Wasn't Christmas wonderful. My children are at the perfect age... with excitement and magic but few expectations. They definitely get the whole gift getting thing... everytime we are at the store, they informed me that they wanted every truck, train, or doll we passed. But they also got giddy when I saw an elf (plus it motivated them to clean up) and they Love reading and singing about Baby Jesus.
We have spent almost the whole week with my family...just camping out at my parents house. I have been home only a few hours in the past 5 days. It has been SO much fun! All of my siblings and wives except Josh and Val have been here. It has been great to sleep here because we can hang out, talk, watch movies, and play games until the wee hours each morning. Plus, my new sister-in-laws are perfect for the family... Here's to the sistahs!
Christmas eve we did the traditional Christmas pageant. My kids were Mary and Joseph, and of course their daddy was the donkey. Gamps asked my kids (in front of all the family) what the real meaning of Christmas was. I was relieved when Bekah replied "Giving and Jesus". A couple weeks ago, her answer was "getting presents" so we have been talking about that. Phew.
Christmas morning, presents were opened one at a time. My kids were patient in between turns, more busy playing with their new toys. It was perfect. Family. Fun. Giving. We have received more than our fair share!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
the Fistula Foundation
Thank you to everyone who has been donating! We have raised over $600 so far (and I am sure that even more have donated that I am unaware of)! It's good to think that we have helped changed at least one woman's life so far... helping someone return to her family and live a normal life. Keep it up!
On Jan. 3rd, there will be a boutique here in Woods Cross from 11-2pm. Not only will there be great vendors, but also a silent auction to help raise money for the fistula foundation. Spread the word!
On Jan. 3rd, there will be a boutique here in Woods Cross from 11-2pm. Not only will there be great vendors, but also a silent auction to help raise money for the fistula foundation. Spread the word!
Good ol' Bing
My parents have a talking doll, Bing Crosby dressed like Santa, and if you push a button he sings Christmas carols. In the past, he scared the bejeebers out of Bekah, but not this year. Bekah and Kyle love it so much, my parents have to hide Bing so we don't have to listen to him over and over. Well, singing in the car the other day, Bekah got excited singing, "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas." because that was "one of Bing's songs"! Then she began another song that he sings. Wow! I couldn't even tell you what songs he sings... other than they get really annoying after the 50th time.
traditions
I have no fond memories of Christmas baking. Not because my mom didn't bake a lot of goodies. She must have done a ton, because I do remember bringing baked cookies, caramels, etc. to neighbors houses while carolling. I just don't remember helping bake any of it. Hmm... maybe because I didn't.
As probably everyone knows, I'm not much of a baker. I'm not a huge fan of cookies, I don't really like candy a lot, and definitely don't like cake (I didn't even have one at my wedding. Gosh, I am so lame). However, if there is anything with a dip... I am there. Hence the fact that we go through salsa in record time.
Here is a picture of my great mom baking cupcakes with her grandkids. (Where am I? Well, somebody had to take pictures... and do other stuff).
This year, though, I am resolved to bake! While neighbors have received store bought things from us in the past, this year I am actually going to make something while hopefully supplying fond and loving memories to my own children. After putting it off for two weeks, I am committed. I tried yesterday, but I accidentally put all of the ingredients in the Mazda and drove to my parents house in the Altima. I think that perhaps I was subconsciously sabotaging myself. But no more! Tomorrow, at noon, I am going to my mom's house to make Christmas goodies.
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is gathering around the tree each night and singing Christmas songs. My family can do it for hours without repeating a song. This year, Rob and I have really tried to slow down in the evening and make time to do it each night, as well as read a Christmas story. It has been wonderful! Both my kids have learned so many songs already. We even sing when driving, each taking turns picking the song. Along with classics like Joy to the World, and Away in a Manger, my kids love to sing some lesser knowns like Go tell it on the Mountain, and the Friendly Beasts songs. After singing for a while, Kyle will eventually always choose, "I am a Child of God" and "I love to see the Temple." I think those two songs are actually quite fitting at Christmas. Don't you?
As probably everyone knows, I'm not much of a baker. I'm not a huge fan of cookies, I don't really like candy a lot, and definitely don't like cake (I didn't even have one at my wedding. Gosh, I am so lame). However, if there is anything with a dip... I am there. Hence the fact that we go through salsa in record time.
Here is a picture of my great mom baking cupcakes with her grandkids. (Where am I? Well, somebody had to take pictures... and do other stuff).
This year, though, I am resolved to bake! While neighbors have received store bought things from us in the past, this year I am actually going to make something while hopefully supplying fond and loving memories to my own children. After putting it off for two weeks, I am committed. I tried yesterday, but I accidentally put all of the ingredients in the Mazda and drove to my parents house in the Altima. I think that perhaps I was subconsciously sabotaging myself. But no more! Tomorrow, at noon, I am going to my mom's house to make Christmas goodies.
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is gathering around the tree each night and singing Christmas songs. My family can do it for hours without repeating a song. This year, Rob and I have really tried to slow down in the evening and make time to do it each night, as well as read a Christmas story. It has been wonderful! Both my kids have learned so many songs already. We even sing when driving, each taking turns picking the song. Along with classics like Joy to the World, and Away in a Manger, my kids love to sing some lesser knowns like Go tell it on the Mountain, and the Friendly Beasts songs. After singing for a while, Kyle will eventually always choose, "I am a Child of God" and "I love to see the Temple." I think those two songs are actually quite fitting at Christmas. Don't you?
You can't beat home sweet home
Oh there's no place like home for the holidays! I have spent Christmas's freezing in blizzards and sweating because of the heat. Christmases walking on the beach and Christmases huddled around the heat. But it is always the best Christmas with family to share it with. Because we figured we would still be in Michigan, I have treasured this chance to be near family.After Thanksgiving with the Franklins, we next enjoyed a week with Uncle Josh, Aunt Valerie, and Noah and Eli. It was so fun to be with them. If you are reading this, I have to thank you for the wonderful time we had with you! I just love and admire you both, and it is so hilarious seeing those cousins together. One favorite memory was when the three kids were decorating cupcakes. Bekah (the oldest) enjoyed decorating one after another. Kyle smacked as much frosting as he could on the cupcake and then just ate the top of it. And Noah skipped the cupcake all together and just ate the frosting.
We had a big family gathering with the Bassetts last Monday. Dear Grandma Bassett! She is always one to have a party with tons of people over. It doesn't matter how crowded or chaotic or messy, she welcomes you in. Grandma, I love you! It was so fun seeing Sid, Stef, Casey and Ben, and the rest visiting from out of town.We have really loved doing stuff with Uncle Richie, Aunt Caroline, Alex, and Jonathan. It's meant a lot to me to get to know Caroline so much more this past year. You are a great mom and an amazing woman!
I'm so excited to see Jared, Tonya, Jons, Celeste, Mary, this coming week! I feel so grateful to live near my parents. I didn't grow up near grandparents and I remember as a little girl having friends visit their grandparents and wishing that I could visit mine. Now it is an answer to prayer to see how close my own kids are to theirs. They talk about them all of the time. They even recognize the way to their house (and EVERY time, Kyle always says "keep your eyes open fer Charity Hill, okay!" and then acts so excited to point it out as we pass). I am especially grateful for my parents, who made our Christmases special no matter where we lived. I always felt the sweetness of the holiday because of their preparation and their open hearts. My parents, away from their own families at Christmas, opened our house to others: whether it was to missionaries, or a Chinese visitor (I still remember us kids told him he had to eat the 12-layer jello layer by layer...bless him), or a foster brother.
So to all of my loved ones who will be far away this holiday: Josh, Val, Jannene, Kevin, and my dear friends, I pray for you, that you will feel the warmth of loved ones and you will feel at home this Christmas.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
a sacred moment
"The only thing worth stealing is a kiss from a sleeping child" said Joe Houldsworth. It is the time when all the corruptions of humanity rests, leaving behind that small, vulnerable, gift from God.
It has been a very long day... a day of crying, screaming, fighting, no naps (but very much needed!), breaking, and impatience. Not the best of days for any of us. And so it is to my children's bedroom that I creep for one last look before I sleep. I go, as though to a church, to make my own confessions to those sleeping angels. Asking forgiveness and promising that I will be more patient and loving and Christlike. A better mother. And thanking God with all of my heart for the wonderfully horrible day that I could have with my two children.
It has been a very long day... a day of crying, screaming, fighting, no naps (but very much needed!), breaking, and impatience. Not the best of days for any of us. And so it is to my children's bedroom that I creep for one last look before I sleep. I go, as though to a church, to make my own confessions to those sleeping angels. Asking forgiveness and promising that I will be more patient and loving and Christlike. A better mother. And thanking God with all of my heart for the wonderfully horrible day that I could have with my two children.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
The true meaning of Christmas
Several months ago, I watched a documentary that touched me so much, I sobbed through it. It was about women in 3rd world countries who do not have access to obstetrical care. They labor, sometimes for over a week, before their dead baby is finally removed. Then their life gets worse... because of prolonged labor, they have developed a fistula, which causes urine to leak constantly. Because of the smell, they are completely rejected from family and their community. Their husbands leave them, they cannot even live in the family's house. Outcast for life. But there are people who are doing something. There are a few doctors who have established a wonderful hospital with a 93% cure rate. Wow! I was so touched. These are mothers... like me. If I hadn't gotten care during labor, this could have been me or one of my friends. As I watched about these women, I felt God whisper that I needed to do something.
A day before I left for Thanksgiving, I got fund-raising information and so I started as soon as I got home. This has been very difficult, since I am not good at selling. I'm not the kind of person to have parties of one kind or another, but this Thursday I had a party to raise money. Not a whole lot of people came, but the women who did were very excited and we came up with a great plan to raise more. We have raised over $300 so far... but I hope that will just be a drop in the bucket. If you are interested, you can donate at: www.fistulafoundation.org
As I have prayed for help and a desire to serve, I have felt the spirit of Christmas so strong! I am just overcome by how blessed I am! It still gets me teary to think of how rich we are! I have a family that is healthy. I have clean water... and plenty of it. I have never worried about how to feed my children. Never. My husband has work. The fact that I am an educated woman, who was able to choose my occupation as well as my husband, makes me very unique in this world!
It is almost overwhelming to think of how much need there is in the world. 40% of the world lives in severe poverty! Not because they are lazy or deserve it. No. God has placed me... all of us... in a position where we have so much potential to make a difference. We may be in the middle of a financial crisis, but it's not such a crisis to most of us that we are wondering how to feed our children.
That is my plea to us all this season. I don't care if your cause isn't mine... just find a cause. Find some way to serve and lift. Sorry if I sound self-righteous. This is something I struggle with, too... as I find myself considering how many gifts we'll give our children, or which color shirt I want for Christmas. Let us pause and think of for WHOM we celebrate this season, and why we celebrate HIS LIFE. Let us make a sacrifice on His behalf... not just a buck in a salvation army's bucket. A sacrifice for HIM who sacrificed everything.
A day before I left for Thanksgiving, I got fund-raising information and so I started as soon as I got home. This has been very difficult, since I am not good at selling. I'm not the kind of person to have parties of one kind or another, but this Thursday I had a party to raise money. Not a whole lot of people came, but the women who did were very excited and we came up with a great plan to raise more. We have raised over $300 so far... but I hope that will just be a drop in the bucket. If you are interested, you can donate at: www.fistulafoundation.org
As I have prayed for help and a desire to serve, I have felt the spirit of Christmas so strong! I am just overcome by how blessed I am! It still gets me teary to think of how rich we are! I have a family that is healthy. I have clean water... and plenty of it. I have never worried about how to feed my children. Never. My husband has work. The fact that I am an educated woman, who was able to choose my occupation as well as my husband, makes me very unique in this world!
It is almost overwhelming to think of how much need there is in the world. 40% of the world lives in severe poverty! Not because they are lazy or deserve it. No. God has placed me... all of us... in a position where we have so much potential to make a difference. We may be in the middle of a financial crisis, but it's not such a crisis to most of us that we are wondering how to feed our children.
That is my plea to us all this season. I don't care if your cause isn't mine... just find a cause. Find some way to serve and lift. Sorry if I sound self-righteous. This is something I struggle with, too... as I find myself considering how many gifts we'll give our children, or which color shirt I want for Christmas. Let us pause and think of for WHOM we celebrate this season, and why we celebrate HIS LIFE. Let us make a sacrifice on His behalf... not just a buck in a salvation army's bucket. A sacrifice for HIM who sacrificed everything.
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