Traditions. We all have them. Whatever holiday it happens to be I look forward to the familiar traditions our families have. I love that Patrick and I can create new traditions for our own little family. Pat usually smiles and goes along with whatever I come up with. He's wonderful. Anyway, we both decided we wanted to create a tradition for Preslee's Birthday. We want it to be a positive day that her siblings look forward to celebrating each year. We want it to be a day that they feel a little closer to their older sister. But we struggled coming up with such a day. We thought about the Pay It Forward Project, but we still have so many boxes left it would be extremely overwhelming to add more to the pile. We kept thinking and didn't get too far with it.
Our house has been anything but upbeat this month. I realized we needed to get out and leave everything behind. Last Thursday I looked online and found a reasonably priced hotel room to stay in for the weekend. I told Pat we were leaving Friday after he got off work. By 5:30 we were on our way to SLC.
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We arrived at our hotel and Ledger was incredibly happy to be out of his car seat. When it came time to put him to bed he refused to sleep and we were a little desperate. The hotel promised us a pack n play, but when we checked in they told us they had ran out. So we tried this for about 2 seconds, and then realized it wasn't the brightest idea... Needless to say for the few seconds he was in there he certainly had a blast kicking the closet doors.
Patrick's only request for the trip was to eat at PF Chang's. I told him we could definitely make that happen. Ledger liked the water as much as Pat liked his lettuce wraps. We also hit up the mall to finish a little Christmas and Birthday shopping for Pat on the 27th.
We also made time for Temple Square to see the lights, something Pat had never done. While we were there I realized this is it. This is our tradition. It's an opportunity to get away for the weekend and spend time as a family. Visit Temple Square and teach our children the real meaning of Christmas. Teach them because of the Savior's ultimate sacrifice, our family will be reunited in the future with Preslee. Teach them because of the covenants made within the temple, our family can be together forever. So Pat smiled and said he thought this was a wonderful tradition. I think he really meant it :)
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Ledger loved the lights, even if it was his first time experiencing the cold. Notice the stuffed pug, Preslee had the same one. She called it "og" for Pog. We placed it in the casket with her when she was buried. We've been looking for another one since about half way through my pregnancy with Ledge. My friend Candee gave it to me on our way to Zumba a couple of weeks ago. Thanks Candee, we all love it, especially Ledger.
We had a fabulous weekend, it was just what we needed to take on this week with Preslee's Birthday on Saturday.
What I would give for a weekend away! I'm so glad you guys got away from everyday life - sometimes that is just the ticket to refocus. Every time I go to the temple or get away, I always feel so refreshed and feel like I can take on anything! Hope it helps get you through the next couple weeks! We would LOVE to see you after the Holidays if Dorsie comes up....hint hint
ReplyDeleteI think you are amazing!! Thank you for sharing your sweet story, and thank you for postig pictures of home...We are currently stationed in California and cannot make it home for Christmas...Thanks for sharing. ;0)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful start of a new family tradition! Thats a great idea to just get away from it all, especially seeing temple square, what a beautiful place and it really reminds us that family can be together forever! Ledger is such a handsome little boy : )
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tradition! My husband and I haven't made it yet to Temple Square. We live about 20 min from there. Pat made a great choice, PF Chang's is the best!!. I'm so glad you guys had a great time together as a family.
ReplyDeleteI think your new tradition is beautiful. Best to you this Christmas season!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting the pictures. We have a two week old baby so we won't make it this year to see the lights. It's a tradition in our family as well.
ReplyDeleteI love it. Like you said what a great way to teach your children about the sacrifice the Savior made for us and what Temples are about. Families are Forever and I am so grateful for that knowledge.
ReplyDeleteBeing at Temple Square with your family is a wonderful idea for a new tradition. I know families are forever. I also know that the LOVE never ends. Your little Preslee still feels your love and loves you more each day. You are an amazing and wonderful person. You have helped me appreciate my family more. You have helped my niece so much with your strength and convictions. Your daughter has made us all want to be better. I hope this Christmas season will bring you Peace, Hope, Love, and Cherished Time with Ledger and Patrick and all your family. I pray Preslee is close by you and you feel her love, especially on Saturday. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Mary from SLC
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tradition! I think it's perfect. Thinking of you guys lots, and sending our prayers your way. Love you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea to make temple square a new family tradition and to celebrate Preslee's Birthday. I love to read your posts, I know that your children are so proud of the person you are Ashley. I know Preslee is smiling with this new temple square tradition. It really is a wonderful one :o) I send my thoughts and prayers your way and I hope that on Saturday your hearts will be full of our saviors love. Preslee and Ledger are very special as are you and Pat.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place to celebrate Preslee. Being at the temple makes heaven feel not quite so far away. We're thinking about you guys and keeping you in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteI would say that is a perfect tradition and way to honor and celebrate Little Miss Preslee!! What a wonderful way to do it by visiting Temple Square. I know she was there with you! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThank you for bringing the Spirit to my day!
ReplyDeleteWhat a GREAT idea! We need to take our family there too!
ReplyDeleteMuch love to you guys, be safe driving home!
I love your blog and I LOVE this tradition. I served on Temple Square 5 years ago and it holds such a special place in my heart. I know that the spirit that you will feel there is the perfect reminder for your little eternal family. Ledger is absolutely adorable and you are an incredible mommy.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the anonymous posting, too chicken.
ReplyDeleteFor the first few years on our son's birthday, we'd go the temple. We'd celebrate the day quietly, always wanting to get away. Life changes, so we changed with it. Eventually, there was always some tournament or meet or game to go to that week, so, ok, fine. We'd always have a cake, though, and remember together. Years and years passed. Then one year, it was birthday-day, we had the cake, inviting our adult children over. Heart strings, happy day, one daughter announced she was pregnant and, if a boy, was going to name him after her brother. It was a boy. He's not a replacement, just another someone to love.
Happy days to you. Thanks for the posts. They strengthen us all.
Awesome, beautiful, perfect! Praying for your family this weekend.
ReplyDeleteAshley Papson
(a reader from PA)
I laughed so hard at the picture and comment with Ledger in the closet...hahaha! So cute, and hilarious! Live and learn, huh?
ReplyDeleteYour tradition looks like it was so much fun! Such beautiful pictures! I'm glad you guys had fun and created something special for just your family! God bless!
dont know why i am just now seeing this post! But so glad there is a fun tradition! You can't go wrong with a little short getaway in the most beautiful place! Love you! Glad we got together for lunch :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you guys were able to get away. It looks like you had a lot of fun. I would love to see Temple Square at Christmas time. I'm sure that there is a wonderful spirit there. I love the new tradition. I think your children will love it too. Thinking of you guys.
ReplyDeleteLove, Jenni-Ohio
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI normally don't leave messages on blogs, but this post made me think of a few things that have blessed my life in a way I never thought would be possible.
First, meeting the most beautiful person in the world to me, Chels. She has been an incredible wife, and an amazing mother. She never ceases to amaze me with her faith in Jesus, her positive attitude and her great desire to do good.
A while ago, she went to college and met an amazing friend, Ashley Siddoway. This Ashley helped her to reach a greater potential just before I was introduced to her, when I began falling in love. More than 3 years later, we have been blessed with not only two beautiful studs, but with great friendships that I will grateful for my entire life. Thanks for being a friend to Chelsea Jones and sharing your testimony of the power of the Atonement in all its forms and sharing your testimony of the Plan that Heavenly Father has for us.
Chelsea reminded me that today would be a special day for you, Pat, and Ledger. Our thoughts are with you and your family today. Thanks again for all you and your family have done for my lady and my family. Preslee, just as you have blessed and continue to bless your parent's lives, they continue to bless the lives of others on earth..
-Dave
So happy you guys were able to get away for a weekend! That is awesome you found a new little tradition. Your children will love and look forward to it every year. What a wonderful teaching experience for them too. We love you guys!
ReplyDeleteAshley-do you have a private email? I have been following your blog since the accident with Presley. I have enjoyed watching Ledger grow as well. I am in Idaho Falls and I am a CPST (child passenger safety technition AKA carseat tech) and I have been loving all of the pictures of Ledger in his carseat but I would LOVE to help you make him safe in it!
ReplyDeleteThe straps on him need to be tight to where you can't pinch any slack and that clip-its called a chest clip and needs to be even with his armpits. Those two things together can be night an day in an accident. Those straps can slip and a baby can be ejected from their car seat in an accident-and that clip can cause internal bleeding and damage-which is why it needs to be on the sterum. It holds the straps in place to keep him in his seat and it also is over bone, not soft tissue.
I still can't believe how big he has gotten and that six months have passed! I just love to help teach how to keep their babies safe-it can be pretty complicated these days!!! I would love to give you some more information to keep him safe in the off chance that you ever get into an accident-I want him to come out OK!! Merry Christmas!