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!"