Wrapping Up Traditions

Dear Moms,

As you see Traditions are a lot of fun and a lot of work, but the joy received by the children outweighs any inconvenience. So, get started; let the memories begin and thank God that we have our memories in tact. In this world, people don’t seem to have time to just waste time with one another. In my book, the most important thing you can give your children is your time. So mom, don’t busy yourself too much that you don’t have the time to build family. Family traditions are a way to begin.

Before I close the chapter on Family Traditions, I want to include some random traditions we do at our home:
1.Half Birthdays---This tradition began when my Amanda and I read a book about half birthdays. After finishing the book, I realized that Amanda’s half birthday was that very week. We surprised her with a half birthday party. We made half a cake, gave her half the presents and sang, “HAPPY HALF BIRTHDAY TO YOU!” It was so much fun that we made it a family tradition. I must admit it was a big effort to throw seven birthday parties as well as seven half birthday parties, but it was a tradition that was treasured and loved by all.
2.The Special Plate--We purchased a red plate at the store called THE SPECIAL PLATE. Given that name because those words were written right on the plate. We would honor the children by letting them eat off their Special Plate on birthdays, or special accomplishments, like all A’s, getting a soccer goal or even making captain of the cheerleader squad. They were thrilled with the Special Plate and would ask for it by name, if I were to forget. We finally invested in two Special Plates, so that two children could be honored on the same day.
3.Banners--This was a very popular tradition. We made banners for welcoming home people, father’s day, mothers’ day and even birthdays. In fact, the children did so enjoy banners, that we made them for everything.
4.Lighting the candle--Every morning all children under school age would light a candle with me to start the day and give our day to God. We would then all sing, “THIS IS THE DAY,” together and the toddler would blow out the candle. It was a highlight of the day for us all.
5.The Blessing Cup--The Blessing Cup was shaped like a chalice and was made out of pottery. It was actually called the Blessing Cup and came with a book of prayers. You probably can Google it to find one to purchase. We used the Blessing Cup on all birthdays and on every holiday. On birthdays, we would toast the birthday person with a kind word or two, then take a sip of wine that we had poured in the cup beforehand. On holidays, we would toast the Lord then take a sip of wine. The Blessing Cup would go all around the table with each person taking a turn.
6.Family Dinners-- Sunday is family dinner and all are encouraged to come. It is a time of reconnecting, loving and keeping in touch before the busy week starts. We all look forward to it.

Mom, “A WISE WOMAN BUILDS HER HOME.” You are the heart of the home, so fill your heart with ways to make every day special, whether it be baking Christmas cookies together or celebrating half-birthdays together. There are so many traditions to implement. Read, read, read, read, because there is a wealth of knowledge in this area.
Some of the best books I can suggest are:
1.LET’S MAKE A MEMORY by Gloria Gaither and Shirley Dobson
2 A MOTHER’SMANUAL FOR SUMMER SURVIVAL by Kathy Peel and Joy Mahaffey
3.A MOTHER’S MANUAL FOR HOLIDAY SURVIVAL by Kathy Peel and Judy Byrd
4.A MOTHER’S MANUAL FOR SCHOOL SURVIVAL by Kathy Peel and Joy Mahaffey
These are all good resources for your hunt to find those traditions that suit your family and your personality.

Traditions, as I said, make a house a home, and even adult children will join in the fun, as they remember this tradition played out in years past. Hopefully, it will have been a good memory. If you have established the memory in your home in the Spirit of Christ with lots of love, an abundance of joy and a bucket full of grace and added to that total peace, then your adult children will pass these traditions on to your grandchildren. One day, your grandchildren will pass these traditions on to your great grandchildren, and so on. So pass it on; make a memory today--start a new tradition--build family--build it strong. “A Proverbs 31 Woman looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
That’s all for this topic; I think I have exhausted it. I bet I have exhausted a lot of my readers as well. Don’t get overwhelmed. Do as Jesus said, “TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME.”

As always,
ELLEN