Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
The True Reason for the Season
I love Christmas. It is by far my favorite holiday and season of the year. I enjoy finding things for people I care about, things I think they will truly appreciate and enjoy. I love the smell of Christmas trees, and fires and treats baking the oven. I love the time with family and friends celebrating. I love, that even if only for a couple of weeks, everyone is thoughtful and kind (mostly). And I love what the holiday represents for me as a Christian.
Since I love the season so much I like for it to start as soon as possible, so I started Christmas shopping in September. Sometimes it's easy, I don't wait for people to think of what they want because I know what I want to get them. While that works well for adults it doesn't work so well for children who are under the impression that Santa will bring them what THEY ask for, not necessarily what he decides (yes, I am burying the lead on this one).
So, I have been asking Collin what he wants for Christmas. He responds with, "nothing," "I don't know," "you tell Santa what to get me." This has been frustrating me for weeks. How can my 4-year-old have no idea what he wants for Christmas?!?!? Most preschoolers have lists, long lists. If he wants some "new, fad" item I need to get it now or I won't be able to find it anywhere, and if I can find it it'll be marked up 100 times. Now, family members are asking what he wants for Christmas and I don't even know what Santa is bringing.
Somehow, in the midst of my frustration, it dawned on me how wonderful it is that my son doesn't know what he wants for Christmas. This isn't a negative thing, this is a great thing! It's not great because I can buy him whatever I want him to have. It isn't great because I don't have to wrangle trying to find the latest and greatest thing. This is great because my son doesn't feel like he NEEDS anything.
There are toys coming out of every crevice of our home, it seems. I can't imagine adding anything else to the clutter and chaos, yet it's that time of year again. While I know Collin doesn't consciously realize (or reason) that he has enough things or that there is no more space; Collin is content with what he has. He is thankful for what is here. While I am certain he will come up with something for Santa to bring him, I am smiling as I think of the beauty of having a content and happy child. Maybe it really does take a child to show us the true reason for the season.
This was the view from my chair last Christmas, the day after Robert returned home from Afghanistan. Now, that is all I ever want or need.
Since I love the season so much I like for it to start as soon as possible, so I started Christmas shopping in September. Sometimes it's easy, I don't wait for people to think of what they want because I know what I want to get them. While that works well for adults it doesn't work so well for children who are under the impression that Santa will bring them what THEY ask for, not necessarily what he decides (yes, I am burying the lead on this one).
So, I have been asking Collin what he wants for Christmas. He responds with, "nothing," "I don't know," "you tell Santa what to get me." This has been frustrating me for weeks. How can my 4-year-old have no idea what he wants for Christmas?!?!? Most preschoolers have lists, long lists. If he wants some "new, fad" item I need to get it now or I won't be able to find it anywhere, and if I can find it it'll be marked up 100 times. Now, family members are asking what he wants for Christmas and I don't even know what Santa is bringing.
Somehow, in the midst of my frustration, it dawned on me how wonderful it is that my son doesn't know what he wants for Christmas. This isn't a negative thing, this is a great thing! It's not great because I can buy him whatever I want him to have. It isn't great because I don't have to wrangle trying to find the latest and greatest thing. This is great because my son doesn't feel like he NEEDS anything.
There are toys coming out of every crevice of our home, it seems. I can't imagine adding anything else to the clutter and chaos, yet it's that time of year again. While I know Collin doesn't consciously realize (or reason) that he has enough things or that there is no more space; Collin is content with what he has. He is thankful for what is here. While I am certain he will come up with something for Santa to bring him, I am smiling as I think of the beauty of having a content and happy child. Maybe it really does take a child to show us the true reason for the season.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Collin is a professional miner...
...or so the woman at 30 Acres and a Mule told him.
Collin's class went on their first field trip of the year last week. It was a great morning. Legare was able to hang out with friends in her class so that Collin and I could go on our own (we don't get to do that very often anymore).
So, it was off to a little known place right here in Jacksonville. They have a great set-up, perfect for a group of 4 and 5-year-olds. While we waited the children really enjoyed looking at the pigs, chickens, goats and cows. Then it was time to start our adventure with a hay ride.
It took us all the way back in time, to a little old western style town (more like a ghost town). Collin thought it was so cool that when our guide asked for volunteers, without saying what they were volunteering for, Collin was the first to raise his hand.
He quickly changed his mind when he realized he was going to have to put his head and hands in the stocks.
After a quick tour it was back to the main building to pan for gems. After some specific instructions Collin was ready to go.
A lot of sand and water later, he had his loot and was quite proud of himself.
So, to celebrate this new profession we went to, none other than, "Old McDonald" for lunch. Panning makes one work up quite an appetite.
When it was all over, Collin decided that it would be well worth a return trip, with Daddy :)
Collin's class went on their first field trip of the year last week. It was a great morning. Legare was able to hang out with friends in her class so that Collin and I could go on our own (we don't get to do that very often anymore).
So, it was off to a little known place right here in Jacksonville. They have a great set-up, perfect for a group of 4 and 5-year-olds. While we waited the children really enjoyed looking at the pigs, chickens, goats and cows. Then it was time to start our adventure with a hay ride.
It took us all the way back in time, to a little old western style town (more like a ghost town). Collin thought it was so cool that when our guide asked for volunteers, without saying what they were volunteering for, Collin was the first to raise his hand.
He quickly changed his mind when he realized he was going to have to put his head and hands in the stocks.
After a quick tour it was back to the main building to pan for gems. After some specific instructions Collin was ready to go.
A lot of sand and water later, he had his loot and was quite proud of himself.
So, to celebrate this new profession we went to, none other than, "Old McDonald" for lunch. Panning makes one work up quite an appetite.
When it was all over, Collin decided that it would be well worth a return trip, with Daddy :)
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Thankful Thursday
- I am grateful for my life, the mear fact that I am here and breathing. It's amazing how loss can truly put things into perspective. One of my sorority sisters died yesterday. I wasn't particularly close with her, but I knew her and she's gone. Just like that. In a split second a vivacious, healthy, 32-year-old is just gone. This has been sobering.
- I am so grateful for the joy and happiness my sister has found. It has been a journey, and it has been a blessing to watch God's work and as he has brought her through the valley to a place of amazing blessing and joy.
- I am grateful for the amazing ability human beings have to rally around one another to help, support, and/or commemorate. People who haven't been in touch in years, sometimes people who don't even know each other will run towards each other in times of need.
- I am grateful for the amazing friendship I have with my mom. We talk daily, truly love to spend time with each other and are ready on a moment's notice to "be there." This makes me...
-...grateful for my daughter and the neat little relationship she and I already share. While I know the road ahead is long (and I hope it is) and probably a little bumpy, if we come out on the other side as close as my mom and I are it will all have been worth it.
- I am so grateful for the joy and happiness my sister has found. It has been a journey, and it has been a blessing to watch God's work and as he has brought her through the valley to a place of amazing blessing and joy.
- I am grateful for the amazing ability human beings have to rally around one another to help, support, and/or commemorate. People who haven't been in touch in years, sometimes people who don't even know each other will run towards each other in times of need.
- I am grateful for the amazing friendship I have with my mom. We talk daily, truly love to spend time with each other and are ready on a moment's notice to "be there." This makes me...
-...grateful for my daughter and the neat little relationship she and I already share. While I know the road ahead is long (and I hope it is) and probably a little bumpy, if we come out on the other side as close as my mom and I are it will all have been worth it.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Thankful Thursday
- hearing Collin call Legare his best friend
- a husband who can calm my nerves and put my mind at peace with just a few short sentences
- the enjoyment of spending time with my family, MY mom and dad and sister
- watching Collin's countdown chain dwindle
- the pride Collin has when he can tell me the day and date each morning, all on his own.
- the freedom to enjoy a field trip with Collin and his classmates, watching their wonder and amazement at everything
- a husband who can calm my nerves and put my mind at peace with just a few short sentences
- the enjoyment of spending time with my family, MY mom and dad and sister
- watching Collin's countdown chain dwindle
- the pride Collin has when he can tell me the day and date each morning, all on his own.
- the freedom to enjoy a field trip with Collin and his classmates, watching their wonder and amazement at everything
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
