Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

So it's Christmas time and time to start decorating and putting up the tree. I asked Bradfield what kind of tree he wanted to get (real or fake) and I think he was insulted that I even asked! He is a huge believer in getting a real tree, but of course we are not going to buy one, we are going to find one somewhere and poach it. :) We decided we wanted to cut it down together, but we were going to have to find a time we were both home in the daylight....never! By this time I am getting more and more excited about putting up our tree and we get anxious one night and we decide to just go spotlighting, how crazy does this sound, I know. But it turned out to be so special. We drive down our gravel road(which goes on forever) and we are spotlighting trying to find a cedar tree. Bradfield promises there will be some down this road sooner or later. Well....after we drive at least 10 miles or so looking at nothing but pine trees, i become a little dazed and began to feel doubtful. But we keep driving. Finally we both spot a cedar tree, it took a second for us to wake up and realize it, but we had passed a cedar tree and we immediately realize that it is perfect and slam on brakes. It is a great size, good shape.....and well...it's the only one we found so we can't be picky, but it's perfect! We get real excited, jump out......and I swear it's like a light from above is shining down on this tree. Magical. I decide now that for such a special moment, we have to have a picture, but of course, no camera. We decide it is important enough to drive all the way back home, get the camera, drive the jillion miles back to the tree, take pictures, then cut it down, and then head back home very satisfied with having successfully fulfilled our journey. So.....voila! Our magical moment.



So of course I could not wait to decorate, but because of technical problems we had to wait till the next night. (the base of our tree was too skinny for our stand) This turned out to be quite an experience itself. First with only the lights on our tree, the tree took a tumble. We sat it back up, and this took a little of the air under my wings, but we got it back up and re-hung the lights and began with the ornaments. With this the excitement was back. We began to carefully place mine and Bradfield's special ornaments on our first tree. About half way through, the tree falls completely down, ornaments and all. I will half to say, my spirits were crushed. We stood the tree back up, picked up the ornaments and began fixing everything, but this was not without some pouting from me. I'm not gonna lie, I wanted to cry. But we got it done and called it a night.

After everything is said and done, I am so proud of our tree. It is everything a Christmas tree should be. It is an experience. And it represents Bradfield and I perfectly with old and new ornaments we have collected through the years. Laurel would be proud, it fits her description perfectly. It has ornaments I have collected as gifts through the years, but have saved for this tree. It has ornaments from Bradfield's childhood that are special, and some even homemade. It has both of our baby's first Christmas ornaments and more. It is not perfect, but it is ours. Oh Christmas Tree!

More pictures to come!