{Remembering} :: Surprises

Some of the best surprises that Mark and others have done for me (that I can readily remember) ::
* [Mark] South Carolina trip - riddles and scavenger hunt 5/2006
* [Mark] having our friend paint our upstairs hall way and stair way - came back from our vacation to find it done! 8/ 2013
* [Mark] in college for Valentine's - he had friends and other random people bring up mini roses to me with something he loved about me 2001 ??
* [Mark] I came home from a shopping trip with Kristi to a Christmas tree decorated - it was beautiful!!  2002
* [Mark] early Christmas gift on the mantel - he let me open it early 11/2013
* I won a class called "Remains of the Day" which hands down was the most awesome give-away I've ever won & I still have access to it!!  2010
* I won a grand-prize give-away at a Crop for the Cure and it totaled like $250 worth of product!! I was beside myself about it.  2009
* [Mom] the surprise 17th birthday party. 1997
* [MVH coworkers] I was completely unaware (and was having quite a tired, bad hair day) and came for a group lunch whereby it was a surprise baby shower for Elijah - so cool!

Rules for Kid's Running

Phil Lang, local youth running coach with over 19 years experience and two talented running daughters of his own, however, knows his stuff. “My rule is a kid can’t run in one day more miles than the grade they are in.”

So for a third grader, a 5k fits the bill; a sixth grader, up to a 10k, and so on. “This rule allows for progression, which is key, especially for youth,” says Phil. “Doing too much, too soon leads to failure in one way or another in almost every circumstance. Just because a kid wants to do a race doesn’t mean the parent has to let him or her.”

Early Preview: One of the Christmas Cards

Photo Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Christmas preparations :: Love the Lord with all your heart, all your mind, all your strength

2009

My first post beginning this blog back in 2009 was about us deciding not to partake in the American Christmas tradition of Santa Claus and we at the time were grasping, "what will this mean?" "Will we be making our children miss out on something great? Will they be traumatized or traumatize others? Will this be too hard to do in a society that worships this character Santa beginning in October?"

I've read a lot of articles, blogs and others' stories about this transition and as our eldest reaches this impressionable age, this year will be the time to beginning fully discussing who is Santa Claus....why do we focus on Jesus solely and not do anything with this Santa? This is especially when this fun concept is put right in front of his face at pre-K in school every day with decorations, stories, Elf on the Shelf and parties. A couple of years ago a kind, well-meaning friend just showed up at Ian's birthday party dressed up as Santa (since his bday is so close to Christmas) and we rolled with it the best we could but at 3, luckily he really didn't care and just wanted to play. The rest of the kids were enamored. It's a hard subject and it seems it's become a very personal one even to those who continue this tradition simply out of "this is how I was brought up and I'm fine now". 

But we've, especially, I've discovered that if our hearts are going to move towards God and His Kingdom and focusing on the worth of others because of His sacrifice then 1) I really shouldn't be wanting to spend $$ on my family or others just out of...well I budgeted all year and want to see their smiling faces...2) I don't need to fall into rationalizing "I'm still going to give charitably but am a giver--that's my personality", or even 3) this is what you do around November-December.

Now don't get me wrong - I LOVE Black Friday but primarily I love people-watching. Getting great deals for items I would have bought anyway - icing on the cake. More budget to give more. And I also realize the consumerism part of me will struggle with this.

The plan: have my boys write their lists based upon what Jen Hatmaker explained is how her kids' write lists: 
Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read. That's it. (This year we are adding something to give,

Here's the rest of her blog post: The Christmas Conundrum
Giving
The second stream we can choose to float down this Christmas is out from underneath the consumer umbrella altogether (mixed metaphors, anyone?), and it is simply sharing our resources with those who need intervention to break the cycles of poverty and despair. This year, we are giving each of our children $100 to spend on the vulnerable. This is part of their Christmas present, because as you and I know, it just feels so awesome to be a part of Jesus' redemptive story. We will give them some options, and they can distribute their money however they want. Here are some trusted, responsible organizations to partner with, donating in increments as low as $10:
www.IJM.org/GiftsofFreedom 
www.worldvision.org 
www.mercycorps.org 
www.miraclefoundation.org 

And this is me - I'm thinking maybe something local for Ian, so he might even be able to see what he's giving.

 2010 

 Crazy Amount of Gifts - for Immediate & Extended Families

2011

 

2012

 

Let's fill our homes with Jesus and find ways to worship Him with our little families every day this month. Let's join the Advent Conspiracy, daring to believe that Christmas can still change the world. May beautiful words fill our houses; lyrics like Come and behold him, born the the King of angels. As much as possible, let's mute the competing chatter trying so hard to invade our spaces; turning it down, turning it off. Celebrate Advent with your kids with diligence and anticipation. We ordered a fun version of the Advent Calendar, and each night the kids open a new envelope full of Scriptures and family activities. (Tonight we are reading about Jesus, the Light of the World, talking about what being a light in the darkness means, then playing flashlight tag. Yes, I'm sure someone will get hurt.)