Ornaments; a reflection...

Yesterday, I put away the Christmas stuff.  Sadly, I am already looking forward to next Christmas and it really, truly is, my most favorite time of the year.

As I was packing things away, I was reflecting on our tree and the memories that are behind the ornaments on it.

We have special ornaments from each different blink of life..Weirdly enough, I choose to think it is not by chance, the very first year I got one of these special ornaments for Brian and me, it was our first Christmas as a couple.  I was a Junior in High School and we had been dating for just over 8 months.

and yes, in typical "us" fashion, we got a Puppy that Christmas too!

The next few years continued to just be Brian, myself and our Cooper..

Then, in 2004 our family exploded.  Brian and I got engaged and we adopted two new doggies..

We got married...

We got pregnant and had our first baby.

We got pregnant with #2, a girl!

Through each year, each ornament...there has been one constant; Brian and I.  We have an ornament for each year, this same style, each a little different,

 each representing a blink in time.

I can't wait for the day we are old and gray and sit looking at our tree that has nothing on it BUT these special ornaments.  

Each year, I pack these special ornaments while holding my breath.  I wrap them extra tight.  Some have already had to be glued, but just like our marriage...a little frayed thread   show's its age, not its quality.

Merry Christmas, we had a great holiday and I can't wait to do it all again next year!