Christmas Traditions

I love family traditions that bound together generations and this time of year traditions are everywhere: the food we eat, the songs we sing, and the parties we attend. I loved Christmas as a child, and now as a parent of young children I love seeing the magic of the holiday through their eyes. I am so happy Adolf is here to enjoy the holidays with us and share in a few of our family traditions. 

Four years ago I was talking on the phone to my dear friend Shelly and she was telling me about all the wonderful things she had planned with her extended family for the holidays. We had a discussion about the importance of family and how I wish I lived closer to my extended family so I could make holiday memories with them. She said, “Ash, you are family to me and let’s plan a time to decorate cookies.” It meant a lot to me that she took time out of her busy schedule to plan a day to bake and decorate cookies. Thus began a family tradition for us. Now, four years later there are lots more kids participating in the cookie decorating. This year, was extra special as I was able to share this tradition with Adolf and Eva. 

The kids had so much fun squirting frosting all over the cookies and sometimes directly into their mouth. The sprinkles ended up all over the table, floor, clothes, and anything else in the vicinity. Hunter (my six year old) even managed to get frosting in his hair. There were six little cookie decorators in all, four of them under the age of five. They ate way too much sugar and overall I think Operation Cookie Decorate was a success.

Shelly and Adolf Decorating Cookies

A Masterpiece

Baby Hayden preferred to just eat the cookies

Even Eva decorated a cookie!

One of Adolf's cookies

Such a happy guy!

Shelly with the babies

Lots of sugary goodness!

After the cookie decorating the children ran off some of the extra sugar energy by playing in Shelly’s gorgeous backyard. Hunter and Adolf played with a soccer ball and I was so impressed, that even with the limited mobility in his legs, he was able to participate in the game with a smile on his face. His smile and joyful disposition are something that continues to amaze me and others that meet him. Despite, his horrific history he is able to experience joy the way God intended. It is truly something to be admired in this young child. 

Playing soccer together

This is tackle soccer

After a lovely pizza dinner, we headed home as we had about an hour drive ahead of us. I was certain the kids would fall asleep and I could enjoy listening to some Christmas carols while driving along the beautiful California coastline. I was wrong. About fifteen minutes into the drive, the baby, Hayden, started crying. We pulled over and I searched the car and all of our bags for her bottle, only to realize we left it at Shelly’s house. I thought of looking for a grocery store to buy an emergency bottle and milk, but decided against it and continued on our way praying she would fall asleep, but her screaming only increased and caused the rest of the children to remain awake and start whining. Adolf was the only one not crying or fussing at the situation. Fortunately, the 101 Freeway was clear and I was in the fast lane whizzing along at a decent pace. Then baby has stopped crying. I breathed a sigh of relief. Ahhhh….

Suddenly, from the back of the car came my son Hunter’s voice, “MOM! He has Hayden! He is holding Hayden! She is unbuckled! Stop! He is going to kill her!” Here is where I PANIC! Please God do not let me crash at this moment! I frantically searched for an exit and I said in as calm of voice as possible, “Adolf, put the baby back in her seat. She needs to stay strapped when the car is moving. Put the baby back.” In the meantime I prayed, “Dear God, please let him understand my words at this moment. Please keep us safe.” Fortunately, Adolf understood and strapped her back into her seat. Of course, she begins crying again, but this time I seem to not be so affected by it. At least she is in her car seat! Eventually she falls asleep, even without her bottle and everyone else in the car soon does the same (expect me). Although, Adolf broke a cardinal rule of safety in America, I was very impressed with this mature 11 year old wanting and needing to comfort the crying baby. I cannot imagine many children in America would put their own exhaustion and needs aside to comfort a small baby. 

Many people have told me what a blessing we are to Adolf, however; I feel the opposite is true. He is a blessing to us. He has taught us, that no matter the circumstance of your life, joy is found within, to thank God for everything, and to think of others before yourself. He is truly a very special soul, and God has an amazing plan for this child and I am thankful to play a small part in this plan.