No Big Dill Christmas 2015

The older kids ask every single year if we can change it up and get in line oldest to youngest for Christmas morning entrance to see what Santa brought (I call them in one by one.)  I laugh and tell them that it will never change.  They will always have had more Christmases than their younger siblings.

I'm not sure why it matters so much to them, but even more puzzling, why it matters so much for me.  It's because how I did it growing up.  Perhaps it's me holding onto my childhood.  Or their childhood.

Because it happens.  Ever so quickly.  Painfully quick.  That blink of an eye they talk about.  You're living it right now, the moments they will lock into their mind as their childhood.

And now I suddenly find myself panicking.

Was it memorable enough?

Was it happy enough?

Was there too much discipline?

Not enough?

Have they learned what they need to survive?

(latke making: a new tradition we started after reading a Hanukkah book about latkes, they're better than most things you'll put in your mouth!)

Do they have good manners?

Are they caring?

But, it dawns on me as I write this.

Those are superfluous questions.

The real question is:

Am I?

Because that is how being a marvelous human being is truly learned.  Not by lectures or lessons.  Not through extravagant vacations and costly gifts.

It's the example of those who love them most and best of all.

Christ Themed Advent

Maybe it's because we lived in all-carpeted apartments and houses every time I was pregnant that I can't stand the smell of vacuums.  I admit to splurging on those scented vacuum bags to help mask the smell.  But that's when December comes into the picture.  We get our Christmas tree and all pine needles must be vacuumed.  Give that tree a hard shake before putting on the lights and trimming it with baubles and bells, then suck all the needles to make vacuuming happen more than frequently enough until it's time to change the bag again. ;)

This year we've started something new, a grand thanks to my mom.  She gathered 25 varying pieces of artwork to depict the life of Christ and printed corresponding scriptures on the back.  Instead of our regular scripture study, we take turns each morning reading one while holding a battery operated candle.  It's so wonderful to read about His life in such a condensed period of time, nudging my mind to think on Him more. I am hoping my mom makes these available for purchase next year because they are the very best type of count down to the celebration of Christ's birth.  I'll let you know when she does....;)

I came across this quote in a book I'm reading that really felt good: I am suspect of tidy history and squeaky clean people.  I believe Jesus Christ was perfect--not because He never got mad or always made everyone feel good.  He didn't.  He was perfect because He was the most grown up grown-up who has ever lived.  His responses to people and situations were consistently mature, principled, and selfless. -Neylan McBaine

He acknowledged that we all falter and make mistakes and lovingly encouraged us to be better.  It's hard for me to admit that the only person I can change is myself, because it hearts my heart to watch my children choose wrongly, but just as Christ allows us to make mistakes, he also made it possible to fix those mistakes, which is what I hope my kids will learn.  Nobody is a hopeless case.  There is hope enough to go around. :)