Every year, from the time I was an infant, my parents (and my Nana) gave me a tree ornament. So by the time I got married and had a tree of my own, I had a TON of ornaments.
Let's see...Jet and I were 25 years old our first Christmas. So we're talking at least 50 ornaments (since other people in our family caught on to the tradition and started attaching ornaments to the top of the wrapped present)!!
That said, it was a natural progression for Jet and I to follow suit and give our girls ornaments as well.
But I wanted to take it a step further.
Instead of just finding any ol' ornament that we liked, I wanted to get an ornament that represents the year they've had. AND add a hand-written personal letter to go along with it, explaining why she got the ornament that she did.
That way, when they leave home, it's like they'll have their growing up years documented...for all to see on their tree.
The plan is to give the girls their ornaments over our special Christmas Dinner, reading their letters outloud to them, and giving each daughter a moment to stand in the spotlight as we review their year and how amazing they are. ;)
But this year...because our Christmas season was crazy with Raquel's birth...we ended up giving them the ornaments on Christmas Day.
Charis with her Willow Tree ornament...a girl holding a house. This year she has really started to think about her future husband and children and job. and thus, has started to play "house".If she had free time, it was spent dreaming about her future. :)
This is the year that Selah learned to read...
Here she is holding her Willow Tree ornament of a little girl reading a book. She LOVED knowing that she has an ornament showing that she's started to read. :)
And here's little Raegan-Roo...
hugging her Willow Tree ornament of a dancer sitting on a box.
Though she always been a dancer of sorts, this past year she's really developed it. Becoming more artistic and creative in her movements. She's truly a natural.The two little ones also received Willow Tree ornaments...of little girls holding different color hearts. I have no pictures because I was far too tired to even try. :)
The Lord totally blessed my desire to save money by providing these ornaments through Craigslist. Brand new ornaments for less than half the price.
