Mommy, are we there yet?

Do you travel to see your family for the holidays?

It's almost Christmas, and we are on the interstate, traveling to see friends and family. Most of them live out of state but today is our second day on the road to grandma's house.

The Christmas Chronicles, play from the back seat to keep my kids occupied, and I think about the past few days as the traffic zooms by.

The semester has ended and many people take time off work to see family. 

People get ready for the holidays, while malls and stores are bursting with Christmas offers, and last minute shoppers.

I like traditions. I'm a fan because I know there is so much comfort in bringing the holidays to our house. 

My husband brings down our boxes of decorations from the attic to the living room. Our boys excitedly pour over the contents with cheerful delight. They help themselves to tinsel and decorations, pausing at times to marvel over something they never look at during the rest of the year. 

That salt dough star with the tattered edges my oldest made in Kindergarten is brought out for the tree every year.

"Oh, I remember this," my oldest exclaims, holding the star in his hand like it's the best thing ever. His face is radiant and we laugh at him.

It's not really about the salt dough but the fact that it still exists, even now years later. A wonderful memory from the past. 

My youngest finds his beloved fingerprint Christmas tree that he made out of clay in first grade. He holds it tightly to his chest and runs around the room to find it a home over the holidays. 

Its endearing to see my kids so happy about the simplest things and it only happens at Christmas. The wonder and magic of Christmas.

Do you keep hold of decorations from years gone by?

I'm treasuring every moment of my children's milestones because I never had this as a child. 

We spend time as a family, reminiscing over forgotten items, while decorating our Christmas tree together and the rest of the house. 

My boys make sure that every bare shelf, window sill and mantel piece is covered by some kind of light and decoration.

A snowman here, an elf there, a lantern and candles everywhere. They dart around the room making it shine. 

My oldest sits by the fireplace, and arranges the nativity scene. He sets it up every year and takes it very seriously, inspecting every piece before it goes in the stable. Last year, one of the sheep needed to go to the "vet" for a broken leg. It still has the bandage to keep the leg in place this year but we don't talk about it. 

Once our place is perfect, we pack our bags and we head to grandmas house. It's a two-day drive north across several state lines. 

Normally, long car rides are boring, but my kids are used to it. 

How do you keep your kids busy on long journeys?

We bring a variety of car games, entertainments and electronics. My kids know that they can play on their consoles for some of the journey and it can be a life saver when we are stuck around several big cities that we have to pass.

The anticipation is hanging in the air as we talk about grandmas house and what we will be doing.

My oldest has his Ipad to track our progress on the screen. He likes calling out the names of the towns and cities as we pass them.

We make it into a game as the teacher in me always sees things as learning opportunity.

Tell me one thing X is famous for? What team plays for XX?

I make it easy so both of them can join in. My oldest sometimes remembers the question from last year, and he winks at me to let his younger brother answer.

Hours later, we finally arrive, and the boys are delighted to see snow and leap out of the car to roll in the white stuff. Adults, siblings and cousins hug as the kids play. A snowman is soon standing proudly in the middle of the yard wearing a carrot for a nose and a few stones for his eyes and mouth.

We retreat inside to check out the big house and the sleeping arrangements of each family member. My kids and their cousins run between the room as the adults talk while unpacking.

The kids finally calm before dinner just as the adults get started on the beer and wine. We share a feast of food over stories of the past few months. It's a loud conversation over laughter and happiness. Everyone wants to talk at once but we eagerly wait for everyone to get their turn.

My youngest falls asleep in my arms sometime during dessert as one of his uncles talk about work. 

Family at Christmas time is special. Trust me from someone who had no body that your family matter when they love you.

Treasure this time with your loved ones. Make the most of your time together. Listen and share your life with them. Let them in.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas, wherever you are in the world.

My name is Lizzy. I'm a trauma survivor, a wife, a mom, a teacher, and an author.

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