Traditions

This time of year is so crazy for our family.  We have so many birthdays and parties and events to attend.  So many little things going on and every Monday night when we go through our calendar for the week as a family, we realize that there isn't one single night that doesn't have something happening.  Even if it is making dough for the massive gingerbread house we make every year.  I find myself grumbling quite a bit about our schedule this year.  Not just to myself, but to a few close people.  As we have been talking with our children about slowing down and cutting things out to make our schedules lighter, the kids have almost scolded me for wanting to get rid of things that they look forward to and call traditions.  Memories.  Things we hope they will carry on with their families some day.  I am so grateful to have a family and so much going on in my life to make it very full (and mostly crazy at this time of year especially).  Grateful for the wonder and excitement that my children have while sitting with all the lights off in the house and just staring at the Christmas tree lights...