Friday, December 13, 2013

Focusing on Life :: Christmas

We have an annual family tradition of decorating the tree together adding each item and recounting the story behind it. When we travel the one souvenir we all vote on and pick up from each destination is an ornament. Some years we pick up several, other years it might be only one. But there is usually at least one new story to add to the collection each year. I did a pinterest board if anyone is interested in seeing some of the ornaments and the destination they represent.

So far this year we've added only one ... but there is still time, and we're hoping to add just one more. But I'll save that story for a later post.

As we wrap up the year of Sally's Focusing on Life photo hop, my last few pictures to share are of the holidays and family. This time of year is always very special for me. Both my daughters were born during the holidays (one at Thanksgiving time, and the other between Christmas and New Years), and our wedding anniversary is in December.

I need to play a bit of catch up with Sally's hop as I've missed the last two weeks. So let's begin with Giving Thanks, which is an easy one for me. My girls. I cannot imagine, nor would I want to, my life without them. Nothing can prepare you for how much your life will change by being a parent. My life is forever altered in the most amazing way. Something that I am thankful for everyday. 

The next prompt was to focus on a little sparkle, which is also an easy one as you can see. Our tree provides plenty of that both literally and figuratively with all the glorious memories of our travels together through life. You can see this one from the Cayman Islands is a bit worse for wear, but still has a wonderful story to tell.

And now for this week; provide a little pop of red. Yep, also easy. This past Wednesday was our 20th Wedding Anniversary, and my travel partner gave me roses. So very sweet of him. I got up crazy early (as I always do) to go into the office. Followed by an important morning meeting, and then back home by lunch to celebrate our special day --- only to see he'd made it out to pick up flowers for me. They are on the pink-red side, but then I've been channeling my inner pink lately as you can see from my post earlier in the week!



26 comments:

  1. Will have to check out your pinterest ornament board... I buy fridge magnets and Christmas ornaments... they are really the only thing I have room for... and my fridge is covered!

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  2. Hurray lots of celebration at the end of the year! I also cannot imagine my life without my kids. You girls are so pretty. Hugs.

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  3. We often pick up ornaments or magnets as souvenirs, too. Happy 20th anniversary--such a special time! Enjoy your weekend.

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  4. What a special time for you and your family! Such a beautiful post! Many blessings and Happy 20th Anniversary ;o)

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  5. Happy Anniversary!

    What a great family tradition you have created with the story telling that accompanies each ornament.

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  6. Happy 20th Anniversary Cynthia! We get ornaments from destinations too and it makes the holidays even more special to remember all those places we've been!

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  7. Happy Anniversary. You have a LOT to celebrate this time of year. Wowzers!

    I've bought an ornament for all of our trips too. The years we were visiting places in the fifthwheel were bountiful, lately there have not been that many.

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  8. Happy 20th! I wish you many more wonderful years together. That photo of you and your girls is beautiful. I also have two daughters, and they are truly the greatest miracle in my life. Your ornament collection is such a unique and lovely idea. I especially like the Lapland Shoes from Finland. How cute!

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  9. You have wrapped up the past few Focus on Life weeks wonderfully.

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  10. Your girls are adorable..Merry Christmas in advance...

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  11. The egg from Estonia on the board caught my eye as did the glass ones, too. They're all lovely and a great tradition.

    Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthdays, too!

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  12. Heading to your pinterest board now. Love Christmas, love the holidays, love ornaments and I too love the stories behind the ornaments, we are at least 4 or 5 each year. I'm sure that your family has some great stories and memories. Your girls are precious and I totally get how parenting changes your life forever. Happy Anniversary Cynthia to a lovely person. May your family enjoy happy birthdays, happy anniversaries and the most glorious holiday season.

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  13. Happy Anniversary! Your daughters are so cute and they look a lot like you. I would not be complete without my children as well. I hope to have time to check out your pinterest board.
    Have a wonderful day!

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  14. Happy Anniversary, Cynthia~to you and your guy and the beautiful family you are both raising :-)

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  15. I love your ornament tradition! And the photo of you and the girls is wonderful. Once you have kiddos, nothing is complete with out them! Love your pops of red.

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  16. Happy belated anniversary! It will be our Silver Wedding anni. next April *gulp*
    Wonderful to have a catch up - gorgeous images and wonderful words :)

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  17. How beautiful! My daughter was born on Dec 27 and my husband and mine anniversary is Nov 22...so we have a lot to celebrate during these holidays....Your daughters are beautiful...best wishes to yo and your family!

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  18. Congratulations on 20 years. I hope you have many more together.Your pinterest board is great. Great pops of red.

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  19. Sounds like your family has some wonderful traditions! And, what a special time of the year with the addition of birthdays and your anniversary. Wow, enjoy!!!!!

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  20. Wow, what a great tradition! I love the Pinterest board!

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  21. Will definitely check out your Pinterest board...I love Pinterest. I love your tradition, mine is usually a mug and I enjoy those too. I came home with 3 from Maine this year! Beautiful pops of pink (red) :-)

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  22. Happy Anniversary! Loved this post and how you follow so many traditions. Thank you for sharing. x

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  23. Happy Anniversary! Loved this post and how you follow so many traditions. Thank you for sharing. x

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  24. What a sweet post Cynthia! Happy birthday to the girls! Happy Anniversary to you and your husband. 20 years is a great milestone. :) The ornaments on the Pinterest board are so fun. Your tree must tell a lot of stories!

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  25. Happy Anniversary Cynthia! Love the photos - especially of you and your girls. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and will have a joyful New Year!

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