on christmas eve

Christmas vacation officially started yesterday, and within hours the chorus of "I'm bored" rang out. Sure, as a parent, it can be grating to hear that, but after eight weeks of a full schedule, I don't even mind.

"I love that you're bored. Isn't it nice that we don't have somewhere to be?" I asked. "School, basketball, dinner, homework, shower, sleep and repeat. That was so much. It's good for you to be bored." 

And so after cleaning up of all the shipping boxes we recently received (thank you, Amazon Prime and Lands' End), I asked the most-bored child if he wanted to make something with them. I suggested a house, and I knew I had lit the spark he needed. 

Soon after, Matthew wanted in on the action. And by bedtime, even Morgan was saying they were "so cool".

This morning, Andrew was eager to put on the finishing touches. In many ways, this house is his dream home - large, two stories, lots of windows. No dormers on his third-story attic, but not because he didn't want his beloved "windows on the roof". (Honestly, Mom ran out of steam after the chimney.) It's amazing what some boredom mixed with a little dreaming can do.

This house that Andrew has created reminds me of the stately home illustrated in Margaret Wise Brown's book "On Christmas Eve". Originally written in 1938, this story presents Christmas with such excitement and wonder as three children sneak out of their beds on a snowy Christmas Eve and tiptoe down the stairs to discover their decorated tree with some gifts and a toy train, and filled stockings hung on a mantle above the slowly dying fire.

When our family read this book again this year, I explained that when it was written, Christmas morning was often when children saw their tree for the first time in all it's glory, twinkling and beautiful. It was part of the anticipation, part of the wait. And thus the reason that trees were often kept up until Epiphany was celebrated - the 12 days of Christmas.

There's something to be said for waiting and wonder. Taking time to build something, to ponder and plan, and even pray. And the reward and joy that comes after it all. (Isaiah 40:30-31)

It's good to be bored. It's good to wait.

christmas reflections

For the first time in a very long time, Advent was not a stressful time in our house. After stepping down last year as Coordinator of our church's MOPS group, I found myself this fall with much more time on my hands. Time that could be better spent on family and home and faith.

I've appreciated so much more this stay-at-home mom gig I have. As the kids grow older, the lists seem to increase and become more complicated. Turning the time inward - guarding it, protecting it, valuing it - has been amazing. For so long I had been paying the price for something without realizing the cost. I now know it's worth and cherish it immensely.

Feeling very thankful and reflective this Christmas season. And looking forward to the year ahead.


Christmas Eve at our church

christmas angel

Every year in the school Christmas program, the Kinders dress up as angels (their gowns do double duty for graduation in the spring). Our first experience with Morgan didn't happen. She was sick, had a fever and stuck on the couch. Much to my dismay (and her delight) we instead streamed the program online.

So this year was exciting. We had an angel in the program! And an adorable one at that. One that sang proudly and stood tall.

Scott and I always swell when we see our kids happy and successful. But hearing the sweet voices of 30 Kinders singing about the birth of Jesus, unashamed and innocent, well, that did us in. Glossy eyes, lumps in our throats, a sideways glance at each other while hanging onto a squirmy Matthew - thankful for the moment of gratitude and blessing.

decorating day

I'm not sure if we'll ever chop down a Christmas tree again. The last time we trekked into the woods, we had a 9 month old Morgan. Maybe Scott and I are too practical and too frugal, too uptight to drag little ones into sub-zero temperatures for the now expensive "experience". But I'm okay with that.

Growing up, my Dad picked up a tree on the way home from work - there was no group decision. It just suddenly appeared in the garage, sitting in a bucket of water, until the day he strung the lights and Mom handed out the ornaments.

Born out of convenience, we've made a new tradition at a big box store. A real, live Fraser fir sits in our living room every December. Doesn't matter how it got there, does it?

sunday dinner

trimming the tree

catch-up: December

As Morgan and Andrew adjusted to making the fun happen indoors, forts and houses became a staple in their bedroom and in the basement for several weeks.

The everyday play was interspersed with Advent and Christmas preparations.

Matthew gained momentum getting into... everything.

Morgan and Andrew each had school Christmas programs.

And that brings us to Christmas Eve.
And the excitement of Christmas morning.

Once Matthew went down for a morning nap, the bigs enjoyed some of their gifts.

Giltter glue gone wrong!

Then it was off to celebrate with family and get ready to travel.

hopeful

With the sounds of live streaming worship, I write this from the couch in the living room. Scott and Morgan are attending. Matthew is nearly asleep in his crib. And Andrew, still fighting sickness, is struggling to sleep in his bed. The fever is gone, but the longing for his momma is not. A sure sign that he is not yet himself.

We are separated tonight. No family picture by the tree at church in our Christmas best. No detour to look at twinkling lights. The bumps of life, the sadness I feel tonight about our circumstance, only brings more longing for the day when we won't have to deal with such messes any more.

But the anticipation is still here. The excitement about Christ's birth, the celebrating, the joy of hope. All here. It doesn't look or feel like what we expected. But life never usually does.

Merry Christmas, from our family to yours.

merry christmas

the tree

The storybook adventure of cutting down our family Christmas tree has been beat out by practicality again this year. And I gotta say, I don't really mind. Our Fraser Fir is softer, cheaper and closer than the U-Cut trees we've had in the past.

Three little kids to keep track of, a husband who is putting in overtime at work, and a rainy forecast were all the reasons I needed to confirm that a trip to Home Depot was the clear winner, not a 25 mile one-way drive to the nearest tree farm. And once we arrived? At one point I was walking the stroller in circles to get Matthew to sleep, Morgan and Andrew were down another aisle discussing the "snake" (corrugated 6" drain tubing) and Scott was among the bundled trees, attempting to slice open the nets with his keys.

Joy to the world.

But in the end, we found this year's winner without too much digging. And we did have joy there in between the rain drops. We ended our adventure with a surprise doughnut stop, a perfect accompaniment for the hot chocolate that was promised back at home. 

As we sat around the table, I began to get my Christmas spirit back. It felt good to have anticipation again for something special. 

Scott was goofing around with the kids, pretending to feed Matthew his long john doughnut while perched on his lap. They were giggling and enjoying our time as a family. And so was I. 

This morning was everything I needed.


This year's tree was courtesy of the folks at Slocum Farms in Hart, Michigan. 
Thank you, 10-second camera timer, for such an awesome picture of my family. 

merry christmas

ever wonder

Can you imagine? Jesus born into this world of social networking?
What a clever way to deliver the Christmas story.

If you have more time on your hands, check out this cute video. It's been around a while, but it still makes me smile every time I see it. Hope you're quick enough to catch all the witty details - it's fast!

pretty tree lights

fulfilling tradition

Exactly 30 years ago this month, I was participating in an annual family tradition.

A favorite then. And still now.

Same recipe. Same table. Same room. Same joy.

So glad to share it today with family!

christmas memories

TWELVE family members
ELEVEN o'clock bedtimes
TEN family photo attempts
NINE cozy beds
EIGHT Catch Phrase players
SEVEN yummy dinners
SIX Cottage Bar burgers
FIVE cloudy days
FOUR cars in the driveway
THREE little cousins
TWO televisions
and only ONE shower in the house.

And we wouldn't change any of it!

the greatest gift

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2: 11-12

smash hit

From the moment Luke, Sarah and Doug walked in the door, it was nothing but fun! Luke darted through the kitchen and immediately found some toys. Morgan willingly gave Aunt Sarah a hug. Andrew just took it all in. And then just 30 seconds later, there was no looking back. The kids chaos began! We're all so very glad they were able to stay the night with us.

Playing on Luke's bed

Playing on Aunt Sarah and Uncle Doug's bed

On Christmas Eve morning, just before departure to GG's house

in lieu of Christmas

While Morgan excitedly discusses Jesus' birthday and is quick to announce her sightings of Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus in yards across our neighborhood, she is much more pumped about something else. Something other than spotting Christmas lights or taking a link off our countdown chain. Something bigger and better than wrapping a present with Mommy or, for that matter, opening a present for herself.

Today is the day Morgan has been waiting for. The one marked on the calendar since the beginning of December. This afternoon Aunt Sarah, Uncle Doug and Luke will be in our house, playing with our toys, reading our books and eating at our table! They will be parking in our driveway, sleeping in our basement and eating our Mini-Wheats!

"I wonder what kind of car they will have!"

"What color do you think their car will be?"

"Which kind of hair will Luke have?"

The buzz about December 23 has been constant. But now the big question is this: For all the hype that Morgan has created about the arrival of her cousin, will she retreat when he walks through the door? Or take her standard 30 minutes to warm up and jump right into playing? We will see!

As for Andrew, he'll probably flash a big, mouthy smile and then proceed to take on the role of Luke's shadow. Or maybe bask in the attention from his ever-loving aunt and uncle.

Either way we are all excited for our company to arrive. Their time here will be a small sampling of things to come, but we'll take the tease and enjoy every minute.

July 1, 2010