It's been a sad week. A man from our church passed away unexpectedly last Saturday leaving behind his wife and 6-year-old son. A girl that used to be one of the regular cashiers I used while shopping at Wal-Mart was found dead in her car (2 months after she went missing). She leaves behind a loving family and a three-year-old son. A little boy that we know (same age as Addi) was diagnosed with Leukemia. And, of course, the horrible tragedy in Sandy Hook. It seems like sad news is more prevalent at Christmas time. Maybe it's just that we are more aware.
I challenge you to look around at the faces of the people you come in contact with this week and really look into their eyes. Will a smile make a difference? Will God lead you to do more for an individual? Will you grow keenly aware of the sadness that so many feel in this joyous season? I don't know. I don't know what difference I can make by looking at strangers with compassion. However, that's my prayer this week. That I see the hurt in others eyes and that I react the way God would have me to. Maybe that's just a smile. Maybe it's reacting with a whispered prayer. Maybe it's giving of my time, energy or finances. I'm excited to see what's in store.
In closing, hug your family this week. Keep them close. Call those you love. Tell them you care. Smile at strangers. Help a friend. Give the gift of compassion this season. It might be the best gift we can give.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Monday, December 10, 2012
Santa or no Santa?
Jared and I have officially decided not to do Santa at our house. It was actually a very tough decision for me as my family did Santa for several years (even years after we all knew the truth) and honestly, I loved it. I loved the magic of it all and I was not devastated when I figured out that Santa wasn't real. Jared said his family celebrated off and on, but that it was sort of a mixed bag. There was no disappointment for him either.
Our decision to not celebrate Santa is not because we are worried about our kids finding out there isn't a Santa and being crushed. We aren't even really concerned about them not being able to differentiate between Santa and God. However, we do always want our children to know that everything we tell them is the truth. We don't want them to think that Santa is watching them all year, and "sees you when you're sleeping." Which honestly would freak Addi out right now, because she is already scared that there is a man outside her window when she sleeps sometimes. Totally don't know where she came up with that one, but we are working through it. :) She knows that Jesus protects her while she sleeps, but she got a little nervous the one time I told her she didn't need to be scared because Jesus was watching her. So, for now, we are good with just saying our night time prayers and telling her how much Jesus loves her.
This is the first year that Addi has really even been curious about Santa, mainly due to the fact that she sees him in stores. We let her wave to him, I have asked her if she wants to go sit on his lap and talk to him (she looked at me like I was crazy when I asked), and we let her watch movies and listen to songs about Santa. However, she knows that Santa doesn't bring her presents and she is fine with that. She knows she's getting presents at Christmas. She is very excited about that. She also knows that Jesus is providing the money for the presents that she will get. As her and Brogan get older, we will teach them about St. Nick and who he was, but for now we are focusing on Christmas being the day we celebrate Jesus' birth (though we also believe we should celebrate and be thankful for Jesus every single day). We will make a birthday cake for Jesus this season. We have already and will continue to read the story of Jesus' birth to the kids. (Funny side note...we saw a woman wearing a head wrap the other day and Addi got so excited! She said, "Look Mommy, it's Mary!" Haha.) We will do our best to focus on Christ as much as possible. However, if they want to watch a Daddy and Mommy approved Christmas movie that includes Santa, we will let them. If they have questions, we will answer them honestly. However, just as they like Elmo even though he isn't real, we're not going to tell them they can't like Santa or that they can't enjoy seeing him in a parade. So far, it's not an issue.
Christmas will always be a magical time for them. We will do our best to ensure that. We have already seen the wonder in their eyes when they have watched a parade, viewed a tree lighting, looked at Christmas decorations, played with our Christmas tree, made Christmas crafts and listened to Christmas music. Addi gets excited when she sees Santa...and people dressed up like Mary ;). She has chapstick that has a picture of Rudolph on it and she adores it. Brogan will say, "Ho-ho-ho, Merry Christmas!" People ask them if Santa is coming to see them and usually Addi says yes. She also decided quite a while ago that Mitt Romney will be coming to her birthday party in March and will tell us that our pastor is coming to our house. The probability of Mitt Romney or our pastor (who pastors a church of 10,000 members) coming to our house is as slim as Santa coming, but we don't tell her she can't say that. So, we let her respond to people and we don't tell her different. If she asks when Santa is coming to her house, we will tell her he isn't, but that she can see him in the mall. So, that's that.
By the way, as far as presents are concerned, both kids will be getting four presents this year (and probably for years to come). One present will always be something that will encourage their Spiritual growth. This year that is a toddler Bible for Addi and a book about the heroes of the Bible for Brogan. One present will be something they really want (Addi actually really wanted a Princess Castle this year...or so she has been swayed that this is what she wants...she still isn't big on deciding those kind of things yet). One present will be educational or promote creativity. The other present will be pajamas to be opened on Christmas Eve. They will also receive a stocking with some fun items in it. Limiting the amount of presents is not only great for the budget, but also a great way for the kids to realize that Christmas is not just about receiving. As they get older, we want to involve them in service projects throughout each year that teaches them the importance of giving. For now, we teach them about giving by donating to food banks and placing change in Salvation Army buckets. Addi's catching on. Whenever she sees any sort of coin she says, "We need to give this to people who need to get food." Brogan's not quite there yet. He sees a coin and tries to eat it. ;)
We are also excited that this year we will be teaching Addi the importance of tithing on the money she receives for Christmas as well as putting money aside for savings. She doesn't get an allowance yet and they don't collect offerings in her class at church (that doesn't happen until they are four or five), so she really hasn't been taught anything about giving money to the church.
Anyway, for those of you who are wondering why I am talking way more about Addi in this post than Brogan (or actually why I do in quite a few of my posts), it's because Brogan is 18 months. He is super fun and an amazing little boy who has such a sweet and lovable personality. However, he is oblivious to most Christmas stuff this year. He recognizes Santa, loves Christmas lights and dances to Christmas music. He thinks it's great fun to terrorize our nativity set and yank ornaments off the tree. That's about it though. :) Once he is talking more, I am sure I will have plenty of stories about things that he says that makes us laugh. He already makes us laugh all the time...usually though it's through actions that you can actually see and are hard to explain on a post. :)
Anyway, sorry for the long and slightly disjointed post. Most of mine are though, so oh well. ;)
Enjoy your week!!!
Christmas will always be a magical time for them. We will do our best to ensure that. We have already seen the wonder in their eyes when they have watched a parade, viewed a tree lighting, looked at Christmas decorations, played with our Christmas tree, made Christmas crafts and listened to Christmas music. Addi gets excited when she sees Santa...and people dressed up like Mary ;). She has chapstick that has a picture of Rudolph on it and she adores it. Brogan will say, "Ho-ho-ho, Merry Christmas!" People ask them if Santa is coming to see them and usually Addi says yes. She also decided quite a while ago that Mitt Romney will be coming to her birthday party in March and will tell us that our pastor is coming to our house. The probability of Mitt Romney or our pastor (who pastors a church of 10,000 members) coming to our house is as slim as Santa coming, but we don't tell her she can't say that. So, we let her respond to people and we don't tell her different. If she asks when Santa is coming to her house, we will tell her he isn't, but that she can see him in the mall. So, that's that.
By the way, as far as presents are concerned, both kids will be getting four presents this year (and probably for years to come). One present will always be something that will encourage their Spiritual growth. This year that is a toddler Bible for Addi and a book about the heroes of the Bible for Brogan. One present will be something they really want (Addi actually really wanted a Princess Castle this year...or so she has been swayed that this is what she wants...she still isn't big on deciding those kind of things yet). One present will be educational or promote creativity. The other present will be pajamas to be opened on Christmas Eve. They will also receive a stocking with some fun items in it. Limiting the amount of presents is not only great for the budget, but also a great way for the kids to realize that Christmas is not just about receiving. As they get older, we want to involve them in service projects throughout each year that teaches them the importance of giving. For now, we teach them about giving by donating to food banks and placing change in Salvation Army buckets. Addi's catching on. Whenever she sees any sort of coin she says, "We need to give this to people who need to get food." Brogan's not quite there yet. He sees a coin and tries to eat it. ;)
We are also excited that this year we will be teaching Addi the importance of tithing on the money she receives for Christmas as well as putting money aside for savings. She doesn't get an allowance yet and they don't collect offerings in her class at church (that doesn't happen until they are four or five), so she really hasn't been taught anything about giving money to the church.
Anyway, for those of you who are wondering why I am talking way more about Addi in this post than Brogan (or actually why I do in quite a few of my posts), it's because Brogan is 18 months. He is super fun and an amazing little boy who has such a sweet and lovable personality. However, he is oblivious to most Christmas stuff this year. He recognizes Santa, loves Christmas lights and dances to Christmas music. He thinks it's great fun to terrorize our nativity set and yank ornaments off the tree. That's about it though. :) Once he is talking more, I am sure I will have plenty of stories about things that he says that makes us laugh. He already makes us laugh all the time...usually though it's through actions that you can actually see and are hard to explain on a post. :)
Anyway, sorry for the long and slightly disjointed post. Most of mine are though, so oh well. ;)
Enjoy your week!!!
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Answered Prayers
I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I could go into the reasons why, but don't really feel like it. It has nothing to do with Jared and the kids though. :)
Anyway, later this morning, I read a blog from a friend. She is dealing with something right now that I've never dealt with and her emotions are raw (for good reason!). Anyway, I sent her a quick message on Facebook and she replied back with some amazing news! It totally turned my morning around because I have been so burdened for her and she has really needed this news!
I love how that works. I love that God has given us all compassion to look beyond our circumstances and feel so grateful and happy for other's when answers to prayers are revealed. God is awesome and that's all. :)
Anyway, later this morning, I read a blog from a friend. She is dealing with something right now that I've never dealt with and her emotions are raw (for good reason!). Anyway, I sent her a quick message on Facebook and she replied back with some amazing news! It totally turned my morning around because I have been so burdened for her and she has really needed this news!
I love how that works. I love that God has given us all compassion to look beyond our circumstances and feel so grateful and happy for other's when answers to prayers are revealed. God is awesome and that's all. :)
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