Leaving a Lasting Impression with a True Christmas Tradition

Leaving a Real Lasting Impression on a True Christmas Tradition

 

Every year our family celebrates St. Nick’s Day. I’m honestly not sure why except my husband celebrated it growing up and that we enjoy doing it. 
I asked my husband, “Why do we celebrate St. Nick’s Day?”
He replied lying next to me in bed, “I’m not sure-Google it.”
To which I turned my head and asked again, “No...Why do we celebrate St. Nick’s day? Not why is it celebrated”
He continued with regret, “I don’t know. I should know, but I don’t.”

 When St. Nicholas visited our house my son, who has an amazing and dangerous ability to remember everything, asked, “Mom, Does St. Nicholas think we are poor?”

 Following along with the story, he would be correct. St. Nicholas used his inheritance to assist the needy, the sick and the suffering.

Thinking that is was right, in theory he should not visit us & the fact that we left out boots is…well…kinda greedy.  And if the idea of Santa Claus came from St. Nicholas – why are we doing both? 
Searching for something, I replied
“Because you do so many nice things for others all year round he wanted to include you.”

 Then there is our Elf on the Shelf named Jingle.  This is an amazingly creative idea. 

But I don’t understand why all some Elves are being mischievous and revolting throwing toilet paper
Maybe the Elves are trying to show how frustrating this behavior can be.
But I thought they were sent to watch out for bad behavior.

 Don’t forget to get your picture with Santa! 

Remember when we would wait with anticipation in the line at the mall, knowing he was watching, thinking over our list and excited to meet the man in the red suit.
Once it was our turn, our parents could use their own cameras and we could take our time.

Now it is like a scene from Santa Clause 3 where Jack Frost takes over the North Pole after playing a trick on Santa Claus.   He transforms the secretive shop and all its magic into an attraction available to anyone willing to pay. 
Now at our malls, you can even preorder your visit and picture with Santa and skip the line.

That’s doesn't scream holiday spirit to me.

 Don’t’ forget about the Pickle! First one to find the pickle…does something.  A dance? Cleans up breakfast? Open a gift?

 And make your Reindeer Food  because depending on how it is celebrated in your house you are either being nice to the reindeer who do not get to join in on the cookies and milk Or hoping they will see the food glistening on the ground and remember to visit your house.

 We have fun doing all of them. 

But every year there is one very important tradition that –Even if any of the others slide away -will always remain and I believe is leaving a lasting impression.

My seven year even chose it when working on a class project for his class titled Family Traditions.
When brainstorming what to do, he said his list out loud as I wrote them down:
Our Annual Fourth of July Trip, Leaf Party, Rose and Thorn (when we discuss something happy and sad that happened during the week), Cat in the Hat’s birthday, Thankful Turkeys…then he said

The First Gift of Christmas!

And is PowerPoint presentation reads like this each including his own graphics, sounds and animation.

Our tradition is opening the same first gift of Christmas every year.

The first gift of baby Jesus wrapped inside a gift.

Who Celebrates? My whole family celebrates                                           

Where is the first gift of Christmas? The first gift of Christmas is under the Christmas tree every year.

When do we open it? We open this present first, before opening any other presents.

Why is this tradition special to me? This is special because Jesus is the best gift of all.

Thank you!!

 When helping him with the slides and asking important who, what, why questions: I did not prompt him through any of it, just eagerly listened, interested in his genuine response.

Just like that an unprompted innocent faith about the true meaning of Christmas and how we created a tradition to keep the real focus of Christmas on Jesus in the midst of all the others.

    Please share this First Gift of Christmas with your family

and create a new tradition that will leave a lasting impression.

Its Thanksgiving, So Delight !

Yesterday I took my three children to a place called Play Out Your Art inside the mall.  It is a wonderful space filled with recycled materials from teachers that allow your children to freely build, design and create.   After their structures were complete, the owner invited them to paint with the rule that they could not talk for ten minutes, could not worry about what someone else was doing or how their pictures looked.                        Her music varied from Native American Indian music to Willy Wonka. It was awesome.

While my children were busy being architects, she invited me to a long room designed just for parents to create a tribute to family, children, dreams, whatever.  Also awesome.

When I was finished, I joined my silent children in the art area and painted.  Then I stopped and watched each of them.  Something I never get to do- be the observer.   Equally awesome.

It gave a much needed moment to take back what busy days, growing children and long to do lists often take – the chance to Delight in our children.

Although I did not spend much time on my tribute, this is what I came up with and thought it was worth sharing:

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Through Love and Respect may we cherish the Time we spend together knowing that Today is a gift.
We may have the Courage to Wonder and the Initiative to follow our Passion.
With God before you and your family behind you, may your Spirit be full of Joy and Peace and your Mind full of confidence.
As you grow in Independence may this symbol remind you of the unbreakable love and support our family has for each other.

Ring = Our unconditional and everlasting love

Cotton placed inside = Because our family will always be a safe place to land

Stars all around = Our family will always believe in one another and encourage you as you follow your dreams.

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At Thanksgiving, there is always that member of the family where you think, ‘Are you kidding me?’ Oh, I wish I could tell you how much that bugs me! 

Or, Do you realize how hurtful you are?  Whether a gathering is full of laughter or there are a few crosses to bear, they are your family.   God put you together.

Remember on a day like today to celebrate each other.

Try and see past any negatives and just delight in the person s/he is.

THE Christmas Letter

Get out of bed, get ready and down to eat.

Out the door, grab your things use the running feet.

Say a prayer on the way that’ll you’ll have a great day.

Be safe, Stay strong, learn and have fun!

 

Back home, do the dishes, hurry make the beds.

Play with toys, read book, not the Wii, I said.

Back in the car; to preschool for a good time

Thank you to the person you invented the drop off line.

Pick up the play date, always a win win deal.

Free entertainment and some lunch is always a steal.

Again to the car, to pick up, hurry now here we go

Thank goodness for satellite radio.

Back home jump on the bus and go to school.

Learn, have fun and remember the golden rule.

How you love to learn is lots of fun to see

Even though the all you know is a little scary

You remember so much,

I need to watch what you hear and what I say.

You remember it all; I don’t recall what I ate yesterday.

Time for speech or craft….probably not a nap.

Of course we can do it all, it’ll be a snap.

Oh dear 3 year old, you’re so smart & so sweet

But how did you grow again last night,

What did you eat?

Is the house picked up, the laundry done?

Is everyone clean?

I feel like a washing machine.

Maybe I should hit the gym, things are starting to squish

But doing a step class with those rubber bands and grace, I can only wish.

Jeff is still with Enterprise and doing great.

Coaches and plays basketball add in a group at church& my stuff too

With our relay race life, we’ll reunite in 2028.

At least after seventeen years, we still love all our dates.

Add in great vacations is icing on the cake.

Love kids’ manners and when you get ready on time.

Love to see all the firsts like communion,

No training wheels, writing your name & learning to dive.

Love that you try hard, respect each other.

(Most of the time)

I’m so happy you are mine.

We’re so lucky that God picked us to be your Mom and Dad

So far so good, what a great time we’ve had!

 

Grab your bat, dance shoes, basketball,

Put on your cleats,

Goggles, Lacrosse or golf clubs

Grab a cliff bar for good eats

Now you want to play guitar & flag football,

Pick less things we can’t do it all.

Let’s go and practice for a win…

Wait; remind me what season we’re in.

Let’s go to church,

This is not new information.

Yes, bring things to do so you don’t get bored.

So we can pay attention.

 Am I talking? Can you hear?

Why is no one listening to me?

You all talk at me in groups of three.

OK fine play the Wii; I’m sure you’ll be fine

I just hope it’s not melting your mind.

How’s the homework?

You’re working on a power point?

Next time Dad needs help, it will be you he’ll appoint.

Close your eyes sweet ones thanks for

Making our days bright.

Let’s read a book, play a game,

Sing your songs and say a prayer.

I love you very much; now have a good night!

Fold more laundry, did it multiple and grow?

I still need to find someone to do this pro bono.

Sit down finish work, write, and

plan a brownie meeting

What’s that sound? Is that my fast heart beating?

Sorry, kids for now I’ll have to keep telling you

That scrapbook you see is really yours,

sure that sounds true.

How did that happen again? Is that really that late

I better go to bed before I deflate.

Didn’t get it all done, it will have to wait, make my list, go to bed so I can make tomorrow cheery & bright.

Thank you God for our many blessings,

Amen & Goodnight

To all who are still reading,

Have a great Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

Leave the smile on your face and spread good cheer!

 

 

Is Santa Real? Magic in Believing

I posted this last year after a conversation with our daughter.
Lately, I have been approached about the subject-so I thought I'd repost this.

MAGIC IN BELIEVING

With our eight year old on the fence and other legendary figures already dethroned, we thought it was best to see where our daughter stood on the whole subject of Santa Claus.

We have this pact,
“You can tell me anything about everything anytime and always” and I didn’t want to break it. 
 
Her sensitive old soul would most likely be crushed upon hearing it from a friend instead of her parents, especially being the youngest in the class.

I thought that a little bit of her trust in me would be crushed. 

So I asked… “What are your thoughts on Santa?”

She explained she wasn’t 100% sure but knows about the Easter bunny and tooth fairy…but thought maybe Santa lived more in each one of us rather than one guy, millions of homes and a chimney.
She asked if she was right.

I said she Yes, you are correct-
Santa Claus does live in all of us.

He started from Saint Nicholas who used his money to help the poor.

(It was a good launching point because she learns about Saint Nicholas each year in church which reminds us to put our boots on the front porch).

Then the question in my head spoke loud….

Do I dare continue?

Am I about to crush a child’s spirit or

Do I know my child well enough to trust that what I am about to do, although it may disqualify me for parent of the year (it wouldn't be the first time), will cause appreciation and relief ?

I choose to continue…
"When people came to America, some celebrated Saint Nicholas and others did not. 
Soon Santa Claus was created for everyone.

Everyone needs Santa Claus. 
We all need to learn how to believe. 
Santa teaches us how to believe in the things we cannot see.
We need to believe in ourselves, our dreams, our future, love, faith, each other 
And God.

Even as an adult it is still fun to see Santa, it always will be.
It’s even more fun to create the magic and now you get to be part of the magic, too."

As I stopped I was relieved to see a big smile on her face and a sparkle in her eye.

She was excited to be in on it and I could tell she felt proud that I trusted her enough with it.

“Are you okay that I told you?” I asked.
“Yes! I’m totally fine with it. Thanks...so the presents-you? The jingle bells on the way home-you? The stockings….you? What about Jingle (our elf)…you?” She eagerly inquired.
“Yes. Yes, Yes & Yes. I do not know how many friends know, so it's better not to talk about it, ok?"

Instead of being heartbroken, her expression said, Wow you guys are cool parents.

“I get it. Thanks for being the one to tell me. Can I help?!”

No spirits crushed, no childhood trampled on.

Just a girl proud to be growing up and in on the magic of believing.

Ways we keep Jesus in Christmas

1) On Christmas Eve, Our Elf on the Shelf will be facing Jesus

2) We give to those less fortunate through projects like Operation Christmas Child.

3) We celebrate with birthday cupcakes for Jesus

4) On Christmas morning, the baby Jesus from our nativity scene is wrapped in all white. 

It is the First present we open on Christmas morning. Before we open any other gifts, I read the Christmas story (granted it sounds like a fast forwarded version)

It has been one year since this conversation.  I'm proud to announce she is still not crushed, but instead is an advocate for keeping the magic alive for her brother and sister. We recently rented 'Arthur's Christmas' and she watched the preview the before they did, read commonsensemedia.org to make sure there were no spoilers.

     She screens movies and stories about Christmas to ensure that they will not reveal the secret of Santa before each are ready.

When she or her siblings ask for specific presents for Christmas, she is still excited to hear 'maybe Santa will bring you that'.

And she helps teach them the True meaning of Christmas.

She still believes in the Magic of Believing.

 "To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for,

to be certain of the things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1

I AM

Something that I have been trying to tell myself in the last few months is

-       If a negative thought isn’t motivating you to make a positive change, Then change the thought to positive.

 The Oprah life class show with Joel Osteen caught my interest because the theme was

“I am: Life is how you see it”

The theme of the class-“Whatever follows I am will come looking for you”

I am stressed, I am unlucky, I am a lousy mother-sets the tone for your life.
If you think I am tired. Then being tired will come looking for you. You can change it to
I am looking forward to being refreshed.

It is simple- Change it. I am focused. I am confident.  I am beautiful.

These words invite that in.

He continued by saying, “If you want to know what your life will be like in 5 years, listen to what you are telling yourself right now”

 I find it so easy to say those words to myself.

I am overwhelmed. When I can flip it to I can handle the things that come to me one step at a time.
It eliminates the stress and outward irritatations stress can show.

Even with my children, it is a good daily reminder.

I am kind.  I am confident.  I am strong.  I am respectful.

Inspired by this idea and what I have been trying to focus on lately, I decided to make it a part of our family’s daily life.  I made a simple, easy, cheap wall display to encourage the power of positive changing. 


 

 

 

This is how you can bring this idea to your home.

Supplies:

Dollar store black frames

Dollar store dry eraser boards

Ribbon

Dry Eraser Markers

 

1)    Peel dry eraser sheet off cardboard

2)    Replace glass with dry eraser sheet

3)    Insert the frame backing.

4)    Print or Write out the words “Today I Am”

5)    Insert into frame

6)    Hot glue gun ribbon to connect each piece

7)    Hang on wall

·         I hammered a nail in the wall for the top

·         Added Rolled up Painters tape to each side of each frame to stick to the wall

 Suggestion: Unlike my example, use a real (not a dollar store bought) dry eraser If you want the daily words to show up more.

Wah-La- Daily Positive Affirmations for the whole family.

 Joel Osteen/Oprah’s Life class Reference: Reference: http://www.oprah.com/oprahs-lifeclass/Pastor-Joel-Osteen-on-How-Words-Can-Determine-Your-Destiny-Video

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For all those moments...

For all the moments….

·         Everyone saw that right? The kitchen was just cleaned up. Why is it a disaster again?

·         I have now walked up and down the same flight up steps four times and Still cannot remember what I need.

·         I hit the contact person’s name and it’s up to my ear…why isn’t it ringing? Two minutes go by- Oh, I forgot to press Call

·         I’m trying to use the bathroom. Thanks for asking. Why are you in here?

·         Didn’t I just put laundry away?

·         Eat with the fork, with-the-fork.

·         Why are you following me? Are you a duckling?

·         I clearly have no control. Anyone else wanna try?

·         At 9 o’clock at night you remember the awesome story you wrote and want to share?

·         Everyone made it out with underwear on, right?

·         Maybe Cliff & Claire Huxtable should come over, they’d know what to do.

 

For all those moments, and even days that are filled with all them….

God always whispers to me:

v  Slow Down

v  Eliminate the non-important things on your list

v  Enjoy each moment.

v  Teach those around what it looks like to handle stress.

v  Stay focused on me. Remember what happened to Peter when he stepped out of the boat and looked away from me. He sank.

v  Breathe.

This Bucket List has a Real Attitude

What started as a simple thought list locked away in our brain of all the things we want to do before we die, has turned into a fresh new title ‘The Bucket List’.

The Bucket List can contain a million different things:   Sky Dive, Travel to Rome, Learn to Paint, Volunteer More, Host Thanksgiving Meal, Run a Marathon, Perfect Chili recipe, Learn to Surf, Walk on the Great Wall of China….and on and on.

It would be so much fun to do any one thing from a Bucket List, but having a Bucket List with Attitude can truly transform anyone’s life.

If a Bucket List reveals the true desires in a person, wouldn’t it be nice if the true desires are truly about character.  

Then you can take that character and make any experience on your action Bucket List that much better.

In the month of November, take each day & a new word to focus on.

DAY ONE: GRATEFUL

People often use Grateful and Thankful synonymously but they are different.   I am thankful for the things in my life like our house, health, food, friends, love and freedom.   It feels listing things that we are thankful for has become an easy generic list of things in our life.

To me, Grateful feels a bit deeper.

Grateful is defined as deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received:

You can be thankful for friends, and be grateful to have wonderful people in your life who love you for you, support you through it all and laugh,

 You can be thankful for your house, and be grateful for the hard work it went into building it and the hard work it takes to continue to have it and the memories made in it.

Be thankful for your food and be grateful to the farmer’s who made it.

You get the picture. Think deeper.

Be Grateful.