I did not grow up in a very huggy family. We love each other, but were not the kind of family to give hugs anytime anyone left the room, left for school, etc, so I've always been pretty big on personal space. In fact, back in my office cube days, someone could ruin a relationship right off the bat by standing too close in my cube.
Anyway, fast forward to early motherhood when I had an infant attached (quite literally) to me for hours each day and if anything, I think I got worse. Just ask Jason. By the time he came home from work in the early days he was lucky to get a high-five, I was feeling so claustrophobic and over-touched some days.
Slowly things began to change, though. First Charlie weaned himself, then he started to walk, then he started to run, then climb in and out of the car, then do pretty much everything on his own, and I realized something.
It may have been trial by fire, but I have absolutely, positively, without a doubt become a huggy person -- and most days my baby is too busy to be hugged. Every once in a while, though, if he's feeling sleepy or sad or just extra cuddly, he'll say to me, "Mommy, you can hug me so much." And boy do I!
In fact, I've recently started requesting to "hug you so much," and while sometimes Charlie agrees, sometimes he tells me that "No. Today is not 'hug you so much day', tomorrow is"...or Tuesday or Saturday or just about any other day that comes to mind...so it has of course become our favorite game.
Based on Tuesday's requests, yesterday became "Hug You So Much Day," then caught up in the fun, Charlie also declared it "Tickle You So Much Day" and today "Kiss You So Much Day" and next Tuesday "Cuddle You So Much Day".
And while I have always loved holidays, I have to say these are my absolute favorite, so Happy Kiss You So Much Day to one and all!
Swamp
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Another Bible Study
So Charlie is crazy as ever, but time is tight this week (a bit of meeting overload), so here is the Bible Study we did Monday night. Right now we're focusing on the characteristics/qualities of God, according to the Bible (interesting place to look to get to know Him, huh?) and why it matters to know who He really is, rather than who the world wants Him to be...
One True God
Psalm 135:1-21
One True God
Psalm 135:1-21
- Who:
- Psalmist (possibly David)
- To Israel (135:1b, 135:19-20a)
- To all believers (135:2, 135:20b)
- About God
- What
- Command to Praise Him (135:1,3)
- Command to Bless Him (135:19-21)
- When
- No boundaries
- Implication of repeatedly, continuously by repetition of commands
- Where - No boundaries
- Why
- He is good (135:3a)
- His name is lovely (135:3b)
- He chose Israel (135:4)
- He is great (135:5a)
- He is above all other gods (135:5b)
- He is all powerful (135:6-7)
- He is the protector/defender of His people (135:9-11)
- He is the provider for His people (135:12)
- He is eternal (no beginning or end) (135:13)
- He is just and therefore judges (135:14a)
- He has compassion on His people (135:14b)
- He was not created (135:15)
- He is not mute (135:16a)
- He is not blind (135:16b)
- He is not deaf (135:17a)
- He is not lifeless (135:17b)
- He does not bring death (135:18)
- How
- Song (135:3b)
- Knowing Him (135:4-18)
- Proclaiming Him to others (135:1-21)
- Who
- Psalmist (possibly David)
- To Israel (135:1b, 135:19-20a)
- To all belieers (135:2, 135:20b)
- About false gods, idols
- What: warning that "those who make (trust) them will be like them" (135:18
- When: No boundaries
- Where: No boundaries
- Why:
- Idols are less than God (135:5)
- Idols are made by man (135:15)
- Idols are senseless (135:16-17a)
- Idols are lifeless (135:17b)
- How: God forbids them (Exodus 20:3-5)
- Anything that we instill with power
- "Mother Nature"
- Astrology
- Luck/Superstition/Fate/Destiny
- Anything that we put before or equal to God
- Prophets, teachers
- Family, friends
- Dreams, goals, plans
- Money, success, acheievement
Monday, January 30, 2012
God works in mysterious ways...
Charlie is almost 3! It's hard to believe, but he, at least, is more than ready...Jason and I on the other hand aren't so sure.
Unable to prevent the inevitable, though, we have realized that it's time to start preparing him for some changes. The first of which will be the transition from the nursery to Sunday school at church. We know Charlie is ready for the coloring sheets and fun lessons...but we're not so sure about the 30 or so minutes in actual "church" before they release the kids to Sunday school. We tried once a couple months ago, but gave up after about 10 minutes, then Charlie notified us that he doesn't want to try again.
You see, while he isn't exactly "bad," we haven't done a good job of teaching Charlie to sit still, be quiet, etc...and we both absolutely hate having the disruptive kid, so it's time to practice.
Our plan was to gradually increase the amount of time he was in there with us over the next few weeks. Yesterday was day one -- and absolutely everything went our way!
First off, Charlie's beloved Jennifer was playing the piano. Then her dad, our pastor Darien, just so happened to incorporate Charlie's memory verse for this week, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and all your soul and all your mind," (Matthew 22:37) in the opening prayer, before leading us all in the Lord's Prayer, the first verse of which was Charlie's memory verse over Christmas.
Next, Jennifer's sister, Samantha, who also works in the nursery and is our favorite Chick-Fil-A employee, stood up to read a passage from the Bible. And if that weren't enough, for the first time since we've been attending GCF, one of the opening songs was Jesus Loves Me, which the three of us sing every night before bed.
Finally, Mr. Terry, who kindly allows Charlie to play in the trailer, get in his way and pepper him with a barrage of questions every Sunday afternoon during tear-down, stood up to speak to Charlie's delight, then released the kids to Sunday school.
I can't imagine a more tailor-made introduction to "big church" for our little man. Then to top it all off, Charlie arrived in the nursery just in time for snacks. Maybe "mysterious" ways was a misnomer, God works in perfect ways...
Unable to prevent the inevitable, though, we have realized that it's time to start preparing him for some changes. The first of which will be the transition from the nursery to Sunday school at church. We know Charlie is ready for the coloring sheets and fun lessons...but we're not so sure about the 30 or so minutes in actual "church" before they release the kids to Sunday school. We tried once a couple months ago, but gave up after about 10 minutes, then Charlie notified us that he doesn't want to try again.
You see, while he isn't exactly "bad," we haven't done a good job of teaching Charlie to sit still, be quiet, etc...and we both absolutely hate having the disruptive kid, so it's time to practice.
Our plan was to gradually increase the amount of time he was in there with us over the next few weeks. Yesterday was day one -- and absolutely everything went our way!
First off, Charlie's beloved Jennifer was playing the piano. Then her dad, our pastor Darien, just so happened to incorporate Charlie's memory verse for this week, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and all your soul and all your mind," (Matthew 22:37) in the opening prayer, before leading us all in the Lord's Prayer, the first verse of which was Charlie's memory verse over Christmas.
Next, Jennifer's sister, Samantha, who also works in the nursery and is our favorite Chick-Fil-A employee, stood up to read a passage from the Bible. And if that weren't enough, for the first time since we've been attending GCF, one of the opening songs was Jesus Loves Me, which the three of us sing every night before bed.
Finally, Mr. Terry, who kindly allows Charlie to play in the trailer, get in his way and pepper him with a barrage of questions every Sunday afternoon during tear-down, stood up to speak to Charlie's delight, then released the kids to Sunday school.
I can't imagine a more tailor-made introduction to "big church" for our little man. Then to top it all off, Charlie arrived in the nursery just in time for snacks. Maybe "mysterious" ways was a misnomer, God works in perfect ways...
Friday, January 27, 2012
Daddy-Charlie Time
As of today, it appears that a Fireman theme for Charlie's birthday was the right idea...let's just hope he's not over it by March!
He and Daddy spent yesterday evening building fire stations and putting out fires...who knew it could be so much fun?!
He and Daddy spent yesterday evening building fire stations and putting out fires...who knew it could be so much fun?!
Even Louie decided to help
Don't forget the Sound Effects!
Closing the Garage Doors
Off to the Fire!
Ladder's Up! Let's get that kitty out of that tree!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Stumped
Charlie and Mommy are discussing this week's focal point over breakfast: the new peanut butter maker.
Mommy: Your Daddy has some good ideas, doesn't he? It never would have crossed Mommy's mind to get a peanut butter maker.
Charlie: Where did you get it?
Mommy: Well, we ordered it over the internet.
Charlie: What's the internet?
Mommy: Well... you know how you talk to BaBa and Grandma on the phone? Your voice goes over long wires in the ground to their house, so they can hear you. The internet is kind of the same, but it can send pictures and words and movies and songs and all sorts of stuff.
Charlie: Why?
Hmmm....good question. We seemed to survive just fine 20+ years ago...and had a lot more free-time, face-time, me-time, etc...The kid makes a good point...
Speaking of the Peanut Butter machine
Mommy: Your Daddy has some good ideas, doesn't he? It never would have crossed Mommy's mind to get a peanut butter maker.
Charlie: Where did you get it?
Mommy: Well, we ordered it over the internet.
Charlie: What's the internet?
Mommy: Well... you know how you talk to BaBa and Grandma on the phone? Your voice goes over long wires in the ground to their house, so they can hear you. The internet is kind of the same, but it can send pictures and words and movies and songs and all sorts of stuff.
Charlie: Why?
Hmmm....good question. We seemed to survive just fine 20+ years ago...and had a lot more free-time, face-time, me-time, etc...The kid makes a good point...
Speaking of the Peanut Butter machine
Mmmmm.....
Monday, January 23, 2012
Time to Celebrate
It's no secret that I'm something of a birthday addict...I can honestly think of nothing better than to spend an entire day just celebrating the fact that someone was born...so yesterday was one of my favorite days of the entire year -- Jason's birthday!
And I think that this year I finally found a card that explained exactly why I love birthdays so much...
So, we actually dragged it out through the weekend as we like to do, celebrating with friends Friday night at Ivory Moon (which we found out used to have dueling pianos, but now just has a fun band), then Jason spent Saturday oystering with his buddy Robert in preparation for an Oyster Roast down in West Ashley that night. We saved the best for last though, celebrating dinner with our favorite little man at 82 Queen downtown. Dinner was fabulous and Charlie was well-behaved...we really couldn't have asked for more.
Of course, my "best for last" may be different from Jason and Charlie's -- they are both beside themselves with anticipation for trying out Jason's "new" 1970 Salton Peanut Butter maker that he found on eBay...like father like son...
And I think that this year I finally found a card that explained exactly why I love birthdays so much...
"Your life gives me reason to celebrate...
Every day with you
is a day to celebrate God's goodness,
and especially on your birthday
I thank Him for creating you."
How could we not make it a big deal???
So, we actually dragged it out through the weekend as we like to do, celebrating with friends Friday night at Ivory Moon (which we found out used to have dueling pianos, but now just has a fun band), then Jason spent Saturday oystering with his buddy Robert in preparation for an Oyster Roast down in West Ashley that night. We saved the best for last though, celebrating dinner with our favorite little man at 82 Queen downtown. Dinner was fabulous and Charlie was well-behaved...we really couldn't have asked for more.
Of course, my "best for last" may be different from Jason and Charlie's -- they are both beside themselves with anticipation for trying out Jason's "new" 1970 Salton Peanut Butter maker that he found on eBay...like father like son...
Staying Warm
2 year old Photographer
"Sharing" Daddy's Key Lime Pie
The good life
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Strike 2?
It started exactly the same. I walked into Charlie's classroom and Miss Chelsea said, "Charlie had a great day except..."
Immediately my mind was racing -- how could this have happened again? We talked to him. We made him apologize. We took away a star on the chalkboard (he was at 4 on his way to 5 before yesterday's incident). How could he have done it again?
All of a sudden I tuned back in to what Miss Chelsea was saying "I caught him and a bunch of his friends showing their noodles on the playground."
"What?" Maybe I'd misheard. I thought kids did that at 5 or 6, not 2 years old!
"I caught them with their pants down, made them pull them up and put them all against the fence."
Nooo....not another time out. I was really hoping he'd earn back the star he lost yesterday, not lose another one...Is my son a delinquent?
Miss Chelsea continued, "I explained that we don't show our noodles at school. It's not polite. Charlie was so upset. He kept apologizing over and over and asking not to be sent to time out. I felt bad for him."
Suddenly, I felt bad for him, too. After all, I don't think we've ever explicitly told him he can't "show his noodle," and he appears to have learned his lesson.
After a quick quiz on the way to the car, it was clear Charlie had learned his lesson. I was so relieved not to have to be the stern mom a second day in a row, and not to have to take away another star. At five stars he gets to go the petting zoo this Saturday, and he's already down to three.
So, relieved that Charlie may not be on the slippery slope to juvie, I texted Jason to share the story.
His response? "Is that a two star day?"
Immediately my mind was racing -- how could this have happened again? We talked to him. We made him apologize. We took away a star on the chalkboard (he was at 4 on his way to 5 before yesterday's incident). How could he have done it again?
All of a sudden I tuned back in to what Miss Chelsea was saying "I caught him and a bunch of his friends showing their noodles on the playground."
"What?" Maybe I'd misheard. I thought kids did that at 5 or 6, not 2 years old!
"I caught them with their pants down, made them pull them up and put them all against the fence."
Nooo....not another time out. I was really hoping he'd earn back the star he lost yesterday, not lose another one...Is my son a delinquent?
Miss Chelsea continued, "I explained that we don't show our noodles at school. It's not polite. Charlie was so upset. He kept apologizing over and over and asking not to be sent to time out. I felt bad for him."
Suddenly, I felt bad for him, too. After all, I don't think we've ever explicitly told him he can't "show his noodle," and he appears to have learned his lesson.
After a quick quiz on the way to the car, it was clear Charlie had learned his lesson. I was so relieved not to have to be the stern mom a second day in a row, and not to have to take away another star. At five stars he gets to go the petting zoo this Saturday, and he's already down to three.
So, relieved that Charlie may not be on the slippery slope to juvie, I texted Jason to share the story.
His response? "Is that a two star day?"
The Bad Seed?
Ok...perhaps that is a bit harsh, but Charlie had his first time out at school yesterday. I know! I'm not sure what is more shocking -- the fact that he's never had one before, or the fact that one of his many teachers (who happen to be wrapped more tightly around his little pinkie than even I am) finally gave him one.
As anyone who knows Charlie knows, he averages 1 to 2 timeouts a day here at home, but up until recently he was a perfect angel in public. I guess he has decided that he's spent enough time laying that foundation, and now he can dive into his master plan...what that may be? I have no idea.
Anyway, the offense happened during the morning shift, so I didn't get to speak to Miss Alisha about it directly when I picked up Charlie after school, but Miss Chelsea assured me that despite the note on his sheet, Charlie had had a "great afternoon."
And the note itself? Typical Charlie:
"He had a bit of a time with listening ears today. I know he will have a better morning tomorrow. :o) I love Charlie."
Yes. That is how my son gets in trouble. In fact, this morning when Charlie apologized to Miss Alisha, she assured me that it was probably harder on her than on him.
And the offense, itself? He pushed a little kid down, the little bully.
And what, you may be asking, was Daddy's response to it all? Regarding the push he was clearly disappointed and stern. Regarding the note though, he smirked. Yep. That's right. He thinks it's great that Charlie has grown women falling at his feet...I think we're doomed.
But yes...deep down inside I am thrilled that Charlie's teachers love him so much...how could a mother not be. Don't tell him, though. I'm firmly taking the hard line on this one.
As anyone who knows Charlie knows, he averages 1 to 2 timeouts a day here at home, but up until recently he was a perfect angel in public. I guess he has decided that he's spent enough time laying that foundation, and now he can dive into his master plan...what that may be? I have no idea.
Anyway, the offense happened during the morning shift, so I didn't get to speak to Miss Alisha about it directly when I picked up Charlie after school, but Miss Chelsea assured me that despite the note on his sheet, Charlie had had a "great afternoon."
And the note itself? Typical Charlie:
"He had a bit of a time with listening ears today. I know he will have a better morning tomorrow. :o) I love Charlie."
Yes. That is how my son gets in trouble. In fact, this morning when Charlie apologized to Miss Alisha, she assured me that it was probably harder on her than on him.
And the offense, itself? He pushed a little kid down, the little bully.
And what, you may be asking, was Daddy's response to it all? Regarding the push he was clearly disappointed and stern. Regarding the note though, he smirked. Yep. That's right. He thinks it's great that Charlie has grown women falling at his feet...I think we're doomed.
But yes...deep down inside I am thrilled that Charlie's teachers love him so much...how could a mother not be. Don't tell him, though. I'm firmly taking the hard line on this one.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Draw near with confidence...
So, I've had a range of different maladies this week, starting with the return of my childhood asthma (yuck!) and ending with an emphysema like cough. Of course, wouldn't you know Tuesday, the day I actually went to the doctor and had a chest xray, I was fine...figures...
Anyway, I have been more or less half-aware this week, so I don't have any great stories -- other than on Tuesday night Charlie curled up next to me on the couch for at least 4 or 5 minutes to "make [me] all better."
So, I figured I would go ahead and post my last project prior to being struck with my ailments. Below is this week's Ladies' Bible Study. As part of our "Life of Jesus" series, we concluded with where He is and what He's doing now...and I just can't tell you how much I learn putting this stuff together.
This is for anyone out there who sometimes feels unworthy/uncertain/afraid of approaching God...once you look at the facts, that's just plain silly (as Charlie would say).
Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
Jesus is Fully God (John 1:1; Hebrews 1:3)
Jesus is Fully Man
Jesus was Resurrected in a Human Body (John 20:27)
Jesus Ascended in a Human Body (Acts 1:9)
Jesus will return in a Human Body (Acts 1:11)
His Current Place - At the Right Hand of God (Hebrews 1:3)
His Current Role - Intercessor/Mediator
His Qualification - Unique/Only Begotten/One and Only
His Purpose
His Timing
Our Commanded Response
Anyway, I have been more or less half-aware this week, so I don't have any great stories -- other than on Tuesday night Charlie curled up next to me on the couch for at least 4 or 5 minutes to "make [me] all better."
So, I figured I would go ahead and post my last project prior to being struck with my ailments. Below is this week's Ladies' Bible Study. As part of our "Life of Jesus" series, we concluded with where He is and what He's doing now...and I just can't tell you how much I learn putting this stuff together.
This is for anyone out there who sometimes feels unworthy/uncertain/afraid of approaching God...once you look at the facts, that's just plain silly (as Charlie would say).
Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
- His birth (Luke 2)
- His Soul (Matthew 26:38)
- His Spirit (Mark 2:8)
- His Limitations
- Hunger (Matthew 4:2)
- Thirst (John 19:28)
- Weariness (John 4:6)
- Knowledge (Mark 13:32)
- Death
- For Us (Romans 8:34)
- Sinners (Isaiah 52:12b)
- Believers (John 17:9)
- His Sacrifice (I Timothy 2:5-6)
- His Human Experience (Hebrews 4:14-16)
- His Perfection (Hebrews 9:11-14)
- The Spirit intercedes within us (Romans 8:26-27) the Son intercedes with God for us (Romans 8:34)
- Bear our burdens (Psalm 68:18-19)
- Advocate for us (I John 2:1)
- Until the resurrection (Acts 3:20-21)
- Draw near to God with confidence (Hebrews 4:16)
- Continually Praise (Hebrews 13:15)
- Intercede/Pray for others (I Timothy 4:1)
- Even our enemies (Matthew 5:44)
Monday, January 9, 2012
Difference of opinion...
I have realized that I really don't like maintenance of any kind: car maintenance, home maintenance, personal maintenance, etc. I think my tires should last forever, paint shouldn't chip and my hair just shouldn't get ratty at the ends no matter how long I wait between cuts... I think that we should be able to do things once and be done.
Clearly, what I think doesn't matter, but I believe that this theory of mine somewhat explains the near despair I was in yesterday morning when Jason and I realized that something was leaking somewhere because the carpet at the door of our bathroom was soaked and a spot was growing by the second in the living room ceiling. Ughhh...
I know that in the scope of disasters, this is small-scale, but it honestly ruined my whole morning. Once we'd turned the water off, we pretty much just left the dishes in the sink, thanked God that we'd found the leak after our showers and headed off to church...and I was quietly hoping that we'd get home and find it had all been a nightmare.
Having delayed as long as possible over lunch, we finally returned home, put Charlie down for his nap and Jason got to work. At this point I was convinced we were going to be cutting huge holes in both the ceiling and the floor, both of which would bring huge bills and huge pains in my neck.
Since Jason and I are much like other married couples in that "projects" tend to be best handled by one or the other of us, I quietly read on the couch while he pondered and banged and peered and wondered upstairs. Finally, hopeful that the leak was not in fact in the floor, he told me that he would be cutting a hole in the wall. Preferring this to the floor or ceiling, I cheered him on and turned the page...then I heard Charlie calling from his room (and yes, we are so amazingly blessed that he still waits for us to come get him out of his big boy bed!)
So I walked in, opened his shutters and watched him slowly come around. Then I asked him, "Hey buddy, do you want to watch Daddy cut a whole in the wall?"
Charlie's eyes rounded to the size of dinner plates, "What, Mommy?"
"Daddy's going to cut a hole in the wall...do you want to watch?"
"Oh, yes, Mommy! I do!" he shouted, scrambling off the bed and racing into our room.
Over the next half hour Jason found the leak and confirmed that Charlie's love for playing in our tub and pulling up the stopper was the culprit, all the while serenaded with the chants, "This is so cool, Daddy. What you doing, Daddy? This is so cool!"
This morning I am thankful for a very handy husband and praying that nothing new happens to entertain our son anytime soon...
Clearly, what I think doesn't matter, but I believe that this theory of mine somewhat explains the near despair I was in yesterday morning when Jason and I realized that something was leaking somewhere because the carpet at the door of our bathroom was soaked and a spot was growing by the second in the living room ceiling. Ughhh...
I know that in the scope of disasters, this is small-scale, but it honestly ruined my whole morning. Once we'd turned the water off, we pretty much just left the dishes in the sink, thanked God that we'd found the leak after our showers and headed off to church...and I was quietly hoping that we'd get home and find it had all been a nightmare.
Having delayed as long as possible over lunch, we finally returned home, put Charlie down for his nap and Jason got to work. At this point I was convinced we were going to be cutting huge holes in both the ceiling and the floor, both of which would bring huge bills and huge pains in my neck.
Since Jason and I are much like other married couples in that "projects" tend to be best handled by one or the other of us, I quietly read on the couch while he pondered and banged and peered and wondered upstairs. Finally, hopeful that the leak was not in fact in the floor, he told me that he would be cutting a hole in the wall. Preferring this to the floor or ceiling, I cheered him on and turned the page...then I heard Charlie calling from his room (and yes, we are so amazingly blessed that he still waits for us to come get him out of his big boy bed!)
So I walked in, opened his shutters and watched him slowly come around. Then I asked him, "Hey buddy, do you want to watch Daddy cut a whole in the wall?"
Charlie's eyes rounded to the size of dinner plates, "What, Mommy?"
"Daddy's going to cut a hole in the wall...do you want to watch?"
"Oh, yes, Mommy! I do!" he shouted, scrambling off the bed and racing into our room.
Over the next half hour Jason found the leak and confirmed that Charlie's love for playing in our tub and pulling up the stopper was the culprit, all the while serenaded with the chants, "This is so cool, Daddy. What you doing, Daddy? This is so cool!"
This morning I am thankful for a very handy husband and praying that nothing new happens to entertain our son anytime soon...
Let me see!
This is so cool, Daddy!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Moving Day
So, if you've found our new home, you're likely wondering why on earth I would go to all the trouble to "move" the blog.
Well, it all started in Kansas City when we googled Charlie's full name...and found that hundreds of pictures come up. See, our old blog address incorporated our last name, as did many, many blog entries...and while I am clearly not an overwhelmingly private person (or you wouldn't be reading this), that freaked me out.
I love sharing our lives with the people we love, but the idea that some stranger could google us and see into Charlie's days made me nervous.
So, I have taken the following precautions:
1 - Removed all last name references from our blog
2 - Moved the blog to a new address
3 - Deleted the old blog and will be completely taking down the old address within a few days
Please feel free to still send links to friends/family if you're mentioned of if you happen to find any Charlie-isms especially adorable (and how could you not?). My goal with this move was to just limit access to strangers, not to friends, family, etc.
Also, as part of this housecleaning, I have finally added my pre-blog journal entries to the list, so you Charlie fanatics feel free to go back to July 2008 in the history and see how it all began...and how much fun Jason must have had being married to a pregnant me!
Well, it all started in Kansas City when we googled Charlie's full name...and found that hundreds of pictures come up. See, our old blog address incorporated our last name, as did many, many blog entries...and while I am clearly not an overwhelmingly private person (or you wouldn't be reading this), that freaked me out.
I love sharing our lives with the people we love, but the idea that some stranger could google us and see into Charlie's days made me nervous.
So, I have taken the following precautions:
1 - Removed all last name references from our blog
2 - Moved the blog to a new address
3 - Deleted the old blog and will be completely taking down the old address within a few days
Please feel free to still send links to friends/family if you're mentioned of if you happen to find any Charlie-isms especially adorable (and how could you not?). My goal with this move was to just limit access to strangers, not to friends, family, etc.
Also, as part of this housecleaning, I have finally added my pre-blog journal entries to the list, so you Charlie fanatics feel free to go back to July 2008 in the history and see how it all began...and how much fun Jason must have had being married to a pregnant me!
Monday, January 2, 2012
He's a Big Boy Now
That's right...Charlie no longer sleeps in a nursery, but an official "Big Boy Room"! Now, his past couple of days have been a bit trying, as he hasn't appreciated Mom & Dad spending so much time at home working on his room, rather than playing with him...but he slept like a champ and even waited for me to come get him at 6:45 this morning, so we're calling it an unqualified succes!
The room itself is about 95% done...once the dresser arrives and we hang the last picture, I'll add more, but here it is! We couldn't be more thrilled with how it turned out and we owe huge thanks to:
- Daddy for his superior painting abilities
- Grandma for the AWESOME quilt and sheets
- BaBa and PaPa for the dresser and storage drawer arriving very soon
- By The Room Furniture for going out of business and practically giving away the bunk beds
- Mr. Bob for the cool signal flags
- Mr. Chad for the super crab pot
- And of course, Target, Walmart, TJ Maxx, Land of Nod, etc for all of the necessary accessories
A truly BIG boy bed
Quilt Close Up
The reading nook
C P B
Today's Catch
What two your old room would be complete without Accent Pillows?
Thursday, December 29, 2011
A few of our favorite things...
As with every vacation, it would be impossible to sum up our ten days in Kansas City in words.
From the first night at Fogo de Chao, being overwhelmed with fresh meat on skewers at every turn, through the B Christmas Pageant, a Chiefs win over Green Bay surrounded by my family, dinner with the Jeff & Tim families, a playdate with Tom & Abby, a turn as Rudolph at Cousin Michelle's Preschool, lunch with Ellie, Mallory & Alexis at Daddy's grade school, trains and helicopters at Union Station, candy at Nanie's, lunch in Liberty with Rebekah, an actual date night for Mom & Dad, and pancakes with Uncle Jim, Aunt Jan & Uncle Sam, we celebrated with hugs and laughter and more joy than we could handle -- and that just took us to Christmas Eve Morning.
The week culminated with Christmas Eve at Great Grandpa B's and Christmas Day at BaBa and Papa's surrounded by family, food and love. Finally, we wound down Monday at Papa's "toy barn" driving every imaginable vehicle surrounded by our aunts, uncles, cousins and BaBa and PaPa.
It was a wonderful trip and such a blessing to celebrate Jesus' birthday with family and friends. Charlie wasn't the only one sorry to leave, but I think we're all enjoying the chance to sleep in our own beds and cuddle with our dear puppies...and almost a full year later, I can say that Louie has officially served his purpose. Last year upon our return from Kansas City, Otis was distraught, angry and apparently quite nauseated...this time he's just a little moody. I doubt he'd admit it, but somewhere deep down inside even he appreciates Louie.
From the first night at Fogo de Chao, being overwhelmed with fresh meat on skewers at every turn, through the B Christmas Pageant, a Chiefs win over Green Bay surrounded by my family, dinner with the Jeff & Tim families, a playdate with Tom & Abby, a turn as Rudolph at Cousin Michelle's Preschool, lunch with Ellie, Mallory & Alexis at Daddy's grade school, trains and helicopters at Union Station, candy at Nanie's, lunch in Liberty with Rebekah, an actual date night for Mom & Dad, and pancakes with Uncle Jim, Aunt Jan & Uncle Sam, we celebrated with hugs and laughter and more joy than we could handle -- and that just took us to Christmas Eve Morning.
The week culminated with Christmas Eve at Great Grandpa B's and Christmas Day at BaBa and Papa's surrounded by family, food and love. Finally, we wound down Monday at Papa's "toy barn" driving every imaginable vehicle surrounded by our aunts, uncles, cousins and BaBa and PaPa.
It was a wonderful trip and such a blessing to celebrate Jesus' birthday with family and friends. Charlie wasn't the only one sorry to leave, but I think we're all enjoying the chance to sleep in our own beds and cuddle with our dear puppies...and almost a full year later, I can say that Louie has officially served his purpose. Last year upon our return from Kansas City, Otis was distraught, angry and apparently quite nauseated...this time he's just a little moody. I doubt he'd admit it, but somewhere deep down inside even he appreciates Louie.
"Leavin'...on a jet plane..."
Prodigies perhaps?
They only look sweet and innocent...
Rudolph's Understudies
Lunch with Ellie
Lunch with Mal-Mal
Comparing Sperries with Alexis' friends
Lunch with Alexis
Oops...confused the paint with the candy!
Flying with Grampie
Merry Christmas, Nanie & Grampie!
Thrilled with Great Aunt Jan's surprise gum drops!
Chillin' with Great Uncle Jim
Ready to behave for church
Merry Christmas!
What the cousins are REALLY like!
Loving Great Grandpa B
Fun with Great Uncle Brian
Wake up, Baba & PaPa! It's Christmas!
Only gift he actually asked for...
Here fishy, fishy, fishy...
Snap into a Slim Jim!
The Fury!
Bravest Passengers in the World!
Now Daddy's in on the act...
Everyone's in on the fun!
Finally off the woods for some "manly" business
before heading to the airport
Our Welcoming Committee!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Beautiful Miracle
I believe that the old saying that "God works in mysterious ways" is true, but I am just so grateful that sometimes He pulls back the curtain to give us just a glimpse of His beautiful, perfect, loving plan...
For just such a glimpse, go to the link below or just click on the Reid link over to the right.
http://chadandcorrisa.blogspot.com/2011/12/burning-bush.html?spref=fb
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Epiphany of Sorts
Now for any naturally skinny and/or high self-esteemed readers out there, this may all sound like gibberish, but I had something of an ephipany today. You see, while driving down the road I realized that I am not on a diet and I'm not sure of the last time that I was!
I know, for some of you that sounds like crazy-talk and for some of you that sounds like nothing -- but for someone like me who started dieting at age 8 (however ill-advisedly), and for the next two plus decades structured her life around what she was and was not allowed to eat that week (only white foods, no fat, no cheese, no carbs, no fried foods, etc, etc, etc...), this is mind-blowing.
Unable to believe it myself, I asked myself a few questions:
1 - Would you be happy if you woke up 5 lbs thinner tomorrow? Of course!
2 - Do you have any idea what you currently weight? Ummm...no
3 - Do you comfortably fit in the smallest jeans you own? Yes!
4 - Do you have any desire to buy smaller jeans? No?...wow, No!
5 - Can you list everything you ate yesterday with calorie, fat and carb content? Not a chance
6 - Do you eat the cheese on your pizza? Yes!
7 - Do you ever feel guilty after eating? No!
Eureka! I'm not on a diet! Interestingly enough, as I quizzed myself, I also made two other discoveries:
1 - I think about food much less often than I did on any of my diets
2 - I eat considerably less food than I did on any of my diets
Now, I don't have any sage advice as to how I arrived at this curious and wonderful place. I suppose it's a combination of a happy marriage, an adorable (and busy) two year old and a confidence that they and God love me exactly as I am...plus, who knows what else, but I do have one final thing to say...
Yay Me!
I know, for some of you that sounds like crazy-talk and for some of you that sounds like nothing -- but for someone like me who started dieting at age 8 (however ill-advisedly), and for the next two plus decades structured her life around what she was and was not allowed to eat that week (only white foods, no fat, no cheese, no carbs, no fried foods, etc, etc, etc...), this is mind-blowing.
Unable to believe it myself, I asked myself a few questions:
1 - Would you be happy if you woke up 5 lbs thinner tomorrow? Of course!
2 - Do you have any idea what you currently weight? Ummm...no
3 - Do you comfortably fit in the smallest jeans you own? Yes!
4 - Do you have any desire to buy smaller jeans? No?...wow, No!
5 - Can you list everything you ate yesterday with calorie, fat and carb content? Not a chance
6 - Do you eat the cheese on your pizza? Yes!
7 - Do you ever feel guilty after eating? No!
Eureka! I'm not on a diet! Interestingly enough, as I quizzed myself, I also made two other discoveries:
1 - I think about food much less often than I did on any of my diets
2 - I eat considerably less food than I did on any of my diets
Now, I don't have any sage advice as to how I arrived at this curious and wonderful place. I suppose it's a combination of a happy marriage, an adorable (and busy) two year old and a confidence that they and God love me exactly as I am...plus, who knows what else, but I do have one final thing to say...
Yay Me!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Hope
So, one of Charlie's Mom's recent interests/projects is a new ladies Bible Study that has been meeting at our house on Monday evenings. I have heard this from teachers for years, but it truly is amazing how much more you learn by preparing for a study than participating in one. I am loving every second of it -- even though it is a completely Charlie-free activity! Who would have ever thought?!?!
Anyway, for December Corrisa (my co-lead) and I decided to focus on the Life of Christ, but rather than spend time on His birth (though very important, we all really have a lot of chances to learn about it), we are focusing on three key areas:
Icebreaker: What hope do you hope is realized for 2012...big or little, what is something you'd really like to happen in the next year?
Topic: Did Jesus exist before Bethlehem?
Anyway, for December Corrisa (my co-lead) and I decided to focus on the Life of Christ, but rather than spend time on His birth (though very important, we all really have a lot of chances to learn about it), we are focusing on three key areas:
- Jesus Pre-Incarnate (before the manger)
- Jesus Humbling Himself on Earth
- Jesus at the Right Hand of God
Icebreaker: What hope do you hope is realized for 2012...big or little, what is something you'd really like to happen in the next year?
Topic: Did Jesus exist before Bethlehem?
- Jesus Christ is eternal, just as God is
- Jesus existed before the patriarch of the Jews, His own distant grandfather
- "Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.'" (John 8:58)
- Jesus was with God in the beginning and played a critical role in the creation of all things
- "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being... And the Word became flesh, and dwellt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:1-3, 14)
- Believers were chosen in Jesus Christ before "the beginning"
- "Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundations of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love." (Ephesians 1:3-4)
- Jesus Christ is present throughout the Old Testament (I have a spreadsheet listing many, many OT prophecies with their corresponding NT fulfillment, so just comment or email me if you'd like it!)
- Jesus at the Fall of Man
- God has entered the garden of Eden to find Adam & Eve hiding. Eve tells Him that the serpent tricked her and she ate of the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, disobeying the only command God had given to Adam and Eve.
- "And the LORD God said to the serpent, 'Because you have done this, cursed are you more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly shall you go, and dust shall you eat all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel." (Genesis 3:14-15)
- "I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your seed and her seed" (3:15a)
- "Her seed" - Jesus was born of a woman
- "But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law," (Galatians 4:4)
- Not of a man - "and to Jacob was born Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ" (Matthew 1:16)
- "He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel" (3:15b)
- "He shall bruise you on the head" - Jesus strikes a fatal blow
- some translators use "crush" instead of bruise
- "Since then the children share in the flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is the devil" (Hebrews 2:14)
- "you shall bruise him on the heel" - Satan strikes a non-fatal blow
- Satan Tempts Jesus, hurts Him, but does not vanquish Him (Matthew 4:1-11 & Luke 4:1-13)
- "Then the devil left Him; and behold angels came and began to minister to Him." (Matthew 4:11)
- "And God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power." (Acts 2:24)
- Prophecy
- Is very confusing and can seem quite cryptic...but holds amazing truths -- both in the Old Testament for the coming of Jesus Christ, and in the Old and New Testaments for the return of Jesus Christ
- Is not a set of requirements or steps that God must find a way to fulfill when He is ready, but is a history of what is to come -- which is why all of the seemingly minor, insignificant details are perfectly true
- God is not limited by time/chronology
- "But do not let this one fact escape you notice, beloved, that with the Lord on day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (II Peter 3:8)
- Neither is Jesus
- "I and the Father are one." (John 10:30)
- Conclusions
- God did not create Jesus as a solution to the Fall of Man
- Jesus existed before "the beginning", played a role in creation, and exists outside time
- Believers were "chosen" or saved before "the beginning", therefore God's initial plan included both the Fall and the path of Salvation (as well as everything else)
- To God our prayers are already heard, our hopes are already realized or forgotten, our worries are already laid to rest - like a movie, His plan is complete, though we have yet to experience it
- "For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life...which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life span?...But seek first His kingdon and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:25-34 excerpts)
- So, if your hope for 2012 is part of God's plan, it Has already come true in His time. If it is not, then He has something even better for you!
- "And we know that God causes all thingss to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
Monday, December 12, 2011
Angry Parents
A couple months ago Jason and I met for lunch at a deli in the mall, and using our extra few minutes, decided to stroll the halls. Approximately 100 yards into our stroll we were waylaid at the Sprint kiosk and left the mall 90 minutes later (1 meeting missed!) with two new Smart Phones. We hve finally entered the...teens, I guess?
Anyway, once I had removed all of the apps from mine and Jason had added bunch of new ones to his, we happily settled in to phonehood, and Jason handed down his formerly cutting edge (formerly as in 5 years ago) Palm Pre to Charlie. Now, anything of Daddy's is a treasure to our little man, but one that makes ridiculous amounts of noise and sports a Gamecocks "skin" is even better.
Over the weeks Jason and I have amused ourselves watching Charlie have imaginary conversations with Grandpa and PaPa, call in late to meetings, and send urgent text messages, thinking, "Oh, how cute!" and assuming in the back of our minds that the fun would wear off and the phone would end up under the sofa or inside the train for the next few years. We were wrong.
Charlie is heart-broken when his "Gamecock Phone" loses it's charge, and the fact that I personally don't keep tabs on the thing 24x7 can ruin his day. Still, we played along until this weekend -- Saturday morning to be exact.
As I was flipping the French Toast, I asked Charlie to run upstairs and tell Daddy that breakfast was almost ready. He responded with, "I don't have time right now. I'm playing a game."
Excuuuuse Me??!?!?!?! And he wasn't kidding. When I reassured him that I was serious and not in the mood to wait until his "game" ended...tears ensued...followed by being grounded from his phone. Yes, you heard me -- I had to ground my 2 year old from a mobile phone, that doesn't even make calls!
Did I mention that Jason showed Charlie how to access Angry Birds by himself? And yes, I see his point when he talks about dexterity, hand-eye coordination, technology awareness, etc -- all pre-requisites for preschool in this day and age. But come on!
So, now we have Phone Rules in our house...for our TWO YEAR OLD!
1 - The phone is a reward. You may only play with it when you are being good.
2 - Mommy and Daddy's requests and commands take precedence over the phone. Immediately.
3 - The phone does not go outside.
4 - The phone does not go near the kitchen table.
5 - The phone does not go in the bathroom.
6 - The phone is put away at dinnertime until the next day.
7 - Mommy and Daddy can take the phone away at any time for any reason.
And yes, we actually had to share rules 3 through 6 with Miss Jennifer, Charlie's babysitter, on Saturday night. I never dreamed that I would be talking about screen time in the same breath as overnight diapers...This is nuts.
But I guess we're hopeful that the rules will at least help us keep our little addict under control and prevent Angry Birds from turning us into very Angry Parents.
Anyway, once I had removed all of the apps from mine and Jason had added bunch of new ones to his, we happily settled in to phonehood, and Jason handed down his formerly cutting edge (formerly as in 5 years ago) Palm Pre to Charlie. Now, anything of Daddy's is a treasure to our little man, but one that makes ridiculous amounts of noise and sports a Gamecocks "skin" is even better.
Over the weeks Jason and I have amused ourselves watching Charlie have imaginary conversations with Grandpa and PaPa, call in late to meetings, and send urgent text messages, thinking, "Oh, how cute!" and assuming in the back of our minds that the fun would wear off and the phone would end up under the sofa or inside the train for the next few years. We were wrong.
Charlie is heart-broken when his "Gamecock Phone" loses it's charge, and the fact that I personally don't keep tabs on the thing 24x7 can ruin his day. Still, we played along until this weekend -- Saturday morning to be exact.
As I was flipping the French Toast, I asked Charlie to run upstairs and tell Daddy that breakfast was almost ready. He responded with, "I don't have time right now. I'm playing a game."
Excuuuuse Me??!?!?!?! And he wasn't kidding. When I reassured him that I was serious and not in the mood to wait until his "game" ended...tears ensued...followed by being grounded from his phone. Yes, you heard me -- I had to ground my 2 year old from a mobile phone, that doesn't even make calls!
Did I mention that Jason showed Charlie how to access Angry Birds by himself? And yes, I see his point when he talks about dexterity, hand-eye coordination, technology awareness, etc -- all pre-requisites for preschool in this day and age. But come on!
So, now we have Phone Rules in our house...for our TWO YEAR OLD!
1 - The phone is a reward. You may only play with it when you are being good.
2 - Mommy and Daddy's requests and commands take precedence over the phone. Immediately.
3 - The phone does not go outside.
4 - The phone does not go near the kitchen table.
5 - The phone does not go in the bathroom.
6 - The phone is put away at dinnertime until the next day.
7 - Mommy and Daddy can take the phone away at any time for any reason.
And yes, we actually had to share rules 3 through 6 with Miss Jennifer, Charlie's babysitter, on Saturday night. I never dreamed that I would be talking about screen time in the same breath as overnight diapers...This is nuts.
But I guess we're hopeful that the rules will at least help us keep our little addict under control and prevent Angry Birds from turning us into very Angry Parents.
Our little addict settling for Mommy's phone en route to TX, when I forgot his!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Rebuttal, perhaps?
Now I know Charlie is smart, but this is a bit above and beyond...clearly he thinks that Christmas has plenty of room for both Jesus and Santa...
...or at least the Christmas train does.
Ho, ho, ho?
Disclaimer: This is a factual discussion of Santa Claus...parents be warned!
So, yes, I was in fact "that kid." You know, the one who told her entire second grade class that Santa didn't exist and their parents were lying to them (yep threw that in, too). Then, I proceeded to argue with my teacher when I got in trouble, because after all, I had just been telling them the truth!
To be clear, as far as I know, my parents weren't "anti-Santa". In fact, I think my mom even put some presents under the tree from him -- albeit they showed up in early December in the same wrapping paper as the rest. See, I was the third child in a very pragmatic, some may say cynical family. Santa never had a chance.
Plus, unless I was just unaware at the time, Santa has definitely grown in popularity and power over the past few decades -- I mean even adults seem to revere him nowadays, and they must know, right -- unless of course their elderly parents sneak into their house on Christmas Eve a la that creepy I'll Love You Forever book...
Now, I am not anti-Santa. I think he's just as much fun as Frosty or the Grinch, but we don't promote him in our house. It has never been a particularly "religious" stand, but more from my realist background, a hesitancy to lie (however creatively) to Charlie, and an attempt decrease the importance of presents at Christmas.
Of course, I say that about presents, but yesterday afternoon Jason and I were practically giddy to learn that BaBa was able to order The Very Cranky Bear for Charlie for Christmas despite the fact that it is out of print -- the child LOVES that book and it's impossible to find!
But back to Santa. As I a said, we have nothing against him, we're just trying to steer Charlie's Christmas experience towards the life and purpose of Jesus Christ, rather than the jolly old elf. We decorate our tree and hang our stockings, but the most important decorations in our house are the nativities -- my "pretty" one and Charlie's "play" one share the spotlight in our living room. When choosing between Christmas events, we opt for the Living Nativity over Christmas lights (though we skipped everything this year, preferring quiet evenings at home).
Amazingly, Charlie really seemed to be on board with our Christmas. He begged us to turn off the old Santa Claus movie and turn on his Bible DVD (though to be fair, that old Santa Claus movie is BORING!) and he begs from dawn until dusk to add another character to his Nativity Advent. So, I thought we were on the right track...until this morning.
En route to school, Charlie said, "It's Christmastime."
I replied, "That's right! Who is Christmas all about?"
"Santa!"
"NO!" I shouted. "Buddy, Christmas is about God becoming man and coming to live with us here on earth."
"No, mommy. It's about Santa."
Clearly, I have not gotten my point across. Now, I know that Christmas isn't really God's holiday. It's not in the Bible and to most people it's a celebration of family and generosity and peace on earth, etc -- all good enough things. That said, when else can you hear the words "Jesus Lord at Thy birth" sung on primetime TV or see depictions of the miracle of God being born a man displayed throughout your neighborhood.
I see Christmas as a wonderful time to remind ourselves of the perfection of God's plan, the miracle of Jesus' birth, the mercy of His death and the hope of His resurrection -- and one of the few times that we can freely share those wonders with anyone and everyone through cards and songs and decorations, etc.
But now I'm wondering if Santa gets in the way of all of that. If my son, growing up in a Christ-centered home believes that Santa is the meaning of Christmas, now what?
At this point I don't have an answer. I don't want to become anti-Santa, because I think that will create walls between our family and others that we love, and those walls may in fact inhibit us from sharing the true meaning of Christmas (and life!). At the same time, though, I don't want Charlie to put his precious faith in a fictional character -- after all, faith is only as meaningful as it's object.
So for now Santa will remain on our tree, but he does not know if Charlie's being bad or good and his name won't appear on any gift tags. But is that enough -- or is my middle-of-the-road stand hypocritical enough to elicit this response from non-Christians?
I always thought it was strange how Christians will tell me they have this giant and awesome truth they know is true deep in their soul and want to share with me, but when 12/25 comes around they lie to their own progeny because, apparently, that giant, liberating, and awesomely simple truth is somehow just not enough. It may be a good narrative, but it needs a little something to give it some panache.
[Taken from Jen Hatmaker's very thought provoking and much more firmly rooted stand on this same subject: http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2011/11/29/the-christmas-conundrum#.Tt1R6unPWSQ.facebook]
I just don't know...can Jesus and Santa really share Christmas?
So, yes, I was in fact "that kid." You know, the one who told her entire second grade class that Santa didn't exist and their parents were lying to them (yep threw that in, too). Then, I proceeded to argue with my teacher when I got in trouble, because after all, I had just been telling them the truth!
To be clear, as far as I know, my parents weren't "anti-Santa". In fact, I think my mom even put some presents under the tree from him -- albeit they showed up in early December in the same wrapping paper as the rest. See, I was the third child in a very pragmatic, some may say cynical family. Santa never had a chance.
Plus, unless I was just unaware at the time, Santa has definitely grown in popularity and power over the past few decades -- I mean even adults seem to revere him nowadays, and they must know, right -- unless of course their elderly parents sneak into their house on Christmas Eve a la that creepy I'll Love You Forever book...
Now, I am not anti-Santa. I think he's just as much fun as Frosty or the Grinch, but we don't promote him in our house. It has never been a particularly "religious" stand, but more from my realist background, a hesitancy to lie (however creatively) to Charlie, and an attempt decrease the importance of presents at Christmas.
Of course, I say that about presents, but yesterday afternoon Jason and I were practically giddy to learn that BaBa was able to order The Very Cranky Bear for Charlie for Christmas despite the fact that it is out of print -- the child LOVES that book and it's impossible to find!
But back to Santa. As I a said, we have nothing against him, we're just trying to steer Charlie's Christmas experience towards the life and purpose of Jesus Christ, rather than the jolly old elf. We decorate our tree and hang our stockings, but the most important decorations in our house are the nativities -- my "pretty" one and Charlie's "play" one share the spotlight in our living room. When choosing between Christmas events, we opt for the Living Nativity over Christmas lights (though we skipped everything this year, preferring quiet evenings at home).
Amazingly, Charlie really seemed to be on board with our Christmas. He begged us to turn off the old Santa Claus movie and turn on his Bible DVD (though to be fair, that old Santa Claus movie is BORING!) and he begs from dawn until dusk to add another character to his Nativity Advent. So, I thought we were on the right track...until this morning.
En route to school, Charlie said, "It's Christmastime."
I replied, "That's right! Who is Christmas all about?"
"Santa!"
"NO!" I shouted. "Buddy, Christmas is about God becoming man and coming to live with us here on earth."
"No, mommy. It's about Santa."
Clearly, I have not gotten my point across. Now, I know that Christmas isn't really God's holiday. It's not in the Bible and to most people it's a celebration of family and generosity and peace on earth, etc -- all good enough things. That said, when else can you hear the words "Jesus Lord at Thy birth" sung on primetime TV or see depictions of the miracle of God being born a man displayed throughout your neighborhood.
I see Christmas as a wonderful time to remind ourselves of the perfection of God's plan, the miracle of Jesus' birth, the mercy of His death and the hope of His resurrection -- and one of the few times that we can freely share those wonders with anyone and everyone through cards and songs and decorations, etc.
But now I'm wondering if Santa gets in the way of all of that. If my son, growing up in a Christ-centered home believes that Santa is the meaning of Christmas, now what?
At this point I don't have an answer. I don't want to become anti-Santa, because I think that will create walls between our family and others that we love, and those walls may in fact inhibit us from sharing the true meaning of Christmas (and life!). At the same time, though, I don't want Charlie to put his precious faith in a fictional character -- after all, faith is only as meaningful as it's object.
So for now Santa will remain on our tree, but he does not know if Charlie's being bad or good and his name won't appear on any gift tags. But is that enough -- or is my middle-of-the-road stand hypocritical enough to elicit this response from non-Christians?
I always thought it was strange how Christians will tell me they have this giant and awesome truth they know is true deep in their soul and want to share with me, but when 12/25 comes around they lie to their own progeny because, apparently, that giant, liberating, and awesomely simple truth is somehow just not enough. It may be a good narrative, but it needs a little something to give it some panache.
[Taken from Jen Hatmaker's very thought provoking and much more firmly rooted stand on this same subject: http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2011/11/29/the-christmas-conundrum#.Tt1R6unPWSQ.facebook]
I just don't know...can Jesus and Santa really share Christmas?
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