Ornaments

Rod and I put up our Christmas decorations yesterday. Sadly each year I usually look at this task as an arduous chore to check off my to do list rather than relish in the first festivities of the Christmas season. This year was different for me because my mom had my kids and I had my husband to help me. We took our time throughout the day and played a new Christmas CD in the background that had just arrived in the mail.

As I hung different ornaments on the tree, I took a few extra moments to reflect on my favorite ones.

My mother-in-law gave us this one after Rhett was born. I loved it because it was a perfect picture of our family back then. I love it now because it still reminds me of family and my husbands Asian heritage.

This one reminds me that we can make it through storms in life. My mom gave us this one the Christmas of 2003. This was about a month after Rhett had his heart surgery and I look at it and think how grateful we were back then to have that behind us. I also think it kind of looks like Rhett in a crazy kind of way.

This one was given to us by our Hawaii family Aunt Elsa and Uncle Tommy. I just like it because I think it's cute. I also like to have something tangible to look at that makes me think of them and pray for them since we don't get to see them often enough.

This one was given to me last year by my mom after my dad passed away. It was attached to a pillow she made me out of my dads clothes. I wish I had known what I was opening when she gave this to me so I could have cried in my closet or somewhere private instead of in front of lots of people. This one obviously makes me think of my dad. You might have to double click on it to be able to read it. On the back it's engraved and says, "Tara- I love you with all of my heart. Daddy." When I think about Christmas and my dad I'm so thankful. He and my mom spoiled us rotten. He always put up Christmas lights and bought the biggest Christmas trees. He loved giving us gifts and delighted in watching us open them. Because of his example I want to make Christmas special for my kids. I'm also thankful because as the ornament says my dad is having the best Christmas ever forever more.

These two ornaments also came from my mom after Emmie was born. It's funny the pink crown on the left almost did not make it on the tree and now it's one of my favorites. I like my Christmas tree decorations to match so the overall picture of the tree is pleasing to the visual eye not just the heart. As cold as that may sound that's what I like and I have no problem admitting that. I'm not really about pink ornaments much less pink crowns but I did have a little girl and yes she does think she's a princess. For my birthday this year my mom took Rhett and Emmie for a few days so I could have a break. I was starting to feel guilty while they were gone that not only did I not miss my children but I even started asking myself why it was I had children in the first place. Then I took this pink crown out of the box and hung it on the tree and cried. It just reminded me that I have a daughter named Emmie Kate who I love so much it hurts and I'm so blessed to be a mommy.

I'm sure more favorite ornaments will be added as the years progress. Right now I will enjoy these and all of the magic this holiday brings.