When I was growing up we moved a lot.
![SEA SALT LIVING ROOM WITH RAGGY VINES](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SEA-SALT-ROOM-VINES-466x700.jpg)
It was not until I was well into my twenties that I lived in any single residence longer than 3 years.
![my MOM gave me this SANTA](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SANTA-466x700.jpg)
My childhood pledge was that when I had kids…in high school, they would sit next to kindergarten classmates…they would know people long enough to see them change and grow and even get sick of them…they would have the chance to see how things ended up.
![HALLWAY STAIRCASE AND VINES](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/STAIRS-VINES-466x700.jpg)
….and I would never lose the Christmas decorations.
![TWIN VINES](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/LR-VINES-2-500x333.jpg)
Seems moving over and over again stripped my Mom of her sentimental attachment to things like photographs and Christmas decorations.
![COOPER'S FIRST CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/IMG_4916-500x333.jpg)
Eventually you have to lighten your load I suppose. I guess if you are constantly saying goodbye to whole human beings..next door best friends…the act of letting go of a few pressed handprints is child’s play.
![OUR VERY FIRST CHRISTMAS HERE...2004-PHOEBE WITH HER NEW DOGGIE-DASH](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/christmas-eve-eve-2004-500x333.jpg)
SO…we got NEW decorations every 3 years…
![DINING ROOM MANTLE WITH VINES](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/DINING-ROOM-VINES-466x700.jpg)
NOW, each year our MIXED BAG OF CHERISHED Christmas decorations get pulled out …THEY grow with us…and while I am, despite my best intentions… sure I have given my kids a few therapy worthy experiences…
![LIVING ROOM AND THE CHRISTMAS TREE](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/LR-TREE-500x333.jpg)
I have given them this home…this place…to rely on…to take for granted…to be the backdrop of their sweet lives, their childhoods that have flown by…and the worn, chipped, scratched old country house with all of it’s nooks and crannies…… is one of only two houses they will have memories of…
![CHRISTMAS MORNING 2013](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/CHRISTMAS-2013-500x333.jpg)
and for that I am truly blessed.
![CHRISTMAS MORNING 2013](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/ohchristmas-tree--466x700.jpg)
I do so love your sweet, sentimental posts, Lesli. You inspire me to savor the time I have in my little 1940 clary sage home with my three girls, who are not far behind yours in age. Mine is the only house in our Portland neighborhood with white lights in the windows, a New England custom that I embrace every year. I hope your surgery went well and your Christmas is magical!
Thank you Caley…I am picturing your white lights and loving your New England traditions…
Happy Holidays to you and your beautiful “YOURS!”!!!
enjoyed your post & would like more in the future – thank you
Thank you Rosemond!!! I am glad to have you stop by! Merry Christmas! xo
I love the picture of the turquoise barn who painted it?
The turquoise barn was painted by me and is available for purchase here
http://leslidevito.com/images/miami
Thank you for stopping by!