Family Traditions

  There's something about this time of year that brings about thoughts of family traditions... I imagine many of us have holiday traditions that we look forward to or even a special memory of one.  One of my favorite things about a tradition is that it brings family (or close friends) together.  And while I have many special memories of this time of year and traditions too, lately I've been enjoying a tradition that isn't even holiday related.  

I always have a helper in the kitchen...

I think I've mentioned before that having my parents nearby is a privilege we've had only in the past couple years.  Because we live so close, we do tend to see each other quite often!  A few months ago, on a Sunday evening, we all got together for supper and my mom and I discussed as we did dishes how nice it was to have relaxing family time together.  

 Since then a tradition was born.  Every Sunday we get together for supper and an evening together... we don't ever plan a time, we just know it's about supper time. 

 Sometimes our meals are simple and all we have is pinto beans and tortillas. 

Other times we go to a bit more effort... usually my mom and I have a two-minute discussion on the phone while standing in front of our fridges to see what we can throw together between the two of us. 

Our girls know it's a tradition too... after Sunday naps I start hearing, "Where's Grammy and Gramps?"  They know Grammy will give them a bath after supper and then Gramps will read a book (or three). 

 It's a tradition I look forward to every single weekend.  I don't know what we did before.  

  After the girls go to bed, sometimes we'll play a game and sometimes we just visit.  But it's always relaxing and fun.  With my dad and husband around, laughs are a guarantee.  

I am thankful every day for our families.  Not just mine, but my husband's too.  Having the privilege of a weekly tradition on a Sunday evening with all of us together is not something I take for granted.  I realize not everybody has this privilege because of many different reasons... some may have to work, some may not have family close. 

  I know I do not often share personal details on my blog, but it hasn't been until the past few months that my husband has had weekends off for quite some time.  In fact, some weekends I can still hardly believe it's true. 

So right now I'm just thankful for a simple weekly tradition.  I'm thankful for today and for family and for so very many things. 

Our girls with my parents

Please tell me, I'd love to read... do you have a favorite tradition or a memory of one?