Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Finding the 'Merry'

I can relate, on so many levels, to my friend Allison's post here. Too often I try to create the "perfect" experience...only to end up disappointed because of my own too high expectations. It's a character flaw of mine, for sure. But this year (no, I can't claim to have created or experienced what I would consider a grandiose "perfect" holiday moment) I've been experiencing the 'merry' part of the season at unexpected times. Nope, they're not big moments and so far I haven't heard any trumpets blare, but I suspect I will remember them as being some of the best, 'merriest' moments of this holiday season.

Shopping:

Thankfully, this year, shopping was a relatively 'merry' experience for me. I hit some online sales and boom! Done. But for my sweet 7 year-old, holiday shopping didn't start out quite so 'merry'. It was Black Friday. Grayson really wanted to hit some of the stores, in hopes that he'd find something to buy for both his dad and his best buddy Garrett (currently in Ethiopia). So we set out. G had his wallet in tow, with just a minimal amount of cash inside. (But hey, it's the thought that counts, right?) Anyway, we got to the first store (you know, the BIG famous toy store?) and temptation began to rear its ugly head. All of sudden, G started to find a lot of things that HE really wanted. Go figure! And speaking of figuring, he's good at math. He knew that if he spent all of his money on gifts for others, there would be nothing left to buy what HE wanted. For himself. So he was having a hard time, and we ended up leaving the first 2-3 stores without any purchases. He just couldn't decide what to do. I knew that he was conflicted. Then finally after a couple of hours of indecision and about 4 stores, he stopped talking. Words gave way to big, giant alligator tears rolling down his cheeks! He felt awful! Definitely a little sad for himself but mostly a whole lot of guilty. It was really heart-wrenching to watch. But, after a few minutes, we convinced him that if he was so conflicted about how and who to spend his money on, then it was probably a sign that he should just wait and spend no money at all. We explained the whole "sleep on it" theory to him, and he agreed to just head home empty-handed.

Fast-forward to a couple of weeks later. He was ready to try again. He had, during that couple week time span, found and purchased a "special" (in the eyes of a 7 year-old) tree ornament for his buddy (think monogrammed plastic snow globe), but he wanted to get something more. So after much discussion and a lot of "Are you sure?" and "Do you remember how you felt last time?" we set out. Again. And again, at first, it was hard. This time he had more money in his wallet, which in theory meant that he could buy HIMSELF an even bigger toy--one of those Lego sets that he really, really wants--but I gently reminded him of his purpose. So he got back on track, though for the first few trips up and down the toy aisles he was very keyed in to the prices. I could tell that he was looking for the most inexpensive things to give. (Again, it IS the thought that counts, but really, does that hold true when one is pinching pennies for his own gain? I think not.) But then, it was as if the true spirit of Christmas grabbed hold of my sweet (but perhaps age-appropriately selfish) boy! He forgot about himself and began to trek up and down those aisles with new purpose until just the right gift had been found. And purchased without any hesitation. And now? Now it, along with the "special" ornament, sits wrapped under our tree waiting for an even more special friend to get back from Ethiopia. This mom is 'merry' and proud.

Santa:

You'd think that Santa would be an expected source of 'merriment' during the holiday season, but perhaps you've forgotten that we have Molly and Santa is a "boy". He kind of ranks up there with Mickey Mouse. She likes the idea of him, but don't think of asking her to get within arm's reach. So you can imagine how unexpected and 'merry' it was when, after 7 years of at least one child screaming and/or flat-out refusing to go anywhere near jolly old St. Nick, my quest for the perfect Santa picture was fulfilled!!! (if I do say so myself)




But really Santa, it's no wonder that kids are scared of you! It looks as if you're about ready to pounce on my 4 year-old! :) ...

And then, well then there's the Gingerbread Man:

For a couple of years now it has been a tradition of ours to make gingerbread men cookies. The kids love it! Mostly because the first year we made them, 2 of them ran away! And if I remember right, that year they reappeared a few days later in the kids' beds (after neatly finding their way into plastic ziploc bags so as to not leave crumbs. huh! imagine that!), leaving a long trail of chocolate chips behind them all the way down the stairs. And, well, some things kids do NOT forget! Ever! So every year since then Grayson has begged to make gingerbread men just so that one will hopefully run away!

This year we do plan to make them, it just hasn't happened yet. Perhaps on Christmas Eve. But G did make a gingerbread man ornament at school. Not a cookie, but an ornament. But still he insisted on decorating it with icing. After all, without a proper mouth and ears, the gingerbread man would likely not be able to escape (???...The logic is a little iffy, but oh well.) So he decorated it. But it didn't run away. He still holds out hope though! So much hope that the other day I went upstairs to find this:

It's a trap. Constructed out of an old Build-a-Bear "condo".


"A house for you, Gingerbread Man. Filled with snacks." (a.k.a. chocolate chips)


"Push. Then close and push the tape to the wall so no bad guys will get you." And see, when the gingerbread man pushes on the tape that is carefully placed on the inside of the door, he will be stuck. Trapped! And just for good measure, all of the windows have been covered and taped as well. Poor gingerbread man. He won't know what's coming to him! ;)

Finding this little "scene" at the top of the stairs made for a whole lot of 'merry' in my heart. :) Oh to be 7 years old again!

And finally, because I am the author and I believe it affords me the right to be at least a little self-indulgent, here is definitely another reason (for me) to be 'merry':



I have a tooth. Granted, it's plastic and I can't chew on it, but it's there! After all these years and SO much money spent on specialists, surgeons, x-rays, experimental treatments, and braces, I can finally almost see the light at the end of the tunnel! And the best news? This current part of the treatment process? Being done FREE. OF. CHARGE! How's that for 'merry'?! (Okay, now I'm done making this all about me.)
All in all, it has been a wonderful December. Yes, we've been busy but thankfully not overrun by the stress that this season can bring...if you let it. We've had the privilege and opportunity to keep tabs on our friends in Ethiopia, as they welcome their new adopted daughter, Rebeka Elle, into their family. Talk about 'merry'! How we can't wait to love on that girl and kiss those sweet cheeks!
I pray that you all, too, have found the 'merry' in your daily lives this season. It's there...and it can even be free of charge! And (note to self) you don't even have to plan for it! Imagine that.
(But Allison, I SO would have LOVED your Christmas weekend downtown!!! Talk to my husband, will ya?!)

Tree Hunt 2010
























Monday, December 20, 2010

Snowbound!

As I sit and type this morning, I am reminded that last year at this time we were in McCall. In the snow. Lots of snow. Being super tourists. Sledding, skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating. I'm not sad about staying home this year--I will definitely enjoy the slower pace for a couple of weeks--but I do kind of miss the snow. The cold and wet of it I could live without, but it IS beautiful. MUCH more beautiful than the buckets of rain currently falling outside. And the snow, of course, can be fun. So I am sad for the kids because they enjoy it so much. Okay, I admit it! Even after all these years of living here in rain country, I miss having a WHITE Christmas! I'm sad for me! There, I said it. So I'm so glad that we didn't let the zillion things on our (my) "to do" list stop us from heading to the mountain a couple of weeks ago with our neighbors. There were a million reasons that I felt like saying "no", but I KNEW that if we didn't go with friends, then we'd likely not get up to the snow at all this season. So we threw our long list of (mostly unimportant) to do's out the window, packed our gear, and headed to Government Camp for a few hours of fun and snow!

(FYI: If you go, it's practically criminal what they charge to use their tubes!!! And of course you have to use their tubes. Who knew that my 7 YEAR-OLD was an adult?! And $18 adult at that!!! I decided to skip the sledding and be on camera duty instead.)






We worried (after we shelled out the big bucks for her) that Molly wouldn't even be willing to try it. After all, last year she wanted NOTHING to do with sledding or tubing. But thankfully, a year made all the difference. Granted, she wouldn't do it by herself (like our 3 year-old neighbor friend, Brooklynn) but she loved going down with Dave.




Our neighbors, Rich and Nathan.




Nathan.


Wheeeeee!




Neighbor Jon.


Happy family. Seriously, the kids were amazing! They never complained about the cold, and even Molly (who sometimes lacks the stamina to go up our stairs at home!) tromped up the hill by herself every time!



Molly and Brooklynn.

Thanks, neighbors! It was FUN!

'Tis the Season...for a Holiday Program!

I don't care what anyone says, I LOVE Christmas programs! Yes, I know they take A LOT of time to pull together, which means A LOT of time out of the classroom. And yes, I know that the kids hate to give up weeks of their "normal" routine, including P.E. Trust me, as a teacher and one who's been there, done that, I know that getting ready for one of these programs can threaten to suck all the joy out of the season. BUT! When I get to sit in the stands as a parent, oh my, my! Especially when I watch my boy--the one who we worried about ever finding his own wings of independence. Thankfully, he's found them! He's really growing up...and growing into a super smart, confident, ready to try anything kid! In fact, he looked so comfortable up there on the risers that for a minute, Dave and I both feared that he might break out his own brand of "hip-hop" (complete with lots of bum slapping) during one of the songs! Phew! He didn't. But he sang his little heart out with confidence, did all of the motions, and genuinely looked to be enjoying himself. And boy did I enjoy watching him!


This girl liked watching her brother, too!


This boy knows how to please his mama! He knew I was taking pictures and was ready with an ear to ear grin each time!









'Tis the season!

Let's Get This Season Started!

We had a really nice, quiet Thanksgiving this year. (Well, besides the surprise minor "surgery" and the stitches that I got the day before when I went to the oral surgeon for what was supposed to be a check-up. He checked and found an infection. Ugh.) Anyway, we still had a wonderful time together. Turkey and all the fixings, dessert with friends, the Santa parade on Friday, a movie at the theater on Saturday, and then finally--the annual gingerbread house:










I'm a tad bit crazy about these crazy kids of mine!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Bon Voyage!

This past week we said good-bye to our good friends, the Gibsons. For them the time finally arrived for their family of 5 to make the long journey to become a family of 6. Actually, I suppose, the journey started a long time ago, but this past weekend they boarded a plane bound for Ethiopia where a precious baby girl is waiting for them. In the coming days they will meet her for the very first time even though they have loved her for months now. And then they will stay--their whole family--in Ethiopia until the adoption process is complete, probably 2 months or more. Boy will we miss them! Boy how we already do miss them!

You'd think they were leaving and never coming back the way I've been feeling lately. Maybe it's silly. After all, it is just 2 months. But I guess in all honesty, it has been so hard--so sad--because I feel like I'm missing out. (Sorry Nana Pam, I know I'm preaching to the choir!) It's just that for over 8 years now, our families' lives have been completely intertwined. We've been thru so much together. We've shared in heartache, elation, and everything in between. When my babies were born, Sarri was one of the first ones there. When her babies were born, my arms were at the ready to snuggle them during their first day of life. I got to be there. This time I don't get to be there. And selfishly, that makes me a little sad. Because I can only imagine how incredible those moments are going to be--those moments when Sarri and Joel and their kids are going to see that sweet baby girl for the first time in living color. Oh my. It, in fact, is almost too overwhelming to really imagine. But, even though I, too, can't be on African soil with them these next 2 months, I am definitely there in both spirit and prayer. And really truly, my own (pitiful) sadness in NO WAY compares to the joy that I feel for my friends. I was there, sitting behind them in church, the day that Joel leaned over and told Sarri that they should do it--that they should travel the long road to Baby R. I'm so proud of them. And even though I know that it has been a very emotional past several months for them, they have dealt with everything with so much grace and strength. No doubt they are going to be such a blessing to so many while they're away, not just Baby R. But when they're done and their journey is complete, believe you me, "Auntie" Judy will be ready!

Before they left, our playgroup surprised Sarri and the kids with a 'chance' (or not) meeting at Starbucks. It was one last chance for all of us to wish them well and say our good-byes. We also (thanks to CB and Teresa) gave them a scrapbook full of pictures from the past 8? 9? years and a photo "album" of sorts, complete with recorded sound bites of each family--all 7! I know it touched Sarri's heart deeply, but hey, no one ever accused our "village" of not loving and supporting fiercely. And we do Sarri, we love you! Bon voyage, my friend! Can't wait for February!

Waiting for the guests of honor...







Surprise! Maddy came in first...



...then Sarri.





Present time!


(complete with many tears)










Sweet girls.


Another sweet girl with her "Auntie".




My little girl thinks the world of this sweet big girl.


Happy boys. Love them!

Enjoying the new scrapbook...




Sweet and sad all at once. :(









Love you, friend!