Christmas Morning

You can tell John & I didn't hype up the whole Santa story this year, as the kids awoke and didn't even remember their stockings until I prompted them to look at them to see if there had been any special deliveries.  I go back and forth in my head whether we should push the wonder of Santa...or just tell nothing but the whole truth (so help me God!) and still let them enjoy the magical story and the fun surprises in their stockings.  Honestly, I lean toward the latter.  I love that book, "God Gave Us Christmas" by Lisa Bergren and the new VeggieTale movie about St. Nicholas.  They remind me how exciting, mysterious, and joy-filled Christmas is, even without "The Night Before Christmas"... We have the opportunity to decide where to focus our kid's attention.  I will try my best to put our focus on celebrating Jesus and being generous with His love towards others.  Everything else will work out in the end, right?!

Anyway, this morning, they dumped out "the loot" and it was fun to see what impressed them the most.  For Joel it was his first Bibleman Jr. movie and Sally the sportscar (he lost his first one during our summer trip to ND).  Elianna pretty much fixated on her new motorized Pooh toothbrush and didn't even give a second glance to the cute little animals (kangaroo, mouse, lion, and panda).  That surprised me!  Guess they must be dogs to impress her!!!

Our Christmas Eve

We let the kids open the presents from Mom & Dad today.  Joel was extremely happy to see a Batman cave:  complete with Batman, Robin and a "steam pot" (don't ask me where he picked up that term for motorcycle!)  He must have said thanks and just how happy he was a half dozen times!  Elianna seems to enjoy her Little People dance 'n twirl palace...the horse and music seems to impress her the most.

Since Auntie Missy was here to watch the kids, John & I took off to see a movie:  "The Blind Side".  It was one of those based on a true story, inspiring messages that reminds you just how amazing an impact you can have on another person's life just because you took time to stop, care, and do something gracious in His name.   I love how positive movies like this one revive our hearts to reach out to a hurting world with God's supernatural power and love.

The Christmas Eve service at Lighthouse was great...but why does it seem like my kids are the only ones unable to sit still?!  As soon as we lit our candles, Joel and Elianna acted like is was time to blow out their birthday cake candles...and they proceeded to blow the entire time we sang, getting wax all over my skirt and hands!  They were antsy almost the whole service...but still thankful we got to worship and sing about the most important reason we celebrate Christmas:  Jesus!  The good food, decor, and presents are all nice parts of the Christmas season; but pondering the wonder of Jesus' birth and celebrating Him is the most important tradition to pass down to our kids.

Christmas Funnies

Party On!

Our Saturday began with a fun trip to John's workplace for the annual kid's Christmas party.  Complete with finger sandwiches, movies, crafts, and of course Santa with presents for all.  They seemed to enjoy it all and were even brave enough to sit on Santa's lap to get their reward!  Joel got a pretend cash register and Elianna got a Wonder Pet ducky bath toy...they were so happy and impressed!  Note:  the cute Christmas outfits are courtesy of Grandma Kathy.  They fit great! 

Then after a quick nap at home, we were off again for Zakk's 5th birthday party at the Marysville McD's.  Was great to see the Hall family and friends & to celebrate Transformer style!  Joel really enjoyed the theme (and loved running around with the other kids at the playplace there).  It left me thinking this is probably the last year I'll get to convince him of what his own birthday party theme will be...he is coming into his own and has talked about Batman alot over the last few months.  He seems excited with the VeggieTales theme...I can cover Elianna's birthday party at the same time since it's gender neutral then!  I feel like being practical (aka lazy) this year and just combining their birthday celebrations.  

The Little Things

"We are lifted above our circumstances when we look into the face of Jesus."  --Gigi Graham Tchividjian

The other day, Joel ran up to me all excited and said, "Guess who I am?!"  I looked at him and saw that he was holding something around his waist...but nothing else looked out of the ordinary.  I said, "Wow hunny, I'm really not sure what or who you are?"  His reply, "I'm Jesus!"  Upon closer inspection, I could see he was holding a string around his waist, like Jesus' robe has.  Isn't it funny how little a kid really needs to pretend...and maybe it actually helps them use their imagination more in the long run too!  He also lays back in the bathtub water and says he's a sea diver and puts anything over his eyes and claims he's a superhero like Bibleman or Batman.  I still think he will be so exctied to have the Bibleman cape and mask from G & G though! 

This morning, Joel told me he was "laying in a manger" (see above pic of him in the block bin).  And he has had alot of interest in cross shapes over the last year and in the last month he has started laying over Elianna, telling me he made a cross.  I finally took a picture this morning while he was caught in the act!  He seems to be getting a simple understanding of the Gospel, which is an awesome thing.  When I asked him "How do you get to heaven?"  He said, "Jesus.  He will reach down with His hands!"  He also told me that he thinks about how he loves Jesus when he's in his closet playing with toys (prayer closet lol). 

Elianna's been getting into the pretending thing too, more and more each day.  Her new dolly stroller has got her putting action figures (much to Joel's dislike!), stuffed animals, and occassionally even a doll (gasp) into play.  Today she got out a diaper of hers and wanted to put it on her doll...so cute!  And pretty funny since the diaper spanned the whole body of the doll!  She loves the pretend kitchen stuff too.  

Seeing my kids grow and getting to be a part of their lives as a stay-at-home mom is such a gift.  I feel blessed that these little moments of laughter and sweetness come my way daily; and that I get to share these moments with you!  Enjoy the priceless things this Christmas season...the things that bring lasting joy and inner peace.