Christmas Traditions

I LOVE the Christmas season. 

My husband and I would be content having the house decorated and looking festive most of the year. With this beautiful season comes cold weather (yeah, still waiting on that), amazing food and extra time with family and friends. To top it off, we have special family Christmas traditions that we always look forward to.

Trimming the Tree

Our tree is an after Christmas sale (and I mean dirt cheap) but from a distance, and once it's decorated, you can hardly tell. We always put the tree up on Black Friday. Since I do most of my shopping online theses days, it opens up lots of time to enjoy decorating. 

Ornaments

Each ornament that goes on our tree is special and represents some part of our lives. We also have a traditional ornament that we get for one another each year. For my husband, he gets his annual fire truck, I get the latest in the Puppy Love series, and G gets her fairy. Our ornament series all come from Hallmark (no compensation for the plug) and it's tricky when buying for the other person not to scope out your own. We always want it to be a surprise. My husband was in charge of selecting the series we would start for our son. I can't wait to see what he chose!

Stockings

I have been longing for coordinating stockings that would stand the test of time. In the past I've used Santa sacks that I made from festive material. This year, thanks to an awesome half off sale and a 20% off coupon, our family now has coordinating stockings and I could not be happier. Our stockings are opened Christmas Eve, along with the ornaments.

Baking

There is always baking. Everything from cookies to pies to Cornish hens. Something is always being made to enjoy this time of year.

My mom has started a tradition of making cookies with G in their matching aprons and although she won't get to be here this year, we'll pick up on the tradition again next year.

Elf on a Shelf

We love our daughter's imagination. She cracks us up. To add to the fun, we've thrown in the Elf. G named her Princess and looks for her every morning. 

The Christmas Story

One of my favorite traditions is reading the Christmas story. On Christmas Eve we begin the scripture and end right before Jesus' birth. On Christmas morning we finish the story and have a family prayer. This year, G has been very excited about the coming of Jesus' birthday. Melts my heart.

The story of His birth, His Life and Resurrection are the premise of our Christmas celerations. He is the reason for the season and His sacrifice was truly the best gift ever given.

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It's a Boy...

This time last year was super exciting. We were eagerly awaiting the time that we would share the news of our second pregnancy with our families. We knew we'd do it at Christmas and we chose just how we'd make it an extra special surprise for everyone.

A couple months later we got the news that we were having a boy!

I remember hearing those words and watching my husband literally come out of his seat with excitement. I was thrilled at what this meant for us, but a little anxious as I had been a "girl mom" for the last year and a half. It was a journey I was ready to take and I could not wait to add him to our little family.

Over this last week I've been struck with some pretty strong emotions as I reflect, not only on these things, but on advent and the birth of our Savior. I've always been drawn to Mary's story and this year was no exception. However this year, I saw things a little differently.

I imagine Mary. She was a modest, humble girl whose life and faith had found her favor with God. I cannot imagine Mary's whirlwind of emotions as an angel of the Lord explained the coming events. She would become pregnant by the way of a miraculous conception. She would give birth to a son, the Son of God and He would be called Jesus.

When we found out we were expecting, we were elated. We couldn't wait to share the news with family and friends because we knew we would be met with love and congratulatory remarks. However, as you read through Mary's story, she and Joseph were less likely to be met with open arms. They were yet to be married and they could not explain how or why this miracle was laid upon them. I cannot conceive the weight upon their shoulders.

Mary, along with her husband, eventually experienced this world altering birth. However, in those quiet moments after His arrival, I see them just as any other couple. I see a proud father in awe of the tiny fingers that wrap around his pinky. I imagine Mary, holding her baby boy closely to her chest, breathing him in as he settles down to the sound of her familiar heartbeat. I think back to those sweet, silent moments with my own son.

These thoughts have been touching my heart especially tenderly this year. Mary knew from the time of Jesus' conception that He would become the greatest sacrifice and gift that this world has ever known. She would become the mother who would have to watch her son suffer and die on a cross for those who would hate Him. I look into the face of my son and I cannot imagine living with that reality.

I do not know what the Lord has in store for our son. I do not know where the Lord will take him or the lives he will impact. I do, however, know that my son has purpose and promise and that I daily strive to raise him to know and love the Lord.

Mary most certainly faced the same emotions as all mothers. I feel we would have a lot of things in common. Most importantly, we want our children to be raised to know the love of our Savior, to do good for others and to make a difference. So while our responses and lives may vary, our worlds changed forever on the day we heard, "it's a boy!"

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Baby N: 5 Months

There are two things I can't wrap my brain around. First off, we are now in the month of December, which means you will soon be celebrating your first Christmas. Secondly, you are now 5 months old. My mind is blown.

Weight: 16 lbs give or take

Height:  26 inches

Clothes:3-6/6 months across the board.

Eat: 7oz every 3-4 hours. You've begun eating solid foods. So far you seem to like sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, prunes and peaches. You do not like bananas...I was really surprised!

Sleep: You are making progress. Most nights you are sleeping from 7:00p.m. to 3:00a.m. The 8 hours you are sleeping are nice, but we cannot make it to bed at 7. This makes it a little tough some nights. The bright side is that over the last week, you've slept from 7:00p.m. to about 5:00a.m. We really hope you will do this more often so that you can make your way into your new room that you'll share with your sister.

Play: You can't be stopped these days. You love being in your exersaucer. You are still not a fan of tummy time but will tolerate it if your sister is willing to lay and play with you. You easily grab toys and love to watch lights.

Odds and Ends: You still haven't rolled over yet, but it's coming. I'm sure. You have however started making some efforts towards crawling. You put weight on your arms and use your legs to help you frog scoot across your mat.

You celebrated your first Thanksgiving with friends and family.

Time is going much too quickly. We love you to pieces and look forward to celebrating your first Christmas this month!

Your ornament from last year...and now this year you're here!

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Tips on Raising a Well Mannered Toddler

I have to preface this. We are far from perfect parents as is our toddler. However, we've found a few things that actually seem to be working in our parenting, and one of them is raising a child with manners. It goes without saying that she still has her moments. We've had a few fits and the typical testing of boundaries, but her manners continue to increase. In fact, she's at the point that we rarely have to prompt the appropriate response.

Here are a few tips that we feel have helped us get to this point.

1. Set the example. If you want your child to naturally begin to pick up on the please and thank you cues, you need to be using them yourself. As a teacher, this is one of my biggest pet peeves. I'm always astonished at how many children don't even think to use these when asking or receiving. In fact, with each passing year, the sense of entitlement that comes with each new group seems to be more and more. I won't even go into the lack of respect for adults...I digress. As I said, it has to start at home with you.

2. Encourage. Encourage your child to say please and thank you in everyday activities. Before our daughter gets anything she requests, she has to say please. There have been times that she refuses and quickly finds out that we do not respond to that type of behavior. Side note: She has also learned that just because she says please does not mean she'll always get what she wants. This opens up a new area of learning for our little ones, but she seems to handle it pretty well. We've worked hard with her on learning to say thank you when she is given something. Sometimes we have to prompt her with "what do you say?" and she responds appropriately.  It's even seeped into compliments. She now says thank you when someone compliments her on something. I was surprised when she first did this. It just goes to show that you should never underestimate the abilities of out little ones.

3. Don't give in. Those tantrums can be killer. However, it's better to bear the moment than to set yourself back. I was once told that the tantrums always seem worse to you than others. I learned this to be true the first time she showed her bad attitude at a local store. I felt so embarrassed, but as I looked around, no one was even paying attention to us. With any behavior, consistency and boundaries are key. Say what you mean and mean what you say. As a former behavior specialist and now mother, these things have proven true for any age I've worked with.

4. Start small. Learning common courtesies needs to begin from the time your child is super little. They need to hear these words, observe these actions and be included when possible. The scope of being well mannered and respectful goes far beyond just please and thank you. Beginning to teach your child these things while little can lead to even bigger and better things. It's hard for my first graders to get used to saying please and thank you when they have not been taught it at home. These itty bitty years are so vital in helping them become who they will be in the future.

Think of it this way, if we want kinder, more respectful adults, we need to be raising kinder, more respectful children...and that starts with us.

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It's Come to This...

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In 2011 I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). It's a dirty diagnosis that could mean a vast variety of things with even more variations of symptoms. While there were many things I did not know about this syndrome, I was made aware that it may be the culprit behind our inability to become pregnant. After being told by my doctor that she couldn't do anything more for us other than refer us to an infertility specialist, we opted to get a second opinion.

I did some research and chose the doctor I would see. During this time, we prayed that we'd make the right choice in doctors and that we'd know the right choices thereafter when we'd come upon times to make decisions. God granted us immediate peace the moment I met with my new practice. The nurses were super knowledgeable about my condition, the doctors were wise, compassionate and empathetic. We were immediately put at ease. Blood work was ordered, meds were trial and error, failed attempts, promising signs and cycle monitoring were our lives.

Over time we battled our infertility,  not once, but twice, and fortunately, God gifted us two beautiful miracles. We count ourselves so blessed.

Through it all I couldn't help but question, "why us?" Over the course of the last year that reason has become more and more clear, and tonight will be yet another piece of this journey. My dear friend and I will begin an infertility support group and bible study. I am grateful for the few women who will be joining us and I am hoping that others will follow.

I now see that part of all the heartache, waiting and growth has brought me to this. I am amazed and humbled that God would call me from the ashes of such a difficult time in my life to share the beauty of His goodness and healing with others. I want to share the hope that can only come from Him. I want them to remember that He is bigger than any diagnosis. I want to provide comfort and encouragement to those whose hearts are riddled with questions and fears. I want them to have what I didn't.

Little did I know, even just a couple months ago, that all of that would come to this.

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The One Sign That Your Life Still Has Purpose

Many of us have met the person who questions why he or she is here and questions whether or not their life still has purpose. Maybe this is you. Jobs have been lost, families split apart, blame games played, and tragedies faced. These things and many others can make even a seasoned believer question their reason for existing. 

This can be a dangerous time. Satan can weasel his way in and explode this feelings into gigantic, overwhelming proportions. Some even listen and lose the fight. I've known some who have been on the fine line of choosing to continue on or disappearing. The thing that made the difference for them was hope. God was able to use someone or something to push through the darkness and provide the smallest amount of light...and that little glimmer made all the difference.

As a non-believer, I feel the battle may be that much harder because they have never known the hope that Christ gives. However, for Christians and nonbelievers alike, there is one undeniable sign that our lives still have purpose...

You woke up this morning.

No matter the battle you're facing,  you were chosen to wake up and start new. God's purpose for you has not been completed if you are still breathing. He longs for all of us to know Him and each day He allows us to wake is an opportunity to come and know Him, whether for the first time or in a deeper way.

Often times our problems and negative thoughts lead to a very egocentric mindset. No matter how unintentionally this happpens, it can damage our witness, relationships, self esteem and it can make us question our existence. 

I've learned that I may never know the reasons behind my life and experiences on this side of Heaven. However I do know that we were created to glorify Christ in deed and thanksgiving. So, if nothing else, no matter how dark things seem, remember that if you are still brearhing, if God had you open your eyes today, then this is not meant to be the end of your story.

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We Lost It to the Fire

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After such a difficult October I was claiming new goodness in November. I need to claim a little harder. With all that's transpired over the last few weeks I've found myself longing for restoration. Restoration with our health, home and relationships.

I've been doing a good bit of soul searching and I've discovered that I also was in need of a refreshed perspective. When life throws difficulties your way, one after the other, it's easy to get bogged down in all the dark matter. I've since chosen to try and view my circumstances from a more heaven-ward perspective.

Case in point.

On Tuesday, my husband picked up the kids from the sitter’s house and took them to see their grandparents. After dropping them off, he returned home and left to go hunting.

I met him at his parents house and after a bit, we headed home. I unloaded the kids and began preparing them for bed. Shortly after he comes in and says, "Kristy, the jeep is on fire!" I told him now was not the time to mess with me as I had two fussy little ones needing sleep. He insisted and I half jokingly told him the jeep had better be on fire if I was coming outside.

Well...it was, or at least had been. Smoke was pouring out and as he shined the flashlight inside, we could see tons of melted plastic, burnt carpet, blackened wires, etc. The fire had been recent but had not continued to burn for the lack of oxygen in the vehicle. I was dumbstruck. We immediately called his dad to the house and upon further inspection,  he determined it was most likely some type of electrical fire. He had driven the jeep earlier in the day but had seen no signs of any trouble.

He called his friend at the local fire department to determine his next course of action. We were advised to file a report with the police department, which we did. We then contacted the insurance company the following morning.

We are currently waiting for the claims adjustor to come and make his assessment. This is certainly one of the worst times for this type of thing to happen. I'm bringing in much less income because of maternity leave, Christmas is coming and several other responsibilities are currently laid before us.

However, her is where the change of perspective has become so important. Just a month ago I would have wallowed in the stress and anxiety that would come from this type of thing. However,  I've chosen to be grateful. I am grateful that my sweet babies and husband were not harmed. I am grateful that we have a rental and his truck if we need it.

I have also been reflecting on His goodness. We cannot do a car payment at this time, which could cause all sorts of anxiety...but...I know He will provide. He has seen us through worse things than this and I am trusting the Lord to do it again.

Things happen. This is life, but when these things happen I believe the biggest battle is maintaining a grateful heart. Think about where your treasures lie. If you truly believe God's ability to provide, heal, control, etc., then while you may fight moments of stress, fear or anxiety, you can ultimately rest in the fact that He will come through for you.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

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