Make a simple tree trunk ornament.
As I adjust to my “new normal”, I’ve found that making stuff and getting back to my crafty ways has been healing in a way. Since Christmas is only a few weeks away, I wanted to share a few things we’ve been up to.
I’ve started a new tradition: the Christmas tree trunk ornament (tradition). I saw this idea on Family Fun, and loved it!
This is our third year of cutting down our tree, but our first year to start this tradition.
After the guy cut our tree down, I had him cut a little piece off the trunk for an ornament.
I just wrote out Christmas 2011 in pencil,
and then used my wood burner to make it more permanent.
(Caution: wood burners are extremely hot.)
Then I just looped some ribbon, tied a bow and nailed the ribbon in to make it an ornament.
I was thinking I could write on the back of it after Christmas is over what the kids got for Christmas that year. Not what they “asked for”, since that is currently still changing, but what Santa brought them…the one big thing.
I also made a little felt stocking (more like an ornament) for Afton, to join ours.
On our drive home last night, I heard Silent Night. That song is forever changed for me. More special. The line: “sleep in heavenly peace” takes on a whole new meaning. (tears)
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
I saw this idea and thought is was precious. We don’t get a real tree because….my husband doesn’t like to fool with one…(sad face). But our artificial one is beautiful and holds all of our precious ornaments made by my precious children. Can’t complain at all. I’m praying for you and hoping you and your family can start to heal soon. XOXOXO from TN I have 3 precious angels waiting for me, so just know that you’re not alone and we understand.
I love this idea of cutting the tree trunk for an ornament! I’m going to pin it 🙂
Today will be a good day, Kam. Keep going. We love you.
I LOVE this idea – and love you guys!
Darling ornament. It is so rustic and cute. I love little Afton’s stocking. Love you.
What a unique and special idea for the ornament. I love Afton’s stocking. I bought a baby blue stocking for Jake ^i^ (02/07/02) and it hangs on the fireplace mantle with the rest of the stockings because he will always be my son and a part of our family even though he is in heaven. Take care, God bless and keep the faith. You are amazing!
Great ideas! and love Afton’s stocking!
Peace & strength to you and your family during this difficult time of year.
Hi…we recently lost our infant son and I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet Afton. I heard silent night on the radio last night on my drive home and I started crying too. I think it is something about the sweet baby sleeping that gets me also. :o( I actually thought to myself that I knew how God felt losing his son….now I have a God complex also in addition to being a crazy child loss mother!?! (just kidding on that last one). Sending you lots of hugs and prayers.
Rose
We’ve done this for years, and I love it! Love it. It’s so fun to look back at each tree and count the rings.
Merrrrry Christmas!
i think that’s a great idea for the ornament from the tree…we never get real ones, but if we did, it would be awesome to do. i wish i could do something to ease your pain…to ease our pain too…it’s just so hard to go through this loss of a child, but i know that Heavenly Father has a plan for us. Keep going.
Wow, after thinking about it, that song does have a whole new meaning and I don’t think I will be able to listen to it with out thinking of beautiful Afton and bringing a tear to my eye!
That ornament is such a cute idea! And the fact that you have a wood burner… AWESOME! Hope you guys have a wonderful Christmas!
Love you kami! So inspired by you.. Your faith, your grace… I love you!
Oh what a wonderful idea!! I wonder if I could cut a piece off of the bottom of the trunk when I take it down after Christmas… I am glad this has been healing to you and hope that Christmas gives you lots of opportunities to be creative, have fun and escape for a bit.
Now you’re making me want to buy real trees!! Glad you’re back crafting!!
Kami – I found you through Sew Cute Crafts and recognized the hospital (NICU) from the pics on her website. I work in that NICU, although I am on maternity leave now so I didn’t get the gift of meeting you or taking care of your sweet Afton. I say gift because that’s what those sweet little lives are – a gift.
My heart breaks for you and your family. Too often I have seen a family see their angel fly home all too soon. Her life was too perfect that she couldn’t stay on this earth any longer. Now she is in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father waiting to be reunited with her mommy.
Thank you for sharing your story and how you are coping. I hope you find warmth and peace the spirit can bring to you and your family.
Love your crafts and ideas!!! Will continue to follow and pray for you and your family.
God Bless
I stumbled across your blog about 10 minutes ago. I am so sorry for the pain and the loss you are going through right now. Why God gives us children, then takes them home sooner than we want, we’ll never know on this side of heaven.
I will add your family to my prayer list. It sounds trivial to mention my personal struggles, as my daughter is still here, but just this July she was diagnosed with leukemia. I started a blog to help keep my friends and family across the country informed on a daily basis. I still update it very frequently, and have posted regular updates and inspiration scriptures, songs, quotes, etc. I believe that was the second best thing to help me heal {God being first} during this trial.
You seem like a wonderful, strong person {people tell me that all the time, but sometimes I laugh, because they don’t live in my head, and watch me while I try and go to sleep at night.
As an outsider, we feel so helpless, knowing that the best and only thing we can do is pray for you.
I don’t know if you listen to Christian music, but there is a song I sung just this last Sunday at my church, “Through the Fire” by the Crabb Family {Jason Crabb is the main vocalist}. I accidentally came across it while listening to another song on Youtube…but if you feel like listening to it, it really has beautiful words, and a soothing message for someone going through such pain and heartache.
Sorry for blabbing so long, I will definitely be praying for you and your family.
May God heal your heart, and mind!!
Hope you have a great Holiday season!
~Jessica
That ornament is adorable Kami! What a fun idea. Silent Night has now taken on new meaning for me too.
Love you so much.
Love that ornament idea and Afton’s stocking is so pretty. After years of searching I finally found a stocking for my angel too. I just wrote about it on Monday. You are in my thoughts.
Love your ornament and still keeping you in prayer. XX
For heavens sake Kami, who, besides you, just has a “wood burner” just laying around? Looks like i’ve got a lot to pick up at Lowes tomorrow 🙂