A Holiday Tradition

2010 has been a year of ups and downs, more ups than downs when I look back and really think about it. For once, I feel like not only do I see the light at the end of my tunnel but that the sun is actually shining on my face a bit now. 2011 will be the year of the Sullivans and I'm overwhelmed with anxiousness, happiness and excitement. But more on that later. I'd prefer to hold that post for the beginning of the year.



Tonight Christmas is on my mind, along with holiday traditions. Tonight we finally put up our Christmas tree, yes, December 15th (We're really on top of things) and the tree is finally up. The Alabama Crimson Tide Christmas tree none-the-less. I remember when I lived at home with my mom, I insisted on the tree being green with white lights and very beautiful, innate ornaments with colors of crimson and gold. When I was a kid I insisted on a tree with multi-colored lights and all the ornaments I made in school being included. Each year my mother complied without hesitation and now I know why. Mine and Jarrad's tradition started last year with a few Alabama ornaments. I thought it would be nice to have a white tree with lots of silver and crimson ornaments, some donning the Alabama A, Al the Crimson Tide Mascot and it escalated from there. Now I can't get enough and I do it because it makes Jarrad happy and that makes me happy. I think we'll just continue to add to this tradition year after year, collecting more and more ornaments. I like this small tradition.

Another tradition I love is Christmas baking with Kelly. This year was year number five. I look forward to it every year- peppermint bark, fudge, muddy buddies, peanut butter kisses cookies....Yum! And I think we get a little better at it each and every year.

However, while licking a wooden spoon coated in melted white chocolate with just a hint of peppermint is to die for, that's not even close to the reason why I love this tradition so very much. Life keeps us busy. With the speed at which we live our lives these days, it can sometimes take weeks of planning just to find time to stop and enjoy the company of a friend without worrying about where you have to be when you leave or what's next on your plate. I can't even remember the days of when I just stopped by a friends house unannounced because I was bored, who has time to be bored? Not this chick!

Instead, besides the moments where you have to concentrate on the precision of how you are melting chocolate, it becomes a day to reconnect. To catch up on what's been happening in your friend's life, to share laughs, to remember why that person  is so special to you and exactly why they're your friend. Most importantly, it's a memory we share together and that's something I cherish each year because no matter my situation, in that moment everything is as it should be.

Things are nice, I can't deny that acquiring new "things" has put a smile on my face, it makes me feel good for the moment but those moments pass and it's these time we share that lingers most. This Christmas, I hope you focus more on the traditions that make remember the important things in life.


Now I leave you with a picture of the tastiest cookies ever to salivate over. If you ask me nicely perhaps I'll share one or two with you over a glass of milk or eggnog. Merry Christmas!!