Favorite Things--Day 17

school Christmas programs. Watch closely...the Santa is my John-John. If you listen closely you will hear him wish everyone a Merry Christmas at the end. Poor quality is due to a cheap recorder & inexperienced videographer. I've hinted to my hubby about the need for a video camera/camera/phone. He hinted last night that come August I may get my wish.

Okay, so I tried a lot to get it uploaded to my blog and youtube but was very unsuccessful. So in order to see the video you will have to check out facebook. I apologize because I know some of you aren't on facebook. I will try again later to see if I can get it to show up here. At this point, I've spent so much time on it I'm ready to throw my computer out the window, so for the sake of the computer I'll stick with facebook for today.

Favorite Things--Day 16

Santa! We are an odd family when it comes to Santa Clause. We practice Santa Clause traditions, but have told our kids that he's not real. He's kind of like Cinderella and Superman at our house. It creates an interesting dynamic with our kids. On the one hand they know in their heads that he's not real, but on the other hand what if mom & dad are wrong? We probably should be good just in case... I love the way my kids light up with Santa. The innocence of children their joyful approach to life is captured at Christmas. I'm approaching the last years of experiencing this. All my kids still enjoy seeing Santa, but Nathan is the only one who "lights up" at his appearance. Santa showed up at John's Christmas program last night. Nathan got to give him a hug and Santa gave him a candy cane. According to Nathan, this was definitely the real Santa. One of the other little girls asked him, and Santa said "Of course, I'm real." Ashley's letter along with her classmates' letters to Santa this year got published in our local paper. Here's what Ashley decided to talk to Santa about:

Dear Santa,

Can you please get skinnier for me? I've been a good girl this year. I really want a camera and a lava lamp. Anything else you have in your sack for me give to the poor children. I hope you can read my writing. Oh, and for Christmas I also really, really, reallly want to ride on Dancer.

Your Friend,
Ashley

Favorite Things--Day 15

the Word. AWANA was this past Wednesday. At risk of maybe being too vulnerable, I will admit that I wasn't looking forward to it this week. At the root of my lack of desire was selfishness. We were missing many leaders (I was going to have to be in charge of shuffling the leaders we did have around), I had family in town, my hubby was on vacation, I was tired and it was going to be a very busy night. My thought was also that we certainly wouldn't have many kids. There was a band concert at one of the schools and general holiday reverie occurring. This just wasn't going to be worth the effort. I was wrong on so many levels the first being that we wouldn't have many kids. It was worth the effort. And, at a minimum, this should be one of the times of the year that we focus on the Word and dig into it. It is transformational and once hidden in our hearts (as these kids are doing) it guards us against sin. The Word of God is truly one of my favorite things and I will be eternally grateful for it.

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

Favorite Things--Day 14

Ashley Rose. She's sitting in my kitchen peeling potatoes right now. We're chatting about the Titantic. She loves to peel potatoes and chatting about what she's read recently. She wants to be a geologist and enjoys Anne of Green Gables. We can't keep enough books in this girl's library. She is truly an intellectual for a third grader. One of her favorite movies right now is The Star of Bethlehem which goes into all the astronomy related to Christ's birth, death and resurrection. I love her glasses and her sense of style. One of her other loves is drama. We went to the Madrigal at the high school the other day and I couldn't help but have visions of her loving life and performing when she is in that school in 6 years. My second born and definitely one of my favorite kids in this world.

Favorite Things--Day 13

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. There are so many Christmas carols to choose from. Next year my favorite one may be different. I tend to change my mind sometimes especially when there are so many. I've been familiar with this one since I was a child. However, it wasn't until Jars of Clay did a version of it a few years ago that I really paid attention to the words. The evil of this world can be so overwhelming at times and these lyrics speak to the hope that Jesus' birth brought and the encouragement that Christmas carols can bring.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet their words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth" I said.
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

Favorite Things--Day 12

snow days. We haven't had an official school "snow day" yet. After the blizzard conditions we had today the kids are really hoping for one tomorrow. I love snow days because they give us a natural excuse to have a family day. Today was very similar to a snow day for us. We did venture out to church and made our way warily back the 2 blinding miles. Once we were home, the fire was stoked in the fireplace, good naps were taken, cookies were baked and junk food consumed and movies watched. I'm looking forward to more of these once Christmas break takes place in two weeks.