the love of traditions...

when couples get married there is always the picking and choosing of which holiday traditions you want to continue with as you start your new family together. some people try to incorporate everything from both families, others pick a few of their favorites, and then there are those that start new traditions altogether. as for us, we've chosen to have a balance of some favorites and some new.

one of my personal favorites is putting out your shoe on St. Nick's Eve. while growing up the anticipation that there would be a little treasure right outside your bedroom door the next morning was almost too much to handle. i remember thinking that St. Nick was mere feet from me, and i wondered if he really knew if i had been naughty or nice that year. regardless of the answer there was always a little something for each of us, something that would make us smile, something that we KNEW was picked out special just for us.

you can imagine my excitement this year now that Jackson could participate in our St. Nick tradition (yes we did put shoes out last year, but sadly he wasn't really into it). he played with the shoes while i told him the story of St. Nick and i made sure to tell him to stay asleep all night or maybe St. Nick wouldn't come. then i readied our shoes, tucked him into bed, visions of sugar plums danced in his head. ha!

morning came and i am still not sure who was more excited, him or me. we all found little treasures in our shoes and i witnessed pure happiness in the face of a boy. oh how i love traditions.

Happy St. Nick's Day Everyone!