Post re-run ... Memories

This post was originally published on December 10, 2011. A couple of years ago, yes. But, still so very true.

Enjoy ...

 

Please forgive the quality of the pictures. These are from the 80s. Even if I were to try to give you some more recent pictures of these amazing people, the pictures would still be fuzzy. Why, you ask? Well, two of them went to be with their Heavenly Father before the "digital age".

Here we are. December 10th. Smack in the middle of my favorite time of year.

Really. It is. Always has been.

I loved the Holidays as a child.

Thanksgiving in Louisville. The longest day ever, but oh so worth it. I didn't watch football back then, so it bored me to tears to have an entire day of waiting to eat the food that was smelling up the house so wonderfully. Football in the background. Smells swirling through my Nana's home. W.A.I.T.I.N.G.

Then, finally the fellowship of family. My aunt and uncles. My cousins. My near 100 year old GrandMomma. My dad. My mom. My little brother. My Nana & Grandpa. Stuffing balls (hehe), olives, sweet gerkins and SHIRLEY TEMPLES. Oh the SHIRLEY TEMPLES.

Christmas at home. The earliest day ever, but I'd venture to say it was also oh so worth it for my parents. It was the one day we could wake them up before dawn. Now that I am a parent, I have a whole new respect for their willingness to get out of bed SO VERY EARLY, just for us. I remember trying to wake my dad up at 4:30 a.m. once. He just nicely told me it was a bit too early. I waited patiently until about 6:00.

We woke them up EARLY. They made us W.A.I.T. while they got their coffee (Of course, I TOTALLY get that now). They wanted to see our faces as we came into the living room. Beautiful, amazing, wonderful memories.

I simply L.O.V.E.D. the holidays.

I still do. Now, I'm the one making them wait while I get my tea.

The only problem with this time of year is how it brings my childhood memories to the surface. They are wonderful. But, they are bitter sweet.

You see, those memories include four people ~ my mom, my dad, my brother and me.

As I sit here today, only two of us remain ~ my mom and me.

I can't help but get a little weepy this time of year. I turn into a big baby. I miss my Daddy. I miss my little brother. I want to wake my Daddy up at 4 in the morning again and have him tell me ever so sweetly that it is just a little bit too early. I want to wait for my Daddy to make his coffee. I want to squeal in anticipation with my little brother as we are both about to climb out of our skin. I want to hug my Daddy and feel his rough fingers as they squeeze me back. I want to see that joy in his eyes as he spends Christmas morning with the greatest thing he's ever done ~ his family. I want to joke with my Daddy and my brother in Louisville as we wait for dinner at Thanksgiving (my immediate family were the only ones who didn't watch football in those days). I want to watch as my brother makes jokes that no one gets but us. I want to watch as my Daddy shows my almost 100 year old Grandmomma the most attention she's seen in a while, as he patiently listens to all of her stories of "way back when", simply because he loves the elderly as much as he loves children and animals.

I want to step back. Just for a minute, please. I want to smell them. I want to hug them. I want to feel their arms around me.

But, I can't.

I just have to accept that and move on.

And, thankfully, God has blessed me with a beautiful distraction.

He has given me the gift of a family of my own. He has given me the opportunity to make those same memories for my own children. I must look forward. Always remember and appreciate the past, but move forward, making memories for my own children.

So, here we are.

I'm making memories for my girls. We are decorating our tree. We are making them Shirley Temples and watching football on Thanksgiving. We are making them wait just a bit longer on Christmas morning as we fix our hot tea.

And, we're making new memories for them.

We're taking them to The Nutcracker Ballet. A real ballet. But, we're reading the book first and listening to Tchaikovsky first, so that they know what they are seeing and making connections on their own.

We're taking them scootering around the Friendship Fountain while listening to Christmas music on the loudspeakers (maybe that's Florida's version of Ice Skating in New York???).

We're taking them to Bethlehem. To see the Roman Soldiers and listen to them demand your taxes. To see the people of Bethlehem, selling their wares. To see and smell and pet all of the animals, goats, sheep, chickens, ponies, horses, donkeys and of course the camel. To see the little children of Bethlehem cooking over their fires, weaving on their looms. To hear the shofar as the Rabbi calls people to the temple. And, to the inn that had no more room. To the stable to see the live baby Jesus.

We're taking them to friends' to celebrate the season with a beautiful Advent Spiral.

We're taking them on Christmas bike parades and Christmas hay rides.

We're helping them make and wrap gifts and making hot cocoa and Organic Egg Nog with nutmeg.

I will forever cherish the sights and sounds and smells of my own childhood memories.

My Daddy.

My Brother.

My Momma.

And, I can only pray that my girls will forever cherish the sights and sounds and smells of their childhood. All I can do is move forward and give them the same LOVE that I always felt from my family.

It's a beautiful time to have a family!

Until next time,

~ Irie Momma

Post re-run ... A day in the life

This post was originally published on May 29, 2011. I include it here not because it has anything at all to do with the Holidays, but because I got some good laughs out of reading it and thought you might need a laugh as well. Moms ~ remember that when your days look like this, even if it feels as though no one is watching and no one appreciates how hard you work, God is always watching. He knows what you do and He is thankful that you do it!

As an update to the information in this post ~ the two cats we now call Marley and Judah were once two of these adorable kittens. I guess we did end up keeping a couple. Oh, but they are the sweetest cats ever!

Enjoy ...

Whew.  

What a DAY Friday was.

I couldn't make this up if I tried.

I wanted to share it with you immediately, but it totally and completely drained me ~ physically and mentally.  By the end of it, there was no "writing" left in me.  Of course, by now, I can't remember all of the details, but let me do my best to share what I can remember. 

Friday is supposed to be our Homeschool Co-op day.  This particular Friday was supposed to be our last co-op for the year.  

Keep in mind, this co-op we've been attending this year is 45 minutes away ... in another city entirely.  Gas is expensive.  But socialization is important.  The girls need that time to spend with their friends.  

It requires a lot of work for us to go. I have to make lunches for all three of us. We have to walk the dog (and get her good and tired to spend the day in her kennel) close enough to our departure time, but with enough time left for Momma to take a shower.  We have to load up and be out of here in time to drive the 45 minutes and hopefully have time to eat our lunch before the co-op starts at 1:00.  

Friday started pretty typically.  I started with my tea ... I skipped my workout (shame shame), but went ahead and began preparing the girls' lunches.  I had no idea what to make for me because our kitchen was BARE ... I mean BARE.  I mean only ingredients for COOKING .. nothing for me to eat.  No salad fixins.  Nada.  

So, I'm trying to figure out what in the world Momma will eat (I would have just gotten one of my Vegan Carribean Tempeh wraps, kale salad and an Honest Tea at my favorite health food store on the way, but we were flat broke and Daddy had just informed me that his paycheck was about $250 less than expected ... the start of the GOOD NEWS of the day, I guess).  While I'm trying to come up with something for me, the Princess informs me that she doesn't feel well.  Her tummy hurts.

A few minutes later, the Hippie informs me that she has accidentally pulled the towel rack out of the wall in her bathroom.  Not just a towel rack.  It ripped a HUGE whole in the wall.  Fabulous.

I begin to wonder if we should go.  It's the last day of co-op.  Most people have summer fever at this point and aren't coming much anymore.  The Hippie hasn't knitted enough on her hat to finish it today in class anyway.  There's not even anything planned for the third hour for the girls.  The Princess doesn't feel well.  Gas is expensive, we're on empty and I don't have the money to fill up (really).  I have nothing for lunch.  Maybe we should just take the day off.

But, the Hippie really wants to go.  Insert Mommy-guilt.  She wants to go; I should take her.  

Back and forth.  I eventually decide that we'll just stay home.  We'll run to the store, stop at the library and pick up a movie for the three of us and just snuggle up at home.  Take it easy.

HA ... little did I know.  

Okay, the girls are okay with this plan.  Excited about a girlie movie with Momma.  

But, we have to walk the dog first.  If not, she'll poop in her kennel while we are out (she's a royal pain in the #@!, though I love her).  

So, we head out at about 10:30 am for our usual morning walk.  I'm not planning to "huff it" (for exercise).  I don't even have my tone-up shoes on ... just flip flops.  Let's just get the dog to do her business.  

We get to the end of our street and take a right.  Like every day.  We are crossing the street when the Hippie notices a small animal crate.  "What's in the crate, Momma?  Can I check and see?"  

"Sure, honey.  Let me pick up this poop." (the dog had done her business pretty quickly)

"MOMMA, IT'S KITTENS!!!!!!!!!!"

"Great" (to myself)

I head over to check it out, and sure enough, there is a Momma Cat and a PILE of kittens inside this small crate.  Can't tell how many, but a big ball of fluff.  

Wonderful.

I ask the guy nearby who is doing yard work if he knows anything about it.  Nope.

I ask the cute couple coming out of their apartment to get into their car about it.  Nope.

I ask the electric company worker about it.  Nope.

No one left to ask.  Yep, someone dumped this poor cat and her babies here.  

Fantastic.

If you know me or my family, you know that we are NOT going to leave them here to die.  This means, I now have the responsibility of finding homes for all of these kittens and the momma cat.  

"Well, we have to walk the dog first.  Let's just head up to the bridge and back and I'll grab them when we get back."

"No, we can't keep any of them.  We can't afford it right now."

The girls are IN LOVE.  Uber excited.  Naturally.

Momma's racking her brain for people who might want kittens.  Trying to figure out how to tell Daddy.  He, too would NEVER leave them (or any animal) to die.  But, he is adimant about us not getting another cat until the one we have dies.  He doesn't want more than one anymore.

Let me give you a little background.  

Three months ago we had four pets ~ two dogs and two cats.  

Our beloved Faith (14 year old Rotta-Mutt that Daddy and I got when she was 5 weeks old and we'd been together just over a year ... that Momma & Daddy loved dearly ... was our first "baby") died in February.  Well, we had to pay over $300 for tests and x-rays and ultimately put her to sleep.  Not a happy day.

A couple of weeks ago, one of our cats got sick.  I first noticed that he was VERY skinny.  But, he was "normal" otherwise.  We tried to fatten him up by buying him straight tuna and salmon and mackerel.  We brought him into the back porch so that he didn't have to go far to get to his food.  We watched as he became paralyzed.  First has hind legs quit working.  He would drag them around.  But, still HE was normal (same personality, no pain, no suffering).  We simply could not afford to take him to the vet only to pay several hundred dollars for tests and for them to once again tell us we needed to put him down.  So, we decided to just try our best to nurse him back to health.  And, if not, as long as he wasn't in pain, we'd let him live out his days in the comfort of his home, eating tuna like a King, happy.  That is just what he did.  He never suffered. 

He died Thursday morning.  

Back to Friday.  So, my precious daughters lost their dog, Faith, three months ago.  They lost their cat 24 hours ago.  They actually lost our other dog a couple of years ago ... another story.  So, in their short life, they've lost three beloved pets.  

In comes a super sweet Momma Cat and her six kittens.  Into a family that cannot afford to care for the animals it has (well, we can afford food and we have heart guard and advantage, but we can't afford the vet when something goes wrong).  So, here we have a 6 and 8 year old little girl, in love and excited about a cat and kittens, who just lost their cat, who cannot keep any of these.  Heart-breaking for Momma.  

Anyway, I thought that was it.  

HA ~ wrong again.  

We walk back, all the while I'm planning the conversation with Daddy in my head.  I pick up the crate and start heading home, dog on the leash in one hand, crate in the other, two daughters on scooters and a ton of traffic (oh, did I mention that my sweet little residential street is now a highway and near impossible to walk down?  No?  Oh, well they are doing road work on the main drag, so they've decided to detour all of the traffic coming off of I-95 into our huge city DOWN MY STREET ~ lovely!).  

Kittens are screaming because I'm tossing them around, so I give the Hippie the leash so I can hold the crate more securely.  

The Princess is having trouble carrying both scooters, so they trade.  We finally make it home.

"You guys stay in here with Sweet Pea (our other little dog) while I set up these cats out on the porch".  

I start setting up some food and water and a bed for her, cleaning up, when I hear "Momma, she just peed".

That makes no sense ~ we just walked her.  I come in to clean up the pee and she vomits.  

UGH

I begin to clean up the vomit and she walks away, like a V-8 commercial ~ sideways, disoriented, walking into chairs and the table and the wall.  Drunk Dog.

Terrific.  Something is wrong with the dog.  

I hurry over to see what's up with her.  She vomits again.  She is shaking.  She seems stiff.  She won't lay down.  She's drooling profusely.  The Princess thinks she's going to die now.  

To be honest, I wonder the same thing.

Spectacular. I haven't even had the chance to call Daddy about the kitties yet and now I've got to tell him the dog is possibly going to die.  

Now, I have two piles of vomit and some dog pee to clean up.  A dog that something is clearly wrong with.  A cat and six kittens that I haven't fully fixed up yet.  Two little girls hovering, asking "What's wrong with Sweet Pea?" ...

I know I need to take her to the vet.  I can't NOT take her.  I just can't .  But, remember.  We just learned that our paycheck was $250 less than we expected.  I have just enough for rent.  A vet bill will cut into that. 

Okay.

I call Daddy.  Tell him first about the dog.  Then the cats.  Poor Daddy ~ information overload.  Hah ~ poor Momma.  I'm the one in the trenches, dealing with it.  :=)

I tell him I have to take her.  I'll do my best to keep the bill down.  We'll figure it out.

So, I call the vet.  The girls and I load up in the car with Sweet Pea and head over.

Long story short (hahaha), we spend over two hours there and almost $300 in vet bills (exam, bloodwork, fluids, a couple of injections, a couple of prescriptions and some special food).  The Hippie nearly hyperventilates with boredom (I'm exaggerating here, but she was BORED!!)  I still don't know exactly what caused the dog's "episode".  They tell me she's dehydrated.  They give her fluids.  Her fluids are leaking.  She takes a dump on the vet floor ~ nice one, Sweet Pea.  They have to muzzle her to do anything ~ she's super sweet for the four of us, but is a b#%ch to other people.  

Embarrassing. 

Three hundred dollars out of my rent money.  

Cat and six kittens to find homes for.

I'm STARVING ... remember, I have no food at home other than food I have to cook.  

Sooo, we head home.  The girls eat the food I'd made them for co-op (good thing we decided not to go, haha).  I cook some cabbage and black beans for me.  

It's 2:30.  We haven't made it to the store.  I'm SPENT.  My dog is leaking fluid on the floor.  

I put the girls down for 'quiet time' ~ Momma needs it now more than ever.  I veg out for 45 minutes to a Dr. Phil.  

Then, the thunderstorms start.  The power goes out twice.  Yippee.  Could this day get any better?

How can I make dinner without power?  We certainly can't order out.  Let's head to the store ~ can't do anything here with no power anyway.

The girls and I load up at 5:00 in the evening, in the middle of a downpour (I know ~ poor judgement on my part.  I think my brain was fried by this point.  But, we NEEDED cat food and cat litter for the new cats and Daddy needed contact solution and we needed SOME food to eat).  

We braved the storm and 5:00 traffic (made worse I believe by Memorial Day Weekend traffic) to go all the way to the store.  Got what we needed and didn't get home until 7:30pm.  

My girls, who normally are in bed by 8-8:30, ate dinner at 8:00.  We finally got them to bed and then I made some food for Momma and Daddy.

I splurged and spent the $6.41 to get a six pack of beer.  

I needed a beer after the day I'd had.

Then, I watched the kittens for a bit and just reveled in my day.

A crazy one. For sure.  

But, blessed, as always!  

On a homeschool note, the Hippie just told me a couple of days ago that she wanted to "study cats".  Before I could even get to the library to help her "study cats", God placed a perfect "cat study" right in our path. 

Gotta love life on the narrow path ...

How was YOUR Friday?

Until next time,

~ Irie Momma

Post re-run ... On trusting God and being thankful

This post was originally published on July 16, 2012. May it bless you in some way today and always.

Enjoy ...

I always found it silly that the Israelites continued to doubt God after He showed them time and time again that He was real and that He was taking care of them. First, He gets them out of slavery in Egypt, passing over their families when He took out the first born of every Egyptian home. Then, He parts the Red Sea to let them through when the Egyptians were coming after them. Then, He made it rain bread from Heaven, every single day to feed them when they were hungry.

He showed them repeatedly that He would not let them down. Yet, they doubted Him and feared the future at every turn.

When they first left Egypt, they found themselves in the desert, thirsty and tired. They were thrilled to find running water in Marah, but then quickly turned on Moses when they discovered that the water tasted bitter.

After a month or so, they began to complain about their lack of food, saying that they wished they were still in Egypt. Never mind the fact that God had led them out of slavery; their journey was less than perfect and so they complained.

God blessed them now with Manna from heaven ~ their daily bread, free, a gift from the Creator who loved them and cared for them.

When they came to the land of Canaan, they complained again to Moses that they had no water to drink. You would think that they would have learned by now that God would take care of their needs. As usual, God provided them with cool, clear water that they could drink and drink.

Not long after that, God gave them His Ten Commandments ~ His only wish was that they keep His commandments and in return, He would continue to care for them.

I'm sure you all know that one of those commandments is not to make any idol to worship. God asked something so simple ~ "I am the Lord, Your God, who brought you out of Egypt... You should have NO OTHER GODS before Me."

Simple.

Yet, when Moses took a little too long on the mountain, they grew impatient and weak. Again, they doubted God. So quickly they created that golden calf to worship in the place of God. I mean, really. What was wrong with these people? Were they really that dense that they still didn't get it?

As if that weren't enough, they continued to be ungrateful. God continued to send them their daily bread, Manna from Heaven, but do you know that they eventually complained about that as well? They grew tired of the Manna and wanted meat and vegetables and herbs and fish.

Here they were, being given food on a daily basis, directly from the hand of God, and yet they felt sorry for themselves. They were not satisfied. They were not content with what God had given them.

I've always found it interesting that these people took so much for granted. That they continued to doubt God, who continued to provide for them and take care of them and love them. It has always struck a nerve with me that these people behaved the way they did.

But, isn't it easier to see the wrong that others do (even those who came thousands of years before us) than it is to see what we do each day?

While I've always seen the wrong in the Israelites' behavior, I never equated that with my own daily behaviors.

Think about it. We all do it. God blesses us each and every day with a home to call our own (even if we are renting), food to eat, love of family ... just the simple fact of another day. And, yet, if we aren't careful, we can get grumbly just like the Israelites.

God gives us Manna, but we want vegetables and herbs.

God gives us a home, but we want more space. He gives us food to eat, but we wish we could afford to go out to eat. He gives us happy and healthy children, but we wish they would just listen better. He gives us everything we need, but we still find things to complain about.

The key is to truly find contentment in what you have been given. To know that all good things come from God and that we should be thankful for each and every gift He gives us.

Not only do we need to be thankful, though, but we must remember to trust God. Just as He continuously provided for the needs of the Israelites, He continues to provide for our needs, so there is no reason for us to doubt Him.

Today I am thankful for my home. It has its quirks and it most definitely isn't perfect, but it is a home.

Today I am thankful for my family. My children do not always obey immediately like little robots, but they are two of the kindest and most loving children I know. I get compliments on them constantly. I am always being told how well-behaved and well-mannered they are. I am always being told how kind they are to other children, how they make sure to include everyone in everything. They do listen to me and love me and respect me. They do vacuum the floors and do laundry and clean the bathroom and wash dishes ... and rarely complain about it. They shower me with hugs and kisses and more joy than one person could possibly ask for.

Today I am thankful for my husband. He works hard and loves me more than anything. He treats me like a Queen, even when I don't deserve it. He respects me and truly appreciates and gets all that I do.

Today I am thankful for my mother. I know with complete confidence that she loves me. If it were up to her, she'd talk to me every day. She is a good mom and I am lucky to have her in my life.

Today and every day, I give thanks to God for all of the amazing blessings He continues to bestow upon me.

Today and every day, I remember to trust God. He has gotten us this far, why on Earth would I ever doubt that He won't continue to provide for us on this Narrow Path that leads to Him?

Do you find yourself doubting God? Do you find yourself fearful of the future? Do you find yourself discontent with your life? If so, take a moment to think about the Israelites. Remember that He brought them out of Egypt, He gave them their daily bread, He provided for them. Do not doubt Him. He will do the same for you. Do not get grumbly. Give thanks!

Until next time,

~ Irie Moma

Post re-run ... Books we read aloud this Christmas {2011}

This post was originally published on January 4, 2012. Here are a few books to get your Advent season started.

Enjoy ...

 

 

 

Until next time,

Irie Momma

Post re-run ... On Keeping Christ in Christmas

This post was originally published on January 1, 2013. This is an excellent read as you begin to celebrate Advent with your family this year!

Enjoy ...

******* 

I wrote this post on December 10th. I got busy with some sort of child-rearing or home-making task and decided to leave it for a bit and come back to it to edit and revise if needed. Then, a couple of days of Christmas gift-making got in the way. And then the national tragedy that split my heart in two. And, then I just didn't have it in me. Somehow, we got busy living this thing called Christmas and almost a month went by before I had time to revisit this post. So, although Christmas has passed, here are my original thoughts from three weeks ago. I hope they bless you and your family in some way.

******
I read a blog post recently about how Christians should stop whining about the secularization of Christmas. It did a great job of putting into words many of my own thoughts, so I shared it on Facebook. Along with the "share", I said something along the lines of how keeping Christ in Christmas is up to the individual family and home, not the media or the stores. I also might have mentioned that my own home has been "all about Christ" for two weeks now.

About an hour later, I got a private message from an old friend of mine (whom I love, by the way) wanting to know what I meant. I thought I'd share some of what I meant here.

I could start by giving you the actual, physical examples of how we're keeping Christ in Christmas. I mean, there are things we're doing that are setting the tone. As I said in this post, we have several rituals going ...

As I type this, my seasonal candle is burning. Whenever I pass it and notice the flame, I try to remember to say a small prayer for peace ... in my heart, in my home and in the world.

As I write this, I am listening to Christmas hymns and carols on Pandora. Now, I'm not going to try to tell you that my children don't also like songs like Frosty, the Snowman or ... well, would you look at that. I can't think of another title. Haha. Not to say that we're not also listening to the traditional ones, but as soon as I tried to make that statement for you, the only stuff that came to mind was about Jesus. I just proved my own point ~ we are listening to Christmas music all the time, but we are not just listening to the silly, secular songs. We are mixing it up ~ beautiful songs about the birth of a baby, classical songs from a certain ballet we love, country songs about Christmas and the silly, secular songs. The girls know and love a variety ... and I know their hearts are focused on the right things.

We have lit the Advent candles on the wreath every day since December 1st. And, the girls are tickled pink about the Christ candle, which doesn't come until the 25th.

We have each written something we are thankful for each and every day and placed it into our Jesus stocking. Although these are secret and are to be read on Christmas day, I've accidentally seen things like "Jesus" and "God" and "food" and "family" written on their cards. That makes my heart smile! My children really get it.

The girls have opened the next door on their Advent calendar each day and we've read the next story in our Advent book each night.

We visited Bethlehem. That in and of itself is a totally indescribable experience.

We are reading books every day. We are reading about the story in the Bible, but we're also reading books about animals and inspiring individuals. While not directly Biblical, each book is inspired by Christ and His message. We're reading such a beautiful array of inspirational stuff right now. Again, it centers the focus each and every day.

The girls can't wait to make a birthday cake and birthday cards for Jesus.

They're excited to bake for the neighbors.

They're excited to bake for the homeless and go out and deliver the goodies on Christmas eve, something we've done for the past two years.

I mean, really, there has literally been something every. single. day. to celebrating this season. I think that has a lot to do with our family's keeping Christ in Christmas. Christmas is not just this day at the end of the month that everyone is impatiently awaiting so that they may rip open the presents under the tree. It's a month-long celebration of something beautiful.

So, I think that keeping Christ in Christmas has a little bit to do with what we spend our time doing and just as importantly, what we aren't spending our time doing. But, I think it is much more than that.

Keeping Christ in Christmas has more to do with the spirit of your home. It has to do with what Christ was all about and truly honoring that with everything we do and say. It has to do with a focus on family and traditions and love and fun and relationships and giving, rather than a focus on shopping and me, me, me and stress.

We live in a secular world. Whether we want to or not, we cannot shield our children completely from what the world has to offer. What we can do, however, is to lead them happily in the other direction, down the Narrow Path, you might say (you like that plug?).

The world is all about me, me, me.

You have to work hard to make your home about Him, Him, Him.

The world wants to make money off of this special time and so the commercialism is at its best right now. I don't know exactly how we've done it, but I'm proud to say that my children have grown to be a little bit immune to it. When we discussed what they would want for Christmas, the Princess only wanted one thing and the Hippie said, "I'm really satisfied with what I have. Of course, I always want books and craft supplies. Oh, and some of those silks and scarves for dress up would be nice." (For the record, the Hippie's birthday is two days before Christmas, so she hasn't gotten a gift in a year. I think she's entitled to wanting 3 things. And, she melts my heart when what she wants is more books).

I don't know about you, but I'm proud. They both said that their favorite part of Christmas was the giving. I kid you not. They LOVE to make things for each other and for everyone else in the family. They can hardly wait for Christmas morning, but because they are jumping to GIVE what they've made, not because they are chomping at the bit to receive.

The Princess will tell you that she loves Christmas time because of the "JOY" ~ her words. "It's such a JOYFUL time".

So, how does one keep the focus of this JOYFUL time on Jesus?

Live your life as He would have. Do what He would have done.

  Give ... and get your kids excited about the giving, rather than the receiving.
  Love ... love your family and love those around you, your "neighbors".
  Feed ... feed your family and feed your neighbors and most importantly, feed the hungry.
  Honor ... honor God in all that you do and say, each and every day, but especially now.

For tips on the more practical side of things, especially with children:

Intercept the catalogs when they come in the mail ... before your children get their hands on them. We are all human. We can know that we are satisfied with what we have, but when we see the marketing, we are all susceptible (especially children) to falling for it.

Skip the television. Find some way to ensure that you're not watching the commercials at this time of year. Again, they will work on you and your children, telling you that you need something you don't. But, more than that, all of that "noise" will take away from the quiet and peace that you are cultivating at home.

While you're at it, stay away from the malls and shopping centers. The focus there is all wrong. I realize we have to give some gifts, but there's just no reason to go to those places. Make your gifts or buy them from someone else who made them on Etsy. Or, if it must be a toy or book or gadget, you can shop online, from the comfort of your home ... with those Christmas hymns playing and that candle burning and the Nativity Set a few feet away. Keeps you in a much better place than the feeling you'll get if you venture out!

Start and keep traditions with your family. And, start them early in the season. Enjoy the entire season, not just the day.

Choose quality ~ quality books, quality music, quality decorations. You don't have to be a Santa nazi, but make sure the balance is leaning in the right direction.

Really think about your gift philosophy and talk to your kids about what they have and what they do or don't need. Talk to them about how others live around the world so that they learn to appreciate what they have. Some good gift philosophies for your children might be giving only three gifts (hey, if it was good enough for the birthday boy, it should be good enough for us, right? The Princess still doesn't understand why WE get gifts on HIS birthday anyway). Another possibility that I've used in the past (and I got it from Kara at RockinGranola) is the want * wear * need * read mantra.

Remember, as irritating as it is to watch the world reduce something so special and sacred to nothing but spending and stress and tackiness, it is up to you to keep it special and sacred in your family and home.

As an anonymous speaker once said, "The best thing to spend on a child is your time."

Okay, I know I could just keep going like the Energizer bunny, but I must tend to my own family's enjoyment of the season. And, I'm sure you have things to do as well. Go forth and make JOY.

I think that is the key: Keep God in EVERYTHING. Make it a season about JOY. That is how we keep Christ in Christmas!

In the end, all we can really do is to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with [our] God. (part of Micah 6:8).

Until next time,

~ Irie Momma

Post re-run ... Books we read aloud this Christmas Season {2012}

This post was originally published on December 31, 2012. I hope this blesses your family in time for you to reserve some of these from your library! We really do love our Christmas picture books all December long!

Enjoy ...

The Birds' Christmas Carol ~ My great-grandmother's hardback copy that she got when she was 8 years old ... in 1908.

 The Advent Storybook by Antonie Schneider

This book was just lovely. The stories are super short and all have a beautiful message to hear about God and His love for us. I'll be purchasing this one, for sure!

The Festival of Stones by Reg Down ~ this was a perfect read straight from October through Christmas. It included all of the holidays and seasonal festivals.

Dewey's Magical Sleigh by Brahm Wenger and Alan Green ~ this is a great story about feeding those who are hungry!

All for the Newborn Baby by Phillis Root.

We sang this one and it put the dog to sleep.

There was No Snow on Christmas Eve by Pameal Ryan

The Christmas Donkey by Gillian McClure ~ beautiful story!

B is for Bethlehem by Isabel Wilner ~ Although this is a "Christmas Alphabet", it was just as lovely for my 8 and 9 year olds as it would have been for a kindergartner!

Country Angel Christmas by Tomie dePaola ~ you really can't go wrong with a Tomie dePaola book!

Who is Coming to Our House? by Joseph Slate ~ The Princess read this one several times. Perfect for the animal lover and Jesus lover!

The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale by Aaron Shepard

This is the Star by Joyce Dunbar ~ the girls love these types of stories, the rhythm and the poetry. And, of course, the message.

A Christmas Story by Brian Wildsmith ~ I just love including all of these stories that are based on the Nativity story, but are creatively told from other points of view.

Merry Christmas, Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola ~ again withe Tomie dePaola! A beautiful story of generosity.

 The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg ~ there is also a DVD. This was our "candy cane day" ~ we read the book, made peppermint bark and watched the movie.

Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell ~ a favorite around these parts.

The Donkey's Dream by Barbara Berger ~ so beautiful!

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojcieghowski ~ another one that had a DVD as well. We enjoyed reading this story aloud and then the girls watched the movie.

Winter's Gift by Jane Monroe Donovan ~ a favorite of the Princess all throughout the year.

The Legend of St. Nicholas: A Story of Christmas Giving by Dandi Mackall

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The Christmas Carol retold by Mark A. Taylor (can't find a picture)

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The First Christmas retold by Mark A. Taylor (can't find a picture)

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The Christmas Story Audio CD with the story, verses from the Bible and Christmas Carols (can't find a picture)

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, Illustrated by Douglas Gorsline ~ we read this every Christmas eve.

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And, the books in the book baskets that the girls read themselves, but we didn't quite get to as far as Family Reading Aloud:

DK Children Just Like Me: Celebrations ~ this one was a favorite around here!

The Little Drummer Boy by Carolyn Quattrocki (we did read this one aloud last year)

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston

The Legend of the Christmas Tree by Rock Osborne

The Christmas Story from the King James Bible with paintings by Gennady Spirin

Hanna's Christmas by Melissa Peterson

The Legend of the Christmas Rose by William H. Hooks

A Small Miracle by Peter Collington (we did this one last year and it's really special)

Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck (we did read this one aloud last year)

The Tale of the Three Trees: A traditional Folktale retold by Angela Elwell Hunt

The Story of Holly & Ivy by Rumer Godden (we did read this one aloud last year)

Strega Nona's Gift by Tomie dePaola

Jacob's Gift by Max Lucado

The Story of Christmas words from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, pictures by Jane Ray

The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola (we did read this one aloud last year)

The Gift of the Magi by O'Henry Lisbeth Zwerger (we did read this one aloud last year and we listened to this on audio this  year)

Silent Night illustrated by Susan Jeffers (we did read this one aloud last year)

Good King Wenceslas by John M. Neale (we did read this one aloud last year)

Bright Christmas: An Angel Remembers by Andrew Clements (we did read this one last year)

Until next time,

~ Irie Momma

Post re-run ... Plans for Advent

This post was originally published on November 28, 2012. I pray that these ideas bless your family in some way. Most of these ideas have already begun in our home this year as well.

Enjoy ...

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I don't know about you, but I feel like I need a vacation from my vacation.

We had an AMAZING Thanksgiving holiday.

Truly.

I could not have asked for ANYTHING more (other than for my Daddy and brother to have been with us in more than just spirit).

The family and friends were perfect.
  The food was delicious.
    The laughter was beautiful.
      The joy was contagious.
        The traffic was bearable.
          Everyone made it home safely.

But, now it is back to reality.

Of course, this new reality is an Advent reality, which is SO much better than the usual reality you come back to after a vacation!

Yes, there is laundry to do and there are suitcases to unpack and groceries to buy.

    But, there is also CHRISTMAS to get ready for.

That makes everything better.

I thought I'd share some of our plans for this Advent season in case you need inspiration for your own home. We've already begun to celebrate a few of these around here and the rest will be in full swing come this weekend when we can get all of our decorations out. This list is all that we have planned this month with ideas for how you can do it, too. Read it, enjoy it, make it your own. Whatever you do, do not get stressed out by the list. Just do what YOUR family enjoys doing. This is what WE have going on ...

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The first thing you should do is begin (if you don't already do this) lighting a seasonal smelly candle each morning and as you enter each room. I have candles in "mulled cider" and "gingerbread cookies" and "baking spices" and "pumpkin spice" and things of that nature. As soon as I get my tea in the morning, I light the one closest to me for my quiet time. When I leave that room and enter the kitchen, I blow that one out and light the one in the kitchen. It keeps the home smelling lovely and makes it cozy, warm and inviting. And, whenever you notice the flicker, say a small prayer for PEACE ... peace in your home, peace in your heart and peace in the world.

Next, go ahead and get that Christmas music playing in your home and car. Will it make you crazy after an entire month of it? Maybe. But, your kids will love it and it will get you in the right spirit, even if it IS 75 degrees and sunny where you live. If you don't have any Christmas CDs, borrow some from the library or play one of the Christmas stations on Pandora or the like.

We have already started reading from our massive list of Christmas books (I will do my best to share some of our favorites later in the season, but you can look in the archives for what we read last year). We have not yet gotten out our Christmas boxes (where all the books we OWN are), but I made sure to request about 20 of our favorites from the library before we went out of town for Thanksgiving, so they were waiting on us when we returned. Then, when we got back, I requested about 20 more that are slowly trickling in at the library. Simply place them in a basket in the living room and GET TO READING ALOUD to your children. Morning couch time is perfect for this. Sleep still in the children's eyes, bedhead and pjs make for good listeners. Get them to cuddle up on the couch under a blanket right away (with that seasonal candle burning on the table next to you) and read a few books to them before chores and breakfast. Then, even if the day gets away from you, you've done this one special thing already. Read about the Nativity story, read inspiring stories about love and generosity and peace. Stick to the GOOD stuff and keep your eyes on the "reason for the season" here.

Listen to some Christmas stories on audio at places like www.thestoryhome.com. We've already been listening to them.

Devote your morning Quiet time to Jesus. I mean, that's basically what you do anyway, but I mean REALLY put your focus on Him and His message this season.

Have a meeting with your children to figure out exactly what all you plan to make for gifts for family and make a list of supplies needed. Then, get to the craft store and GET TO MAKING those gifts! The time to ship them is right around the corner! I don't know about your homeschool, but making gifts and reading Christmas books and baking Christmas goodies and listening to Christmas music and doing all the things of the season is our "school" during this time. So, during that block of time you would normally be doing school, MAKE GIFTS.

Get four candles, some greenery and a larger pillar candle for the Christ candle and set up an Advent wreath or similar for your kitchen/dining room table. Make this with your children (if they are old enough and able) and begin to light the candle(s) at dinner each night. Light one candle this week, two candles next week, three the week after and four candles the final week. Save the center candle for Christmas, in honor of Christ.

Get a special stocking and some scrap pieces of paper and pens. Hang this "Jesus stocking" on the mantle (or whatever you have in your home) all alone so that it is special (save the other family stockings for Christmas eve). Each day, write something you are thankful for and place it in the stocking. Then, on Christmas eve or Christmas day, take the stocking down and read what all the family members placed inside all month.

Get to baking. Bake Christmas cookies and yummy bread and other sweet treats and give them to your elderly (or not) neighbors. The children will love the baking itself and the neighbors will feel loved when your children's smiling faces bring them goodies!

Get your tree and your decorations and get to decorating. Play that Christmas music as you and your children bring life to the home. Drink eggnog with freshly grated nutmeg while you decorate. Drink hot cocoa (add some Bailey's for the grown ups if you're into that sort of thing). Go ahead and bake some goodies just for the family.

Don't forget to do your oranges with cloves! The activity is fun for the family and the results are beautiful and smell amazing.

Read books about the real Saint Nicholas. Have your children set their shoes out on the eve of St. Nicholas Day (December 6th, so set them out on the night of the 5th) and then fill their shoes with treats while they sleep.

Get your hands on a catalog from Samaritan's Purse or something similar. Give your children a "budget" and allow them to pick out a gift (or more if you are financially able) for a family or child around the world. If they want to, they can pool their money together to get something "bigger" for someone, or they can use their own amounts to get smaller gifts. Either way, they are learning that Christmas is about GIVING, not about receiving. And, they are learning to appreciate all that they have ~ they can ask for the latest gadget for Christmas instead of a mosquito net to protect them from malaria or for a pair of shoes because they don't have any.

Find a production of The Nutcracker Ballet in your area and go. We are going to see the Nutcracker ballet with our homeschool group for the second year in a row and we are super excited about it. While you're at it, make Tchaikovsky your "composer" this month and listen to him and the Nutcracker at home. The ballet is much more enjoyable for little ones when they recognize all of the songs.

Find out when your town's Christmas Tree Lighting celebration is and go. Ours includes a bike parade, music and dance performances, hayrides, train rides, face painting, craft tables and more. Unfortunately, Daddy has to work that day, but we will hopefully make it over in time for Santa and Mrs. Claus to arrive via sleigh and watch as the community tree is lit. We went to the entire celebration last year and it was lots of fun. We'll be heading out to get our own tree after Santa's arrival and the community tree lighting this year.

Find a live Nativity or a live walk through Bethlehem in your area and go. We have the coolest live Bethlehem nearby that we went to last year and look forward to going to again this year. We get to go to an 8,000 square foot village with merchants, townspeople, artisans, beggars and live animals. There are over 200 costumed cast members that re-create the city of Bethlehem as it might have been on the night of Jesus' birth. There are authentic sights, sounds and smells and we get to walk through and make our way to the manger to see the Christ Child. Seriously awesome! We can't wait.

We will also be attending an Advent Spiral with friends. In this busy season, the Advent spiral is a time to slow down and reconnect with our souls and our inner selves. We will be sharing a meal with friends and the children will be lighting candles around the spiral, reminding us to be a light in the world. The oldest girl will get to be St. Lucia. It is a fun evening, full of both laughter and a quiet reverence. We really enjoyed it last year and look forward to it again.

Don't forget to take a night and go out and enjoy all of the Christmas lights! We love driving around and seeing what all people have done to make their homes beautiful during this time of year.

The last few years we have baked cookies and went out on Christmas eve searching for homeless people to bless. Two years ago we brought along several warm blankets and sweatshirts and socks and delivered all kinds of warmth (of the physical kind as well as the spiritual) to those in need. Last year, we did not have any blankets or clothes, but we still baked the cookies and took them out and delivered them wherever we could find people in need. I cannot tell you the joy on these people's faces to know that someone thought of them during this busy season. And, sharing this with our children is priceless. We will be doing this again this year, but we may get some more blankets and sweatshirts at the thrift store before we head out. We love this tradition.

Bake a birthday cake for Jesus and let your children make Him birthday cards to set out on Christmas eve. The card idea comes from the Princess. She wants to make Jesus a card and leave it out for the Angels to take it to Him (her words).

Of course, in OUR family, these celebrations also include a day devoted to the Hippie. Her birthday is two days before Christmas, so we'll be honoring her as well this season. Decorations will greet her when she wakes up, gifts, family breakfast, a family outing (whatever she wants to do) and a family dinner out.

And, finally .... Christmas morning.

Until next time,

~ Irie Momma