old and new

 Miles received his silver cup last week.  An old tradition carried on by a new generation.  My parents have generously continued the tradition of giving their grandchildren a silver cup with the child's monogram.  I wrote the story of Fiona's cup when she received it.  I can't wait until Miles can really use it and cherish it as the rest of us.  He is growing so fast and showing lots of personality.  Happy two months to my funny little man!

 

 

Wrapping Up Christmas

I'm still getting accustomed to it being just the 5 of us at Christmas time. I'm used to lots of people, lots of activity and lots of food. Well, the food we had. Like I said, I'm used to there being lots of people, so I still bake for lots of people. Other than that, Christmas is pretty much like I remember it from childhood: opening stockings in our jammies...looking for our Christmas orange, even though we have no intention of eating it.




Then it's on to Christmas breakfast, and the previously mentioned copious amounts of baked items. This year, we decided to read the Christmas story before we opened any presents from under the tree. Even though we talked about it all during December (and all year round) Everett and I wanted to remind the kids that Christmas isn't about just getting presents. Still, Christmas does bring presents, and we had a great time seeing each other open and enjoy them.



After all the other presents were opened, Daddy and Braden used Braden's new walkie-talkies to radio an urgent message to Trevor. "Trevor, come out to the garage!"

silver cup

When my brother was born in...well, we won't say when... my grandparents sent him a silver cup with his monogram on it. As the family grew, they did the same for each of their 11 grandchildren; including me. It was a very special possession to me. Many special occasions were made more special by my fancy cup filled with milk. (Milk was not my favorite thing, but it was much more palatable in my silver cup.) The family stopped growing for a while, while the grandchildren grew up, and then it started growing again. This time, it grew great-grandchildren. Each time a new baby was born, my Grandma went into her local jewelry store to order a special silver cup, engraved with each new baby's monogram; including Trevor & Braden.

Here are a few of us from 2004, showing off our cups at a family Christmas gathering. There are many more great-grandchildren now... a total of 20. Each has a special silver cup; including Fiona.

My grandma passed away in July. I went up for the funeral, as did each one of her grandchildren. At the viewing, a lady stopped to speak with my Aunt and explained that she worked at the local jewelry store. She knew my Grandma from when she used to come in to the shop. She went on to explain that my Grandma had been in to the shop only a few months before. My Grandma proudly told her that she was expecting another great-grandchild, and needed to order another silver cup. That great-grandchild was Fiona. Fiona will never know her Grandma Ring here on earth, but she was loved by her. And I know that Fiona will treasure her cup as an heirloom and as a symbol of a legacy of love.

Four Plus One

Last night Ev and I headed out for our last night alone...for a while. Not that we were really alone. We were celebrating the Marine Corps' 235th birthday with a few hundred other people. Always a good time, last night's ball was also. And it was interesting to watch people actually stare at me with open mouths. Apparently, they thought it was strange to see a 9-month pregnant woman in a cocktail dress. What?

Today is another birthday! This is our last family picture with only four people in it. By this afternoon it will be five. Wow! FIVE! We're so excited and can't wait to share the news with you all as soon as we have some. We appreciate all your thoughts and prayers for us today!

Passing it On

Oh beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life!
America! America! May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness And every gain divine!
-Oh Beautiful for Spacious Skies, by Katherine Bates

Yesterday at church Ev and I played this song, and I had a chance to really study the words of all the verses. Above is the third verse, which I was not very familiar with, but I was struck by the truth and beauty of the words. Today, as we hung the flag, Braden asked why it was a "flag day." We took the opportunity to explain, on a four year old level, why this day is important. I hope that many are doing the same thing so that all future generations will honor the memory of those who have given their lives to preserve this nation.

O National Christmas Tree

The National Christmas Tree has been on the Ellipse for 31 years. For almost that long, I've been going to see it every year (well, I've missed a couple since I moved away- but not by choice). It's a wonderful tradition that we had growing up to drive downtown and meet my dad (coming from work) at the Yule Log. Then we would walk around to find the Minnesota state tree and the Maryland state tree. We'd visit the live reindeer and the creche. All in the glow on the biggest Christmas tree I've ever (to this day) seen. Then when we were too cold to stay any longer, we'd go get pizza. This year we shared that tradition with the next generation. We found the Arizona, Michigan and Virginia state trees. They watched the trains going round and round the base of the National Christmas Tree. We listened to a choir sing Christmas carols while they looked, in wonder, at the biggest Christmas tree they've ever seen.