If you want to instill sound Christian doctrine in your children at a young age while also engraving it deeper into your own heart, let me share a secret TREASURE with you that Shaun's parents gifted us with when Evan was dedicated to the Lord at 7 months of age:Carolyn Nystrom's Chidren's Bible Basics series. Check them out here. (You will see books she's written that aren't part of this series there as well, but now that I've found those, I want to purchase them, too!) I've been surprised that even Madalyn listens to them at age two. They would probably more likely be recommended for ages 5 and up, I'd guess... (but she's interested in whatever big brother likes, of course.) Anyway, I CANNOT recommend this volume enough.Another treasure worth mentioning is Beth Moore's David: 90 Days with a Heart Like His. Those of you who know me know I love everything "Beth Moore," but the reason I love this particular study so much is because it's perfectly designed for seasons of life where you simply can't make an hour for Bible study a day. I'm realizing that when I'm unrealistic about how much time I plan to carve out for devotion, it often doesn't happen at all. (God would certainly rather have my full attention for 10 raw minutes than my good-intention-but-never-happening hour of distracted devotion.) This particular small scale study is so great because while it's not time-consuming, it's not lacking for meat, either. It gets you opening your Bible and adjusting your perspective, asking honest questions and praying your heart and God's will over your life all in a matter of minutes. Sounds too good to be true, right? It almost is. (Thanks, mom, for this Christmas present!) If anyone else is familiar with any of these reads, let me know if you agree.
Tonight while I duked it out with a blob of pizza dough from the store bakery, rolling it this way and that on a baking sheet, Madalyn exclaimed, "It's beau-ti-ful!"Later on, the three of us- Evan, Madalyn, and I- sat around the dinner table discussing how the earth rotates and revolves. (My head inflates just a little when I impart such wisdom on them, which I figure is okay because pretty soon I will be all "um, I'm not sure... go see if your dad knows?") A pepperoni served as the sun, and a piece of asparagus as the earth. I explained day and night, and dark and light, turning the asparagus in my fingers. Then I explained a year- 365 days- of moving the asparagus around the pepperoni while it turned. When I was all done with my elegant demonstration Evan said in a delighted manner, "Mommy, that was pretty. Will you do it again?"...what satisfactory darlings I live with tonight!
I'm proud to announce that today is the birthday of Rush Limbaugh, Jack London, Charles Perrault (author of Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.) It's also my sister-in-law, Kelly's, birthday, as well as our good friend, Justin Dudley's, and also Ted Strawbridge's (pastor in the church I was raised in- we used to always call each other on our birthdays)- Happy Birthday, guys!! Oh yeah. And it's MY birthday.(This is the place in this post where I triple dog dare someone to comment that it's also the birthday of a top Nazi leader, as well as Howard Stern.) To that I can only say that at least I'm not a liberal or those combined with Rush Limbaugh would do me in for sure.I wish I could report that I slept in and then feasted on a bacon, egg, and cheese crossanwich and hasbrowns in the comfort of my bed (I think I'm missing a comma in there because while I do have a weakness for fast food breakfasts, I assure you I don't fantasize about sleeping in bacon,) but alas, I can't say I did these things! I am mother. And being mother I get to tell you that I got something even better; a husband who wished it was Saturday so he could give me these things and two children who were so excited it was my birthday you'd have thought they misunderstood and we told them it was theirs. (And also some happy squeals from the infant because just the sight of me makes him happy.)What more could a woman want on her TWENTY-SEVENTH birthday than to be loved by her family?Tonight my mother and her husband are swooping in after a long day at work just so Shaun and I can go out. She's bringing a spider cake with her (chocolate cake with white frosting and then chocolate frosting drizzled over that,) and tomorrow Nana and GranJack will join us. Mom and Doug are going to grant my birthday wishes by planting creeper vine up the front of our house with us while the great grans watch the kids. They have to take off Saturday, but Sunday Shaun and I might venture to Sea World with the kids, courtesy of my dad and his wife. But right now, I must go because there's a certain two and a half year old asking me to play in the sandbox with her... ...maybe we'll make a cake. :)
This December has been something crazy. I thought by now I'd be resting my feet for a minute, but January jump-started as well. December's been busy in a fun way, though; filled with family and friends as the Dudley's and Martin's (minus daddy Martin) visited, as well as my family and Shaun's. Baby Noah Dudley isn't a baby anymore, and even the Martin's new arrival, Caleb, is already getting to be a big boy! He and Jack looked like dolls sitting on the couch together and were instant friends even for all their infancy . Madalyn IDOLIZED Caleb's big sister, Grace. They took turns rubbing backs at the breakfast table and hugged a morning greeting like twins separated at birth. (I thought their little heads might pop off, so tight was their embrace!) Christmas morning, though, it was Uncle John who was the hero in the house as we had a relaxing day with family. Really relaxing- (I temporarily checked out to take a nap and when I woke up the kids were in bed and everyone was gone! :/) But that's why grandparents are so great. They understand the exhaustion and are happy to give you rest. And then Grandma and "Daddy's daddy's" visit brought in the new year. Dadaddy was so inspired by his grandchildren that he was even willing to take a ride down the stairs on his stomach like they do to join in their fun. Talk about getting "down on their level." And though it's hard for everyone to say goodbye when they head out the front door Missouri-bound again, Grandma might come in the Spring with Uncle Ryan. And then aside from out-of-towners visiting, there were the social happenings with the local folk; a Christmas cookie exchange and a play group party at our house, to mention a few. At the kids play group party we dished out green and red macaroni for the kids (that looked really gross) but they loved it. We also made gingerbread houses, played a nativity game, had a gift exchange, and sang the Happy Birthday song to Jesus. The kids were tuckered out and sugared out when that bash came to an end- you can imagine.Another evening, our babysitter, Brittany, brought the kids Christmas cookies. (A very welcomed surprise, and always a sign of a good babysitter. :) ) Madalyn greeted her covered in lotion from head to toe and I'm glad to report Brittany has still returned to babysit them after that sight.We also had fun this season with the usual traditions; driving around looking at lights with Christmas music and hot chocolate, decorating the tree (Madalyn did most of the work- took the job very seriously,) making our own cookies, reading Christmas books, leaving cookies for Santa and talking about THE reason behind all of the celebration.A Santa Claus side note: Our kids have been told that Santa gives gifts because it's said that he's so excited about the greatest gift ever given- God's gift of Jesus- that he wants to give gifts, too, in all his joy. We're letting them believe what they want to believe on that front, us asking questions more than giving answers. The stories we tell and facts we give center more on the birth of Christ... I know not everyone lets their children believe in Santa, but for me, looking back on my own experience, I see "the Santa Claus years" as a great big analogy for faith in general; for childlike belief and wonder; for the magic that IS His Promise delivered. I don't think a child can differentiate between pretend and real anyway at this age, so I figure why bother trying to differentiate for them? And while I'm sure a good debate could play out for both sides of the Santa Claus issue, long thoughts short: it doesn't bother me.
We were wondering, come Christmas morning, exactly how much of the Santa Claus thing Madalyn would understand. Evan woke first and we all went in Madalyn's room together to wake her. Her eyes popped open at our giggles, and still in her sleep she mumbled "did Santa Claus come," her feet moving on their way before her body was in agreement. She got it alright.Evan's favorite gift was the mini planterium projector that had been wrapped under the tree from us. Madalyn loved- well- everything. The tiny Ariel and Cinderella dressable figures might have been her favorites, though. However, she can't dress them herself which means I got to wiggle the tail on and off and on again throughout the day. (And how many tiny shoes are now cushioned into the dust in my vacuum bag, I wonder?) She also loved her blue flapper dress and after trying it on said "I have to go show Evan!" (You'll see that picture in the stream.) Also note in the pictures how the purple Dora Explorer backpack migrates from Madalyn's stash to Evan's. That would be because Shaun and I deabted over where it was better suited. He won out, placing it in Madalyn's pile... but as it turns out, (what do you know,) I was right. Evan liked it more. Much more. So when the gifts moved t their bedrooms, into his pile it landed. Puzzles were also a big hit. And the Lite Brites. The Lite Brites that are now everywhere... along with the tiny rubber shoes, My Heavens! Evan also loves his shaving kit. He frequently asks Shaun to start the shower because I need to shave, he says. Then he gets in and shaves his stomach. And sometimes his sister's (if he's feeling generous.)But what I really must mention is that husband of mine who I just don't give enough credit, like when I wrote this. First of all, because the banana hammock is actually really growing on me. (Oh- and the banana tree, too.) :) But secondly, because this year he really out-did himself in the gift-giving department... drum roll, please...This year he not only got me the camera lens that I really wanted (and really love) but also a new computer.(cymbals)This year he says he wants me to start my own business. (cymbals again)This year he traded out his favorite hobby (his stock market play-around money) in order to grow one of mine.(Long roll on the cymbals that softens and tapers.)Six and a half years and I would deem this his most romantic gesture to date, probably because of the sacrifice it involved. There really is something about an authentic sacrifice, isn't there? Nothing says I love you quite like it. And of course sacrifice is what Christmas is all about; Shaun has the Christmas Spirit; the same spirit that gave up His only Son. Hard to fathom, but true.I think I want to be like him when I grow up.
