Christmas Countdown: Be Very Blessed

Day 24: Be Very Blessed

"On this Christmas Eve, take a moment to write down all the people and things for which you are grateful.  You'll feel restored in the meaning of life."

People

God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit

Mom, Kim, Dad

Danny

Josh, Lauren, Tabitha, Cary

Addy

Grammy & Poppa Bob

Papa Campbell

Grandma Pearl & Papa

Aunt Janice, Uncle Russ, Erin, Jeff, Amanda, Lindsey

Uncle Jon, Amber, Jovie, Colton

Auntie Jo, Uncle Mike, Fiona, Rowan

Aunt Jena, Uncle Rat, June, Milo

Aunt Cat, Jamie, Breann, Dustin, Allie, Jaclyn

Nicole, Matthew, Braden, Ashton, Rylea, Mason

Aunt Lisa, Doug, Candice, Trinity

Uncle Jimmy

Uncle Terry, Aunt Sue, Ken

Tiff, Eric, Ava, Macy

Uncle Jeff, Jude, Dustin

Aunt Nancy

Nick, Gwen, Keigan

Jeff, Mele, Ezra, Ezekiel, Elisha

Dave, Lindsey, Deegan, Iris

Luke, Orion, Hazel

Heather, Sam

Erin, Michelle, Kelsey, Jannie, Sarah

Pastor Cody, Pastor Jaina, Jude, Justus

Tiffany, Daniel

LeAnn, Jenna

Meagan, John, Zoe, William, Mary

Leslee, Wayne, Kaylee, Kara

May, Tony, Tirzah, Talia

All the Children's Ministry Volunteers

All the kids in the Amazing Grace Sunday School

All my preschool kids and their families

Culver Christian Church

All my Facebook friends (and yes, I know them all)

Those people who have passed away or I've lost touch with that have changed my life forever

Animals

Cats: BJ (who died this morning), Chaos, Mayhem

Dogs: Pocket, Sydney, Desoto, Charlie

Goats: Marigold, Poppy, Petunia, Pansy, Lilly, Periwinkle, Daisy, Billy & the 2 little nameless bucks

Sheep: Rambo, Stephanie, Rosemary, Saffron, Licorice, Willow, Clover, Sage & their lambs

Horse: Cinder

Cows: Frost, Sunshine, Taco, Spaghetti, Meatball

Geese, Duck, Chickens

Rabbits (they have names but I can't remember them all)

Llamas & Alpacas: Shorty, Nifty, Bentley

Things

The Family Farm

My car the color of dirty asphalt

Heaters

My preschool

Service

No sales tax

People who pump my gas

Laughter

Church

Freedom

Travel

Different cultures

My job

Work

Rest

Vacation

Life

Love

Sacrifice

Salvation

Now it's your turn.  I'd love to see your list.

Christmas Countdown: Wander, Wonder

Day 23: Wander, Wonder

When I first read this title I read it as "Wander Wonder."  I thought is was about the wonder found in aimlessly wandering around the neighborhood contemplating everything and maybe nothing all at the same time.  The wonder that comes as you realize you are somewhere else, but maybe don't remember the journey there.

But it really says, "Wander, Wonder."  Two separate thoughts.  First you wander.  Then you wonder.  Like maybe you come to a spot on your journey before it ends where you stop and wonder.  Where you wonder about the possibilities to come.  Where you wonder about things that could have gone differently and what effect that would have made on your journey.  And then you wander some more.  Always stopping to wonder about the beauty around you.  Wondering how those little things can take your breath away--the hoar frost clinging to barbed wire, a freshly fallen blanket of snow, a kitten's purr.  Wondering how all of these things can be beautiful in a world filled with so much that is ugly.  Wandering some more before coming to a spot that leads you to wonder about the Maker of that beauty.  Wondering how He could have known all this would happen and still want to be with us enough to go ahead with His plan.  Wondering at the way He chose to have His son, the Redeemer of the world, be born in a stable.  The way He was willing to sacrifice His son to pay for the ugly filth that fills our lives.  The way He makes everything beautiful.

I wonder as I wander.

Christmas Countdown: Save Face

Day 22: Save Face

I don't send Christmas cards.  Not the I've never sent them, it's just a every five years kind of a thing.  I want to send Christmas cards.  I just don't.  However, I LOVE to get Christmas cards.  I start looking for them at the beginning of December.  I open them, read them, look at the pictures to see how everyone has grown, and plan on where they will fit on that year's page in the Christmas scrapbook.  Then I hang them up and we talk about the new ones at dinner--who they're from, what those people are doing, memories we shared with them.  And with each card I open, I wish that I was better at sending Christmas cards.  I wish I could give that little easy gift to everyone that's given it to me.

For those of you who are like me, it's not too late.  Or maybe you sent all your Christmas cards only to get one in the mail and realize you forgot to send a card to that person.  Don't worry.  There are lots of sites that will let you send a personalized e-card.  It will be delivered today (assuming of course that you send it today), and it doesn't cost postage.  You can save face.

Nope, I won't be sending any e-cards either.  Consider this my "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" card to all of you.

Christmas Countdown: Light the Night

Day 21: Light the Night

Happy shortest day of the year!  I know, I know most people don't celebrate it.  In fact, if you're like me you're going to be spending today doing last minute Christmas stuff and wondering how on earth it's all going to get done in one day, let alone one short day.

Well, I'm here to tell you that there is hope.  The sun is shining right now, isn't it?  I guess it depends on where you live, but it's shining here.  So go outside.  Bundle up if you are around here because it's well below freezing.  Take a walk before the sun sets, which will be late afternoon.  And then once the sun does set, make the most of your candles and Christmas lights.  I'm going to try to get Danny to drive me around after dinner looking at all the lights.  After all, it isn't everyday we get this many hours of night.

Christmas Countdown: Curtail Sores

Day 20: Curtail Sores

I hate cold sores.  I've gotten them all my life as can be documented by almost every school picture I've ever taken--including those as a teacher!  I've tried everything imaginable: lysine vitamins, these disolvable Rhus Tox pills from the health food store, Abreva, Carmex, tea tree oil...but I've never tried myrrh oil which is what today's calendar square says to try if you get a cold sore.  Dab it onto the cold sore three to ten times a day until the sore is gone.  Then let me know how it works.  I'll rush right out to buy some.

Christmas Countdown: Dust off a Lawn Chair

Day 19: Dust off a Lawn Chair

When the days start getting shorter, the temperature starts to plummet and frost clings to branches most of the day, I want to go into hibernation.  Luckily in Central Oregon, it can be 20 degrees outside and the sun will still be shining.  No chance of developing SAD around here.  And for the past few days it's been about 50 in the afternoons with the sun shining and no wind.  That's pretty toasty.  It means I don't have to bundle up at least, which is what today's date says to do.

Instead of hibernating, which the winter weather often encourages us to do, get outside.  Even sitting quietly for just a few minutes gazing at the stars on a clear winter's night, or watching the birds hunting for leftover seeds in your yard is all it takes to regain composure and face whatever awaits back in the warmth of your home.

Of course, when I go sit on the steps outside to watch the wildlife around me, I'm surrounded by four dogs, a cat, the horses or cows are neighing or mooing, the chickens are scratching and clucking to themselves, the hawks are swooping down to catch a mouse, and, if the goat in the pen near the house sees me, she'll start maaing.  It may not be quiet, but it is still relaxing.

Christmas Countdown: Scent for Company

Day 18: Scent for Company

I love to have people over.  I once read a quote in a magazine that said that hospitality is making your friends feel like family and your family feel like company.  My dream to have a house where people know they are welcome to stop by at any time and just make themselves at home, but that is special enough that my family knows they are valued as well.  I want the house all the kids come hang out at and that's ready to host parties and Bible studies at a moment's notice.  As soon as I have it, I'll invite you all over.

Today's calendar square recommends having some yummy smelling stuff simmering on the stove.  Then, even if you didn't have time to bake, your house still smells inviting--without some of the fake smelling plug-ins that are out there.  A disclaimer from the start: DO NOT let the pot boil dry.  Bad things will happen.

Here's the recipe:
2 cups water
1 tablespoon each (or even just pick one): cinnamon, bay leaves, sage leaves, rosemary, lavender
Let simmer on low in an old pan, taking care not to boil dry.  (You can't say it enough.)

Christmas Countdown: Celebrate the Quirky

Day 17: Celebrate the Quirky

YAY!  Today is a celebration of me!  Ha ha.  Really though, I once had a friend tell me that we are all a little quirky; we all have our own issues.

Here's a paraphrase of how the conversation went.  (I have to paraphrase because it happened many years ago).

Enter in the middle of a typical college girl conversation while walking to our next class.
Leslee: I have issues.
Me: You got new shoes?
Leslee:  No, I said I have issues.
Me: Oh how funny, I was excited that you got new shoes.
Thus was born the saying that we had "new shoes" all over the place.

And it's true.  Each person has certain quirks about them that make them unique.  We each have issues that we are still learning from and growing through.  Why not begin to celebrate them as something positive rather than viewing them as a negative?  Why not begin to notice the quirkiness in others and celebrate it as something that makes them special rather than something that makes them different from us?  Why not focus on the good in those around us rather than what we think should change?

So, this Christmas, when those quirky little things happen, or when that quirky aunt shows up, or when the quirky gift is delivered, document it.  Take pictures, write about it, remember it.  It's those quirky little things that will make your Christmas special, and that you'll miss the most when they're gone.

Christmas Countdown: Imitate Saint Nick

Day 16: Imitate Saint Nick

Laughing is my favorite.  Not just at anything or anyone though.  Stupid humor is well, just stupid.  I don't do those stupid funny comedies.  Dirty humor is usually lost on me.  I don't get the innuendos.  Romantic comedies are like a marriage of everything perfect in the world.  I get to laugh, sigh, and sometimes cry, all in one movie.

I also don't like laughing at someone else's expense.  I laugh at myself more than anyone else.  Sometimes I laugh because everyone else is laughing.  Yep, there are often tears rolling down my face from laughing so hard--especially if my family is around.  There is an exception to my not laughing at other's though.  Sometimes my students are so funny when interacting with their parents that I have to turn my head and hide my laugh.  When those comments are directed at me, I am able to keep a straight face until they are a safe distance away.  It's only when they are no longer in my direct care that I can hardly contain myself.  If you knew my students, you'd understand why.  Here's a sampling of what they've said that has made me laugh (to their face or not).

Ryann: "Why are you dressed like that?"
Me: "It's picture day.  You always dress up on picture day."
Ryann: "Yeah, and on Halloween."

Me: "Sophie, do you have the day off today?" (talking about our classroom jobs)
Sophie: "No, I have the day on."

Me: "We're going to have a substitute.  My mom is going to come in and be your teacher."
Class: "We don't want a mom for a teacher!"

There are stories like that almost daily.  I'm sure you can see why I have a love of laughing.  I just hope my belly doesn't shake like a bowl full of jelly when I do it though.

Christmas Countdown: Sole Stretch

Day 15: Sole Stretch

Today is a good one for me.  I've been up and teaching since about 7:30 this morning--first preschool, straight to sub in a first grade room, then back to my room to get ready for our fun-filled Christmas partying day tomorrow.  So I just got home, sat down at the computer to do a little bit of work, got around to writing and realized that my feet are sore.  The kind of sore that you don't realize until you have a minute to sit down.  The kind that makes me wish it was summer and I had a pedicure at Hair Lines scheduled for tomorrow.

I got one of those pedicures right before school started, September 1st actually.  It was a gift for Administrative Assistant's Day from the church.  I was told to schedule early, but I thought that's because prom was coming up.  I waited to get it for my birthday.  Lori was already booked for a couple of months.  Yikes!  I found out she's always booked, not just for prom.  And, once I went to see her, I found out why.

Normally I like a pedicure in one of those spa chairs, but I always worry about those skin diseases you can catch when they don't clean them thoroughly.  But I don't like the tubs because they just don't feel as nice.  Lori uses a tub with a liner (super sanitized) on top of a massager with all kinds of bubbles and yummy smelly stuff.  Then she massaged my feet in a way I will never forget.  She uses reflexology which I didn't know much about (still don't know much) but it was amazing to say the least.  As she rubbed my feet and calves, she told me what each part was touching and then told me things about injuries I'd had throughout my life.  I had never met this woman before and she was telling me that I had had a lot of ear infections as a child.  Wow!  It was cool feeling the crystallized junk moving around in my veins as it was coming loose.  She rubbed in the lotion and painted a french tip on.  It was beautiful.

Yep, wish I had scheduled a pedicure with her a few months ago.

Christmas Countdown: Light Your Fire

Day 14: Light Your Fire

Remember how I said that I like things to be beautiful?  Well, candles always take something that could be plain and make it extraordinary.  It's one of those little touches that makes things feel special.  I come by my love for candlelight naturally--my mom loves it too.  Actually, when we moved to Oregon and were unpacking her candles and then my candles, it was a little embarrassing to take up a couple of cupboards just with candles.  Votives, pillars, tapers, tea lights and their assorted holders filled the space.  In fact just recently while unpacking a few of the boxes we had never quite gotten around to, I found even more candles. 

So, not only did we make a pact to not buy any more candles until we had used what we had (someday I'll tell you more about those pacts my mom and I make), but we also started burning them--which we used to do all the time, but something about the Oregon air changed us and we stopped--for awhile.  Now we're back.  And since I remember that we have so many, I don't mind having a candlelight dinner every night, even if it is just taco night.  I also don't mind having a candlelight breakfast--it kind of goes with my china teacup.

Christmas Countdown: Rest Your Weary Head

Day 13: Rest Your Weary Head

You're halfway there!  Christmas will soon be here as evidenced by the dwindling paper chain hanging in my classroom.  So go take a nap.  Today's square says, "just lying down in a dark quiet place can help."  They obviously have never tried taking a nap at my house.  Today my nap went okay except for the dog barking every once in awhile as Lauren cleaned her room.  I should mention though that Lauren and Pocket were the only others in the house.

The other day though when I tried to take a nap I had just fallen asleep when my mom walked in to show me a couple of new books she had bought for my class.  How nice of her.  Then she wanted to talk about Danny's new washer and dryer.  Really?  After I had just fallen asleep.  Finally.  With only about 20 minutes of total napping time scheduled.  Oh well, it's nice to know that some people have a dark quiet place where they can nap.

Christmas Countdown: Tie One On

Day 12: Tie One On

Apparently this means something that I don't know.  The picture shows part of a person wearing an apron (over their clothes) and holding a plate of cookies, but the text made sure to clarify that an apron is what was meant.  Any innuendo has been lost on me.

But, speaking of getting in the baking mood, I am.  I walked into the kitchen earlier and thought my mom was making oatmeal cookies.  I was very excited, and oatmeal aren't even my favorite.  Turns out the only ingredient for oatmeal cookies she had on the counter was oatmeal and she was really just making bread.  I know, I know.  I shouldn't be allowed to say, "just making bread," but it happens regularly around here.  And it's always fantastic when it comes out of the oven, and rarely do any of us complain about having to have homemade bread all the time--when we were little now, well, that's another blog post.

Back to baking.  A few years ago I found a very pretty apron at Ross.  I didn't have the money for it that day though, but I planned on saving for it. (No, it was not much, but I have my money budgeted down to pennies, so that I am able to stay debt free).  When I went back I couldn't find one like it, but I described it to my mom as I was flipping through the selection.  She told me not to buy one, just to look through our fabric, pick one I liked and she'd make me one.  WOOHOO!  Free and handmade is even better that "not much." 

I picked out a piece of material that was left over from a Southern Belle costume she had made for me in high school.  I still think it's a beautiful fabric.  She took my measurements, drew a pattern on a paper sack (that's what she's used as pattern paper for as long as I can remember), cut out the fabric, picked out some satin ribbon and lace, and made me a gorgeous apron.  In my opinion life is to short for necessities not to be beautiful.  If I'm going to wear an apron (and if you know me at all, you know I should probably wear one for most of the day) it shouldn't be just functional, it should also be beautiful.  If I'm going to drink coffee, my mug shouldn't be just another mug, it should be something I like.  There are times I'll drink my coffee from a china teacup, just because it's pretty.  But pretty things should also have a function, which is why my china gets used.  Everyday is special enough to make it feel like a special occasion.  I don't need to save those things just for a holiday, or even just for company.  So what if they get dirty or chipped, I got them at a thrift store anyway and there are other beauties just like it waiting to be picked up for a couple of cents.

So go get your apron on (pretty or not), pull out a mixing bowl, bake some cookies (they don't have to be oatmeal), and serve them to your family on your prettiest tray.  Make today a special day--don't wait until Christmas.

Christmas Countdown: Make a Joyful Noise

Day 11: Make a Joyful Noise

Today's calendar square reads, "Grab some friends and go caroling.  Or just pipe up in the privacy of your own home.  Forceful exhalations can help protect the upper respiratory system from infection."

Two thoughts run through my mind as I read this.

1) It would be hard to go caroling around here as you have to walk about a quarter mile between each house.  My neighbors would definitely not expect it.  And once they heard me sing they wouldn't appreciate it much either.

2) Maybe I should let my students scream more so that they don't get sick.

However you choose to celebrate this day, do it noisily and joyfully.

Christmas Countdown: Munch Candy

Day 10: Munch Candy

My mom's biggest worry since we've put the tree up (besides it falling over again) is that we still don't have any candy canes on it.  Every year she buys a couple of boxes of candy canes and we're still using them as decorations by the 4th of July (luckily the colors are patriotic).  We eat them, but not really a whole candy cane at a time.  Our candy cane eating usually goes like this:

1) Mom picks a candy cane from the tree and starts sucking on the straight end.
2) Lauren comes by and asks for a piece so Mom breaks her piece off and hands the candy cane to Lauren who breaks her piece off.
3) I come in and ask for piece, but I only like to eat the hook end (I know it's all the same, but it's that part I like).  Since that's the only part left, Mom hands it to me and the candy cane it gone.

Real peppermint oil provides stress relief though, and helps your tummy if it's upset.  They are also good in hot cocoa (see my post on Drink in Merriment for the perfect hot cocoa recipe).  The real reason my mom says she needs them though is so that if any kids come to our house to visit this month, she can let them pick one from the tree to take home.  I hope lots of kids come so they don't end up as independence day decorations again.

Christmas Countdown: Give Unto Others

Day 9: Give Unto Others

This one is especially important to me as I reflect on the meaning behind the silvery tinsel, twinkly lights, and promising presents.  All my favorite parts of Christmas, all my favorite parts of the season really, are because of a very special gift.  This gift was given to me, not because I deserved it, or because that's what you do this time of year, no, this gift was given because it needed to be given.  This is a gift that came in the most precious of packages, but in the most unexpected way I could ever imagine.  In my lifetime, there is no way I'll ever be able to give a gift like the one I received, and I couldn't even begin to reciprocate a gift of this magnitude.  What I can do is share it.

I wasn't actually there when this gift was given to me, but that doesn't lessen the value it holds in my life.  It was still for me.  It came when a very special young lady was chosen for her willingness to serve God.  Regardless of the way it would ruin her reputation, her relationships, everything she had ever known, she chose to give herself and her future to God.  I cannot imagine having to tell my fiance, my family, his family, my friends, everyone, that I was pregnant.  It wasn't like today.  It's not like she could just take care of "the problem." 

The next part of the gift came when a man, who didn't really understand what was happening chose to believe what he had been told and marry his fiance regardless of that fact that she was pregnant and the baby wasn't his.

Then at an extremely, largely uncomfortable stage of the pregnancy this couple had to walk to their king ordained vacation destination.  It was his hometown, but she had never been there before.  She wasn't sure what to expect from this place where her baby would more than likely be born.  And she was VERY pregnant.  After the long and tiring journey they took to give me my gift, there was no where for them to stay.  Hotel reservations weren't just a mouse click away with name-your-own-price options.  There simply wasn't a room anywhere in town.  But one of the hotel owners took pity on this young mother waddling from door-to-door and offered them both room in his barn.  (This may sound weird to people living in the city, but I have hidden gifts in the greenhouse, shop, barn, tack room--some things just don't fit under my bed.)  I'd like to believe he even threw down some clean straw for them.  I would if I had to put someone up in my barn, I mean, I do it when the animals are going to have their babies, I'd definitely do it for people.  Then I'm sure he apologized once again and left the couple to settle in.

It was while they were staying in the barn, waiting their turn to check in for the census that my gift came.  They wrapped him in some cloths, pushed the animals away from the feed trough and pulled it over by them, fluffed some of that clean straw into it, and laid him down while his mom rested and his step-dad cleaned everything up.

He had some visitors, but only those who knew where to look for such a special gift.  It's like the gifts that I hide in those places around the farm--no one looks for them until I tell them where to look, because they aren't expecting a present to be there.  So, I'm telling you where to look.  I've enjoyed my gift for most of my life, but not everyone knows that they can look in a barn for their gift too.  Take the time to look.  My gift didn't end there.  That baby that was born for me, grew up, and then he died for me too.  Look for your gift.  Look in the stable.  And then look on the cross.  He's not there anymore, but his gift still is.  Look for what he gave you.

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

John 10:10 (NKJV)

Christmas Countdown: Drink in Merriment

Day 8: Drink in Merriment

Ahhh.  Cold winter days mean the beginning of hot cocoa weather.  I love that this day spouts the goodness of chocolate.  Apparently dark chocolate reduces blood pressure.  I knew there was a reason chocolate is one of my main food groups--I thought it was the flavinoids my body craved.  And I realize it's only one ounce of dark chocolate a day to reap the benefits, but there are lots of ways to measure an ounce--squares, chips, pieces, drops, powder--chocolate is chocolate no matter how you measure it.

For those of you whom I have never had the privilege of sipping cocoa with in one of my comfy old chairs, I'm going to share the secret recipe for the perfect cup with you.  You may actually read it on your cocoa carton, but mine will be a little different because mine is the tried and true method.

You will need your favorite mug and a small saucepan.

Fill your mug with milk.

Pour the milk into the saucepan.

Turn the heat onto medium and add one spoonful of sugar (you can add more later if it's not sweet enough for you) and one spoonful of cocoa powder.  (Think the kind of spoon you eat cereal with, not a measuring spoon.)

Whisk constantly, slowly will be fine, until mixture is hot.  I like mine just boiling so that I can hold it for a minute while it cools but it's not too cold to drink.  Add a splash of vanilla (or use vanilla sugar instead of regular).

Carefully pour your hot cocoa into your mug.  (I suggest doing this over the sink.)

Taste it to see if you need more sugar.  Some like it hot, some like it sweet.

You will never go back to a packet of cocoa again (unless of course you're stranded somewhere and it's freezing and packaged cocoa is all that is being offered to you--then it's okay to settle).

You can adjust the amounts of sugar and cocoa without ruining it, but the cocoa does have to cook or it won't stir in well.

If you like, try adding a dash of cinnamon to the cooking/stirring cycle.  Top it with whipped cream (cool whip will not work as it will melt into a weird substance resembling an oil spill on the top of your cocoa).  Add some marshmallows.  Mix it up.  Drink in merriment.

*Note: The contents of your cup could be very hot.  I am not responsible for any burns inflicted while making or drinking your cocoa.  Also, it is normal for a film to form when your cocoa sits and begins to cool.  Take it off if you don't like it.  Stir it in if it doesn't bother you.  It is also normal for the cocoa to settle to the bottom if for some reason you have to put your hot cocoa in the fridge overnight.  Stir it, microwave it and stir it again.  It's still good.

Christmas Countdown: Reach Out to Others

Day 7: Reach Out to Others

By others they mean long-lost friends, or the greater community through fun holiday events.  Central Oregon is great at those community events.  Towns have their Christmas parades and tree lightings.  Culver is hosting a Sharing Tree which they do every year.  Families in need within the community apply and the presents the kids want are listed on tags and hung on a tree at a local market.  People then pick the one they want and buy the Christmas presents to give a local child a Christmas.  But there are tons of ways to get involved.  The schools are doing a canned food drive to give those same families a Christmas meal.  Everyone pitches in and sorts the food by type.  When they are done the tables are more organized than supermarket shelves.  Then people pack the baskets into complete meals, put the extras in the food bank for use throughout the next few months, and deliver Christmas to the families in our town that wouldn't have it otherwise.

It's easy to get involved.  So reach out.  Reconnect with that friend you've let too long go between phone calls.  Participate in a community event.  Try something new.  Take a class.  Get outside of your normal--whatever that is for you.

Christmas Countdown: Smell the Season

Day 6: Smell the Season

I love when I walk into the house and the smell of fresh pine is in the air.  It's like walking through a forest only I can be toasty warm and don't have to deal with wildlife (translated bugs, spiders and their webs, and this inherent fear I have that I will someday meet a bear).  It's why we HAVE to have a real Christmas tree. 

This year, though, I put up my first fake tree.  It was a wonderful blessing donated to our preschool classroom so that the kids can hang the ornaments they make and put the presents under as they bring them in.  I never knew anything about a fake tree other than that they don't have a smell and I didn't want one.  As I started taking it out of the box I was surprised to find that it came in pieces.  Now I was aware that I was opening a three foot box and that the box said it was holding a six foot tree, but I kind of expected it to be like one of those cans of worms--I cut the tape and out pops the tree.  Instead there were dozens of branches and things that had to be stacked and secret codes that told where to put each piece.  I got the tree assembled but then found that I had to spread each branch apart so that it could look like an actual Christmas tree.  I did that, carried it to the corner and wrapped the lights around it.  It didn't look like an actual tree, but once the kids ornaments are on it will pass as a Christmas tree.  Then I went to clean up the box and found that there were needles everywhere.  So, I have a fake Christmas tree, without the smell of Christmas but still all the mess.  I don't understand the purpose of a fake tree.

Christmas Countdown: Dig Out the Holiday CDs

Day 5: Dig Out the Holiday CDs

The day after Thanksgiving rarely means shopping for me.  Instead, it marks the day when radio stations start playing Christmas music all the time.  In our area, Light 95.1 plays it.  KLove has a special spot on their website where you can listen to their Christmas music.  It's a great thing.  Christmas music just puts me in the mood to wrap something, buy something, decorate something, bake something, do crafts and sip something hot.  That's my version of hibernating.  I even save some of the songs that most people sing now (think "Jingle Bells" and "Frosty the Snowman") to teach to my kids in January when we're learning about snow.  It's my way of stretching Christmas out just a little bit longer.

Everyone has certain songs that make Christmas for them.  I don't think I could celebrate Christmas without Bing Crosby.  Not only does he have a great voice for singing Christmas carols, and not only does he star in some of my favorite Christmas movies, but I'm going to let all of you know a little known secret--he's my celebrity crush.  I do realize he is dead (which makes Danny happy to let me have this crush), but I can watch him in black and white and listen to him sing "White Christmas" like no one else can, and it just doesn't matter.  We have a couple of his Christmas CDs and yesterday while putting up the tree Kim realized that our favorite was missing.  I actually think we had this problem last year too.  Cars were searched, every Christmas CD case checked (and we have quite a few), we went through my CDs-- but it is gone.  We thought about burning a copy from the computer but then Lauren realized we didn't have the whole album saved on there.  We ordered a new copy.  Hopefully it will be here by Christmas.  After all, you can't have Christmas without Bing.

Christmas Countdown: Jot a Note to You

Day 4: Jot a Note to You

Dear Me,

I just wanted to let you know that you live a very blessed life.  You should remember to be more thankful. 

You have a job you love with 12 of the cutest preschoolers in the world who love you.  You work in an office where the people really do want to reach the community for Christ and where they try to give you anything you ask for that will help you get your job done faster, better, easier, etc.  There is an elementary school willing to work around your schedule just so you can pick up more hours.

You have a great ministry with more adorable kids than you can count and lots of wonderful volunteers to help shoulder the workload.  Your pastors support you in all of your changes and ideas and are willing to give you the resources so you can to make those plans happen.

You have friends who have been with you through life and death.  They are there for you no matter how lousy you feel, how happy you are, or how grumpy you are being.  They are there for you even when you have let them down and weren't there for them.

Your family is one of the best around.  Who else would put up with you 24 hours a day?  Not only that, but how many adult siblings can live together and with their parents in relatively perfect harmony?  Yes, it helps to have individual rooms and bathrooms, I'll give you that.  Plus your mom is a good cook and Kim does a good job at keeping everything running in your car.  Not to mention that you get to live on the most beautiful farm around.

Danny gets his own paragraph.  It's true that your family puts up with you all the time, but they have to.  Danny chose to.  He's pretty special.  You should definitely hold on to him.  He treats you so well and puts you first all the time.  He cherishes you and is willing to protect you even when you don't know that you need protected.  He looks out for your well-being.  How did you ever live without him all those years?

Now for the most important: God.  There isn't room to write what He's done for you, but He did give you eternal life and He has been with you every step of the way since before you were even formed in your mom's womb.  He has a purpose for your life that is bigger than you can see.  His plans for you are good and you can put all of your hope in Him.  He will never leave you because He is faithful even when you aren't.  He never stops loving you.  He never even considers it.

So you see, Jenna, you have a wonderful life.  A blessed life.  A life worth living every day without taking one of those days, one of those people, or one of those opportunities for granted.  Go live it.

Love,
Me

P.S.  The BHG calendar said to promise you a massage when the shopping is done, but since I don't believe in lying to you I thought I'd leave that part out.

Christmas Countdown: Let Lips Linger

Day 3: Let Lips Linger

I've never had mistletoe.  I've always eyed it at the tree lots though.  It's one of those things that in romantic movies you just find yourself under with the man of your dreams (or the man who will soon fill your dreams depending on the movie) and you're swept away in one of those "Never Been Kissed"/"Princess Diaries" kind of kisses where everything else fades away and your foot pops.  It's probably a good thing that I've never been caught under the mistletoe with expectations like that.

Here's how my mistletoe experience would probably go.  I would have to buy the mistletoe.  I would have to find a place to hang the mistletoe.  Then if the man of my dreams ended up under the mistletoe at the same time I was there, right when we went to kiss, the mistletoe would fall on our heads.  Kiss ruined.  The story would still be a good one though.

The BHG calendar says that studies about kissing (I'm now wondering who participates in studies like that and if they are advertised in the Classifieds like sleep studies are) show that "couples who smooched often are eight times less likely to feel stressed or depressed."  And after rereading it, it does say surveys and not studies and it even narrows it down to one survey.  Funny how in my mind it became multiple kissing studies.

Well, this is the first year I've ever had someone to meet under the mistletoe.  Maybe I'll grab a sprig and hang it somewhere at Danny's house.  After all, who am I to argue with scientific studies?

Christmas Countdown: Wrap Happily

Day 2: Wrap Happily

I admit that there are times I'm the "throw it in a gift bag and stuff tissue paper on top of it" kind of a wrapper.  However, I was reading in a Rachel Ashwell book (she founded the Shabby Chic line and wrote a whole book about Shabby Chic gifts) that her belief is that the wrapping is as important as the present.  I believe this to be true.  I am one of those openers that takes a long time as I savor the fact that I am getting a present.  No ripping the paper.  Just taking my time to enjoy the experience.  There are hours of VHS footage of me on my third birthday opening my presents, not because I had received tons of gifts, but because I opened each gift as though it was my only one.  Some things are not outgrown, and needless to say, I am the only one who enjoys watching that video.

I have determined to do better at wrapping.  I am not the kind of person who will have all matching presents under the tree (although I admire the photos of those trees).  Instead, my goal is to make sure I have enough time before a present is needed to give it the attention it deserves.  Rachel Ashwell looks for vintage linens to use to wrap the gift and ribbons and silk flowers that can be perked back up with a little steam to adorn the packages.  I haven't gotten there yet, but I do keep my eye out at Thrift Stores for fun baskets to wrap gifts in that the person receiving the gift will be able to re-purpose.  After being re-inspired to make the wrapping as much a part of the present as the gift, I went through and reorganized our wrapping closet.  I know that if I have to take the time to dig through ribbons as they are overflowing the box, or if things are falling on my head to get a shirt box out, I will go with what's easy--hand me the gift bag!  So I took about an hour and went through what we have.  Here's how it turned out:

No longer do bows spill out of an overstuffed box or out the side of a ripping bag.  The ribbon is in sandwich baggies sorted by color.  (Yes, the rumor that I was going to organize them by colors of the rainbow is true, but I knew no one else using the wrappings would put them back so I nixed that idea.)  One drawer holds scissors, tape, pens and tags.  Those little boxes that just don't stack nicely went into an empty dresser drawer right next to the half of the closet that stores the wrapping.  Christmas themed bags, boxes and tissue paper are in the box on the shelf to be taken down now that it is the Christmas present wrapping season.  My goal for the closet rod part is to have a hanging system for my spools of ribbon (They are in the little house right now where they are never used because I won't go over there to get them to wrap a present.  It has to be easy remember?!). 

The countdown says to "avoid wrapping packages on the floor, which strains the neck and lower back.  Stand on a mat in front of a countertop and wear comfortable shoes."  It's obvious to me that people who wrap presents this way don't have spies in the house.  You know, those people who are going to be receiving the presents and do everything within their power to "happen" to find out what they are getting.  I live with many of them.  Countertops are out.  My next great idea was the desk in the guest room (where the wrapping closet is).  It would be perfect.  And it's easy because it's in the same room.  You know what happened right?  It's where I'm sitting and typing right now.  I was going to take a picture of what the desktop looks like to include in this post, but I forgot.  No, I really did forget.  Suffice to say that I could wrap a box of jewelry and that's only because the desk has a pull-out for a keyboard and I have a laptop.  So, unless I clean off this desk within the next few days, I will be wrapping on the floor--and I'll be barefoot.

Christmas Countdown: Start a New Tradition

I read that the advent calendar started in Germany in the early 19th century.  Ranging anywhere from chalk marks on the door to elaborate gift creations, bad chocolate filled cardboard boxes or construction paper chains people like to mark the days until Christmas. The countdown to Christmas for me starts right after Thanksgiving.  Okay, maybe before, as I like to be mostly done with Christmas shopping before November, but I try to make myself wait until after Thanksgiving to start counting down--December 1st if I can wait that long.  When I was little Thanksgiving and Christmas were FOR-EV-ER apart.  I didn't even realize how many days as it just s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d on and on.  As an adult though I discovered that they are only a month apart.

I stumbled across a countdown published in Better Homes and Gardens I think last year.  I kept it because it was a grown-up version of an advent calendar, listing different ideas of things to make the season special on each of the 24 days leading up to Christmas.  Since I have not blogged in an embarrassingly long time, I decided I would give myself the 24 days of Christmas and use their ideas as a jumping off point for topics to share with you.  It may or may not work.  I'll just get that disclaimer out of the way right now.  So, with that said, let's start.

Day 1: Start a new tradition
The calendar then lists ways to start new traditions, but you can come up with your own.  You are a creative person and you know what's fun and meaningful to you.  It made me think of my Christmas traditions. 

As many of you know, I am the oldest child.  Not just of my siblings who have a 6-12-14 year gap, but also of my cousins.  Tradition is important to oldest children.  There have been many times throughout my childhood and even adulthood that I've stopped my family from doing something because it goes against "tradition."  Many of those times I was apparently the only one who knew that it was a tradition.

We used to always get our tree on (or very near) December 15th.  That marked the beginning of Christmas.  We would ride with the girls in one car singing Christmas carols, the boys in the truck doing--actually I have no idea what they do.  We'd go from tree lot to tree lot (or wandering through the cut your own) each kid stopping by a tree until Mom came by to give the yay or nay.  If it was a yay, that child would stay there while the rest of the family kept up the hunt.  Mom would eventually find the tree she wanted and we'd get it loaded up.  Then the decorating began.  Josh would put up the outside lights, Mom and I would do the tree lights.  Kim would run the music.  Then we'd put the ornaments on.  Yep, there's even an order to the ornaments.  I'd unpack and put the wires on.  Bulbs go first--smallest on top to biggest on the bottom.  Lauren got to do the lower branches.  Then the homemade ornaments from 13 years of school--times 3.  Then the vintage ornaments from Kim's childhood.  Memories wrapped in tissue paper--remembered as each layer is uncovered.  Stories retold.  More laughing.  Ugly monstrosities hidden for hopefully another year (like a certain fourth grade poinsettia for instance).  Leftovers usually for dinner as the Santa display is set up, the toy table, and finally Mom putting out the nativity piece by piece right in the middle under the tree.  A reminder of what the whole season and the gifts are all about anyway.  A real memory of the truest gift of all--born in a stable, wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger.  A gift for our family and every family.

Then eggnog for the first time of the season while we watch "White Christmas."  Lauren and I do our rendition of "Sisters," and we watch the twinkling Christmas lights until bedtime--dreaming in technicolor with Bing Crosby carols and choreographed dances in our heads. 

Ah, the traditions of Christmas.  As you can imagine, we have many more traditions.  If your family doesn't, take this year as an opportunity to start a couple--get your oldest child involved--you'll never be able to forget them that way.