Wordless Wednesday December 24, 2008

Santa’s List December 21, 2008

A blogging/WAHM friend of mine, Nell, over at Casual Friday Everyday, posted a blog about one of her son’s list to Santa. It got me thinking about my son’s list to Santa. We both have the same concerns – we don’t want our children disappointed Christmas morning. Bug’s list to Santa this year included a quad – real, gas powered one – and a $300 RC truck kit. Even if this had been a good year financially, I don’t think Santa still would have bought those items.
Every year it’s the same thing – how to teach Bug that Christmas is not about the presents he gets, but rather what we can give to others and being together with family. This year I’ve had him actively participate with me in donating what we could to others. For instance, the grocery store does a “giving tree” for the local boys & girls club. I had him pick the child’s name this year. And then there was a local family last weekend that had all their presents stolen out of their car. When Bug and I were discussing it, he said “Well, what are we going to give them?”. I must admit I was trying to steer our conversation that way, but he got the idea. He thought that one was pretty cool because Mom got interviewed on the news, and Bug kept popping his head around the corner and got in a couple of shots.
This I’m sure of – Bug is definitely understanding the real meaning of Christmas. Sure – I know he’ll be a bit disappointed Christmas morning, but it won’t last long, and I’ll remind him of the real meaning of Christmas.

A Thought For Thursday December 18, 2008

Where do you find your Christmas spirit?

I’ve heard so many people this year – from family, friends, and on-line friends – say they’re just not in the Christmas spirit. So my thought for this Thursday is “Where do you find the Christmas spirit?”

Bug came home from school earlier this week and asked me, “Mom, does Baby Jesus get two presents on Christmas?” I guess I looked at him kind of funny. He said, “You know, two presents – one for His birthday, and one for Christmas.” DUH. Ding, ding, ding, We have a winner!

I know for me when I don’t feel like I’m in the Christmas spirit I turn off all the specials on TV, stop wrapping presents, and just sit and listen to some traditional Christmas music – Hark the Herald Angels, Away In A Manager, What Child is This, Silent Night. For me remembering that Christmas is really about the birth of Jesus, our Savior, helps me stay in / get back into the Christmas spirit. It’s not about the presents under the tree, the decorations around the house, the cookies/pies/meals you’ve made, but the birth of one special Child.

So Much Going On December 12, 2008

I can’t believe how quickly the last few weeks have flown by. Between the chaufering, cooking, cleaning, working, cuddling, kissing boo boos, applying ice packs, driving to Indiana, visiting with family, shopping, baking, working, exercising . . . I know I’ve left something out, the weeks seem to fly by.

We had a wonderful trip out to the mid-West to visit my family, and a quick jaunt to Las Vegas for a belated anniversary trip – 10 years!!!! The kiddos really enjoyed spending time alone with their Poppie and Grandma too. And they were awesome on the car rides – we drove straight through both going and coming.

But it seems like every year is the same. I really do start out with the best intentions – getting all the Christmas shopping, dinner planning, house decorating, family picture taking, cookie baking done so that I can actually enjoy the weeks leading up to the holiday and so I’m not in a frantic rush. But here I am again – mailed out packages to Iraq a few days late (I hope the good, old USPS can get them there in time); still shopping for gifts to send out to my family; still shopping for some presents for friends and family here. Oh, well, maybe next year!

I think a new tradition was born this year though – and I’m kind of feeling bitter sweet about it. I’ve been hustling and bustling so much that when we got the tree last week, and Hubby resolved the leaking tree stand issue – I got the lights on it, but then I let my 6 year old Bug decorate it. He did a decent job of it, and I resisted the urge to re-arrange every single ornament. Okay – I did move a few but the branches were so weighed down I was afraid the entire tree would tip over. Bug did a lovely job and I’m very proud of how mature he’s gotten just over the last few months. He’s really becoming a big helper. Maybe I can actually sit back, relax and really enjoy the season and remember what’s important this holiday season.

3 More Days. . . December 22, 2007

“I think I’m going to die.” That’s a direct quote from my 5 1/2 year old Bug when I told him he had to wait 3 more days to open his Christmas presents. Between the small living room, big tree and train that wraps around the tree, under the loveseat and half the living room floor, we’ve resorted to stacking the presents up behind the couch. It’s all I could do to stop him from sorting out the mountain of gifts already. Did I mention the stack of presents is almost as big as the couch! God Bless Grandparents! And that’s only gifts from one set of grandparents. The others will come actually on Christmas Day.

So I’ve convinced him that he’s not going to die if he has to wait 3 more days. Then I stepped out of the room for maybe 5 minutes. Seriously – it wasn’t that long, but Bug constructed a “house” for himself – so we know he’s got his father’s building genes. Here’s a picture of his “house”. I just pray that it doesn’t topple over and break anything.

Why? December 19, 2007

I understand that Christmas is the season of giving, but why and how does it turn into the season of just giving without thinking? It’s almost becoming like a competition. I have to give so and so something and spend so much – why? Why can’t people – if they want to even give a gift – find something meaningful and put some thought into the gift rather than just spend the money wastefully? Case in point, we received a food gift the other day. It’s a food that neither my husband or I like. The people we received the gift know us and have never, ever seen either one of us eat this particular food or say that we like it. So why then buy it for us as a gift – just to say they sent us something and spent the money? To me and my husband, it’s a waste of money. I know this may sound trite and ungrateful, but this is an ongoing battle with the people that sent us this gift – to not waste their money just to say that they bought us something or did something for us. We would rather they save their money and just spend quiet family time with us, or do something charitable with it. It’s been a conversation we’ve had time and again with them and seems to always fall on deaf ears. So we will continue to be gracious, and tell them thank you for the gift but it’s not something we really like, ask them to not waste their money on us, have it fall on deaf ears, and sit down at Christmas dinner, only to have the whole scenario repeat itself on the next gift giving occasion.

Day Seven Giving Thanks November 8, 2007

I did mean to post yesterday really I did. But something about working all morning, then taking 2 kids out to lunch and then shopping really did me in. I did mentally give thanks even though I didn’t post it. But yesterday during our lunch/shopping adventure – my 5 year old is really making taking him any where these days an adventure! – I had the pleasure of crossing paths with some very nice people. I don’t know their names but they were the men and women who took pity on me. I’m usually the type of person who says “no problem” and “I’ve got it; I can manage”. Well, I guess right now I don’t have it all that together or just look really, really tired, but these kind souls really helped me in their own little ways. The gentleman who stopped traffic so we could cross the parking lot at McDonald’s; the women with their own kids in tow who kept an eye on my 5 year old while I went to the counter to order his lunch; the numerous customers and associates at Wal-Mart who told me where he was hiding every 5 minutes; and the associate who helped “talk him down” when he threw a fit because I wouldn’t buy him Aqua Dots. So thank you to all the anonymous people who in their own ways perform good deeds every day.

About that Aqua Dots thing. I am so glad I didn’t buy it and the associate did say something about a possible recall coming. I saw the news last night and heard about the recall. http://www.wfsb.com/family/14536526/detail.html What’s up with all these toy recalls? Isn’t there someone that overseas these toys and games that are imported into this country for our kids? I was thinking about getting that toy for him for Christmas, too. But no way now. What ever we end up getting the kids for Christmas, you’d better believe that I’m going to research and review toys like never before, especially now with an infant in the house again!

Giving Thanks Challenge October 31, 2007

It’s November 1st. The summer like weather is definitely over. Time to start thinking about the holidays. I love this time of year. Family, friends, food, laughter – good times; good memories. I’ve even started seeing Christmas ads on tv; and I thought my son was going to bust with excitment when the Toys ‘R Us toy book came in the newspaper last weekend. But before Christmas, comes Thanksgiving. I think it some times gets overlooked. In an effort on my part to not overlook it, I’m going to challenge myself to remember each day something that I am thankful for.

I don’t subscribe to many magazines – two to be exact. Both of them this month had articles regarding “giving thanks”. So I figure if I can give thanks for something every day this month, then maybe if I’m having a rough day it will make it a little easier; a rant will turn into something truly positive; a frown turned upside down – that type of thing.

So since today is November 1st – All Saints Day in the Roman Catholic church. A day when we remember the deceased. I am thankful for my grandparents. Though most of them have past now, I have wonderful memories from my childhood of spending time and vacations with them. And I know that they are in heaven watching over me and my family now.

Giving Thanks Challenge October 31, 2007

It’s November 1st. The summer like weather is definitely over. Time to start thinking about the holidays. I love this time of year. Family, friends, food, laughter – good times; good memories. I’ve even started seeing Christmas ads on tv; and I thought my son was going to bust with excitment when the Toys ‘R Us toy book came in the newspaper last weekend. But before Christmas, comes Thanksgiving. I think it some times gets overlooked. In an effort on my part to not overlook it, I’m going to challenge myself to remember each day something that I am thankful for.

I don’t subscribe to many magazines – two to be exact. Both of them this month had articles regarding “giving thanks”. So I figure if I can give thanks for something every day this month, then maybe if I’m having a rough day it will make it a little easier; a rant will turn into something truly positive; a frown turned upside down – that type of thing.

So since today is November 1st – All Saints Day in the Roman Catholic church. A day when we remember the deceased. I am thankful for my grandparents. Though most of them have past now, I have wonderful memories from my childhood of spending time and vacations with them. And I know that they are in heaven watching over me and my family now.