We had our yearly New Years family home evening party that we have the Monday AFTER New Years. Homemade Chinese food, unwrapping our family scripture for the year, talking about it, games, and goal setting.
We do it the Monday after New Years because I think New Years is a "friend holiday", at least it was for me growing up. I have some great memories with friends on New Years, and I want to keep that day open for my kids to make plans as they get older, but also have a meaningful and fun celebration as a family that can give us direction and help us set goals for the year.
It all started last year when we came up with our family motto. We have kept that up on our wall and have decided to also come up with a new scripture theme each year for our family.
Last year's celebration:
Most of my preparations happened the the day before:
Eating on the floor cross-legged and wearing crazy hats is a must while eating Chinese food:
Our family scripture theme for the year:
It's always been one of my favorite scriptures.
We explained to the kids why we chose it.
We told them to pay close attention to the words "LIVED after the manner of happiness"
Life is not always perfectly happy and blissful, BUT we can pattern our lives after the manner of happiness by doing the small and simple things God wants us to do like scripture study and prayer.
We promised them that if they always patterned their life after God's plan that they would not be problem free, but they would have the STRENGTH and the COURAGE to weather the storms of life.
If we follow God's plan and keep His commandments, then we will have the PEACE and CONTENTMENT that comes from knowing our life is in line with what the Lord wants for us.
That is happiness and joy that money can't buy.
There were games, and noise makers(sorry neighbors!).
The homemade Chinese food was a hit, and we had so much fun!
We hung our scripture up on our photo wall with our family motto above our kitchen table so we can see it often:
The best part of the evening was spending time with the people I love the most.
Landon leaned over at one point during dinner and this is how the conversation went:
Landon: Are we going to do this every year?
Me: Do you think we should?
Landon: Yes, and then when we grow up and get married, you and Dad can still have the party together, and all of us will do a family scripture parties with our families too.
I love traditions, and celebrations, and I think it is safe to say that my kids do too!:)
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