i made these when my now grown children were all just babes...
no matter how many vintage mercury ornaments that i've collected over the years...no matter how gorgeous they shined...no matter how they sparkled...they never even came close to the beauty of the ornaments that were handmade by my children! they will always rank number one.
yes, there were years after they grew up that i did waiver from the traditional children's tree, (my youngest son, dane always objected!) and there were years that i'd put up two trees...sometimes three...one in the entry that was mine...with all the vintage ornaments...the main tree in the living area...then one in the kitchen with our signature homemade sugar cookies that the kids would decorate.
then as the years went by...my vintage tree won out....sad to admit...but, true. so today...i pulled out the old blue and white box that has been holding my dear little ones tenderly made ornaments. this year they will shine front and center. i will have the kids all here this year...with my dear grandchildren (another reason for the unbreakable ornaments!) but, really just to honor the memories of the christmases with them as my dearest babies. it's harder than you may think to accept the years that have completely zoooooomed by at record speeds...or not for those of you that share my years! these treasures bring back such good memories...now a new little generation of little ones will gather with me in the kitchen to make sugar cookies...trace their wee hands onto construction paper adding colored glitters along with the date and names.
some of you precious younger mothers that know me...have most likely heard me say....to treasure these little years...embrace it all...wrap yourself around every inch of these little ones. everything else really can wait...i know y'all know this already...i'm just offering a motherly reminder here...i am truly amazed at all that y'all do...and love the photos that y'all share...the stories that are yours alone that you share. priceless!
so true!
Posted by: Sarah Keith | December 18, 2008 at 05:53 PM
Annie - we think so much alike sometimes - I've been (slowly) decorating my tree, and each ornament triggers a book of memories. I was just thinking I'd take a picture of some of them and blog about it, but you beat me to it! You know how sentimental I am - my whole tree is a mishmash of all kinds of ornaments.
I can already picture you there with your grandbabies making sugar cookie ornaments. I know you'll be in heaven. Hope to see you soon, though! And hope you're feeling better.
Love ya! B
Posted by: Barbara Shallue | December 14, 2008 at 02:22 PM
annie,
i'm not a mother, but i loved this post. since i hit my 40's time has accelerated - warp speed. it's so annoying.
your photos are so lovely. you really are a talent with the camera. and.....your banner is a thing of beauty.
good to come here and catch up. like you i am (and will probably remain) hopelessly behind on blog reading.
Posted by: Mary Ann Moss | December 13, 2008 at 12:16 PM
It's so true that the years fly by so quickly. Most (but not all)of my kids handmade ornaments are gone. I know you are going to make some memories this Christmas!!! Love ya and hope to see ya soon.
Posted by: Mary | December 12, 2008 at 06:50 PM
It's so true that the years fly by so quickly. Most (but not all)of my kids handmade ornaments are gone. I know you are going to make some memories this Christmas!!! Love ya and hope to see ya soon.
Posted by: Mary | December 12, 2008 at 06:49 PM
oh thanks for the reminder...christmas with my little one this year is just so sweet.
Posted by: sperlygirl | December 10, 2008 at 03:23 PM