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!"