A Sweet Moment

This moment does not need to be lost in the craziness of tomorrow.  This is not something that can be captured with a camera.  It's more a feeling.  Most lights are off in the den except for the colorful Christmas tree lights and the white lights around the mantle.  One lamp in the corner gives off enough light for the children to see the cards they are playing in the middle of the floor.  The faces vary as one goes off to take a shower and another child takes its place.  But the spirit is the same.  Peace, love, and overall contentment.  That is how I feel and if I were to describe the children's feelings, then I would have to add expectancy to the list.  The air of expectancy comes from the fact that if dad returns from his hospital visit in soon (called away to Jackson, TN where someone's father has only hours left to live--such a sad thing for Christmas Eve), then the children will get to exchange one present--the one that each bought for his or her sibling from the name drawing done in November.  We have just finished watching my favorite Christmas movie--White Christmas--and all five acted as if they really enjoyed it.  I feel blessed to have these five children in my life, and am probably as excited about the surprises that tomorrow morning holds as they are.  This is my ideal Christmas Eve--peaceful, calm, happy, expectant.  This feeling is rare and I am treasuring it.

I wanna see Santa!

Schaeffer is definitely not like our other children.  I think Jason and I say that at least once a week.  Tonight we said it again.  We aren't in the habit of talking about Santa at Christmas time really.  He shows up on some of our decorations, although I much prefer snowmen.  He never gets credit for the presents that we buy for our children.  We've just never made a big deal out of him with any of our kids.  But someone has told our #5 child that Santa is coming.  I'm not sure what he's expecting but I've decided not to try to explain "the truth" to him just yet.  I'm big on honesty, so I will not lie.  But he's awfully cute to watch this holiday season as he explores all the wonders of the season--lights, tree, ornaments, presents, Jingle Bells sung every day, nativity scenes rearranged often, and now tonight he met Santa.

Jason and I took a group of 12 children to Holt Family Farms tonight for a live nativity hayride.  Before I could get everyone paid for and hands stamped, someone said, "Schaeffer's sitting in Santa's lap!"  Sure enough, there he was and I was about to miss a Kodak moment!  I grabbed my camera and as I'm getting it ready, I hear Santa ask him, "How old are you?"  Well, Schaeffer holds up his fingers to show him, but then he stopped, somewhat confused, as if to say, "how do you hold up 3 fingers with mittens on??" So Santa guessed 4 years old and moved on to the next question.  (Remember, Schaeffer JUST turned 3 so conversations are usually interesting.)  "What do you want for Christmas?"  Hummm, what does this mean?  I was curious as to what this child might say and since we haven't even talked about making a list of wants, I waited quietly.  After some thought, Schaeffer said, "I can't say it."  That made Santa laugh, as if his list is so long that he can't figure out where to start!  To keep from explaining "the truth" to this nice Santa, I just moved into photographer mode, all the while smiling to myself at this child God has given us.  I remembered just last Christmas when I had to beg my girls to sit in Santa's lap at a dance presentation so that I could take a picture of them.  And my big, 12-year-old son (at the time) just flat out refused to get near Santa.  He's not crazy about people dressed up.  So how does this 3 year old have the bravado to just go right up to Santa and sit in his lap?  I don't know but I sure do love him!  He brings so much sparkle to our home.

Christmas is Coming!

Exactly a week ago, I had not yet begun to shop--now, I am officially done!  Woohoo!  That's pretty much how I prefer to operate, get in there, get the job done, and now enjoy the festivities.  Of course, one of the highlights of last week was spending the day in Paducah with my husband for the purpose of Christmas shopping.  What a treat to get away for a day together, and boy, did we spend some money!  Last year we didn't get to buy presents for our own children, so this year we had a blast doing it.  (Last year it was their idea to take the money we would normally use to buy them gifts and instead, buy presents for a needy family.  It was a wonderful experience and we were so proud of them, but Jason and I were both surprised at how hard it was for us as parents not to buy presents for them anyway.  That remembrance made our shopping day last week even more delightful.)  Because our kids don't make wish lists for us, for the most part, they have no clue what's now under the tree for them.  Apparently before last night, the oldest two hadn't looked closely at the wrapped presents.  But last night they decided to see which ones were for them.  Listening to them from my bedroom, I couldn't help but smile. . .well, actually laugh as their conversation unfolded.  "What does this mean?  It says 'To: 4'--who's that?"  "I don't know!  This one says 'To: 72'--that must be for me."  "Oh, this wrapping paper must be for Schaeffer so he's probably number 4."  "Wow!  There's a lot of presents for 72!" "There's even a 67." "Mom, how are we supposed to know who these presents are for???"  Then it was my turn to smile, "It's my secret code."  As the searching and guessing and excited questions continued, I felt my heart swell at the excitement growing in my oldest two children.  Lindy even said later, "Before I looked I really didn't care, but NOW. . .it's driving me crazy!!"  And believe me, we had her in mind when we created "the code"--it had to be uncrackable by these two sharp minds. :)  I think we've got 'em!  And now MOM can hardly contain herself at the thought of Christmas morning fun.  I know Christmas isn't all about the presents, but the joy I feel at knowing how much my children will enjoy what their daddy and I have bought for them reminds me of the joy my heavenly Father must have felt that day so many, many years ago when He sent His only Son to be our Christmas gift.  Now, how will I feel if one of my children rejects a gift I valued enough to buy for them?  Nothing close to the sadness and disappointment God must feel every time someone rejects the ultimate, sacrificial gift--His Son, Jesus.  In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I want to take time to remember the awe I first felt when I began to understand God's gift for me.  Let's not get so "wrapped up" in gifts that we overlook the Gift that is still changing our lives!  Enjoy the festivities and let's agree to keep Christ as our focus this Christmas.