Who's Harold?

I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted on here. I think about it several times a week, want to get back started again, and yet I haven't done it. Part of me wonders if what I have to say is important enough, will anyone read it? Then I remember why I started blogging to begin with. I started as a means to capture thoughts and memories for myself. Somewhere along the way I lost that. So here I am again, back at it.

This morning I had one of those moments that I wanted to freeze frame and remember forever. It was an ordinary moment, nothing so special about it, except that I was struck by how quickly my kids are growing up and wanting to hold on to their innocence forever.

Prince is a morning person. He wakes up in a happy mood, often singing about what a great day it is going to be. This annoys Princess to no end. She is not a morning person at all. It reminds me very much of the dynamic between my sister and I growing up. I got on my sister's nerves so badly because I dared speak to her before what she considered a decent hour - 10:00 or so. Anyway, this morning Prince was singing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and Princess was really ticked off about it. As he sang, I thought I would make a joke. Prince loves jokes. So I asked him, "Who is Harold?" His response was, "I don't know but he has a catchy song." It went right over his head! Before I could explain, he was down the hall continuing his song.

It made me think about traditions and what we pass on to our kids. Generations have sung this song and probably not given much thought as to what the words mean. When we were little, I remember my sister singing this song and instead of singing "with the angelic hosts proclaim," she sang "with the jelly..." Makes me think perhaps it is about more than just passing on the traditions, but also using those teachable moments to make sure our kids understand what they are singing. What do those words mean? No one uses the word "hark" anymore. Perhaps this advent, as we sit around the table for our family devotions we will have some discussion about the songs we sing and the traditions we hold dear.

Away in a Manger

These are two of my favorite Christmas pictures of Prince and Princess.  They were taken when they were just 2 years old.  Hubby's office was in the alumni house (the old president's house) when we lived in Georgia and it was a gorgeous building.  We took Prince and Princess up there one weekend to take Christmas pictures of them in their outfits.  These were actually not the posed shots, but candids while Hubby was getting ready to pose them.  Prince is holding his Fisher Price baby Jesus from their little Fisher Price nativity set.  They both loved to play with the nativity pieces ~ they still do ~ and especially to carry around baby Jesus. 

Once I heard of someone who said they didn't put baby Jesus in their nativity until Christmas.  They said that it helped them to be mindful of the meaning of advent, the waiting for baby Jesus to arrive.  I have thought a lot about that over the years since I first heard it.  I think it's a creative way to illustrate the waiting for our Savior's birth, but I could never do it.  It isn't that I can't wait until Christmas or can't stand the anticipation.  I couldn't do it because I want to look at the baby Jesus as long as I can.  I want to see that baby and remember him, that He is the reason for this season, that He came to save me from my sin.  I have nativities in many rooms of my house and I like it that way.  I like being able to keep my focus on Jesus and to have that visual reminder that my Christmas trees are beautiful and the presents are plentiful, but that the real gift is found in this tiny babe that was born 2,000 years ago who came for me.  When I look at these pictures I think they illustrate what I want my kids to grow up with ~ a hands-on approach in their relationship with Christ and the constant reminder that Jesus is Christmas.  That tiny baby in the hay is love, and he loved us enough to be born human and then to sacrifice his life for our sins, dying on the cross for me, for them, for you.  

Advent Devotional Idea

When I was little, one of my favorite parts of advent was when we were in church and families would come up and light the advent wreath.  I especially loved it on the few ocassions that my family was asked to read and light a candle.  Many moons ago before Hubby and I married, I bought my own advent wreath and it has been a part of our Christmas tradition in our home ever since.  We keep it in the middle of our dining room table and have devotionals while lighting the candles and discussing what Christmas is really about.  Yesterday's advent devotional had a really great idea in it and Princess loved it so much that she has latched on and decided on a new tradition.

Yesterday we lit the candle of joy.  We talked about how even though Mary had every reason to be afraid, she expressed joy in God's favor.  The angels comforted the frightened shephers with joy of good news.  And that the joy we find isn't in our circumstances, but in our relationship with God in Christ. 
The suggestion at the end of the devotional was that whenever you turn on your Christmas tree lights say, "Christ is welcome in this home," or "Jesus, the light of the world, the joy of our hearts."  As I was tucking Princess into bed last night I noted that she had turned on her Christmas tree on her dresser and she immediately said, "Yes, but I need to turn it off and do it again."  When I asked why she said that she had forgotten to say something when she did it.  So she hopped up, unplugged her tree and plugged it in again saying, "Christ is welcome in this home." 

I agree with Princess.  I really like this and I think we'll adopt it as a new tradition, a reminder that Christ is indeed welcome in our home and also that Jesus is the light of the world and the joy of our hearts.  Praise be to God!

It's Christmas Time in the City

Last night was our city's Christmas Parade.  It wasn't a holiday parade, it was clearly called the city's Christmas Parade.  Our church had a float that my dad spent quite a bit of time decorating and he pulled it with his truck.  It was great fun to ride on the float and wave to people.  I was in many a parade back in my teenage days when I was in the band, but this is different.  In band, I was concentrating on playing my clarinet or being drum major and keeping everyone together and in step, etc.  This was different because it's low pressure.  I want to share a couple of things that I thought of while riding down the street last night.

1.  Everyone dropped the political correctness and there was an ease as people shouted "Merry Christmas!"  They weren't afraid of offending anyone, they were truly joyful as they said it.
2.  You can tell a lot about people by looking into their eyes.  I saw a lot of people that I didn't know as we rode through the parade route and I tried to establish eye contact with as many people as I could.  As I did, I offered a warm "Merry Christmas," but I also prayed for each individual.  There were people there that I could tell had a lot going on in their lives.  They were trying to enjoy being in the moment, but you could see there was a story behind their eyes.  Haven't you ever plastered on the fake smile in an attempt to forget about your worries and problems?  I know I have and I witnessed others doing so last night.  It was my privilege to go to the Lord on their behalf and ask that He work in their lives. 
3.  I spotted the sweetest baby in the crowd.  His dad was holding him and sitting on the curb.  I'm not sure how old he was, maybe 3 or 4 months old, but he was just watching the lights and taking it all in and just so quiet.  But I noticed his eyes and the innocence and I thought about baby Jesus, the reason we celebrate Christmas.  I thought about how if Jesus came as a baby today, Joseph might have taken him to a parade and spent time in other activities that we do each day.  One of the most extraordinary things about Jesus was that he came in an ordinary way, as a baby and I'm sure Mary changed her share of dirty diapers and sang her share of lullabys for a fussy baby. 

It was a great time and the positive energy from the crowd as well as those in the parade made it a wonderful evening.  We came home and drank hot chocolate and watched a family movie together.
I'm so glad we were a part of the Christmas Parade and as I meet others in the stores or anywhere else I go, I will continue to say Merry Christmas, for truly it is the Christmas season and I make no apologies for that.

Thou Shalt Not Covet

A few days ago Prince, Princess and I were in the grocery store.  We were walking along and Prince begins telling me about a spy kit he wants for Christmas.  I was in the zone, trying to think of what else I needed to get as he is talking about this really cool toy he wants.  I will admit that I was half listening when Princess mentioned that she wanted one too and did I think she could get one for Christmas too.  Below is the conversation as it took place.  I can't make this stuff up ~
Princess: Mommy, do you think I could get that too? 
Me:  I don't know if we need two of them in our house.  Don't you think one is plenty and you can share?
Princess: Listen Mommy, I need to tell you something.  Do you know what coveting is?
Me: Yes, I know what coveting is.  Do you know what it is?
Princess:  Coveting is wanting what your neighbor has and we've been learning about it in school and it's a sin.
Me:  That's right.
Princess: So if Prince gets the spy thing and I don't get one I might covet what he has and that would be bad but if you will go ahead and just buy me one then I won't want it cause I'll already have it.  See?  Then I won't have to covet.

I think I'm in trouble.  We send her to a Christian school to learn the Bible and she's definitely doing that, but this child is smarter and has more angles than I could ever think of. 

The Christmas Potato ~ A Must Read

Charlie is looking forward to Christmas vacation and he has big plans.  The chores his mom asks him to do are not exactly what he had in mind.  However, as Charlie does what is asked of him he begins to realize what is important to him: spending time with family and helping to do his share around the house. 
I can't wait to read this story to my children this Christmas season. 

Paula Schlegel is a talented storyteller and I love the way she incorporates Jesus and Santa in the same story...it doesn't have to be either/or.  Finally a story that includes our Christmas traditions along with Jesus' birthday. 

The Christmas Potato would be an excellent addition to your Christmas story repertoire at bedtime or as a stocking stuffer gift.  I highly recommend you order your copy of The Christmas Potato now before the Christmas season...it will be here before you know it!  You can buy your copy of The Christmas Potato at http://www.amazon.com/ or email Paula at paula.schlegel@yahoo.com .  Also, don't forget to "Like" The Christmas Potato on facebook ~ you can also see view a trailer of the book https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Christmas-Potato/115004548561758?v=app_6009294086&ref=sgm#!/pages/The-Christmas-Potato/115004548561758?sk=wall

New Year's Hodgepodge

It's Hodgepodge Wednesday and I am joining Joyce at From This Side of the Pond in answering her hodgepodge of questions.  Click on the link and go say hi to Joyce!

1. What three words would you use to describe 2010?
Amazing
Fun
Firsts

2. If fear were not an issue what is something you'd like to try?
Scuba diving.  I have always thought it would be a really neat thing to do, but I can't even snorkel very well because I get out in the middle of the ocean and start to think about wow, I'm out in the middle of the ocean and I get a little panicky.

3. What do you add to your coffee or tea?
I don't drink coffee.  When Hubby and I lived in Georgia I loved the sweet tea.  I'm sorry, it's pronounced swait tai with the long 'a' sound.  Were it not for the calories I would drink it swait all the time, but usually I opt for unsweet, nothing in it but lemon, and the stronger the better. 

4. What historical sporting event would you like to witness?
I'm honestly not that big into sports, but it would probably be something baseball, maybe the World Series with the Braves playing.

5. What is one piece of advice you would like to give your sixteen year old self?

That those bangs would look ridiculous in 20 years? 

Seriously, I think I would tell myself to be true to myself and not to change to try to make other people happy or like me.  I also would have probably gotten into a little more mischief, had I realized that my "permanent file" wasn't so permanent after all.

6. Are you a planner or do you prefer to fly by the seat of your pants?
I plan things out to the nth degree.  For every plan, there is a Plan A,B,C,D,E,F,G....back up plan.  Do you know what happens to people like me?  God laughs and then he throws you a curve ball that you could never see coming to remind you that He is in control. 
Hubby is also a planner but we have tried in recent years to be a bit more spontaneous.  It mostly ends up being what we like to call "planned spontaneity."  We plan to do something spontaneous at such and such of a time, and it might include this or that activity.  It's a start, anyway.

7. What is one thing you are looking forward to in 2011?
I can't think of one particular thing I am looking forward to this year.  I am excited about all of the possibilities this year holds.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

When do you take down your Christmas decorations?  I usually leave everything up until Epiphany, which is tomorrow.  To me, Christmas isn't really over until you have celebrated the coming of the Wisemen to see baby Jesus.  We talk about the Wisemen coming and sing about the "Star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright."  It seems only right that we celebrate through their arrival to see the Holy Baby.  This year I took my trees down a little early because my house was starting to feel a little claustrophobic with everything still out.  However, our nativity scenes are still up.  Those will remain out a little while longer to help us maintain our focus on Baby Jesus.  Prince asked me yesterday, "Mommy, after Baby Jesus was born, did he grow into a toddler and then a kid like I did?" 

"Yes, Prince.  He sure did grow into a kid like you are and he did this so that he could know what it is to be human, to go through the things we all go through."  It's amazing to think about...fully human, yet fully divine.


This is Prince and Princess, age 2, playing with the baby Jesus from their Fisher Price nativity scene.  So curious even at such a young age.

  

Christmas Portraits

Indulge me if you will, these are the Christmas portraits we had taken for our Christmas cards this year.


We used three pictures on the Christmas card.  This was one of them.




This was the second picture on the card.





I love that Prince looks like a little man in this picture.




My little Princess.  She knows just how to pose.



This was the third picture on the card.  Hubby and I haven't had a portrait made together for a while.

Christmas Excitement

While everyone has been blogging about their Christmas and doing the recap, we have continued to have more Christmas.  We left after church on Sunday to go to my in-laws' house, about 4 hours away to do Christmas Part 2.  It has been a fun-filled exciting Christmas week, let me tell you!  So I'll hit the highlights.

Christmas Eve we worshipped together as a family.  We made it through the service, although with five little ones sitting all together, there was more noise and chaos than I would have liked.  I found it quite ironic as we lit our candles and sang "Silent Night" at the end of the service that it had been anything but a silent night for us, and the hectic hustle and bustle to get us all there and trying to make the children behave in church had the parents anything but calm and peaceful.  That's just the way it goes with little ones who are so excited about Christmas they can't stand it. 



Just the 4 of us after Christmas Eve service



Hubby reads "The Night Before Christmas"

Our children were so excited that they literally could not sleep.  Hubby and I finally got to sleep after 11:00 and our precious angels got us up at 5:30. It was a short night, but Santa came! 

Princess was very excited that Santa brought her the walking dog she wanted.

It was a Toy Story Christmas for Prince.  He loves his new Buzz Lightyear.

After opening presents at home, we went to my parents' house to eat breakfast and open more presents. 

This was pretty much our morning.  Happy kiddos opening, opening, opening...  Grandma and Grandaddy may have gone a little overboard.  Eating, visitng, and more eating commenced. 

Sunday after church, we packed up the car and headed to the in-laws'.  While we were there we...

had Christmas Part 2.  More opening and more eating.

Visited with Great-Granny.  This is Hubby's Granny.

Picked Cotton

Found a deer skull

I was thrilled with this find ~ NOT!  Prince carried this thing all the way home with us.  It is still in the back of the car, as I'm not so sure I want it in the house.  Prince asked his Great Aunt and Uncle, who were with him when he found it if they were paleontologists.  He has added that to his list of "What I want to be when I grow up."  It's right up there with astronaut, President of the United States, and Vice President of a University (like Daddy)

We also watched old home movies that belong to Hubby's Uncle and Aunt.  This is Uncle G getting it all set up.  This was great fun.  Also not pictured, we gathered around the piano and sang Christmas carols.  I'm not sure that we are ready to take it on the road yet, but we didn't sound too bad with our four part harmony. 

Hubby celebrated his birthday a couple of days early with his side of the family.

Last night we finally arrived home and unpacked the car.  We had a great Christmas.  As I end the Christmas portion of this blog, allow me to say that we are truly blessed to have the love and support of our family.  Hubby and I have been blessed to grow up in Christian homes with traditions that have been passed on, as well as new traditions that are made each year.

One would think that you couldn't pack any more fun and excitement into a week, right?  Well you would be wrong, for today is Hubby's birthday! 

Happy Birthday Hubby!

This is what Hubby looked like when I first met him in 7th grade:

Wasn't he a cutie?

 

Anywho, today was a day to celebrate my Awesome Hubby.  See how awesome he is?  I even got him a shirt to remind everyone!

 

His birthday was complete with a Doctor Who TARDIS birthday cake.  If you don't know what that is, it's British Sci-Fi and I didn't know what it was until I married this Awesome man.  My amazing parents cooked Hubby's birthday dinner and hosted his party at their house.  They then entertained all 5 of their grandchildren so we could play Rock Band on the Wii.  My sister, bro-in-law, Hubby and I rocked out.

I am an amazing drummer ~ NOT!

I really got into it though.  Maybe I should borrow Hubby's Awesomeness shirt and then I can be as awesome as he is!  Just a thought.

Hubby really got into it too.  He knows a lot more of the songs than I do.

And now as I sit here and type this, Hubby is watching his new Star Trek DVD's with special effects and I am realizing that it is past midnight already so it isn't even his birthday anymore.  That being said, I will continue to celebrate this wonderful man, his birth, and the role he plays in my life.  God sent me a help meet and a soul mate and I love him dearly.  Happy birthday Hubby!

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

My little Princess has such a huge heart and she is a people pleaser, just like her mommy.  This is both a blessing and a curse.  In this case though, it is most certainly a blessing.  You see, Princess, age 6, likes to give people presents.  She is a very thoughtful child and loves to see the look on someone's face when they open a present from her and it is exactly the thing they wanted.  There are two major obstacles she faces.  She does not have a lot of money, nor does she have a way to take herself to the store to buy the presents she wants to give.  HOWEVER, Princess is also a very creative child and she has figured out a way around this problem. 
It all started around Father's Day, when Princess decided to pick out her own present for her Daddy without my help.  She wrapped it up herself and presented this present so pleased with herself, and I had no clue what it was or where it came from...that is, until her Daddy opened the gift.  Princess had gone shopping in our bedroom.  She found one of her Daddy's old Star Trek books and decided it was the perfect gift for him.  As she put it, "Daddy, I knew you would love this because it was already yours but I think you forgot you even had it, so now it is new to you again!"
I love this brilliant child!  Underneath our tree are several presents all creatively wrapped by Princess.  Stuff I'm sure that we already own, but have "forgotten we own."  Christmas morning we will open these gifts from Princess and act extremely surprised and thrilled, which we will be because of the thought she put into those gifts.  What a beautiful spirit inside this child, that she "gets it."  She understands that it isn't about how much money you spend on someone, it is the thought behind the gift.
I have however, put a moratorium on "shopping" in my room for the rest of the Christmas season because she started talking about shopping for other people in there and there's no telling what she'll give away!

An Afternoon of Baking ~ One Great Gift

There are so many things I love about Christmas time.  I love the secrets, the shopping, the wrapping, the baking...

Speaking of baking, this year I went to Dr. Aunt Best Friend's house to bake with her.  (You'll recall from my flu shot post, that my best friend is also a pediatric nurse practictioner and so my kids have taken to calling her Dr. Aunt instead of just Aunt)  We decided this year that instead of exchanging gifts, we would give ourselves the gift of time together.  It was a hit! 



Our girls, born 5 weeks apart, were our taste testers



Dr. Aunt Best Friend is so crafty!  Look at the boxes she is using for the cookies...



A close-up...they are fruit and veggie containers and she decorated them with wrapping paper!



You may ask, where was the Prince in all of this fun?  He was idolizing  playing with Dr. Aunt Best Friend's 13 year old son, Bubba.  What a great kid Bubba is to entertain all of the kids and keep them out from under our feet all day.  I slipped the dude some money before we left...he definitely earned it!

After an afternoon of baking, our hubbies joined us for pizza.  It was a great way to spend the day, in the company of my dear friend and I think we have started a new tradition, one that I will spend the next year looking forward to.

Wednesday's Hodge Podge

Joyce at From this Side of the Pond does a Wednesday Hodge Podge, and I thought it would be fun to play along.  However, this is my first attempt at linking up to another blog so be patient with me...here goes...

1.  Share your Christmas Eve traditions.

On Christmas Eve, our family attends the early Christmas Eve worship service. 



Christmas Eve 2009



Afterward, we go all gather at my parents' house for appetizer type foods.  When the adults have all they can take and deem it bedtime, we come home and the kids can open one present on Christmas Eve.  It is always pajamas of some sort.  The kids then change into their pajamas and Hubby or I read "The Night Before Christmas." 

We then set out milk and cookies and tuck the kiddos into bed in hopes that Santa will come soon.

2.  What was the best book you read in 2010 (not including the Bible)?

Wow, this assumes that I can remember what all I read in 2010!  I usually read Christian fiction, and I really enjoy Francine Rivers and Robin Jones Gunn, but I did become interested in a secular series this year, Confessions of a Shopaholic, by Sophie Kinsella.

3.  Do you have pets and if so, do you allow them on the furniture?

I don't have any pets, just two 6 year olds that I sometimes wish didn't get mess and dirt on my furniture.

4.  What event in 2010 are you the most thankful for?

I'm not sure that I have just one event from 2010 that I am most thankful for.  What I am thankful for is every moment spent with family.  I have learned over the years not to wait for those big milestones, but to relish those everyday moments spent together.  I am most thankful that this year we have all enjoyed good health and that we have each other. 

5.  What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?

Hubby and I made a New Year's Resolution last January to eat in restaurants that we wouldn't normally eat, to go outside of our comfort zone of going to the same places and eating the same things.  We have done that, and have tried some new things.  We've had some winners and some not so great things, but overall, we have enjoyed the journey.

6.  Brussels sprouts, friend or foe?

I like brussels sprouts, although we don't eat them very often.  Even if I didn't like them, I think I would have to say that I did or The Queen of Brussels Sprouts would come after me!

7.  Who would you nominate for man/woman of the year?

I don't know.  I think that everyone has value and gifts and it is our job to use those gifts however God leads.  God performs miracles in and through ordinary people every day and we should earnestly seek His will for our lives.  If we are living for Him, we aren't seeking the glory of man/woman of the year because we know that we are nothing without Him.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

As I sit here writing this blog, I am watching Hubby put together a Lego Secret Agent Spy Mobile so the kids can tear it apart play with it tomorrow.  I'm not sure how little kids are supposed to put some of this stuff together.  It looks pretty complicated to me.  There are 8 separate bags of Legos and 4 illustrated instruction booklets!  While Hubby is up to his eyeballs in Legos, I think I will go wrap some Christmas presents.  Only 2 more nights till Santa comes to our house!

The Best Laid Plans

Advent, waiting for baby Jesus. This expectancy of something so great and yet we have to wait for it. This has taken on new meaning for me in the last 6 years. When we found out I was expecting twins, we were shocked, we didn’t know what we were going to do with 2 babies. We were also very excited by all of the possibilities. We couldn’t wait to meet these two little people. Because I was considered a high-risk pregnancy, we went weekly for doctor appointments and ultrasounds. I couldn’t wait for Tuesday to come so I could see our babies and how they were growing each week. Throughout my pregnancy, we read to them, sang to them, talked to them, called them by name. We couldn’t contain our excitement as we waited for their arrival.


We made all of the preparations and had their nursery ready. We were blessed with baby showers where friends and family helped us get all of the things we would need to welcome our babies when they came home. All of the planning in the world could not have prepared us for the surprise meeting of these babies 7 weeks early when nothing went according to plan - at least not our plan. But our babies came in their own way, in God’s time and with His purpose in mind. It is because of our “less than ideal” experience that we drew closer to God and can appreciate even more the miracles that He has entrusted in our care.



Our Miracles Then



Our Miracles Now

How many times do we plan our holidays out to each little detail, yet things don’t go according to plan? Regardless of our plans, baby Jesus will come and it will be in His time and His way. Maybe this advent season we should look for Jesus to come in unexpected ways. The waiting and planning is exciting, but it is so much better than we had ever hoped it could be when we are open to His plan.