This weekend was an exciting one. On Saturday morning, Melissa's dad, Stephen, came to Fredericton to help us pick out our Christmas tree and set it up. The three of us headed to the Superstore, where the Shriners have set up in the parking lot to sell trees. Who wouldn't want to have fun while helping kids?
On our way there, I asked Stephen if Melissa had warned him about my levels of enthusiasm. I kept saying things like, "I'm so frickin' excited!" and "Yay!" He just laughed and said, "No, but I like enthusiasm." It's a good thing because I was pumped! (I yelled "I'm so pumped!" when we got out of the truck. The Shriner who was working laughed and said, "You're pumped are you? That's good!")
It didn't take us very long to pick out a tree and we were on our way. After dropping the tree off at the house, we headed to Canadian Tire to buy lights and ornaments. It turns out we didn't need either because my Mom dropped off a box of everything my family has used to decorate our tree for the past twenty-something years. One of my favourite parts of decorating the Christmas tree each year is pulling the ornaments out of the box. Each one evokes so many memories.
This "bell" is an ornament I made in kindergarten! It's one of my favourites and I've been hanging it on the tree with pride for the past 17 years.
This is the angel that's on top of our tree. Her dress is yellowed, her arms are broken, and her wings are bent but I placed her at the top with a full heart. She has been looking over my family every Christmas since before I was born. My mom bought a new angel a few years ago but it was my last Christmas at "home" so I begged Mom to use this one for "just one more year." She agreed but has used the new angel ever since. I had no idea she had kept this one so I was surprised to find her with all of the other ornaments! I almost cried!
Melissa and I are pretty proud of our tree. It's lit up right now and I keep glancing over at it and smiling. It blows my mind that this is our first time living in a house that isn't our families', but we've transformed it into a home. And our home is ready for the holidays!
Isn't "home" a wonderful feeling? :)
ReplyDeleteNice tree btw