transitioning traditions...

This is the year of traditions---mainly new traditions that I make up as we go along.  I'll do something and then 10 minutes later I'll let Darrell know that it's our family tradition, like the fact that I made cinnamon rolls this morning.  Oh ya, it's tradition for us Cummins' to make cinnamon rolls on Christmas Eve morning, and it just started THIS morning.  But, it's still tradition.  It's something my kids will remember and possibly carry on to their families.  Here's a memory for the record:

Just so you know, the cinnamon rolls pictured have not yet been baked... ;) Freshly cut and sitting on the stove rising before baking.
Something else that just started this morning...Melanie and I delivered warm cinnamon rolls to our neighbors.  She even said Merry Christmas to them..in a tiny little voice.

Other traditions leaked into our family from things I grew up with.  For example, we are having enchilada casserole tonight.  My family would switch between that and lasagna every year for Christmas Eve dinner, and look at me, carrying it on! Yes, I'm already planning a possible lasagna next year. :o)

Traditions are fun, create memories, leave people happy and full.  I'm happy and full, full of sugar from our breakfast of cinnamon rolls and coffee.  (oh ya, and full of love! Eastie said love you, ok, "wub you" about 3 times to me this morning.)
Oh ya, and Guapo's new name is Bop Bop--Easton started that tradition yesterday.

My favorite things of 2010

In no particular order...

-cinna spin cookies

-fresh outta the bath babies

-clean kitchen before bed AND a clean toy room with a "lone" little girl playing in it right before bed :)

-Happy kids

-Easton saying "bye bye da da" and "uh oh mama" and "hola" with his huge, gappy, toothy smile

-This hair:

-Lazy mornings with coffee and a view of the Christmas tree, add kids playing and it's perfect

-Family pictures

-The way Melanie views everything in her world as a Daddy, Mommy, and baby--Two sets of snowmen have become Daddies and Mommies this Christmas to the same little ornament--lol

-The cowboy stuffed under our couch...lol

-My kids climbing on EVERYTHING~!

-Family trips to let the kids experience new things.

-Birthdays and my kids playing together..

-And this little dance number...be sure to turn up your volume :)

-These outfits and this drawing of a face that Melanie created:

-Finally, the fact that God provided for us consistently during one of our hardest years!

He's one and I'm stunned..

Stunned at how beautiful and heartbreaking motherhood can be.  Beautiful because you grow these miraculous little beings and care for them and watch them do things you never thought possible.  Heartbreaking because it goes so fast.  Heartbreaking because sometimes you watch them get hurt.  Heartbreaking because you watch them grow, then go...
My little boy turned one.  He's my baby.  He's now one.  He took two steps yesterday. Seriously, how is he already one??? He said "wuv you" to me last week.  He's one.  I can't get over that he's one.
A good friend took his one year pictures for me.  She did a wonderful job.  Her name is Kate.  You may already know her.  She works at the Oasis Cafe at the Sunrise Medical Clinic.  If  you don't know her, go meet her.  She's a good person to know and she takes great pictures!  Here's proof:

As I write this, I have a two year old little girl passed out sleeping next to me in my bed.  She is independent as ever, talkative, knows what she wants, and is loving getting attention (from everyone) more and more each day.  Scary.  My babies aren't babies.  They're learning to be grown up.  Time to savor everyday, slow down, and pay more attention, so that nothing is missed or lost and no regrets are to be had.
Good night--here's to finding the good stuff in life!