Traditions. They help to make our holiday experience memorable. No doubt you have Thanksgiving traditions. Maybe they are traditions that come from your parents or grandparents. Or maybe they are traditions you have started for your growing family. Either way, traditions help to shape the holidays.

We have traditions. Some of them are long standing, and some of them are relatively new. One of those 'newer' traditions we started last Thanksgiving. Amy and I are working to create more memories with our kids. We are intentionally trying to make moments that we will remember long into our kids adult hood. Moments of laughter, tears, and fun.

So last year, Amy had the idea to ask the kids to help her with the Thanksgiving dinner. She asked each one what their favorite part of the dinner was; the stuffing, the veggies, the mashed potatoes, the pies, etc. She then recruited them to help with that part of the dinner. Each kid had a role. Each kid helped.

The other night, Amy asked if the kids wanted to do the same thing this year. The response was a resounding, YES! So, now, it's a tradition. And tomorrow, Thursday, November 26th, 2015, Thanksgiving Day, each kid will take their turn in the kitchen with Amy, helping her prepare the dinner, making memories, laughing, learning, and loving each other.

So who does what?
- Logan: the infamous sausage stuffing!
- Nate: the amazing veggie-turkey!
- Aident: the delicious pumpkin pies!
- Asher: the incredible 5 layered jello!
- Breya: the yummy Oreo Turkey's!

And what will Daddy do?
Well, I play a roll in the dinner prep as well, helping Amy with whatever she needs.

We'll post some pictures of our family feast after Thanksgiving Day!

In the meantime, we hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving Day with your family! And don't forget to share your traditions, whatever they are. We would love to hear from you! So take a moment and share your traditions below.

​- jay  

We took the camera along with us with hopes of doing a little vlogging. Unfortunately, after we arrived in Kentucky, things got a little crazy, and before we knew it, the weekend was over. However, we did manage to get a little video of our travels, which you can watch by clicking on the graphic below. 

But before we cut to the vlog, I wanted to share just a few things about the trip with you.

Like we've said, the convention trip has always served a couple of purposes for us. As a youth worker, the convention has been a place where Jay has been able to sharpened his skills through incredible training, instruction and teaching. Some of the biggest names in student ministry speak, teach and share their experiences in seminars and general sessions. An exhibit hall crammed with resources, camps, mission organizations, and tools. And of course the worship is amazing.

In 2008, Jay's role at the convention changed from attendee to volunteer. Since then, Jay has worked the convention, serving first with the Seminar Team, helping prepare the rooms and technology for the seminar speakers, then more recently as a member of the Main Stage Team, helping with the general sessions. This has left Jay flying solo.

But as a couple, the convention has served as more than just a place and time for training. The convention presents an opportunity for husbands and wives to reconnect with one another, a way from the church, the family, and the things that sometimes cause distraction.

Let's be honest, ministry is hard. If a couple is not careful, it can totally consume the time and calendar of the family. But we decided very early on in our career that we would do everything possible to put our marriage and our family first, while leaving ministry second. With each year that we attended the convention, we were reminded of just how important it was that we maintain this commitment. It's partly why we have kept Amy home. We knew that committing to full-time ministry would be a huge step of faith, and keeping Amy at home would be bring challenges of it's own. But we have also believed that it was super important that our family come first.

The convention has allowed us time to be together for an extended period of time where it can be just be. Kid-free so we can talk, sleep in, and dream about our family. To be able to talk about how we want to be as parents and as a family. We listened to the 'experts' counsel and advise us. And we've taken the time simply love one another. It's time that is well worth the investment. And while our sacrifices have at times be great, that investment in putting family first has paid in big dividends.

This year, the convention offered us a much needed break. The last six months have been a whirlwind of transition. These last couple of days have provided the opportunity to pause, be renewed, and be refreshed for all that God has for us in the year to come!

So let us say thank you to every one who helped to make this visit to NYWC possible. To Wanda S, thank you for giving of your time to come to our home and stay with the kids. And thank you for taking them back to your home for the weekend. To Kiley Z, thank you for staying with the kids when Wanda was unable. It was a huge blessing! To Missy H, thank you for the dinner and the evening given to the kids. And to Wanda C, thanks so much for the dinner you shared with the kids. And thanks to our dear friends Jim and Chris D, who took care of Toby, (our Goldendoodle) while we were away!

​Our time away was great, and we are so grateful to be able to have friends who have helped us make it possible. And thank you all in advance, for taking a few minutes to watch our vlog.

​- the higham family

Another weekend in the Higham house and another weekend vlog! Thank you so much for taking the time to watch our weekend vlog. We are really enjoying sharing our family with you! We hope you are enjoying the blogs just as much! We got plenty more Higham family fun coming your way! Be sure to subscribe to the vlog! And don't forget to comment, we'd love to hear from you! 

​Hi we're Jay & Amy, and we've been married for 19 years and are super blessed to be busy raising our 5 kids; 4 boys and 1 girl. We juggle the adventures of life and ministry and share what we are learning as it relates to marriage, family, raising kids, serving in the church, and chasing after Jesus. Raising a family is hard work, especially in today's culture. But our hope is to encourage you and your family, as we live for the glory of God.