It's Christ's birthday, not ours!

I have been watching Little House on the Prairie during my surgery recovery this past week.  Mark got me the whole series, so I started from the beginning.  In the pilot, the family is going through some hard times and Christmas is coming up.

Charles is expressing his concerns with Carolyn about having no money to get anything for the girls or for each other.   She replies to him, that isn't what it is all about...

"It's Christ's birthday, not ours!"

How true, and yet how often we act differently.

Earlier this month, I read a post by Ann Voscamp at A Holy Experience...it rocked me to the core.  If you have the time, it is definitely worth reading!  It sparked a very deep conversation with my hubbie.

It made us consider... We have SAID with WORDS that it is all about Christ's birth...but have we really proved that is what we believe by our ACTIONS?  Do our kids really understand the meaning of Christmas?

I can't answer for my kids...but I know I miss the mark so often.  My daily FOCUS is about making family memories, about trees and decorations, fun crafts, baking, lights, caroling, etc....
Sure, I read the bible, and we do our family devotions, and teach my kids from the Bible and have a Bible based school curriculum, we teach the meanings of Christmas...but what am I doing?
My ACTIONS...

MY ACTIONS ARE ALWAYS LOUDER THAN MY WORDS,

Good, better, best.  Have y'all ever heard about that principle?  I think it was in Elizabeth George's book, A Woman After God's Own Heart,  that taught me this principle:

  "Good, better, best, 

never let it rest, 

until your good is better, 

and your better best." 

There are so many good things out there.  Is Christ's birthday forgotten in all that good and fun stuff?   Are we getting so distracted by all the good stuff that we sacrifice the better and best?  I know I have.

For instance,  spending time with your family and friends.  I see it all the time on TV and movies...they drill it in that Christmas is all about family, and Christmas Spirit.  Decorating homes inside and out, doing christmas crafts, and making christmas goodies together.  Making memories.  Sharing the Christmas Spirit to all around.  Caroling, and Church Plays... Those are good things.  Anyone who doesn't celebrate these things is a scrooge and needs some Christmas Spirit.

But...maybe there is a better thing, really focusing in on the true meaning of Christmas in the midst of all the holiday shopping and cooking and crafts and such. Get rid of the commercialism.  Right?  Make gifts from your heart.  Don't go into debt.  Spend time with family reading the Bible, focus on Christ's birth, do Jesse Tree devotions, etc....that's better.  These are better things.  This is kind of where we have been for a while as a family...trying not to get caught up in the good stuff, when there is a better way...

Then, I get to thinking, is that my best option?  Is this our best?  Maybe the best thing is to forgo the presents all together.  Make it about giving to Christ for his birthday and not at all about us.  It gets confusing when you SAY it's all about Christ, but then with our actions, put the FOCUS on getting presents on Christmas day.  Really confusing.  We get all the stuff, but what does Christ get?

But how do we give to Christ?  Gold, frankincense and myrrh?  I would have to google to even remember what those are...not to mention who knows where to find those things!  And how do we give to a baby who is all grown up and in heaven now?  No... God tells us we are doing (giving) things to HIM when we do for others. And likewise, we are NOT doing things for Him, when we don't help others.  We can celebrate Christmas by giving gifts to Christ, by serving others.

But then there is a little voice in my head...well it's a big voice really...that says, but what about the children?  They will suffer for not getting all the fun Christmas gifts and stuff.  I will be depriving my children!  I don't know who's voice it is.  Is it my worldly voice, or maybe the voice I imagine others will have for me... "don't take away their fun and magical memories of Santa and gift giving!!! Don't take away their Christmas!!!  What about all the fun memories you have from childhood?  What about Elf on the Shelf, and the House Fairy who is Santa's sister?  My kids know and believe in all these fictional people.  They get excited when they think about them.  Who am I kidding?  I get excited when I see them!   What do I do about all that?

OR Is it my voice of reason that I hear? "I am taking this a little too far.  We can do both.  Give, and get"  Focus on Christ and Santa."  I often think of the movie Steel Magnolias (yeah, I know...really deep and spiritual, right?)  That character that Daryl Hannah plays?  you know the one who goes from heathen, to saved, to super self righteous and praying for all the others who are heathens, and then back to regular average joe christian by the end of the movie.  I wonder if maybe I am turning into a "Crazy" christian by considering taking "Christmas" away from the kids.

Then~ I think of the books I have been reading this year.  God has used these books to make a huge difference in the way that I think and act.  Crazy, Radical...umm...

And I also think, isn't it Christ's birthday, not ours?  I mean...what does it mean to "take away Christmas, anyway"?

If Christmas is really all about Christ...then I wouldn't be taking Christmas away from them at all.
 
I would be taking something that is NOT Christmas away from them.  The voice in my head says, "I think that would be best."

Over the years we have asked what is good, better, and best for our family.  Each year, we find ourselves discovering a better way, hopefully each year understanding and grasping what God has for us as best.  This applies in all areas of our lives, not just Christmas.  Our work, our schooling, our service, our worship, our friendships, our activities...   Each year our Christmas celebration looks a little different.  God, what is Your best way for us to celebrate Your birth, your coming to earth for us?  We try to ask these good, better, best questions every day.

So, as we continue to ask what is good, better, best...this Christmas is going to be RADICALLY different for our family.   CRAZY, some may say.  This week we are going to spend Christmas at two different Soup Kitchens serving others in need.  We are going to donate to those in need across the ocean we will never meet.  We are going to give away treats we have made that we would usually gobble up ourselves.  We are going out of our way to look for ways to serve.  I haven't even gone Christmas shopping for one gift.  It is Tuesday, December 21st.

We still have Santa, and all the fictional stuff.   I can't lie and say I don't love that stuff!  But I get carried away and lose my focus time and time again.  So, it just won't be celebrated or focused on Christmas morning.  To be honest...we are still trying to figure all that out.  Trying to determine which voice we are listening to: ours, others, or God's.  Hear me when I say this: I don't think it's wrong to have fun and to celebrate.  I just think the way my family has been doing it -is mixing two very separate things...and that isn't the best way for our family.

What I do know, is that on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning,  our family will be focusing on Christ and how we can give to Him.  Serving Him.  Not ourselves.  

As Carolyn Ingalls said, "It's Christ's birthday, not ours."

Here's another post by Ann at Holy Experience that is helpful:

So what can you do, if you don't exchange gifts on Christmas?

You can visit Christmas Change for ideas on charity recommendations, and practical steps to grow in Christmas Giving.  There are also lots of inspirational stories from families, suggested curriculum for your kids, and a blog.  I love the focus of the site:

 ChristmasChange is about restoring the magic and wonder to the birth story of Jesus. It's about living the reason for his birth. Live ChristmasChange in a way that restores wonder, not in a way that brings guilt, disappointment, or condemnation to your family or faith community.

Christmas Change from Kujilana on Vimeo.

Christmas Lights!

One of my favorite things about this season is looking at all the beautiful Christmas lights around town.  I think I get just as excited as the kids do.  When Bella sees a display as we are out driving, she exclaims, "Look, it's Christmas!"  Ahh, the wonder of a 3 year old.

Last year, we went to Metter to Guido Gardens, The Nights of Lights celebration.

This year we really started searching for them on the way down to our Florida trip on the week of Thankgiving.  We stopped in St. Augustine, boy is that a beautiful sight.  The entire downtown area is covered in twinkling white lights and decorations.  You have to visit there if you have a chance!

Tonight we are taking the family out for a drive around town to see all the bright wonders.  I can't believe all the work some people do every year to create such a wonderful display. Here are some wonderful ideas to do with your family if you like to go out and look at the lights too!  

Check out this great idea for the MINIVAN EXPRESS over at Shell in your Pocket.  Dress your kids in their Christmas PJs and follow your normal bedtime routine, send them off to bed, only for them to find a surprise GOLDEN TICKET (awesome printable from Confessions of a Homeschooler) on their pillows to board the minivan express!  

Angela's Analysis had a neat twist on the ticket.  You can read about it here.

Pack them into the van, with popped popcorn waiting for them in their seats, and hot cocoa with marshmellows (MMMM...our favorite!).  Don't forget to punch their ticket (in a fun way of course!) and go driving through the town looking at the Christmas Lights.  When you get back home, you could pop in the movie, The Polar Express...or cuddle back in bed and read the book snuggled together.


While your out and about...why don't you give away some Christmas cheer?  The Happy Home Fairy has a great idea to give away a certificate for the BEST DECORATED HOUSE FOR CHRISTMAS!  The joy she spread to one family for their hard work just brought tears to my eyes this morning!  

Simple Sweets

Oh my! Oh my! Oh my!


Since I had my surgery on Wednesday, I have had wayyyyyy too much time online to search for goodies.  I have found more crafts, school projects, and awesome inspiration than I know what to do with...the wheels in my head were spinning so fast...oh the things I had planned!


One of the things that I have been doing is making a mental note of some Christmas goodies I want to make with the kiddos once I can get up and cook for a while.  Which hopefully, Lord willing, will be in a day or two.  {*BTW, I am doing great...thanks for asking:)}

But then I remembered I have a problem with taking on BIG and DETAILED projects, then getting frustrated cause its not the fun and perfection that I pictured in my head!  Most of the time, I don't want the kids "messing it up"...so lots of arguements and tears ensue...

all because of my big plans.  Besides...its a week away from Christmas.  And I am healing from surgery.  Yup...now is not the time to begin CRAZY DETAILED projects.

So this week I am aiming for EASY and FUN...simply making memories with the kids.

 no stress, no frustration.  none of this:

{the martha wannabe in me just sighed :( oh well}

I love the idea of making treats with the family to give away to others!!!  There are so many people out there that I want to say thank you to and what better way to say thanks than to give them sweets made with love?

Take a look at a few of my favorites I found out there in bloggy land.  

Just the easy stuff of course.

Okay first of all... this video is the CUTEST little girl and needs her own baking show!  I plan on letting James and Bella watch her video and then get to work unwrapping some kisses!  Lots and lots of unwrapping kisses :)

Below is the same exact treat, but using different kinds of kisses...peppermint flavor.  
I think it looks awesome.  

And it comes with a cute printable about the M&M Nativity legend.  
Have y'all heard of this legend?  This is new to me this year...its cute and simple.

Click here for the recipe and free printable from My Computer is My Canvas.

Okay here is another treat using the same method, but with Rolos and Pecans... Yummy Turtles the easy way!  I love Janelle's site, Comfy in the Kitchen...she explains everything sooo well and with step by step pictures...I love that since I am such a visual person!  And she uses her talent of cooking as a ministry to the Lord by serving others.  Check it out!

The next yummy treat I would love to make is Peppermint Bark. (also Janelle's recipe, but she guest hosts over at Women Living Well once a week)  Here is the great recipe.  This looks like it would be difficult and time consuming, but is actually very simple!

Last but not least...I want to make a gingerbread "something" with the kids.  Not sure what yet... Look at this nativity set...oh wait, I said "easy" this year.  Thats right.  Well... it won't hurt to just look at it!  It's just too cute!  But I suppose it would be weird to eat the baby Jesus.  

ya know...come to think of it...no one in our house really likes the gingerbread taste very much.  Maybe I should just stick to a simple gingerbread craft instead.  :)


Go enjoy your kids!  Slow down and focus on Christ this season!  

Gold, Frankenstein, and something with an M...

Here are some quick clips of various Christmas stories for or by children.

Enjoy!

This one is absolutely beautiful!  

Narrated by children and explains WHY Jesus came to earth as a baby
as well as a 3 year old telling the Christmas story reading from the Bible.

This one is silly.  Have you ever heard children's versions of the Christmas story?  Too funny!

The next two videos are from one of my favorite Children's Bibles....

The Jesus Storybook Bible

"He's Here"

*Here is the new video for this year:*

"The Light of the Whole World"

Celebrating

Customize your own digital scrapbook

Cutest Nativity Set Ever

Well, I have been looking for a nativity that the kids can play with, and I just haven't found anything that fits my budget and that looks good and will last more than one year...until now!  I just found a great idea~ handmade nativity blocks for the kids to play with! I was reading a blog...and they made these. 

She found the idea from here.  Aren't these too cute? 

 

Now I just have to get Mark to snag and cut some old 2x4's from work...sand them, get some decoupage stuff, paint them and get some stickers or clip art printouts.  I know the kids will love them!  Maybe I will wrap it up as a special gift they can open as one of our Workboxes...yeah, the ideas are spinning round in my head!

Quiet Peace

We had a wonderful Christmas. James was so excited when he woke up. First thing he did was run to see if Santa had eaten the cookies we made for him. Sure enough, there were only crumbs left! James' big gift this year was a bicycle. He was so funny- we saved the bike helmet for his last gift to open..the bike was waiting for him outside. Right before he opened the helmet gift, we sadly mentioned that Santa must not have left a bike this year. James said matter of fact-with no doubt about it..."No, he left it outside" Mark and I burst out laughing. "How do you know that?" Well, last year he left the scooter outside. That is just where he leaves things like that" Ohhh....ok. It is a good thing there was a bike outside! He went on to unwrap the helmet and then ran outside-there was the bike. He is doing really well on it. We spent the day with Mark's mom and family, and then traveled to Savannah to visit with his dad's parents.

------------

I like quiet. No, I love quiet. I long for quiet at all times. I love peace and still moments.
Most of life is not quiet. We live in a very loud world. Even as a young child I didn't like loud noises. When the 4th of July fireworks would go off, I would scream because of the noise. Now, when there is alot of noise...background noise, and foreground noise, and ten different conversations going...I get so flustered I can't think, I can't function. I just long for quiet! And not just a break from actual noise, but from life's noise-busy-ness. I feel like I am constantly going going going all the time. Church activities, homeschool association activities, school trips, planning for school, sunday school lessons, cooking, cleaning, parenting, etc. It seems like an endless noisy chaotic life. And I long for a peace.
One of the things I love about Christmastime is that I find that rest, that quiet time I love. Everyone and everything takes a holiday break. A much needed rest. Businesses close, Churches take a break from regular programs, choirs take breaks, Schools take a break, there are no more coops, club meetings, or anything like that. And I find myself just enjoying life. I get to read a book, spend lots of uninterupted quality time with my family, no where to go, and nothing to do but the things I want...and I realize how much I miss the freedom of doing those things all the time!
I remember when I was put on bedrest when I was pregnant with Bella I had this realization... but now I see that I have busy-ed up my life again! I was forced then to have quiet time with no activities, but now as I have my holiday break, I long for the same quietness that I pleasantly discovered while on bedrest.
So my new years resolution is to seek out more quiet time, quality family time. Enjoy God's presence...being still and knowing that He is God. Being peaceful. Content and Happy. I am very thankful for my many blessings He has given me...especially this season, this moment in my life.
Happy New Year everybody.

Daily Routine

It's Christmas Eve!!! Wow-I can't believe how fast it came. The "Slow as Christmas" phrase must be for the kids...not adults. Mark and I are going into Savannah today. We are done shopping (except for one item for Mark that I will get at Bass Pro Shop). We will probably take the kids into the Winter Wonderland there in the store-BTW, if you haven't been-it's great and FREE! Maybe I will get a better picture with Santa? Maybe not. I won't force it. I need an eye exam and new contacts, hopefully the eyedoc will be open!

Anyway, after we attempt to make it out of the mall alive, we plan on attending a Christmas Eve service. When my family lived in Savannah a few years ago, we attended a beautiful Christmas eve service at a methodist church, so we hope to do that again. Then see some Christmas lights (one of my favorite things to do-also FREE!) Then home to bake a few cookies for santa, and round up some carrots for the reindeer, then off to pretend sleep...then get up after the kids are asleep and wrap all of James and Bella's gifts!!! James asked for a bicycle this Christmas and I can't wait to see his face when he sees it. Yeah, I am getting so excited!!!

Well, my sis asked a few questions after my last post, and instead of answering them in a reply to the post, I figured I would answer them in my blog today.

What does a typical school day look like? Honestly, each day is completely different, and I try to be as flexible as possible, while trying to maintain some sort of basic routine. So you will see my "school day schedule" doesn't really have times assigned to each activity. This is because each day we wake up at different times, and Bella takes naps at different times...so anyway, I hope this gives you a gist of what we do.

OUR DAILY ROUTINE (on a good day!)

• Rise and Shine, put on a good music CD, get dressed/brush teeth and hair, etc
• I make breakfast..............James gets dressed, etc.
• Breakfast and Bible Curriculum (I read the Bible/lesson, while the kids finish eating, then color the related bible picture)
  
• Circle Time for James.........Bella with a toy/manipulative

Calendar
Weather
Songs (Days of week, months of year, and other fun kiddo songs here)
Pledge

• Extracurricular Activity:

Monday- Music and Movement (we do cd's and dance, do motions, etc...I also plan on teaching him beginning theory starting next year)
Tuesday-Arts and Crafts (unit study or Season/Holiday related)
Wednesday- Coop Classes and Church (too busy of a day to do anything else!)
Thursday- Library/Computer Games
Friday- Park/Grocery Store/ Help me bake treats for family night

• I prepare lunch with Bella "helping".... James helps pick up the room/TV on if he was good
• Lunch
• Bella nap....James school:
• Unit Study
  
• Math (workbook)
  
• Phonics (workbook, tablet practice writing)
  
• Unit Study Games/Activities
• Reading/Quiet Time (James rarely takes naps anymore, but he still has "quiettime")
• Science or Unit Study related Video optional
• Wakeup/Snacks
• Free play (outdoors if possible)
• Daddy's home-kids with daddy, I prepare dinner
• Dinner, family devo, bath, reading, kids bed.
  

Ok, well like I said, that is a good day...but of course we don't have good days every day! But that is my routine plan that I try to stick to!

Our Bible Curriculum has been different things throughout the year. Sometimes we just repeat the Bible lesson from Sunday School/Childrens Church. This month has been all about the Christmas story. We open the Bible and I show him where it the lesson is from. He isn't reading, but he knows letters and sounds, so he can recognize Luke for example. The way he learns verses is by repetition and route. I say the verse, he repeats it. We find songs with the verse, or just make up one, and sing it. Play games like the memory match...he repeats back the verse as I say it for him first. Pretty soon he just knows it. In January we will start using a separate Bible Curriculum called Foundations. It looks so great!

James and I spend about 30 minutes in the morning doing circle time activities, songs, etc. We can't do much with Bella awake, so after I put her down for a nap, then we start again.

Depending on James' focus (Ha!) we will spend anywhere from 1 hour to 2 hours doing math, phonics, and our unit study. On a good day it only takes an hour to accomplish everything. You would be surprised how much of a school day in "real schools" are not really school stuff. (roll, Potty breaks, lining up, getting ready to line up, recess, lunch, packing up to get ready for home, etc.)

Usually after math/phonics, James has completely lost his focus-and I have lost my patience, so I try to incorporate a lot of "fun games or activities" that are unit study related or teach some math/phonics skill for the end of the school day . He has no idea he is still "doing school". Then we snuggle in bed and read books (-again still doing school...but he doesn't know it). Many of the books will be unit study related from the library, but he can choose anything he wants to read.

Depending on his behavior that day, he either has to stay in bed for quiet time after reading, or I let him watch TV or movie. I have a few science videos we watch every now and then too.
*I am still trying to decide what to do about a science curriculum. Most of the unit studies have a few suggestions to incorporate science, but I don't think that it will be enough in the long run...so I am still thinking on that one. Weather is science, so we are getting that in too.

Okay, so I hope that answered some of your questions. I know this was a long post, with not a single picture...but it was a lot of info to share!

Random Thoughts

I haven't been very good at blogging our homeschool efforts this month. With my camera broken, I haven't been able to document with photos, but we have been keeping busy for sure. It has been really interesting this month because I have noticed since I am teaching James about all the history behind everything and why we celebrate the way we do, and the real story- I have been more focused on Christ this season. I love the way homeschooling benefits me just as much as it does James.

One of the games we have been playing is a memory match game I created from printing out some Christmas Bible Verses (Christian Preschool Printables) I just printed two copies, and cut and pasted onto construction paper. We play it just like a regular game of concentration, but in order to "earn" a match, you have to recite the verse and where it comes from. We have played this game so much, that James has practically memorized every verse. Another thing we have done is begin to learn how to find these verses in the Bible. He knows where Luke is...and chapters 1 and 2. It continues to amaze me how much his brain can soak up!

Bella is into EVERYTHING...so we decided not to put up a tree this year. It is kind of sad, but not too bad...we still have out all our other decorations-most everything is high up on shelves and counters. Anything on her level is fair game. One new decoration this year for us is our "world map" (which is hung on our living room wall (high up of course!) As part of our Christmas unit study, we have been learning about how other parts of the world celebrate. We made a paper wreath around the map...made out of construction paper leaves and berries. There is big bow and sign that says "peace on earth" and the verse that talks about Jesus bringing peace. We have paper ornaments that have how the countries says Merry Christmas in their own language. We went to a Mexican restaurant the other day, and James was all excited to tell the waiter "Feliz Navidad!"

Totally not related to anything...
I saw a special program on PBS a few weeks ago. Dr. Daniel Amen was the guy's name I think- the info was really good so I ran and got a pen/paper and started taking notes! He gave info about taking natural supplements to be healthier at any age. He emphasized the importance of sleep, exercise, and a good balanced diet...so I definitely need to work on that! But some other things...ADHD helps he suggested were to take fish oil and zinc to cut down on hyperactivity...some memory helps (for me) were ginko boloba (sp?) and sage...and for energy/mood boosters take 5HTP, and St. John's Wort. There were others, but these are the ones that I went out and bought yesterday. It will be interesting to see if they make a difference. I hope so. I will post details later if they do. In the meantime, I will try to do better and get sleep, exercise, and eat right!

Oh...I do have one picture...I got an order to make a cake from a complete stranger(connections thru Joy-Thanks!). The woman was throwing her husband a 40th Surprise Birthday Party...and I guess he likes poker, or maybe that was the theme of the party? Anyway here is what I created for her. It is two stacked tiers with decorated with chocolate and marshmellow fondant. The picture isn't a great shot of the whole cake, but you can get the idea. Hard work, but a lot of fun! Thank goodness she had a camera to take this shot for me!

It was good this weekend to spend time with some relatives. Mark, me and the kids all came over to my parents Saturday evening to spend the night. My grandad Eby and Aunt Marcia and Uncle Tommy were all there too. Bella really had a great time "flirting" with everyone! My parent's church had special Christmas presentations the next day-Sunday...the children's program in the morning, and adults program with joint church choirs in the evening. Mom asked Mark and I to be Mary and Joseph, so we got all dressed up...poor Mark is allergic to hay...had a sneezing fit during rehearsal. But he did ok for the real thing! The programs were really great. James even commented on them...which is impressive! We ended the night with driving by and looking at some Christmas lights at a neighborhood nearby.

Okay...well those are my random thoughts for the day.

True Meaning of Christmas

Okay, so we were suppose to start back to school today after the Thanksgiving Holidays...but we are at my moms...so we will start tomorrow. This month begins a new unit for us. "Christmas." We will be studying the different customs around the world, what each symbol is all about and how it came to be used as a Christmas decoration, focus on giving is better than receiving and make some homemade gifts for others. But most importantly we will study the true story of Christmas. Each day will revolve around the coming and arrival of Jesus...I think we will do a Jesse Tree-this will be our family's first time.

As much as I LOVE the Christmas season...I am disgusted with how commercial and totally unrelated to the "birth of Christ" it has become. One of the most interesting things that I have learned in my research for teaching James is that the first Americans, for instance- the Pilgrims, did not really do anything to celebrate Christmas at all. They looked down upon all the festivities and decorating, etc. They actually ran out one new family that had recently arrived from Europe for decorating and celebrating...they called them the "Christmas family" in a derogatory way. That is so strange. Of course, as time went on, more and more families moved here and brought with them their celebrations from Europe...and it all led to what we know today. Well, this got me to thinking...maybe the early Americans were right in some ways. Maybe they knew what would happen as time went on. Maybe they saw how anything other than reading the gospel truth would take away from Christ's glory. I don't know, just something to consider....

I love celebrating the season...the lights, the songs, the decor...but now more than ever, I must remember that all this celebrating is for the newborn Christ Child who came to save us!

So...here is a cute clip to remind us all of what the true meaning of Christmas is all about.