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Over the past few years of being with Keith, we have made some wonderful memories with our little family in regards to Christmas. You see, before Keith and I got together, I never celebrated Christmas. I was raised in a religion where we didn't celebrate. My grandparents did, so we would go to their houses and celebrate with them every year. However, my parents didn't do the gift thing for us, and we knew from the beginning that Santa didn't exist. Since I don't practice that religion anymore, I want to give my kids the magic of the holidays, while still making sure they know the real meaning of Christmas.
Since I have only been celebrating Christmas for four years with my own family, the majority of the Christmas memories I have are from our Christmas at our house or from when we visit Keith's parents and family in Ohio.
Today's JYC page documents a yearly tradition and memory of my son sleeping under the Christmas tree at Joy and Steve's (Keith's Parents) house. Santa has already brought the presents by the time we get there, but Austin likes to sleep right there under the branches by all of the presents the night that we get into Ohio. He then will sleep there the rest of the trip as well.
It's a nice memory that I have of Austin from the very first Christmas Keith and I had together. I have taken a photo of it every year. The photo in my JYC page is from last year. There is just something about Austin's face that speaks to me.
I am just happy to see my kids so excited over something I never got to have as a child. I don't fault my parents nor feel bad for myself about how I grew up. I know why it was that way and have no issue with it, but I just didn't want it for my own family. Honestly, I'm sure the reason I am not as into Christmas as most people I know is because of the fact that I grew up NOT celebrating it. I do love the music though! That was one thing that always upset me about not celebrating... I couldn't sing the songs. I can now though!!! And you can bet I do!!! :)
What was Christmas like growing up for you? How different was it from how it is now with your own family?
8 comments:
Hi Em, I really enjoyed reading your thoughts about your Christmases! Although you know that there are religions who dont celebrate, it is different when actually someone talks about it and how they feel!
I'm glad you like it with your family now! Can hear you singing over here in the UK!
Love,
Daphne
That makes me want to sleep under the Christmas tree!! What a sweet tradition!
We used to live in St Louis, a couple years ago. Wonderful city!!
I love your post Em. I am so happy for you to be able to make your own memories of Christmas. I love the idea of your little one sleeping under the tree! Thank you for visiting me and keep singing those Carols. Looking forward to following your journal
How exciting that you have new traditions with keith and the kids!! I loveeeeeeeeeeee your pages ... loving that photo :):):):):):) I was raised to be a Christmas nut :):):):):) One tradition my parents still do is we have a birthday cake for Jesus at Christmas dinner! :):):):):):):):):):):)
what a cool story to look back on for him!
Christmas was and still is a huge deal for my family. growing up no matter how poor we were( and there were some really bad yrs) my parents always managed to get us a "santa" present & stockings. There's a big age difference between my older bro & I and our little sis & little bro, so even when we didn't believe in santa anymore they still did so we all pretended. =) even after everyone stopped beliveing in santa my parents still got us santa presents till we moved out lol. now we still get stockings from mom & dad.
this journal is a great idea! thanks for visiting and for the congrats!
What a gorgeous idea, sleeping under the tree! It is so interesting to hear from people who celebrate things in a different way or who came or went from your own traditions over time. I don't follow any religion but I absolutely love the festive season, more so now I have children to create magic for. Love your pages too!
Oh my gosh, I could snuggle right up there with him. I just LOVE the tree. Shhhh, I just might do that tonight myself! It's good to hear that you're enjoying Christmas traditions of your own now and that you're okay with the way it was.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!!
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