It's Tradition! (by: Jess)

So the holiday's are coming up....fast! Too fast, if you ask me! I always wish the holiday season (November-Jan.) would slow down a bit so people could really ENJOY it. But, that like wishing water would turn into wine.

Anyway....

Since the holidays are quickly approaching, it got me thinking about something I absolutely LOVE.

Traditions.

I love them. Not only do I love traditions, but I love keeping them!! Here are a list of traditions that I love, honor, and obey in my life....

1. Family Beach trip every summer with my in-laws
2. Christmas dinner date with Toby
3. Playing April Fools pranks on my friends and family
4. Black Friday shopping
5. Hosting Thanksgiving every year at my house
6. Beckstedt Family Christmas at Marge and Ralph's and our gift exchange
7. Rolfes family game of "Outburst" and the gift exchange. (always hilarious!)
8. Making Christmas cookie platters for Toby's work, my work, and the McCalls.
9. Keenland fall races/opening day
10. Birthday weekend get-aways for Toby and I's birthdays


While I was thinking about how much I love a good, honored, faithful tradition....I started thinking about how I want to start a lot of traditions with my family and children. Sometimes I think that I love traditions more than the average person. A good tradition is like a promise you keep to yourself ever year and something that you are able to look forward to. Breaking a tradition (especially one that has lasted for years!) is such a disappointment. I hate to see a tradition broken. I know that "things come up" and "things change", but I really think that keeping traditions are important. At least they are to me.

 Here is a list of traditions I would like to start with Leo and Cece. I want to try my best to honor these every year! I want Leo and Cece to look forward to them! I want these traditions to keep our family close throughout the years. I want to honor these traditions and add more as the kids get older. I want to create as many memories for Leo and Cece as I can!

1. Making a Christmas ornament with Aunt Jilly every Thanksgiving Day
2. Leaving a letter for Santa and homemade cookies every year before we drive to Ohio
3. Black Friday shopping
4. 1st day of school shopping
5. Sunday morning pancakes
6. Prayers before bed
7. 2 books a piece before bed
8. Home cooked dinners around the table (at least 3 times a week)
9. Family Beach trip every summer
10. Adopting a family every year at Christmas
11. Cece date night with Dad
12. Leo date night with Mom
13. Report card rewards
14. Sunday School, bible school, youth group, and church camp

I hope I can make these traditions happen.