Him.

Christmas Tea Ornament

It was 1996, I believe and I stepped out in my uncomfortable zone and went to a women's ministry function at Northland. It was a Christmas Tea event and an ornament exchange. I honestly feel very uncomfortable at those types of functions as I feel like it is a "whos-who" of perfect moms and women and I am always the one that had failed at everything in my opinion. Nevertheless, I felt led that year to go to this event. I believe I took Brent's mom with me so that I would not be alone in my endeavor. I cannot even tell you what ornament I took, but this is the one I received. I love it that it is handmade and someone took the time to make this for me even though they did not know who would be receiving it. It is one of my favorites and I look forward to seeing it each year on the tree.

It always reminds me that stepping out of your comfort zone has its rewards. There are people that want to serve you and give to you if you only allow them to.

Our Tree

Here is our tree. As you can see, we are a far cry from the caliber of the Northland Christmas display! Notice how all the ornaments are on the top half? Avert your eyes to the bottom right corner of the photo.....that is the reason why. Sweet little baby kitty loves to find an ornament she wants, bat it off of the tree and take it to a secret hideaway. That is the reasoning behind the top-heavy tree. How does something so sweet and innocent cause so much trouble?

She loves to sit by the tree. Because of her, we are all drawn to the tree whether it is to pick up an ornament off of the floor or to sweep up broken glass. She makes us remember to look at the tree and I love her for it!

Christmas Thoughts

This the Christmas tree at Northland this year. It is absolutely beautiful and has that "look but don't touch" feel about it. It is a grand tree and is wonderful to see when you walk in the front doors. It is not a real tree, though. It does not hold memories, handmade ornaments or any sentimental value whatsover. That is because it is everyone's tree! Over the next few days, I am going to share with you our "real" tree. It is not grand or glorious and most would not stand more than 10 seconds to look at it. As I said before, it is the only Christmas thing we have going right now. I would like to share with you our ornaments and the story behind some of the special ones. I am going to try to post one a day until Christmas or until I run out!

Christmas Spirit

I usually cannot wait for Christmas, and yet for the past few years I have felt a numbness towards the whole Christmas experience. I am not sure what happened. I used to thrive on traditions and the wonders and joy of opening each box carefully put away the year before. These boxes of decorations and memories still sit in the garage waiting for me to get them. We have a tree up and a few ornaments decorate this tree, but that is all. I feel no desire to hang up lights, or and other decorations this year.

This morning I decided to look to a dear old friend for some Christmas cheer... Peter Marshall. I wish that I could have heard him speak in person. I love what he says and have always found comfort in reading his sermons.

Christmas

by Peter Marshall

We yearn, our Father, for the simple beauty of Christmas -- for all the old famliar melodies and words that remind us of that great miracle when He who had made all things was one night to come as a babe, to lie in the crook of a woman's arm.

Before such mystery we kneel, as we follow the shepherds and Wise Men to bring Thee the gift of our love -- a love we confess has not always been as warm or sincere or real as it should have been. But now, on this Christmas Day, that love would find its Beloved, and from Thee receive the grace to make it pure again, warm and real.

We bring Thee our gratitude for every token of Thy love, for all the ways Thou hast heaped blessings upon us during the years that have gone.

And we do pray, Lord Jesus, that as we celebrate Thy birthday, we may do it in a manner well pleasing to Thee. May all we do and say, every tribute of our hearts, bring honor to Thy name, that we, Thy people, may remember Thy birth and feel Thy presence among us even yet.

May the loving kindness of Christmas not only creep into our hearts, but there abide, so that not even the return to earthly cares and responsibilities, not all the festivities of our own devising may cause it to creep away weeping. May the joy and spirit of Christmas stay with us now and forever.

In the name of Jesus, who came to save His people from their sins, even in that lovely name we pray. Amen."