The trees are up!

The annual Christmas tree decorating was more fun this year than any other year thus far.  I guess the kids are starting to get more into the decorating than in years past.  We always have popcorn and Christmas music to dance to while we decorate.  They loved opening each ornament and hearing the story or memory behind it.  We have ornaments from every vacation, important life events and more.  It is always a walk down memory lane with smiles.  This year was tough with the loss of Dad/Papa.  It seemed like every ornament had his name on it, and every one came with a flood of memories.  All good memories of course (Ruidoso, Cruises/trips, funny times, keys from all the cars, pictures of vacations, etc), but ones I wish I could still share with him.  I guess I will always mourn the fact that he is not with me.  I am starting to really understand that I selfishly do not want him to leave his peaceful surroundings to come back to me and what life on earth has to offer in comparison to where he is now.  I will always want my Daddy with me though in many ways.  Regardless, this is a happy time for the kids and family, so I do not feel like I can cry and bring others down.  I want Cade and Caelin to remember happy times, not the times of Mommy crying.  So, for them I smile.  I smile knowing that we have so many memories ahead and I smile knowing that one day we will all be reunited in Heaven where we will never be separated again.  Today we put up both trees.  Our large tree has all our family ornaments.  The usual Baby's 1st Christmas', handmade ornaments growing up, picture ornaments, vacation ornaments, funny ones that make us all laugh, etc.  The small tree is our Baylor tree with ornaments for Baylor University, Alpha Chi Omega, football, Common Grounds coffee, and more.  My favorite part about this tree is the angel.  The angel was the first angel that was on my parents first Christmas tree.  They had her for many years until they could afford a larger tree and larger angel.  I smile every time I see it!  Even if certain "firsts" are tough for me, I praise God for all the smiles I see through these tough times.  Charles, Cade, Caelin and Baylor are my everything, and for THAT I am blessed for all of eternity!