I love Christmas. Let me say that again. I love Christmas. I love the smells, the tastes, the songs, the cookies. I love Christmas trees and Christmas presents. I love wrapping gifts with the expensive ribbon because even the least expensive thing seems better when wrapped with a lovely, poufey bow. I love the Manger Scene, and Baby Jesus.... I love that we have a Jesse Tree and we faithfully place the ornaments (or the children do!) each day from December 1, onward. I love Christmas lights - a reminder of the Light of the World who came to be WITH US here.
This Christmas was full of love, handcrafted gifts, and numerous gift certificates! I think my favorite gift given at our house was a regifted, previously falling apart diary that my first princess lovingly repaired and then passed along with care to the second princess. The second princess (unbeknownst to us) had been secretly longing for her own diary. She unwrapped the diary, said with big breathy words,"Oh are you sure you want ME to have THIS?" then looked into her loving sister's eyes, they both smiled, and a warm and extended embrace was shared. *sigh* It warmed the cockles of my heart.
This was also the Christmas of LEGOS! Thanks to a number of family members (you know who you are, but we don't want to make anyone blush) our girls went from Legoless (sounds like one of the characters from Lord of the rings.. oh.. I am wandering off..) to abounding with Legos! After opening all of the gifts (and the pile was simply brimming over) the girls colored, stuffed their new handbags with goodies, put on a swipe of new lipgloss, paged through new books, and deconstructed toy packaging of a number of things. Then we sat down, all 5 of us, together on the floor (beside the bag of wrapping paper leftovers that the King of the place collected and tied up). Then we set to work. E and I worked on the Bus, while L and Dad worked on the pizza parlor. After a little instruction on how to read the directions (and by the way, Lego is GREAT with their directions!) everyone was putting pieces of Legos together and the beginning of a small town came together. A was moderately interested in the Lego project, but found her new exciting Littlest Pet Shop toy MUCH more interesting.
After that we had a short drive over to our new friends, the Perry's, home. They had a passle (over 40, I think) friends and kids all together. We ate and talked and laughed and had a wonderful time. We had only planned on staying about 1 1/2 hours, but we were there for almost 4! (Time flies...)
Upon returning home, the Lego projects were completed, we had a bite to eat, then the little ones were shuffled off to bed. Mom and Dad sighed relief, looked outside, and it had just begun snowing. Who could ask for anything more?
Another wonderful Christmas here at the Happiest House on the Block! Blessings to you and yours on this wonderful holiday! May the peace of Christ be with you!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
A Christmas Miracle, or The Camera Was In The Trash
We were sad when we went to bed. The camera was lost. Our girl was turning 7 in the morning. There would be no record of the waking moments when we give her gifts and she enjoys her breakfast and presents. It was sad.
Then this morning, at 5:30 am (which is BEFORE my children wake up, but not MUCH before) I had a thought.. and inspired thought.. that we had looked everyplace BUT the trash. We had discounted the trash as the hiding place for the camera because the trash guys had come yesterday morning. BUT I had cleaned up the living spaces in preparation for the birthday celebration... and I distinctly remembered dumping the trashcan by the desk. Even though it seemed crazy - and we all know how disgusting the thought of trash digging is for everyone - I decided to don my sneakers, brave the cold, and dig through the trash. It seemed unlikely, but I was there, in my pj's and sneakers, contemplating things and praying, while I lifted the smelly lid, considered which bag to open first, and dove in. I only had to open one bag.. it was the heaviest one.. and there, with the papers and used up glue sticks... WAS OUR CAMERA! Thankfully we have an acceptably good case, so it didn't have any "garbage residue" on it.. and I happily walked back to the house. I IMMEDIATELY cleaned off the case, then sprayed it with Lysol spray. Then (after it had dried) I extracted the camera (did I mention THOROUGHLY washing my hands... twice)... and it worked just fine, no worse for the wear, just a little chilly from the freezing weather conditions.
So we have our camera. And we have our cat. And I think Dennis summed it up nicely by saying,"Maybe that isn't the best place to keep the camera." Duly noted. The camera needs a better home. Let's put it far, far from the cat. And her tuckus. And the trashcan. *sigh*
Then this morning, at 5:30 am (which is BEFORE my children wake up, but not MUCH before) I had a thought.. and inspired thought.. that we had looked everyplace BUT the trash. We had discounted the trash as the hiding place for the camera because the trash guys had come yesterday morning. BUT I had cleaned up the living spaces in preparation for the birthday celebration... and I distinctly remembered dumping the trashcan by the desk. Even though it seemed crazy - and we all know how disgusting the thought of trash digging is for everyone - I decided to don my sneakers, brave the cold, and dig through the trash. It seemed unlikely, but I was there, in my pj's and sneakers, contemplating things and praying, while I lifted the smelly lid, considered which bag to open first, and dove in. I only had to open one bag.. it was the heaviest one.. and there, with the papers and used up glue sticks... WAS OUR CAMERA! Thankfully we have an acceptably good case, so it didn't have any "garbage residue" on it.. and I happily walked back to the house. I IMMEDIATELY cleaned off the case, then sprayed it with Lysol spray. Then (after it had dried) I extracted the camera (did I mention THOROUGHLY washing my hands... twice)... and it worked just fine, no worse for the wear, just a little chilly from the freezing weather conditions.
So we have our camera. And we have our cat. And I think Dennis summed it up nicely by saying,"Maybe that isn't the best place to keep the camera." Duly noted. The camera needs a better home. Let's put it far, far from the cat. And her tuckus. And the trashcan. *sigh*
Friday, December 17, 2010
Once upon a time there was a lovely family who cared deeply for each other. They gave up half of everything they owned to go on a long journey across a broad land. They crossed mountains and valleys, met new friends and faces and experienced new and exciting adventures. Along with their cat.
One day, while living in the new country, the family went to collect their small and functional, but not fancy, digital camera in order to capture images of their child turning 7 years old. They searched high and low, dug through drawers, crawled under beds, cleaned out the car, looked behind books on the bookcases, searched the bathroom cabinets, moved furniture... no stone was left unturned (they even went outside to see if they had somehow left it there when taking photos of the children playing in the snow... for the first time ever... in their lives...). Then they began to recall how, upon the arrival of the Christmas tree, their cat had gotten nervous and taken up residence behind the computer... on the computer desk... where they kept their digital camera... right next to... the trashcan. The cat was famous for clearing surfaces before resting on them because of the extreme size of her... ahem...tuckus...They were beside themselves. It did not help that the trashmen had come and collected all of the household trash the day before. So there was no trash to look through... or analyze... or even bother with...
Because it was a week before Christmas they put out a plea to the community at large - would any kind soul offer their digital camera for this poor family? The rest is yet to be known...
One day, while living in the new country, the family went to collect their small and functional, but not fancy, digital camera in order to capture images of their child turning 7 years old. They searched high and low, dug through drawers, crawled under beds, cleaned out the car, looked behind books on the bookcases, searched the bathroom cabinets, moved furniture... no stone was left unturned (they even went outside to see if they had somehow left it there when taking photos of the children playing in the snow... for the first time ever... in their lives...). Then they began to recall how, upon the arrival of the Christmas tree, their cat had gotten nervous and taken up residence behind the computer... on the computer desk... where they kept their digital camera... right next to... the trashcan. The cat was famous for clearing surfaces before resting on them because of the extreme size of her... ahem...tuckus...They were beside themselves. It did not help that the trashmen had come and collected all of the household trash the day before. So there was no trash to look through... or analyze... or even bother with...
 |
| The Culprit |
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Come on in... welcome home...
We moved to Durham at the end of July. I have resorted to telling people it was August, because it is easier, and those first few weeks were more like camping, so they don't count, right? But I digress....
I was looking online at a post about how Americans are less connected to each other, their communities, and the social world in general. No, we are not imagining it.. it is really happening. Where once we knew our neighbors and sat outside on summer nights watching the kids play ball in front yards or in the streets in front of our homes... we now sit inside, alone, watching movies and playing video games. We bowl, but not in leagues. And we go to church, but don't know people there.
That wasn't how it was intended to be. We weren't made to be alone. Connection is what God puts us here for - in families, in churches, in communities. God wants us to be connected - to forgive, to love, to know each other. You can't do those things alone. "Bear one another's burdens"... what does that look like? I have to say, we were part of a wonderful group in our former location... they did bear each other's burdens. Someone had cancer - he told the group. We prayed for him. But we didn't leave it there. We cooked dinner if the family needed it. We called to see how things were going. We checked up - "How is treatment going".. we laughed when he laughed and were concerned right alongside of all that concern.
When babies were joined to a family, we cooked food, brought diapers, and commiserated about the fatigue that every new family feels. We celebrated with gifts and cried when little ones were lost, no matter how little they were.
We had potlucks - at least once a month. Everyone brought food and shared it. We took turns making breads, salads, main dishes, and sides. Recipes were shared. Waistlines were broadened. We joined Weight Watchers together and counted points, side by side.
We shared books, and book recommendations. We played games and went camping. The boys chased the girls with sticks and the girls talked in groups, spinning in their beautiful dresses and examining their shoes. Our children knew each other's names, some of them went to school together, and all of the children had parents who loved them and were involved with them... both their own, and other people's.
When we moved, they came and carried our heavy stuff with us. They helped us clean our place. They brought books on tape for our kids to listen to in the car as we drove to our new location. And as we drove away, we cried because we knew the treasure of what we had left behind was just that.. a treasure.
*sigh*
So now we are in a new place and looking for that same thing. As I look back I remember that when we moved to the LAST new place, we didn't find that group immediately. In fact, we spent a long time searching for that group. We visited numerous classes, went on outings, had people over to our house, had birthday parties, and had more than one invitation ignored, forgotten and rejected. (Or were we ignored, forgotten and rejected? I can't remember which it was because both things happened...)
We found that group, but they were just beginning and they hadn't formed a solid identity. They were hoping to be outreach focused - "bring them in" was kind of an unspoken thought. But people are drawn to what is wonderful... life giving... where they can laugh and cry and "where everybody knows your name... and they're always glad you came..." I hate to make the parallel, but Cheers had something to teach us. Community is good. Community is worth the effort. Community takes time.... BUT once you have a community and it is open and receptive, warm and inviting... you can't keep people out because we all crave that connection. And this group became that community. And although that group seemed hidden away... it is a group that all types of people are drawn to... and they are coming in.
So we are here. And they are there. And I keep seeing the smiling faces on Facebook... and missing my dear community.
But I know we can have it again.. we might have to help build the walls and construct the roof, but community is something we have had and we can have it again. How to get there? There are a ton of ways, but some folks have saved me a bunch of time by creating a list! Follow the link to 150 ways to Build Social Capitol. It is all related to a book called "Bowling Alone" in which the authors discuss the fact of America's decline into loneliness. There is a whole blog relate called Better Together where you can find articles, discussions, and the list of ways to Build Social Capitol.. or just make friends!
Now, where did I put my phone book? I need to call up a new friend and plan to meet for tea....
I was looking online at a post about how Americans are less connected to each other, their communities, and the social world in general. No, we are not imagining it.. it is really happening. Where once we knew our neighbors and sat outside on summer nights watching the kids play ball in front yards or in the streets in front of our homes... we now sit inside, alone, watching movies and playing video games. We bowl, but not in leagues. And we go to church, but don't know people there.
That wasn't how it was intended to be. We weren't made to be alone. Connection is what God puts us here for - in families, in churches, in communities. God wants us to be connected - to forgive, to love, to know each other. You can't do those things alone. "Bear one another's burdens"... what does that look like? I have to say, we were part of a wonderful group in our former location... they did bear each other's burdens. Someone had cancer - he told the group. We prayed for him. But we didn't leave it there. We cooked dinner if the family needed it. We called to see how things were going. We checked up - "How is treatment going".. we laughed when he laughed and were concerned right alongside of all that concern.
When babies were joined to a family, we cooked food, brought diapers, and commiserated about the fatigue that every new family feels. We celebrated with gifts and cried when little ones were lost, no matter how little they were.
We had potlucks - at least once a month. Everyone brought food and shared it. We took turns making breads, salads, main dishes, and sides. Recipes were shared. Waistlines were broadened. We joined Weight Watchers together and counted points, side by side.
We shared books, and book recommendations. We played games and went camping. The boys chased the girls with sticks and the girls talked in groups, spinning in their beautiful dresses and examining their shoes. Our children knew each other's names, some of them went to school together, and all of the children had parents who loved them and were involved with them... both their own, and other people's.
When we moved, they came and carried our heavy stuff with us. They helped us clean our place. They brought books on tape for our kids to listen to in the car as we drove to our new location. And as we drove away, we cried because we knew the treasure of what we had left behind was just that.. a treasure.
*sigh*
So now we are in a new place and looking for that same thing. As I look back I remember that when we moved to the LAST new place, we didn't find that group immediately. In fact, we spent a long time searching for that group. We visited numerous classes, went on outings, had people over to our house, had birthday parties, and had more than one invitation ignored, forgotten and rejected. (Or were we ignored, forgotten and rejected? I can't remember which it was because both things happened...)
We found that group, but they were just beginning and they hadn't formed a solid identity. They were hoping to be outreach focused - "bring them in" was kind of an unspoken thought. But people are drawn to what is wonderful... life giving... where they can laugh and cry and "where everybody knows your name... and they're always glad you came..." I hate to make the parallel, but Cheers had something to teach us. Community is good. Community is worth the effort. Community takes time.... BUT once you have a community and it is open and receptive, warm and inviting... you can't keep people out because we all crave that connection. And this group became that community. And although that group seemed hidden away... it is a group that all types of people are drawn to... and they are coming in.
So we are here. And they are there. And I keep seeing the smiling faces on Facebook... and missing my dear community.
But I know we can have it again.. we might have to help build the walls and construct the roof, but community is something we have had and we can have it again. How to get there? There are a ton of ways, but some folks have saved me a bunch of time by creating a list! Follow the link to 150 ways to Build Social Capitol. It is all related to a book called "Bowling Alone" in which the authors discuss the fact of America's decline into loneliness. There is a whole blog relate called Better Together where you can find articles, discussions, and the list of ways to Build Social Capitol.. or just make friends!
Now, where did I put my phone book? I need to call up a new friend and plan to meet for tea....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)