Some friends of mine were talking about doing a weekly scrapbook page of those things that were their greatest blessing week by week over the course of the year. At the end of the year, you would have 52 things to look back and reflect on that were a blessing to them. I love the idea, but not being a scrapbooker, I decided to do mine in blog format and at the end of the year, I'll make a blog book! If you would like to join me in blogging about your greatest blessing week-by-week, that would be awesome! Let me know if you do, I'd love to read about what is blessing you!
New Beginnings
New year, new goals, new relationships, new beginnings. The biggest blessing I have experienced this week is getting a fresh start, a new start, a new chance to try again, a New Beginning!
I love the first day of January, when you pull out a brand new calendar for the upcoming year. Nothing on it. Empty. Full of promise, ideas, plans, dreams....new! New Beginnings.
It has been a blessing for me this week to start getting up and exercising. Not that I like doing it or have really enjoyed it at all. (I am not an exerciser by nature). But, having gotten up at 5:15 am to exercise is a blessing to me. I like feeling those sore ab muscles and thigh muscles that let me know that my early morning rising has not been in vain. That my muscles are strengthening and stretching. Renewing my good eating habits after a couple of weeks of indulgence during the holidays. A new beginning on an old goal, to keep pushing and striving towards my plan to become healthy and lose the remaining weight that I want to shed. New Beginnings.
To be reminded about the the new beginnings that comes from forgiveness when we do something wrong or hurt someone. I was shown forgiveness this week and it was a wonderful reminder of how much I am loved. I also had the opportunity to show forgiveness and that is a huge blessing as well. That forgiveness allows for a new beginning ~ a fresh beginning on a current relationship/friendship. Jack and I talked this week about how when we do something wrong and ask for forgiveness that the Lord remembers it no more, He doesn't hold it against us or remind us "Remember you did this two weeks ago, and I forgave you then, why can't you get it straight." We get a total do-over, a chance to try again. New Beginnings.
New Beginnings....My Biggest Blessing this week!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Midnight Angel by: Caroline Statzer
Following is a story Caroline wrote yesterday afternoon. I thought she did a great job and wanted to share it. The spelling and punctuation are hers.
Midnight Angel
Once upon a time in a faraway land call Issrial there was an angel named Elijah. He was a midnight angel, wich means he goes out to people who need help, but he could only do it at night (midnight). So this is were my story begins.
There was this man who was poor, weak, all scratched up an only a blanket to sleep on. Then one night on December 24, Elijah came to help. The poor man herd Elijah say, "Get up I have a surprise for you." So the poor man got up grabed his blanket and followed Elijah. The next morning the poor man woke up in a beautiful house. He prayed and asked God into his heart and he said, "God how can I ever repay you." The man could hear God say, "By telling other people about me". The man said "OK"!
So from then on the man became a preacher at a church called Holy Lord. Then about a month later the man died, but he became a midnight angel!
The End
Midnight Angel
Once upon a time in a faraway land call Issrial there was an angel named Elijah. He was a midnight angel, wich means he goes out to people who need help, but he could only do it at night (midnight). So this is were my story begins.
There was this man who was poor, weak, all scratched up an only a blanket to sleep on. Then one night on December 24, Elijah came to help. The poor man herd Elijah say, "Get up I have a surprise for you." So the poor man got up grabed his blanket and followed Elijah. The next morning the poor man woke up in a beautiful house. He prayed and asked God into his heart and he said, "God how can I ever repay you." The man could hear God say, "By telling other people about me". The man said "OK"!
So from then on the man became a preacher at a church called Holy Lord. Then about a month later the man died, but he became a midnight angel!
The End
Saturday, January 3, 2009
The Year Ahead - 2009
What is it about the beginning of the year that always makes us take stock of our lives and look ahead to set our goals? It is that time of year again, setting goals for the upcoming year. I am not fond of resolutions as to me they imply that you haven't been doing anything at all. But I think goals are important as they help keep us focused on things we are doing and where we go from here. Here are some of the things on my list for 2009.
Spiritual
This past year, I was faithful to spend some time each morning praying before school. I'll admit it was often in the car on the way to work, but still I enjoyed that time in prayer each morning. I really liked that part of the time was Jack and I praying together each morning outloud as we drove to school. I love to hear him pray. This year, I really want to be more consistent with reading my Bible. I just do not do it as often as I would like and I really want to make that more of a priority.
Physical
I am really excited to be 40 pounds lighter that I was this time last year. But I still have a ways to go. Over the holidays we weren't as strict on our eating as we normally are, so that is back on now. (all candy and cookies are being thrown out today!) But the biggest thing I need to do is start exercising. I messed my knee up pretty good back in August playing volleyball and that really took a toll on my exercising, but I need to get back to it. (even though exercising is one of my least favorite things to do!). My goal is to do interval training (cardio) 3 days a week and do strength/flexibility training 3 days a week. We got a Wii Fit for Christmas and that will help a lot with the strength/flexibility training. My goal is to do it 30 minutes each day to start and work up from there.
Relationships
Last year we put into place Family Movie/Game Night on Friday nights and that has been so much fun. We all look forward to it and it is great to have a night when we just hang out as a family. I'd also like to make more time each evening for a family devotional. We've been sporadic at doing this at best, but I think it is very important that this become a priority this year.
This year, James and I are making an effort to have Date Night one night a week as well. Most of the dates won't involve us leaving the house as we don't have the money to pay for THAT many babysitters, but we will have a 'date' at home. Watching movies, talking, play games, etc. after the kids go to bed. The difference this makes in our marriage is amazing. I am really realising how important it is to make time for just us to talk and hang out.
Professionally
This is the one area I'm just not sure what to do. I am currently scheduled to start school in August to get my Ed.S. degree in educational curriculum. I just wish I knew for sure if that is what I am to do. I've also been playing around with the idea of going back to school to get certified in Nutrition and start working with children and families who have weight issues. I'm still praying about it and hope that the Lord will direct me soon. I have asked to not teach Pre-K again next year. I have enjoyed it, but it is time to move on, especially if I want to move up and do more administratively in the school system. I'd love to loop up with my class or possibly teach 2nd grade next year. So we'll see what happens there in the next couple of months.
Financially
We've gotten better about watching our spending and staying on top of our finances. But having read Dave Ramsey's book, we are talking about starting that program. The class is being offered at our church, we just aren't sure if it is something we can commit to time wise. We might just do it ourselves without doing the class. But we definitely want to be saving more and being as lean as we can in our spending.
One thing that I know I am going to have to do to make all this happen (especially the spiritual and physical aspects of my goals) is to go to bed earlier so I can get up earlier. I am bad about staying up for no good reason watching stupid TV shows or surfing the Net. So this year, I will be heading to bed much much earlier. That way I can be up at 5am, reading my Bible and exercising. I know this will be the hardest part of making this all happen. But what do they say about habits? 21 days of doing something and it becomes a habit. I sure hope that is true!
What about you? What goals have you set for yourself this year?
Happy New Years everyone!
Spiritual
This past year, I was faithful to spend some time each morning praying before school. I'll admit it was often in the car on the way to work, but still I enjoyed that time in prayer each morning. I really liked that part of the time was Jack and I praying together each morning outloud as we drove to school. I love to hear him pray. This year, I really want to be more consistent with reading my Bible. I just do not do it as often as I would like and I really want to make that more of a priority.
Physical
I am really excited to be 40 pounds lighter that I was this time last year. But I still have a ways to go. Over the holidays we weren't as strict on our eating as we normally are, so that is back on now. (all candy and cookies are being thrown out today!) But the biggest thing I need to do is start exercising. I messed my knee up pretty good back in August playing volleyball and that really took a toll on my exercising, but I need to get back to it. (even though exercising is one of my least favorite things to do!). My goal is to do interval training (cardio) 3 days a week and do strength/flexibility training 3 days a week. We got a Wii Fit for Christmas and that will help a lot with the strength/flexibility training. My goal is to do it 30 minutes each day to start and work up from there.
Relationships
Last year we put into place Family Movie/Game Night on Friday nights and that has been so much fun. We all look forward to it and it is great to have a night when we just hang out as a family. I'd also like to make more time each evening for a family devotional. We've been sporadic at doing this at best, but I think it is very important that this become a priority this year.
This year, James and I are making an effort to have Date Night one night a week as well. Most of the dates won't involve us leaving the house as we don't have the money to pay for THAT many babysitters, but we will have a 'date' at home. Watching movies, talking, play games, etc. after the kids go to bed. The difference this makes in our marriage is amazing. I am really realising how important it is to make time for just us to talk and hang out.
Professionally
This is the one area I'm just not sure what to do. I am currently scheduled to start school in August to get my Ed.S. degree in educational curriculum. I just wish I knew for sure if that is what I am to do. I've also been playing around with the idea of going back to school to get certified in Nutrition and start working with children and families who have weight issues. I'm still praying about it and hope that the Lord will direct me soon. I have asked to not teach Pre-K again next year. I have enjoyed it, but it is time to move on, especially if I want to move up and do more administratively in the school system. I'd love to loop up with my class or possibly teach 2nd grade next year. So we'll see what happens there in the next couple of months.
Financially
We've gotten better about watching our spending and staying on top of our finances. But having read Dave Ramsey's book, we are talking about starting that program. The class is being offered at our church, we just aren't sure if it is something we can commit to time wise. We might just do it ourselves without doing the class. But we definitely want to be saving more and being as lean as we can in our spending.
One thing that I know I am going to have to do to make all this happen (especially the spiritual and physical aspects of my goals) is to go to bed earlier so I can get up earlier. I am bad about staying up for no good reason watching stupid TV shows or surfing the Net. So this year, I will be heading to bed much much earlier. That way I can be up at 5am, reading my Bible and exercising. I know this will be the hardest part of making this all happen. But what do they say about habits? 21 days of doing something and it becomes a habit. I sure hope that is true!
What about you? What goals have you set for yourself this year?
Happy New Years everyone!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Visit from the Holy Ghost????
As I was looking through the pantry to find the box of Town House crackers I had in the pantry with a good three sleeves of crackers in them, I notice the box isn't in the pantry anymore. Curious! So I ask Jack where they are. He says, "I saw the box upstairs in the bonus room". After going to get the box, I realise, all I HAVE is an empty box. NO crackers. So of course, I ask, where are the crackers, he of course, blames it on Caroline (who in all honesty had spent the better part of the last 24 hours holed up in the bonus room with her cousin, Allie.) Caroline, naturally, swears they had only eaten half a sleeve of the crackers.
So what happened to the crackers? Here is Jack's theory.
He deducted this from what? I don't know.....~ "The Holy Ghost snuck in through the window last night while Caroline and Allie were sleeping in the bonus room. He tip toes across the floor (Jack is demonstrating lifting the window and tip toeing across the floor) and gets two of the packages of crackers out of the box. You see, God really wanted some oval crackers, because He had some cheese up in Heaven He wanted to eat, but He didn't have any crackers to go with the cheese. So He saw the box of crackers in our bonus room and sent the Holy Ghost to come get them. And when the Holy Ghost left He disappeared just. like. that. (snapping his fingers). And all that was left when He went back to Heaven was some white fuzzy stuff and some white smoke. That was it."
So there you have it. The Case of the Missing Crackers solved by Jack Statzer and a visit from the Holy Ghost.
As a side note: what is interesting is we don't even say Holy Ghost (we refer to the third person of the Trinity as the Holy Spirit) - although Jack is quite stuck on that term because of a song we sang at church. He can't understand why there are ghosts in Heaven. And didn't we say that ghosts aren't real and if we said that then why are we singing about it at church.......I'll have to leave those questions to people who are much smarter than I am~
So what happened to the crackers? Here is Jack's theory.
He deducted this from what? I don't know.....~ "The Holy Ghost snuck in through the window last night while Caroline and Allie were sleeping in the bonus room. He tip toes across the floor (Jack is demonstrating lifting the window and tip toeing across the floor) and gets two of the packages of crackers out of the box. You see, God really wanted some oval crackers, because He had some cheese up in Heaven He wanted to eat, but He didn't have any crackers to go with the cheese. So He saw the box of crackers in our bonus room and sent the Holy Ghost to come get them. And when the Holy Ghost left He disappeared just. like. that. (snapping his fingers). And all that was left when He went back to Heaven was some white fuzzy stuff and some white smoke. That was it."
So there you have it. The Case of the Missing Crackers solved by Jack Statzer and a visit from the Holy Ghost.
As a side note: what is interesting is we don't even say Holy Ghost (we refer to the third person of the Trinity as the Holy Spirit) - although Jack is quite stuck on that term because of a song we sang at church. He can't understand why there are ghosts in Heaven. And didn't we say that ghosts aren't real and if we said that then why are we singing about it at church.......I'll have to leave those questions to people who are much smarter than I am~
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Friends
Friends are Friends forever if the Lord's the Lord of them......Just kidding. How many times WAS that song played at graduations over the years????
Anyway, I have been thinking a lot about friends and friendships over the past several weeks. I have been blessed with very special, dear friends whom I cherish and love.
With the advent of Facebook, I've been able to reconnect with a number of cherished friends from childhood, high school, college and later. Having moved every 3 years or so while I was growing up, made making and maintaining friendships a bit of a challenge. But having an electronic way to do that now is such an incredible blessing to me. It is fun to be able to reconnect with those people who knew you when you were a child and liked to play with barbie dolls and pretend to be 'teenagers'. Or those friends who remember that specific pub you used to hang out in a small German village in high school (hey, there was no drinking age there - the local hangout was really a pub). Or those friends from college who remember those crazy spring break trips to Daytona Beach where you shared Jesus with a myriad of drunk people (don't know how effective that really was!). Or friends you spent hours in the morning getting ready with using up cans and cans of AquaNet to make sure your hair stayed nice and big. As I reconnect with these old friends it has made me remember how blessed I am by how faithful God has always been to give me special friends over the years.
In addition to reconnecting with friends via the web, it has been an incredible few weeks getting to spend time with friends in person as well. Started back in November when James and I took an anniversary trip to Orlando. While there we got to have dinner a couple times with our dear, close friends, the Blumes. Having been in each others weddings and shared many tears, laughter, secrets and bits of advice, it is like hanging out with another sister and brother. So grateful for them. How fun to hang out with the Sassers for dinner recently. Having worked, played and vacationed with Amy for over seven years, they are such good friends whom I always enjoy hanging out with and wish I had more time to spend with on a regular basis. Going to a party where I got to see people I hadn't seen in over 25 years. Getting to reconnect with Hutch and Patty, spend time with Jennifer and meet her new hubbie, Mark and tell and retell stories from good ol' Perry, Florida. Hug the necks of people who have known me since I was a toddler or watched me walk to first grade as a small girl. Not to mention, my own sweet parents and sisters who are always near by or at least just a phonecall or text message away. I can't begin to describe how incredible it is for me to spend time with these people when often times we were only in the same place as them for a few years at most.
Most recently, the Lord has blessed me with some wonderful new friends too. Friends who we do life with weekly at church and in our small group. Friends whom I can always count on to pray for me and my family, worship with on Sundays and even hang out at the local Mexican restaurant from time to time.
Then there are the special ladies that I've never had the privilege of meeting in person, but have given me wonderful advice, prayed for me, encouraged me and supported me, many since before Jack was born.
Although the bank account would by no means register me as being rich, when you look at how wonderful and special are those I have the honor and privilege of calling friends, I'm truly a wealthy woman.
Thank you my dear friends for putting up with my crazy non-stop busyness, fast-talking, sometimes loud ways. For standing with me, loving me as I am and being there for me! I love you all!
Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You, too? Thought I was the only one." ~~ C.S. Lewis
Anyway, I have been thinking a lot about friends and friendships over the past several weeks. I have been blessed with very special, dear friends whom I cherish and love.
With the advent of Facebook, I've been able to reconnect with a number of cherished friends from childhood, high school, college and later. Having moved every 3 years or so while I was growing up, made making and maintaining friendships a bit of a challenge. But having an electronic way to do that now is such an incredible blessing to me. It is fun to be able to reconnect with those people who knew you when you were a child and liked to play with barbie dolls and pretend to be 'teenagers'. Or those friends who remember that specific pub you used to hang out in a small German village in high school (hey, there was no drinking age there - the local hangout was really a pub). Or those friends from college who remember those crazy spring break trips to Daytona Beach where you shared Jesus with a myriad of drunk people (don't know how effective that really was!). Or friends you spent hours in the morning getting ready with using up cans and cans of AquaNet to make sure your hair stayed nice and big. As I reconnect with these old friends it has made me remember how blessed I am by how faithful God has always been to give me special friends over the years.
In addition to reconnecting with friends via the web, it has been an incredible few weeks getting to spend time with friends in person as well. Started back in November when James and I took an anniversary trip to Orlando. While there we got to have dinner a couple times with our dear, close friends, the Blumes. Having been in each others weddings and shared many tears, laughter, secrets and bits of advice, it is like hanging out with another sister and brother. So grateful for them. How fun to hang out with the Sassers for dinner recently. Having worked, played and vacationed with Amy for over seven years, they are such good friends whom I always enjoy hanging out with and wish I had more time to spend with on a regular basis. Going to a party where I got to see people I hadn't seen in over 25 years. Getting to reconnect with Hutch and Patty, spend time with Jennifer and meet her new hubbie, Mark and tell and retell stories from good ol' Perry, Florida. Hug the necks of people who have known me since I was a toddler or watched me walk to first grade as a small girl. Not to mention, my own sweet parents and sisters who are always near by or at least just a phonecall or text message away. I can't begin to describe how incredible it is for me to spend time with these people when often times we were only in the same place as them for a few years at most.
Most recently, the Lord has blessed me with some wonderful new friends too. Friends who we do life with weekly at church and in our small group. Friends whom I can always count on to pray for me and my family, worship with on Sundays and even hang out at the local Mexican restaurant from time to time.
Then there are the special ladies that I've never had the privilege of meeting in person, but have given me wonderful advice, prayed for me, encouraged me and supported me, many since before Jack was born.
Although the bank account would by no means register me as being rich, when you look at how wonderful and special are those I have the honor and privilege of calling friends, I'm truly a wealthy woman.
Thank you my dear friends for putting up with my crazy non-stop busyness, fast-talking, sometimes loud ways. For standing with me, loving me as I am and being there for me! I love you all!
Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You, too? Thought I was the only one." ~~ C.S. Lewis
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Irish Dance Princess
Caroline was born to dance. She has it her blood, much like her mother, aunt and grandmother. Having taken ballet, tap and jazz for a number of years, we figured she would stick with that just like I did. But having been born with red hair, a small petite body and an Irish ancestry, Caroline decided after seeing Lord of the Dance that she wanted to try her feet at Irish Dancing.
For the last year, she has been retraining her feet and way of thinking to learn Irish dancing. Although similar in some ways to what she had learned before, Irish dancing is pretty different. She loves that she is able to learn something that is part of her family history and is doing pretty well with it.
Although she has enjoyed the classes, we've taken it slowly, seeing if it was something she really wanted to stick with. Just a weekly class. But lately, I've seen something that reminded me of myself years ago. Constant dancing. I knew that if she was really going to get into this thing, I would know it when she started dancing ~ all the time. You will often see Caroline moving from one room to the next doing over-two-threes (an Irish Dance move) and steps and small jumps. Knew at that point that she had gotten bitten by the Irish dance bug and it is something she'll probably end up staying with. She has just moved from Beginner to Advanced Beginner this December and has been asked to join a team class where she will learn to do partner and trio dances. (which of course means more chauffeuring on my part!)
A couple of days ago we got an email stating that there was an opportunity for her to have a private lesson with Ms. Kathleen, the former lead dancer from Riverdance who had performed at Radio City Music Hall on Broadway. Knowing this is one of those once in a lifetime type of opportunities, we decided to let her do this. Caroline had such a blast and really learned a lot. She loved every minute of it, even if she was completely out of breath for most of the class (Irish dancing is not for the faint of heart - quite a workout!) 
Such a fun time~ 
Such a fun time~ Saturday, December 27, 2008
Christmas Traditions - CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS
Christmas is easily one of my most favorite times of year. I love spending time with my family and loved ones, singing carols, buying and giving gifts to others, and a myriad of other special family traditions.
Like most families, our family has traditions that we do each year that help contribute to our family identity and closeness. Many of the traditions we do came from my parents. My mom always placed an emphasis on having and celebrating those family traditions and for that I am grateful because we now do many of the same ones and I hope that as Caroline and Jack get older and have their own family they will hold onto those that are most dear to them and celebrate them with their own families one day.
James and Caroline's favorite tradition is one I always have held dear and that is reading the story of Christ's birth out of the passage in Luke 2. We also then spend some time in prayer before we open presents. This year we changed it up a bit and decided to do it upstairs before coming downstairs to see what Santa brought. (makes it a little easier to concentrate without having a pile of presents to stare at).
Jack's favorite tradition is decorating the Christmas tree while we sing Christmas Carols. As I posted earlier I love my tree. It isn't the prettiest or the best matching but each ornament is special and cherished. I received five new ones this year and each are already special and I am thankful to each of the people who gave them to me.
My favorite tradition is getting dressed up on Christmas Eve and going to church. I love to sing all the beautiful carols and songs and hear again about the King of Kings leaving Paradise to come to earth so I might have eternal life. (of course, getting new clothes for the occasion is pretty fun too!) After Christmas Eve we've started a new tradition we eat ~Tortellini Soup. This is the second year in a row we have done it so I guess that makes it a tradition. This year, my parents ate with us and that was such a treat for us. Caroline had been praying for several days that they would, but we weren't sure if they were going to be able to. So we were very excited when they were able to come. 
We have another tradition in our family that goes to when I was a little girl. It might go back even farther to my mom being a child, but I'm not sure on that. We have to take a picture on the stairs before coming down to see what Santa brought. 
Once the picture on the stairs is done. There is that moment when you see all the Christmas magic. We don't put any presents under the tree until Christmas morning. When the children go to bed at night, the tree is decorated but empty. The next morning, is magical.
As well as leaving out cookies and in our case Iced Tea to drink for Santa. Caroline and Jack each wrote a letter to Santa. Caroline's letter said something to the effect of I'm sorry I don't believe in you because last Christmas when I asked my mom if you were real she didn't want to lie to me and say yes, but I still do believe in you in my heart. Santa writes each child back a note as well. This year Santa brought Caroline and Jack each a Stieff stuffed animal all the way from Germany. Since I have a bear from when we lived there, I think Santa wanted them each to have one of their own to love and cherish.
Opening Christmas stockings are fun. Candy, trading cards, toothpaste, lip gloss, socks, underwear.
We finally got to the presents. We cut way back this year. In addition to wanting to be wise in this economy, we just don't need a lot of extra stuff. Mom and Dad made the early morning drive over to be part of our festivities. Caroline's favorite gift was her Boogie Superstar Wii game that she can sing and dance to. Jack's favorite gift was his Leapster. Not being quite old enough for a Nintendo DS, he is happy to have a handheld game that he can play.
Another favorite tradition is going to Gommie and Papa's house to celebrate Christmas Round 2. We open more gifts, play games, have a talent show and eat yummy food. This year we had a shrimp and crab boil and it was delish!
Papa cranked the heat up on the hot tub and the kids loved having a dip before dinner!
Christmas traditions - the best of which is celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus. The fact that we are partaking in a tradition that people have done for thousands of years - having a wonderful birthday party - is just plain awesome! Happy Birthday Jesus!!!!!
Like most families, our family has traditions that we do each year that help contribute to our family identity and closeness. Many of the traditions we do came from my parents. My mom always placed an emphasis on having and celebrating those family traditions and for that I am grateful because we now do many of the same ones and I hope that as Caroline and Jack get older and have their own family they will hold onto those that are most dear to them and celebrate them with their own families one day.
James and Caroline's favorite tradition is one I always have held dear and that is reading the story of Christ's birth out of the passage in Luke 2. We also then spend some time in prayer before we open presents. This year we changed it up a bit and decided to do it upstairs before coming downstairs to see what Santa brought. (makes it a little easier to concentrate without having a pile of presents to stare at).
Jack's favorite tradition is decorating the Christmas tree while we sing Christmas Carols. As I posted earlier I love my tree. It isn't the prettiest or the best matching but each ornament is special and cherished. I received five new ones this year and each are already special and I am thankful to each of the people who gave them to me.
My favorite tradition is getting dressed up on Christmas Eve and going to church. I love to sing all the beautiful carols and songs and hear again about the King of Kings leaving Paradise to come to earth so I might have eternal life. (of course, getting new clothes for the occasion is pretty fun too!) After Christmas Eve we've started a new tradition we eat ~Tortellini Soup. This is the second year in a row we have done it so I guess that makes it a tradition. This year, my parents ate with us and that was such a treat for us. Caroline had been praying for several days that they would, but we weren't sure if they were going to be able to. So we were very excited when they were able to come. We have another tradition in our family that goes to when I was a little girl. It might go back even farther to my mom being a child, but I'm not sure on that. We have to take a picture on the stairs before coming down to see what Santa brought. Once the picture on the stairs is done. There is that moment when you see all the Christmas magic. We don't put any presents under the tree until Christmas morning. When the children go to bed at night, the tree is decorated but empty. The next morning, is magical.As well as leaving out cookies and in our case Iced Tea to drink for Santa. Caroline and Jack each wrote a letter to Santa. Caroline's letter said something to the effect of I'm sorry I don't believe in you because last Christmas when I asked my mom if you were real she didn't want to lie to me and say yes, but I still do believe in you in my heart. Santa writes each child back a note as well. This year Santa brought Caroline and Jack each a Stieff stuffed animal all the way from Germany. Since I have a bear from when we lived there, I think Santa wanted them each to have one of their own to love and cherish. Opening Christmas stockings are fun. Candy, trading cards, toothpaste, lip gloss, socks, underwear.We finally got to the presents. We cut way back this year. In addition to wanting to be wise in this economy, we just don't need a lot of extra stuff. Mom and Dad made the early morning drive over to be part of our festivities. Caroline's favorite gift was her Boogie Superstar Wii game that she can sing and dance to. Jack's favorite gift was his Leapster. Not being quite old enough for a Nintendo DS, he is happy to have a handheld game that he can play. Another favorite tradition is going to Gommie and Papa's house to celebrate Christmas Round 2. We open more gifts, play games, have a talent show and eat yummy food. This year we had a shrimp and crab boil and it was delish! Papa cranked the heat up on the hot tub and the kids loved having a dip before dinner! Christmas traditions - the best of which is celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus. The fact that we are partaking in a tradition that people have done for thousands of years - having a wonderful birthday party - is just plain awesome! Happy Birthday Jesus!!!!!
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