The Death of Santa

Before Michael and I had children, we always said we wouldn't do the "Santa thing". Didn't want to lie, of course. Then, after we had Lilla, and we began to remember the magic and wonder it created in our lives as children, we decided to do one present a year from Santa. We try not to make it that big of a deal, the books we read and the stories we tell around this time of year have much more to do with the actual Christmas story than the North Pole and flying deer.

Of course, Lilla is a child and children are enamored by the whole idea of this big guy in red who gives presents and slides down people's chimneys to eat all their cookies. Most kids pretty much leave it at that though, I think. Not my Lilla though. With Lilla, things are never quite that easy.

I was cleaning out the storage room yesterday when she wandered in and starting talking about Santa. I think she had been watching Rudolph. So she starts saying things about how nice he is, what kind of things he might bring, how we need to leave cookies, you know, the usual childhood concerns.

Then, out of nowhere she asks, "Does Santa ever die?" This, of course, floored me for a second. I don't like lying to my children, I teach them it's a commandment and it's pretty serious according to Revelation 21:8. So, I took a deep breath and said, "Lilla, is there anyone who never dies?" She thought for a moment and said, "God." I responded, "Right, and is Santa God?" She said, "No." I then asked her if Santa ever sinned. She said that he did and we discussed how our sin is what causes us to die and so Santa would have to die too.

I then talked with her about how Santa is more about showing love and kindness to others. He is just

a guy who likes to give presents to people. And, in the end, that is something we should do too, think of others. Thinking about others before ourselves is in the Christmas spirit and what God wants us to do too. So, it's not about what Santa brings but showing others kindness. We then talked about how truly the greatest Christmas gift was not brought by Santa but by given by God in the form of a baby.

She then went back to playing and what not and I was left there to consider how my own life in this busy Christmas time was revealing this story. And it made me grateful, grateful for a child that challenges me and reminds me what Christmas, and life for that matter, is truly about.

It was merry

Christmas was filled
with all kinds of cheer,
The kind that comes
Only this time of year,

There was whole lot of laughter
And joy,
All to celebrate
A little bitty boy.

We made gingerbread houses
And left sugar cookies
Hoping the man in red
Wouldn't just leave us book-ies.

The day came and went
Oh so awful quick
Before we knew it
It was such a kick!

Lots of family and friends
Whom with we spent all our time
It was worth it, it's true
What a joy sublime!

It's the Most Wonderful Time

I love Christmastime. There is just something about this time of year that is so fun, and brings me back to being a small child, full of wonder and awe. I love the lights, the baked goods, the flashes of red all about. It honestly just makes me feel all warm inside thinking about the goodness that this season brings.Ultimately though, it really isn't about the parties that we attend, the friends that we see or how much egg nog we can sip at a go. This time of year is truly about the celebration of a King. A King that came down in earthly form as a little baby. In a manger. Probably some donkeys and sheep for bedmates.

I am so thankful for that baby tonight. And, every night.

Merry Christmas to you, my sweet reader! May your days be merry and bright.

All I Want For Christmas

Every year at Christmas my parents really prefer us to donate money rather than getting them anther useless gadget, shirt or toy. I try to change the organization every year just for that element of surprise, but I think I found one this year I want to stick with. The organization is called Hands of Hope. You may have heard of it before. Donations can go to buying chickens, goats or wells for needy people in impoverished nations. I had actually heard of this before, I had just not done any research on it until now. I am so impressed that so little money is able to help so many people, it just makes me happy to take part in it!! I think this will be my parent's favorite donation yet!

Auld Lang Syne

Did you ever wonder what this New Year's song means? I have. I mean seriously, it's one of those songs that you mostly hum, or better yet make up the words to and never figure out what it means. I promise, I thought it said, "And may old acquaintances be forgotten..." Yeah, I'm sweet like that.


Anyway, we've been really busy bees around this joint lately. Besides doing the normal running hither tither to and fro like anybody else during the holiday season, we've bought a new car for me finally, cleaned up endless puppy oopsies, had fun with all our new toys (and when I say our I actually mean Lilla's!), made tons of yummy creations and eaten even more, gained like 40 lbs, made a buck or two, spent all those bucks and even more, let the laundry pile up to the ceiling, kissed at midnight on New Years and just enjoyed life.

All that to say, I really have had good reasons for not being ever present in blogland for the past month.

How were your holidays? Did you make any good resolutions?

I actually enjoy making resolutions. I usually enjoy breaking them too, but that's another blog for another day. :)

I really do want to start excercising again. I am really not largely overweight, honestly, 10 lbs would about do me, it's just getting motivated to do it. I'm way too cheap to join a gym so it's almost always been work out videos for me. My problem is that I've never found one I've liked since Sweatin' to the Oldies. I'm so not kidding people. I really wish I was, but I'm kind of silly like that. It's low key and has great music, which is of importance to me. Unfortunately, they didn't have it for the DVD player so I haven't had access in ages. Well, that all changed today people. While over at my in-laws this infomercial came on for it. Holy cow, my husband was on the honker so fast...he understands you see. I have been pining for that old Richard Simmons for years. So, two weeks from now, Richard and I have a date. :)

OK, it's time for me to hit the hay. I can't wait to find out how all of your holidays went and what Santa brought you!

Amy

Ching, Ching

After all the presents were unwrapped and my snuggle bunny went on to bed while sugar plums danced in her head, I just sat in amazement as I looked at my living room floor. The paper and bows and presents and boxes were stacked up all around and I just got a sick feeling in my stomach. More stuff. It just seems insane to me how much stuff there is to have. There is even "stuff" for your stuff. Ludicrous I tell you.

The peanut not only gets stuff from us, she gets it from my mom and stepfather, my dad and stepfather, my in-laws, her Godparents, my sister...it's really just ridiculous to be honest. We are going to have to go through her old stuff and figure out what to get rid of to make room for more "stuff". Meanwhile there are children all over the world, and most probably my own "backyard", so to speak, who have nothing.

I know several people who had money to get a few small items for their children and I felt sorry for them at first, oh poor so and so... What the heck? I mean Jesus, the king of kings and Lord of Lords was wrapped in rags and lay in a manger during Christmas. It's just all become so commercial and sickening. It's all about what you got, how much you spent or was spent on you, where you shopped...I think those folks with the manger were by far the wealthier.

Santa Baby

My New Favorite Picture
First of all, can I just say how cute the above picture is? I almost considered using it for our Christmas cards. She just looks like a little snowbunny. The funny thing is the coat is absolutely swimming on her and it's only 18 months. (She's nearly 22 months!) She is such an itty bitty. Her 12 month coat still fits. Crazy!

Santa Claus is coming...
So yesterday the peanut and I went to Wal-Mart for a few items. While we were there who was there ho ho hoing but old St. Nick. Since the peanut has been walking around the house for the last week saying "Santa" I thought this was my opportunity to have that perfect picture and for free! Woo hoo! Of course, when it came time for the man in red all I got was kicking and screaming. And, that was just from Santa. :) He definitely did not want a crying baby on his lap and made it pretty clear to me. Yeah, good times at Wal-Mart.

Mommy Dearest
For those of you that are parent's, what do you remember as being one of the sweetest moments with your kids? I have to tell you, I had one this week. The peanut said, "I love Mommy" for the first time today. Is that the most precious and heartwrenching thing you ever heard. It makes the crying at Santa seem like pretty small potatoes.

Yummy Yummy Yummy I got love in my tummy
Today I made the most yummy breakfast. Crepes!! They were oh so good. Sorry no picture but we had to gobble them in a hurry before church. It was actually a quick recipe instead of the one that usually takes several hours or overnight. I found it on allrecipes.com and it was really good! Here it is for anyone interested: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Basic-Crepes/Detail.aspx

I'm in a hurry to get things done
The next few days should be pretty busy. Besides my usual mommy and wife stuff, I am going to be making three desserts for a dinner my MOPS group is putting on for lower less privelaged families. I think I'm going to make cheesecake with blueberry topping, pretzel sticks dipped in various chocolates for the kids and a Christmas cake. The pretzel sticks are the most work but they are so yummy in the end!

Bye, Bye, Bye
OK, yours truly is tired. And I mean seriously tired...I think I'll go to sleep...zzzzz....

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Gosh, where has the last week gone? It has flown by and I have basically been just far from blogland. I just feel like I've been super busy, which is a good thing. What does the bible say? Idle hands are like the devil's playground? OK, that's not word for word, but you get my idea. LOL

The last week has actually been a bit hard. We have been so blessed to drive two cars with no car payments for nearly 2 years now. How? Well, we drive old cars. It seems like everyone has nicer cars than us, but because we are living on one income, it is so hard, so we just are happy they've stayed with us for so long. Unfortunately, Michael's decided to depart from us on Friday. What was a 4 cylinder, is now a 2 1/2 cylinder. Yeah, not so good. So, it's sitting at Michael's parents waiting to be salvaged. Of course we weren't expecting that to happen so we've had to spend a lot of time trying to figure out what to do. We definitely can't afford a new car payment. We went to the dealer to talk about leases and when they told us $400 was a normal car payment, our chins about hit the floor. First of all, we don't believe it, and secondly, that is just crazy!! Particularly for people with 2 or 3 car payments. Absolutely insane!!

So, we decided not to lease either. So we are left with the options of:

1. Only having one car. This would be really difficult since we live in the country and Michael works 45 minutes away. I would literally be stuck for 4 days a week...ugh! If we had to we would do this but it's not our preference.

2. Buying a used car. This is most likely what we will do. We've been looking around and we actually found a minivan we almost bought. Michael started talking to a guy at work though that owns a car lot and next time he goes to the auction he's going to look for something for us. I'm not a fan of the PT Cruiser as I just don't like the body style, but he thinks he can get one at a really good price and it would fit our needs for more room, so that may be the way we go. I'll let you know!

How was your Thanksgiving? Ours was pretty nice. We started out the day looking at the ads for black Friday and ended it the same. In between, we decorated the tree that we had put up Wednesday night. And let me tell you how the peanut loved that! She was so cute coming down stairs and look at this...

I hope you all have fun celebrating the holidays too!