Mourning to Dancing: Christmas pj's and malts

Friday, December 17, 2010

Christmas pj's and malts

The tree at Grams & Gramps.
Grams had a way of making Christmas absolutely magical.
I hope I can do the same for my children.

Every Christmas Eve, I'd arrive at my Grandma & Grandpa's house for our traditional Myrman (my Grandma's maiden name) Family malt party: a long-standing Myrman Christmas tradition...not sure why since they were all from Wisconsin. Malts in Wisconsin in December seems odd and something that would only add to the chilliness, but it works well for those of us who have made our way to California. Tobi (my sis) and I would bolt up the stairs to "our" bedroom where there was always one present waiting for us...lovingly placed on the pillows of our beds. The only gift we could open on Christmas Eve: our new Christmas pajamas. It might be a gown, or a nightshirt from some place my Grams and Gramps had traveled that year, or maybe footie pajamas! We would open the gift and immediately change into those new, soft, never-been-worn-before, Christmas pj's and head down the two flights of stairs to the kitchen where my Gramps was stationed at the blender...tall glasses, ice cream scoop, chocolate syrup, ice cream, and long-handled spoons ready to go.

me, Grams, Tobi, Mom..3 generations of love & laughter

When I was about 16, my sis and I ran upstairs for those beloved Christmas pj's and there was nothing. What!?! What in the world is going on here? We skipped down stairs and asked my Grandma, "Grams! What happened to the pajamas!?" It was quite comical. She dropped her head dramatically and said, "I thought you were too old for that." Umm, no! We had a fun laugh. I'm pretty sure I got new pj's until I was on my own as an adult. Grams was such a good sport and so dear.

How we miss her and my precious Grandpa.

I would love to know your favorite Christmas tradition. Please comment on this post and share it with me. I can't wait to read what you have to share!!

6 comments:

AnonymousDecember 17, 2010 at 12:21 PM
Man, this post is making me cry!
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KoriDecember 17, 2010 at 12:32 PM
Now that you said that, it's making me cry.
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TanyaDecember 18, 2010 at 5:49 AM
Aw Kori, that is so sweet! Brings tears to my eyes!
Growing up, our family tradition was a bit different. My Grandmother was born on Christmas and never had a birthday party. It was always "Merry Christmas AND Happy Birthday". When we were really little, my mom threw my Grandmother her first birthday party. It meant the world to my Grandmother. So, growing up we celebrated "Christmas" and opening our Christmas presents on Christmas Eve then on Christmas Day my Grandparents came over for Christmas dinner and we had a birthday party for my Grandma.
For our own tradition, I did the new Christmas jammies for my daughter too, lol. We went to Old Navy Thanksgiving night this year to get them for $5, lol. Mikaela's even started the tradition with her boys...she bought their Christmas jammies long before Thanksgiving=)
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KoriDecember 18, 2010 at 6:08 PM
so cool, Tanya. I was watching Glenn Beck last night and he was talking about Christmas pajamas. And my friend got to wear pj's to school (she's a teacher). It's a theme.
I think I'm going to buy new pj's for myself. LOL!
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DarleneDecember 21, 2010 at 9:20 AM
Kori, I loved your Christmas story, again I say, I love the way you write. Our tradition is much the same with the p.j's It is the gift I always let the kids open on Christmas Eve. My motives were the cute pictures on Christmas morning! But our best tradition is gathering around the Tree in those new pajama's and before a present is opened, we talk about the greates gift of all. I have everyone share and Thank the Lord and reflect on what he has done for us. Then we open presents in order. The oldest which is me to the youngest one by one savoring every gift for the longest time appreciating every effort from the smallest gift to the largest.
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KoriDecember 21, 2010 at 9:14 PM
Excellent, Darlene. I love ideas that will help keep the MAIN THING the main thing.

I bought some wooden letters that spell JESUS this year and painted them to hang them on the tree. The kids have to find the letters of Jesus' name before we open any gifts. I got the idea from a book. Can't wait to see how it works out.
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Insights from Brandon

"My brother is crazy because he drinks a lot of fruit juice." (7-5-10)

A phone call.

Dad: "Hey Brandon, do you miss me?"

Brandon: "Actually, Dad, I've been having such a good time, I haven't really thought about you."

While watching the Perseid Meteor Shower, Daddy put away the telescope. B says: "Well, we'll have to depend on our eyes now." (8-12-10)

Was watching AFV with B. I said, "I've never seen a cat do that." B looked at me and stated very matter-of-fact: "Well, now you have." (8/22/10)

B: "Mom, Si said he was mad at you and daddy because he couldn't go miniature golfing. I told him he should be mad at satan because satan made him be bad." Me: "Brandon, you know satan doesn't make us do anything. We all make our own decisions." B: "Oh! Thank you, Mom. I guess I don't know everything." (9/11/10)

"I can only find my sandals. If Jesus can wear 'em, I can wear 'em!" (11/15/10)

B: "Mom, instead of just buying milk at the store..."

Me: "...we should just get a cow?"

B: "Yes! Cows are my favorite animal."

Me: "Do you like cows because they make milk?"

B: "Yes! Milk is my favorite drink."

Me: "Yes, well, where would we keep it?" (1/12/11)

J: "Does anyone know what 'reproach' means?"

B: "Well, I think I sort of know. It's like when you first approach somebody and then you reproach them later." (1/17/11)

"I love me! I love myself! I'm a genius!" ...upon great success playing his math game. Don't worry, I reminded him of the Proverb: Let another man praise you and not your own lips. And then I praised him and told him he's a genius. (2/18/11)

"Mom! I didn't know I could have so much fun in one day!" Excitedly pronounced as we exited Circus Circus. (3/18/11)

B: "Mom, Si's having an otter pop. Can I have one?"

Me: "Yes."

B: "But, you said we couldn't have dessert."

Me: "Well, Daddy said yes."

B: "Oh! It doesn't matter what you say, Mom; it matters what Dad says!" (8/27/11)

B: "There's 2 reasons why I was in the bathroom for so long. I was going poo...that's number one..." Mommy: "Don't you mean that's number 2?" (2/15/12)

Me: "Brandon, I'm teaching Sunday School tomorrow and I need you to help me collect some Legos for a game we're playing."

B: "Wow, Mom! Thanks for telling me. I'm a Lego genius!"

Me: "Your brother likes being dirty."

B: "Yeah. Dirty's his favorite thing. I think he likes it more than his favorite color." (2/18/13)

At a memorial for our friend, Sharon Bergman:

Dutch (Sharon's husband) to B: "I'm really glad you guys came today. It really means a lot."

B: "Well, I really didn't have a choice." (6/1/13)

"One thing's for sure: I never get tired of going to church! (2014)

Silas speaks

"Mommy, Jesus was in my dream and He said, 'You should obey your mom and dad everyday.'" (4-5-10)

I got the ice cream out of the freezer and set it on the stove to dish some up for the boys and Silas says, "Don't warm it up, Mom! Then it won't be ice cream, it will just be cream." (6/4/10)

Silas: "Dad, why is the earth made of dirt?'

Daddy: "That's a strange question coming from a kid that should be asleep."

Silas: "But it's a good one." (6/6/10)

"I picked up Daddy's rubber band (the theraband Jamie is using for p.t. on his arm) and I looked around and no one was looking, but I knew God was looking so I put it back." (6/7/10)

We were having lunch at Calico's (a restaurant) and Silas says to the owner, "Brandon is sad because he likes the Fudge Factory better." (7/22/10)

B: "Grammy we got Twinkies at the Bottle Shop for an after-lunch treat."

Si: "Yeah, We had zucchinis...I mean, whatever-they're-called." (8/21/10)

B: "Mommy, I want to sleep with you."

Mommy: "That's nice, but you need to sleep in your own bed."

Si: "I want to sleep on the crouton." (He meant the futon in our room.) (8/22/10)

Me: "Si, what was your favorite part of Sunday School today." Si: "Saying my memory verse." Me: "Really? What was it?" Si: "I don't remember." (9/12/10)

I'm going through Madeline for our Five-In-A-Row lesson, and I asked the boys what tower is in Paris. Si shouts, "The Tower of Terror!" I guess the ride at Disneyland made an impression. (9/27/10)

Si & I were at the Miramar Air Show when a man sitting in front of us fell unconscious. By all observations, he was dead. So, I prayed and helped how I could. After a while, we walked away and I tried to explain to Si what had happened. I asked him if he'd like to pray for the man and his wife and he did. His prayer was beautiful and perfect. After praying, he said to me, "Mommy, when I was praying I thought my eyes were going to cry." I told him that those are the best prayers. (10/1/10)

We were talking about the Lamb's Book of Life during breakfast, and Si says, "Mom, I think we should pray right now that our names are in the Book." "Okay, honey," I said, "go ahead and we will all pray." About 3 minutes later, I continued to read the Bible story and I saw Si, head bowed, hands clasped. "Siley, are you praying again?" "Yes, mommy. I really want my name in that book." (11/30/10)

Watching the Charger game.

"The reason why they call him 'Rivers' is because his shirt is blue." (12/16/10)

Spoken as dramatically as you can comprehend: "I am the golden child!" (12/20/10)

Daddy: "Are you excited to see your great-grandmother tomorrow?"

Si: "I don't even know who she is."

Daddy: "She is Baba's mom."

Si: "I didn't know moms and dads and grandmas and grandpas have moms and dads."

Daddy: "Baba and Dadu are my mom and dad."

Si: "How do you know?"

Jamie went into a lengthy answer about living with them while he was young, etc., then Silas asked, "Well then, why did you leave them?" (12/21/10)

After writing the letter 'q'. "Wow! That's a great whatever-that-letter-is!" (1/17/11)

"I burped three times. Excuse me... Thrice!" (5/28/11)

Me: "Boys, who is your favorite hero and why?"

Si: "God. Because anytime He wants He can turn me into a chicken." (1/12/12)

Me: "Real life is way better than school." Si: "I'll tell you what's better than school...learning about heaven!" (2/6/12)

Grammy: "Si, wouldn't you want a million dollars?" Si: "No, because it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (7/15/14)

Si: "Mom, you know how Obamacare only really works for people who are old?" Me: "Yeah." Si: "Well, if I become a famous ball player, I can take care of you. It'll be Silas-care!" (10/21/14)

"I'm just a big blob of tissue right now. Standing here, talking, walking around, looking like a person. I'm just a big blob of tissue." (5/15/15)

Ganging up together...

B: "Silas, you know, when you drop one of my favorite things, your brain tells your bones to do it." To which Si responds: "Maybe that's it! My brain's being mean to me!!" (9/1/10)

B: "Hey! You killed me! Why'd you do that?"

Si: "Well, you ran in front of my gun...what do you expect?" (4/23/11)

The boys are coloring.

me: "Who is that?"

B: "Abraham Lincoln."

me: "What's he doing?

B: "Reading."

Me: "He's reading by the firelight. Everything he ever learned, he taught himself."

Si: "So did Yoda." (2-12-12 Happy Birthday, Abe.)

Si: "Mom, you know why I like being the youngest? It's like Jacob and Esau...'the oldest shall serve the youngest.'"

B: Laughing, "Yeah, this morning he asked if I would sell my birthright." (9-17-12)

Great Quotes

"Be sure to put your feet in the right place, then stand firm." ~Abraham Lincoln

"In contemplating the political institutions of the United States, [if we remove the Bible from schools] I lament that we waste so much time and money in punishing crimes and take so little pains to prevent them." ~Dr. Benjamin Rush, The Father of the Public Schools under the Constitution

"Those who have known freedom and lost it have never known it again." ~Ronald Reagan

"In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." ~Mark Twain

"Act as though it's all up to you; Pray as though it's all up to Him." ~Glenn Beck

"God uses each of us within the limitations of our personalities. ...it is Him in me that will reach the world." ~Sally Clarkson

"If I had a choice, I would still choose to remain blind...for when I die, the first face I will ever see will be the face of my blessed Savior." ~Fanny Crosby (author of more than 8000 hymns)

"Cat food tastes so bad cats deserve it." ~Hank the Cowdog

Mourning to Dancing

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Friday, December 17, 2010

Christmas pj's and malts

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