Resourcefulness

A co-worker of Chet's sent our family a wonderful Harry & David "Tower of Treats" for Christmas... Moose Munch, gourmet pears, chocolate covered cherries, mixed nuts, and -- my personal favorite -- chocolate truffles! All of this arrived in a tower of individual gift boxes, carefully packaged into one larger cardboard box. As I unpacked our treats, Christopher saw me pull out the interior cardboard contraption that keeps all the smaller boxes in place during shipping and he immediately begged, "Can I have that? I can use that as a castle for my figurines!"

We've been studying the Middle Ages and life in Medieval times in school recently, and we've learned all about knights and castles and such. I was delighted to see Christopher put our lessons into action with his cardboard castle (to which he added some extra cardboard parts and lots of tape). Hooray for cardboard boxes!

Growing Up

I gave Christopher a Power Rangers digital watch for Christmas, never imagining how very much he would love it and how proud he would be to have his own watch. He's been informing me of the time quite frequently for the past three days.

Yesterday he told me: "Mommy, I feel like a big boy now that I have my watch."

"You are a big boy," I said.

"Yes," he responded, "but now I feel like one!"

Whispered Prayer

Seeing the snow outside this morning reminded me of another year, a first snow of the season, and the whispered prayer of a little four-and-a-half-year-old boy who didn't know Mommy was listening....

"Dear God, this is Christopher. I love the snow! Please can I play outside today? I love you sooo much. Amen."

Don't Judge By Appearances

Sarabeth gave Christopher a Power Rangers figurine for Christmas. He LOVED it! He screamed and hugged her so hard he almost knocked her over.

Later, when the figurine was out of the box, holding his sword (which, I am informed, is called a mega-blade) and his fire smasher (???), I told Sarabeth I wouldn't want to meet him in a dark alley. "Why do you say that?" she asked. I told her I just thought he looked scary.

"Oh, no, Mommy," she exclaimed, "you just don't know his character. He's a really good person."

Celebrating Jesus!

Of all things, Christopher asked for a Jesus doll for Christmas this year. I didn't know if there was such a thing as a Jesus doll, but I Googled it, and, sure enough, I found a Jesus doll... and, he talks! He shares some Bible verses, and he shares the story of feeding the 5000 with five loaves of bread and two fish. Christopher was SO happy when he opened his Jesus doll! Makes me happy, too....

The Spirit of Giving

Last year, when Christopher was five, he wanted to pick out his own gift for Sarabeth. He and Mommy went shopping, and we found an adorable pink sequined purse. Christopher loved it immediately because he knew Sarabeth would love it. He was so excited to wrap it up for her and put it under the tree. He asked if he could give it to her on Christmas Eve, since he just couldn't wait any longer. I loved watching his face as he gave Sarabeth his gift and watched her open it. Just as we expected, she loved it, and it was a beautiful Christmas moment between a brother and sister who fight constantly. I was so blessed to see that they really do love and care for each other, in spite of their daily squabbles. Giving truly brings out the best in each of us!

Honoring and Remembering

We can't stop thinking about those who lost their lives last week in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. Yesterday, Sarabeth made cut-out paper angels to represent the twenty children and six educators who were killed. She strung them on our mantel and wrote a name on each angel. We are honoring them and remembering them, and continually praying for comfort and God's peace that passes understanding for their families and friends.

Christmas Memories

Last year, Christopher got a drum set for Christmas. I will never forget his reaction when he tore the wrapping paper off that huge box and realized what it was. The look on his face was priceless, and he yelled and yelled: "This is the best day of my whole life!"

If Only....

Three-year-old Christopher: "Mommy, guess what you're getting for Christmas? A blue convertible with enough seats for all of us!

Moral Support

Little Sarabeth, in the car on the way to the dentist: "Mommy, will you stay in the room with me while I get dentisted? I would feel more comfortable with that."

Clarification

All day today during school time, Christopher kept telling me he was sick. He was too sick for school work, too sick for reading, too sick for sitting on the couch like a normal person, etc. Toward the end of the afternoon, however, he began to talk with excitement about going outside to play after school was done. I said it was too bad he was too sick to go out and play. He quickly explained, "Well, I'm not really sick. I'm not too sick to play. I just have a coughing issue."

Right. A coughing issue....

Interesting Analogy

Christopher did extremely well this morning getting his picture taken at Sears Portrait Studio, so I told the children I would take them to Culver's this afternoon to get $1 milkshakes during their Happy Hour from 2pm until 5pm. Sarabeth was not happy. "I want ice cream NOW!" she yelled. Before I could respond to her outburst, Christopher cheerfully explained: "Ice cream is like Advent, Sarabeth. Advent is about waiting, and we have to wait to get our milkshakes. We have to wait until this afternoon."

Perfect. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Christmas Joy

On the first Sunday in December, when Sarabeth was barely four years old, she knelt all by herself in front of our Christmas tree and talked to God. She told Him she knew she was a sinner and she needed Jesus to be her Savior. She told Him she loved Him and loved Jesus and wanted to be a Christian. She asked God to forgive her of her sins and to lead her life. Did I mention she did this all by herself?

Imagine my surprise when she told me all about her private little talk with God....

Christmas Memories

Christmas was so much fun when Sarabeth was three. On Christmas Eve, she asked me to rock her and sing to her before she went to sleep. As I rocked her, she watched me and touched my face while I sang all the Christmas carols I could remember.

On Christmas morning, she was so gentle and gracious in opening her gifts, thanking us for each one. Later, when I asked her what her favorite present was, she said, "Oh, Mommy, I like all my presents!" I was really blessed by her grateful heart.

Christmas Memories

Christopher, two years old:  "Mera Chibas!"

Sarabeth, barely five: "Mommy, I wanted some bread because I was by the Christmas tree and I was thinking about how Jesus broke bread with his disciples at the Last Supper. So, can I have some bread?"

Nativity Story

Last night, Sarabeth, Christopher, and our next door neighbor, Emily, staged their own live nativity scene in our front yard. It was so cool to see people slowing down as they drove past our house....

Good Advice

Sarabeth and Christopher each played checkers with Granddaddy several times during Thanksgiving weekend. He primarily taught them rules and strategy -- it was training school more than fun and games.

After Granddaddy went back to Tennessee, the children decided to play checkers themselves. Sarabeth quickly became frustrated with Christopher for taking so long to make his moves. Finally, he yelled at her: "I'm thinking! Granddaddy taught me to think first and then make my move!"

Downhill Fast

Yesterday Sarabeth asked me how long it takes to go to college. We talked about various options for a few minutes, and then she declared: "I don't want to go to college. I just want to learn how to do hair and make-up. Then I can get a part-time job and have plenty of time to come home and take care of you."

Apparently I've only got about ten good years left....

Nativity Humor... Part 3

Christopher: "I want to play the wiseman who brings the gift of frankenstein."

Nativity Humor... Part 2

As I mentioned a few days ago, Sarabeth and Christopher love to "play nativity."

A new development: Sarabeth moaning and breathing heavily while portraying Mary in labor....

How does she even know about moaning and breathing heavily during labor??

Happy Birthday, Sarabeth!

My little girl is nine years old today. How can that be?
I'm so glad God gave her to me and picked me to be her mommy!

Modern Technology

Sarabeth: "Mommy, you need to give Daddy a lecture on how to work the new remote."

Better Than Santa Claus

Sarabeth to Christopher: "God is the permanent watching-over person. He's always watching you. He always knows what you're doing, whether you're awake or asleep, even what tile you're walking on in the bathroom."

Thankfulness

When Christopher was four, he went through a phase of drawing crosses on all his preschool worksheets. "Mommy, I put crosses on all the papers to celebrate Jesus dying on the cross for us, but I didn't put Jesus on the crosses 'cause he's alive."

Thank you, Jesus.

A Sad State of Affairs

Christopher: "Mommy, you look really overwhelmed. I think you should go take a nap."

I refuse to post a picture of myself looking really overwhelmed and needing a nap. Use your imagination.

Know Thyself

Sarabeth: "I have to have the perfect outfit for my birthday party. I am very picky about my outfits... emphasis on very picky."

Nativity Humor... Part 1

Sarabeth and Christopher love to "play nativity" during the holidays. I have a number of nativity scenes, and I make sure to set up one or two specifically for them to play with. I love to eavesdrop on their conversations....

Sarabeth, as Mary, upon approaching the stable: "It's not much, but we'll stay in it. Thank you."

Fashion Maxim

Sarabeth, this week, on going out without a coat: "Sometimes it's better to be stylish than to be warm."

High Expectations

Christopher, age five: "Mommy, I'm taking some toys to the chiropractor's office to play with during your appointment. The ones they have there don't inspire me."

Allergic

Sarabeth, last year during our Egyptian history lesson: "I hate mummies, and if I see one, I have a... you know... a mummy reaction."

Photo Source: Internet

Avoiding Temptation

Sarabeth and Christopher have taught me so much about life. They've even developed sure-fire tactics for avoiding temptation:

Christopher, in the kitchen: "Mommy, you'd better hide the chocolate hazelnut spread. Otherwise, I might eat it all."

Sarabeth, on the way to Target to buy a specific Barbie she'd been wanting and saving for: "Mommy, no matter what I say, DO NOT let me spend my money on anything except this particular Barbie."

Good thinking....

Big Word

Last week, Christopher bugged me for half a school day to get him a piece of cardboard so he could make a bow and arrow that he had designed in his mind. After school (and after Daddy got home and got him some cardboard), Christopher finally got to make his bow and arrow creation. Unfortunately, his cardboard weapons didn't work out as well as he had envisioned. When he got them all cut out and put them through a test run, part of his bow began to collapse. He came to me for help: "Mommy, this part of the bow is bent. Can you stabilize this part somehow?"

Sure, honey, I'd be glad to "stabilize" that for you.

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That's Comforting...

Five-year-old Christopher, while fanning me with a flyswatter: "Mommy, I will never forget you after you die. Plus, I'll see you in heaven."

A Dream Come True

Christopher, today in school: "I wish I lived in the Middle Ages. I wish I was a king or a master in the Middle Ages. Then I wouldn't have to take a bath except for every few years!"

Knight Christopher with Knight Zachary from the manor next door