I Spy...

I spy, the sled that Grandma Sandi made for Soren in 2004.  I spy, the angel that Beach Grandma bought us in Santa Fe.  I spy the ornaments that were given to Madie when my Mom hosted an ornament party for her instead of a shower in 1994. I spy, the quilted ball that my childhood neighbor made for me when I had grown up and was starting my own family.  I spy, the cheerleader ornament that my brother gave me my senior year.  We went to different high schools and his school went to state (he was rubbing it in).  I spy the thistle ornament that Grandma Sandi made and put on all of our gifts several years ago.  I spy the ornament Madie made in cubbies when she was four.  I spy the ornament with our wedding picture in it, for our first Christmas together.

As I took the ornaments off of the tree today, I realized how much history they represent.  I realized that my children are growing up.  There are no more babies first Christmas ornaments being put on the tree.  There are fewer and fewer ornaments coming home from school, that the kids have made.  I do have several ice cream cones from kindergarten, only one has been nibbled on, which makes it even more memorable.  We all thought of Little Man when we hung it up.  I have many hand made ornaments, some from my kids, some from my nieces and nephews.  It is a very random assortment, but each one has a history.  It brought back many memories of Christmas's past.  My kids aren't little anymore, they have new interests.  Some of the ornaments with pictures, we aren't even sure which child it is, they look so much alike.  I'm not a very sentimental person, but putting all of these treasures away was getting to me.

I think I will make a point of finding ornaments that represent where my kids are each year.  I need to get a first Christmas ornament for Nesradine and Martha.  I need to find a runner for my big girls.  I need to find a guitar for Karsten.  It will be my quest for the year.  My Mom has been great about making sure the tree is full of beauty.  The first year we were married and living in Minnesota she sent me an ornament every day for the twelve days of Christmas.  It was really encouraging for me, and I loved it.  She has also brought back ornaments from her various travels.  I have Hawaiian ornaments, New Mexican ornaments, and many other points on the planet.  I have kept an ornament journal for the last 15 years or so.  I write down when I get a new ornament, and where it came from.  I am hoping that my kids will find it interesting someday when they inherit my very eclectic collection.  Maybe next year we will spend time while we are decorating, telling the story of the ornament as we give it it's own special place on the tree.