What I was reminded of, rather, was that this child is just as special as Micah is. It will have it's own name, own physical characteristics, and own personality. It has been made for this time, and this place. How exciting is that?!?!
One year before Micah was born Jason and I went to a Desiring God conference in the Twin Cities. If you've never been, RUN...don't walk!!! It was a truly awesome two day conference filled with all kind of goodness and Truth! At the conference I picked up this book:
In case you can't read the small print, it is Treasuring God in our Traditions, written by Noel Piper. Noel is John Piper's wife, and John Piper is well...a great, honorable, humble, bold, (I could go on) man of God. I was super excited to read this book, but reserved as we had just gone through two miscarriages and were struggling to get pregnant again. I was not sure that I would ever even need this book, but I bought it anyway...and read the entire book on the drive home!!!
In this book Noel talks about what a tradition is, why we have traditions, and how traditions are important. She also talks about how you shouldn't just have a tradition just to have a tradition. I think she puts it best herself:
In early December, for instance, when Karsten was just over a year old, I thought about or meager Christmas traditions. I tried to see them through the eyes of a curious toddler. I imagined the conversations he and I might have during the month:
"Huzz-at?"
"Candles." Then I mentally supplied the question he wouldn't even know yet to ask:
"Why candles?"
"Why?" I realized that was a question I was going to have to answer from now on, not just for Christmas traditions that particular year, but for all years and every day. At that moment I knew that "just because" was no answer. Nor was "because that's the way Grandmother and Granddaddy do it" or "because it's pretty" or "because it's convenient" or "because that's what everybody does."
She goes on to give you practical tips and ideas for traditions that you can instill in your children that actually have meaning, not one's that just feel good or taste good (like Grandma's Butter Crunch Toffee).
I know this is getting lengthy, but bear with me...there is a prize involved!!!
So, back to me putting Micah down for the night...one idea we got from the book was to have a song that you sing to your child, not just any song, but one song for each child. The song is preferably one that is somewhat common, but also not 'Rock-a-bye Baby'. Before Micah was born I decided I wanted him to have his own song, one mommy and daddy only sang to him. I came across this hymn while visiting another church and knew it was 'it'. Oh How He Loves You and Me written by Kurt Kaiser is the song. It has a simple melody-check, shares the gospel message-check, and is pleasing to the ear-check! Here is the link if you'd like to see the lyrics.
While singing 'Micah's song' to him I realized that we only have a few weeks to decide on a song for the next little munchkin. I think I may have found one, but I am still looking. I love the idea of my kids growing up and asking me to sing them 'their' song. To share something with them that is just between us!
So, how does this incredibly wordy, ridiculously long post produce a giveaway you ask? Its simple...just post a comment either telling me one tradition that you share with your family (your parents/grandparents/children/siblings). OR if you really can't think of a tradition that you share, tell me one tradition that you would like to start!
What does the winner get?!?!?!?
A copy of Treasuring God in our Traditions!
You have until Friday January 29 to enter!
***For those of you who read this post only to view pictures of your cute little grandson, below are a few to wet your palette****
You're welcome!
Yes, he really is that cute in real life ;)
This one's old, but I just found it on my mom's memory card...and I kinda like it-minus the creepy yellow tint.
Yup, he loves the John Deere hat!
Found this on my mom's memory card too, I thought it was awesome. We got a slight snow storm on Christmas day...you can see it coming down in the background!
