Show and Tell Friday: Our Family Tree
We miss our family.
We moved 700 miles away from our hometown two years ago, and most of our family lives there. We always miss them more at this time of year.
So, this year, we decided to start a new tradition that will help keep our family close to our hearts as we spend the holiday season miles away from them: Our Family Tree!
It's a small tree that sits right inside the entrance to our home. Each day, we will hang one ornament on this tree that represents a member of our family. After dinner, we will pray for them and spend time sharing and talking about the things we love most about them. Our hope is that we will be able to teach Jack and Max that even though we can't "see" and spend time with our family during this special time of year, that they are here with us, in our hearts!
Jack and I made these ornaments together. I loved watching the excitement and thrill in his eyes as we lovingly attached each tag to our snowflakes. And, he was so excited that we had a few extra snowflakes that he could hang on our tree now.
Tonight, we will put our first special ornament on our family tree! It celebrates Pap and Gram...Jason's grandparents. After dinner, we will spend time sharing and remembering and laughing about some of our favorite times with them. And, we will pray for them! I can't wait!
(For more Show and Tell, you can visit Kelli's!)Wishing you all a happy weekend!
Sarah I love this idea. We make a paper chain for the relatives, but this is such a great permanent idea.
ReplyDeleteThe family has a new project!
Thanks
Jennifer
What a great idea, Sarah! I may have to try something like that next year - this year is going to be project-heavy already! But I love the idea of remembering family members, especially now that we're not traveling for the holidays anymore. Thanks for sharing that!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea Sarah! Hmmm..might have to copy that idea from you. And what a wonderful way to allow your children to be thankful for others. Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteOh, us too. More like 900 miles. This is our first Christmas here; we're not going "home" for the holidays. I love this idea! Thanks for the show and tell.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tradition you are starting. Love it.
ReplyDeleteSusan
Love this idea! Where did you get the craft idea? I would love to have Audrey make ornaments (good for our tree as well as gifts to family). So creative, and loving the idea to pray for each on that night.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great new tradition. I do hope that you can have Christmas with your families someday again, though! You sound like a very creative mom.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming over to visit today!
Fantastic idea, Sarah. I had been wondering what to do with a tabletop tree we have.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful thing to do and tradition to start for your family. I LOVE it!!
ReplyDeletehttp://happywonderer.wordpress.com/2007/11/29/show-and-tell-friday-christmas-table/
That is a wonderful idea!!!! How crafty you are. Love it!
ReplyDeleteSuch a brilliant idea and certainly a fabulous way to remember those living far away. xo
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful idea.....and prayer...the best gift that you can give anyone.
ReplyDeleteDeby
I got goosebumps from the sweet thought behind your tree idea. Bless you.
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah! I am not exactly sure how I came upon your blog, but I have enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this idea. We moved 1500 miles from family about two years ago. This is a great way to remember our families and be praying for them. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Sarah! I am not exactly sure how I came upon your blog, but I have enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this idea. We moved 1500 miles from family about two years ago. This is a great way to remember our families and be praying for them. Thanks for sharing!
I whole heartedly agree, that this is a wonderful idea and great way to remember the family (and good for the kids too, as they probably don't remember so much about the extended family). Hope the time you have down rememberance road is cherished.
ReplyDeleteSar, that's such a sweet idea! man, there are so many things that my sisters do creatively that I'm tucking away...hopefully I'll remember them all :) That tree's gonna be loaded down! haha...a good reminder of all the ppl that are missing you guys and that love you even more.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea.How fun and special.Are some of the ornaments going to have a picture of the person?? If not that would be awesome to. Mabe photos of the family under the tree too,kids are visual as you know and it would hopefully make it more meaningful to them. Please forgive my ideas flowing out my head ,I dont mean to say anything bad.I hope you will stop by my blog one day @ http://shawnysmoonbeam.typepad.com/.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays
Love Shawny
P.S. How did you get your avatar on your blog??? Please fill me in
What a great idea - I love this!
ReplyDeleteThe most amazing idea I have ever heard of.
ReplyDeleteMay you be able to share a Christmas or two with the family in body too.
I love this idea! We're far from family, too.
ReplyDeleteVery cool idea! Plus, super cute ornament!
ReplyDeleteK
what a great idea. will that tree be filled by the time christmas is here? do you have a lot of family? this will be a great tradition for your family. enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea!!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy show n telling.
Terrific tradition.
ReplyDeleteI love it!! Thanks for sharing such a touching tribute for your family.
I hope you feel connected to them this Christmas.
Goodness, you're creative! SMOOCH
ReplyDeleteOh, to be a fly on your wall!
This is a wonderful tradition. Remembering those who are not present with Christmas ornaments is very imaginative. I am very impressed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Blessings,
Mary
What a truly wonderful idea. That will make them feel so close to family members and they want feel so lost when they do see them again. I am so happy for you all that you have found such a sweet way to keep them close. connie from Texas
ReplyDeleteThat is one of the most wonderful ideas I have heard of!!! Wow--great for the kids too.
ReplyDeleteSarah,
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful idea. :o) I thought of doing something like that this year - but where's the time??! Hopefully next holiday season, but that won't keep me from uplifting everyone in prayer. Your little guys must love this tree and really enjoy the special family praying and memory sharing that goes along with it. What a truly wonderful tradition to begin. :o)
Have a wonderful weekend filled with God's blessings!
That is *such* a neat and wonderful idea! I really enjoyed reading about your family tree. :)
ReplyDeleteNathan showed me his Christmas tree tonight. His favorite ornaments were Cookie Monster, shitzu, star, ball, ball, ball, and ball.
ReplyDeleteOh Sarah - what an awesome idea!! So clever and wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYou are a great momma!!
What a wonderful Idea full of lessons!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet idea and good way to teach love, appreciation for family, and prayer to the boys.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea...and what a precious blog. I loved the video (below) of your little guy's first experience with snow.
ReplyDeleteI like your tree - I LOVE your tradition. SOunds like you will have a blessed and memorable Christmas.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend ~Jane
i'm a lerker.
ReplyDeletethis is such a beautiful idea.
i too may have to copy it.
That is a beautiful tradition. We are away from our family as well. We usually get to see one set at Christmas time, though. Great job on the tree!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea. I'm looking for ideas for our 4 foot narrow Christmas tree.
ReplyDeleteThis is such...a....great...idea!! I know how hard it is to be away from family, and this is a WONDERFUL idea.
ReplyDeleteYour house looks beautiful, by the way. :)
very good idea Sarah! family traditions this time of year are so much fun. we miss you guys and pray for you too. Jay said maybe we'll get to see you at Christmas?? hope so.
ReplyDelete