Deck the living room...

We had a really special family time last week as we decorated for the holidays. As we put up our pre-lit artificial tree (which I would highly recommend to everyone--it's so easy--no tangled messes, no faulty bulbs--it's great!), we explained to Caleb what the tree stands for and why we celebrate Christmas. A few of the lowest limbs grew heavy with small colorful plastic balls (no glass balls around 2 year olds!) as Caleb decorated to his little heart's content. After placing an ornament on, he would squeal and then say, "Another!" The highlight of course was lighting the tree, to which Caleb responded with a "Wook at the Christmas tree! Hee, hee, hee! Happy birthday, Jesus!"
We all know that change comes with the passing of time, and David and I have seen alot of changes in the last few years. As many of you have experienced, most of our childhood Christmas traditions are long past, only coming alive again as we reminisce and share special memories with one another. But we have a new joy now, and that is in the building of memories for Caleb. It's so neat to think that each day, each season, we are creating the special times that he will remember and treasure forever, just as we treasure our own childhood memories. Perhaps the greatest thing of all, though, especially in light of knowing how different next year's Christmas will be for us, is knowing that even though our lives change and traditions come and go, what Christmas means to us will always be the same.