More Favorite Things

I hate for anyone to think that I abuse or torture my child.  You'd think that's what was happening Sunday night when I sat him in his high chair to  - -  wait for it - - CUT HIS HAIR.  

Oh the drama... the screaming... the wailing.  This is Jonathan's fourth cut, and by far his worst experience.  Poor baby. 

This precious little one was born with lots of thick, dark hair.   So, it became very necessary early on to give him his first haircut. 

He finally calmed down when The Polar Express was popped into the DVD player and I gave him one of my haircutting combs to hold.  

He loves the scene where the train is stopped by all the reindeer  - - or were they caribou?  Anyway - - he calls them dogs (Ga! Ga!).  Anything furry with four legs is a ga.


I've linked up four songs to share.  Music at Christmas is probably my most favorite thing of all (besides a little Christmas cherub named Jonathan).  These songs are so precious, and although only two are technically Christmas songs, they all hold deep meaning for our celebration of Christmas.

"Revelation Song" - Kari Jobe 

"When Love Sees You" - Mac Powell

"Be Born In Me" - Francesca Battistelli

"Light of the Stable" - Emmylou Harris

I had to link up Emmylou for you - - as much as I love the Selah version - - this is my childhood memory of this song, and therefore my favorite.  Enjoy!

I'm not exactly sure why I walk through the doors at Oak Hills Church without a hanky twice a week... or why I bother to apply mascara.  The worship is always so powerful.  As much as I love to sing, I'm always so choked up, I only seem to be able to manage a croak or two most of the time.  I can't wait for Christmas Eve service!

"What then shall I give Him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd,

I would bring a lamb.

And if I were a wise man, 

I would do my part.

Yet what I can I give Him,

Give my heart."

from "In the Bleak Midwinter"
~Christina Rosetti~

A Few of My Favorite Things

Christmas is interesting for us every few years.  The first Christmas after a move can be difficult because I often find some of my favorite Christmas decorations broken in the journey from there to here, if I find them at all.  One of the first things I have to do is take a little inventory and make sure some of my most treasured items remain un-damaged.  

The little angel above was one of the first things I searched out.  So far my little kitchen angel has made four cross-country moves unscathed.  I'm not sure when she came to me exactly, but I do know that my grandmother (Evelyn) gave her to me when I was quite young.  She comes to my kitchen every year around December first.  This year only three items required repair.  I can deal with that.  

Generally I pack old Christmas photos in the car with me, but on this move, they remained in the Christmas boxes for the movers.  The b & w photo in the middle is of my mother.  Jason and Jeremy are to the left.  Safe and sound.  Yeah movers! 

Tasha Tudor is one of my favorite people.  This is an advent calendar I ordered from her website a couple of years ago.  It took a while to locate the calendar this year.  I found an old frame in the basement this year and popped it in.  Jonathan, Daddy and I open a flap each night before bed.  I'd eventually like to create some kind of advent wreath like these.  Right now, I don't have a space far enough out of the reach of a certain very curious toddler.

   

Tasha Tudor books and old Santa photos.  

The photo to the right is of my Dad.  To the left... me!    In years past I have given these books as Christmas gifts.  I grew up with Welsh Corgis and Tasha had quite a brood at her house.  The book in the background to the right is A Corgiville Christmas.  The Tasha books are too wordy for Jonathan right now, but I look forward to a time when I can read them to him. 

As Jonathan grows, I'm searching out ways to make traditions that will work, even in our "move every two-three years" lifestyle.  We both want to celebrate in such a way that we magnify our Lord and Savior and point our son to Christ.  Over the past seven years, we've learned to budget for Christmas giving and also to pare down our gift-giving list.  Our church supports a Christmas charity similar to Operation Christmas Child called Manos de Christo.   Our church is also building a satellite campus in the most depressed area of San Antonio -- the west side -- where I taught on our last tour.  This project holds a special place in my heart.  My hope is that some of the families of my old students will be impacted in a positive way.  If you're looking for a way to give this Christmas, here's the link to a very worthy cause.   

This afternoon we decided that it had been way too long since we sat down at a restaurant and let someone else bring us our food and take care of all the clean up.  Here's Jonathan coloring on the kids' menu.  Reasons we love BJ's? Avocado egg rolls, flatbread pizza, pizookies and smiley-face potatoes.  

Contemplating actually biting into a potato with a smile on its face.  It's kinda like chomping the heads off those sweet little cheddar bunnies and those smiling goldfish.  Something about that doesn't seem right.  

Yesterday was Jason's work party followed by a nap for all three of us and a trip to Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro to see the big guy in the red suit.  Jonathan didn't smile, but he didn't wail either.  I'd call that a successful trip to see Santa.  

Notice the pride on this face... and the pants in the floor.  

This year we're adding birthday cake for Jesus to our Christmas traditions (thanks to a list published by our friend, Melissa, in her blog).  In last year's December edition of Home Life Magazine I found an excellent idea.  Starting at the New Year, take all your Christmas cards, place them in a container on your dinner table, pick a card each night, and pray for that family until you've run through all your cards.  I love it!  

Another thing on my list of favorite Christmassy things -- Christmas cards.  This year we put together a holiday card that's more "Thanksgivingy", something I plan to do each "move" year from now on so that we can make sure all of our friends and family have our new contact info before Christmas cards start going out.    Kind of devious, I know.  

Another favorite thing -- taking time to get another blog entry out to all of you.  

Goodnight!  

Our Week In Reverse

 Jonathan and I began attending story time at the Boerne Public Library on Wednesday mornings last week.  It's a great time and a great way to meet new moms and kiddos.  Jonathan, with gingerbread man in hand, had already managed to remove the stick that was attached.  This photo was taken just prior to the poor gingerbread man's arm amputation.  Jonathan wasn't too interested in the story.  Our little politician was up working the room.  Jingle bell time (with real jingle bells) wasn't nearly as interesting as conversing in that language only he and a few other little people in the room could understand.  The only thing more exciting than socializing???... bubbles during the goodbye song. 

  

This is a photo taken just before we headed out to Bible class on Tuesday.  We're already signed up for next semester.  I love my Bible study and Jonathan loves Bible class.  Our GQ man is growing up.  Here he is sporting the turtleneck Giggie and Bop bought him for Christmas.  Jonathan walked all the way from the parking lot to Bible class and all the way from Bible class to the parking lot for the first time on Tuesday.  

Bundled up for the trip to Bible class. 

Sunday evening marked another milestone for Jonathan.  Miss Whitney kept him for two hours while Jason and I attended a memorial service for moms and dads who have lost children to miscarriage, stillbirth, fetal demise and ectopic pregnancy.  The service was held at the Threads of Love building at our church campus.  I'd really wanted to attend the service and was so thankful for the opportunity to go.  

If you're unfamiliar with Threads of Love, it is an organization of women who sew, knit and crochet for premies in the NICU (who are too small even for preemie and newborn clothing) and for little ones who fly to Jesus before or shortly after birth.  We took a guided tour of the facility after the service.  These ladies have a very powerful ministry.  

Jonathan had a great time with Miss Whitney... technically his first non-family sitter.  We felt very comfortable leaving Jonathan with Whitney.  Jonathan loves her, and has played with her on multiple occasions.  Her parents are right across the street.  He didn't cry at all when we left.  He really didn't want Miss Whitney to leave.  

Hammin' it up for the camera

The "one-sock wonder" now knows how to take off his pants.  He hasn't figured out how to put them back on though.  I can't help but laugh, although I know that's probably the least appropriate response.  He's just so proud of himself when he gets those pants off.  This is the sheepish look Jonathan gets on his face just after "Uh-oh" comes out of his mouth.  Interpretation - "Uh-oh" means I did something on purpose and "Uh-oh! I got caught."  

Putting on the charm

Last Friday we attended Christmas Craft Day with the MOPS and Moppets.  Jonathan painted the angel himself.  The graham cracker creche was my creation.  Jonathan ate marshmallows and graham crackers while I put it together.  At one point it was mauled by a hungry attack toddler, so Mary's head is severed, the sheep has one of its legs sticking out where its head should be and the shepherd has coconut dandruff.  Notice the roof sags a little too.

  

This is what happens when you're in a hurry on bread-baking day.  On the bright side, the hole makes a great handle.  I had to take a picture.