Tradition....tradition!! (as sung by the cast of Fiddler on the Roof.)

I was a Family Science major at BYU...along with 45% of the other females attending there (I just made that number up.) The major had it's name changed to "Marriage, Family and Human Development" as if that could convince all of the skeptics out there that it wasn't just a glamorized "Home Ec" major.  But people, really, it's not.  I loved my major.  I loved everything that I learned.  I sucked information from those classes and lectures....I wish I could go back as a wife and mother now to learn it all again with a completely different perspective.  Boy howdy, was it useful stuff. 
Someday I want to get my certification to become a Certified Family Life Educator.  Not counseling.  You could do that too...but I want to educate before they need counseling.  It is what I wanted to do if I had gone to work "in my field." It is not glamorous.  It most likely puts you teaching community classes somewhere on a chilly Wednesday night.  But I want to do it because it is so enlightening.  They teach classes about all sorts of things; about relationships, budgeting, moral development, childhood development, parenting, all the kinds of things that are so helpful and useful and interesting.  That is what I wanted to do.  I used to know a lot of stuff.  Now I just remember that I knew a lot of stuff...and remember just highlights.  It's a good thing I couldn't get rid of my notes.  After college I took all of the notes and papers from my very favorite classes and had them spiral bound.  Over the years I have whittled down that collection but I still have some of them.  And I kept a lot of the books that I just couldn't bear to sell back for 1/4 their price and a snack sized candy bar.  The books are too good, and useful, and pertinent.  I took entire classes on things like the physiological development of the brain and how it functions, how family traditions and working together strengthens family bonds, and probably my favorite, Moral Development (from my favorite teacher ever.)  It's all there, tucked away in my brain somewhere.

So here is what I would like to talk about tonight.  Family traditions.  They are so important.  You could go buy ten books on parenting and I bet they would all talk about it.  It provides structure, dependability, trust, expectations, bonds, regularity, predictability and stability in a family.  It creates memories of togetherness.  Did you know that having family dinner together every night is one of the most cohesive things you can do for your family?  Do you know what it can do for you and for your children? A. Lot.  So do it.  It is worth it.  It is important.
And here is another idea.  It is one of our favorites.  A friend told us about it several years ago and we have done it ever since.  I haven't shared it before because I am protective of it.  It is special to us but I want to share it because it is a good thing.
It's called Rose, Thorn, and Bud.  Every night at dinner we go around the table and everyone has to share three things.  1. Your Rose: something that happened today that you loved.  2. Thorn: something that happened today that you did not like (sometimes they have no thorn, and I love that too.)  3. Bud: something you are looking forward to tomorrow.
And, everyone has to listen.  That is important too.  This is good for so many reasons.  First, it's a tradition.  Second, it means the kids have to think and be retro and introspective.  Third, everyone is listening to them. Fourth, Mom and Dad participate.  They are part of this too.  Fifth, sixth...I could go on.
So do something with your family.  Build bonds.  Make memories.  Create meaningful relationships.  Love each other to pieces.
That is your assignment.

And this is the new segment I like to call Here is what I love (and occasionally, what I don't love.)
Here is what I love:
The vibrant yellow leaves outside my bedroom window.

Honestly, I just can't get enough of this season.

Here's what I do not love:
18 month olds with pencils.

(First I call her by her whole name, then I feel irritated, then I smile inside while I am erasing it with my gummy eraser while she stands next to me and rubs the wall with a balled up piece of toilet paper and a very serious expression on her face...at least it wasn't Sharpie...this time.)

Here is something else I love:
Fake mustaches.