My Favorite Christmas Things

Christmas has always been such a special time for me.  Just  a few of my favorite things:

1.  Pies

2.  Licking the spoon from Chocolate Pie

3.  Nana teaching the girls how to make pies.

4.  Gum Drop Tree- A family tradition

5. Pies (specifically Chocolate)

6.  Spending time with family

Did I mention pie?

Merry Christmas!!

The Best Gift of All

The Christmas season means many different things to people.  For us we strive to keep Jesus the center of all our festivities.  With the bombardment of retailers, this can be difficult at times.  We made a not so popular and not so favorable decision at the beginning of 2014.  No gifts for Christmas. We even decided to expand this "no gift giving" campaign to birthdays as well.  So for the entire year we gave no purchased gifts for any birthdays and Christmas shopping was not a consideration.

I can hear the gasps.  I can feel the bewilderment you may have.  But you haven't seen how our kids have responded.  Sure we have the moans and groans from time to time when they see the latest and greatest toy or gadget.  But we have also seen each kid encourage and remind another when they ask for something.

Reminders of how blessed we are to have what we have.

Encouraged to remember how much more we have than others.

Reminded that we have the best things we could ever want.

So in between the bickering and arguing, the mounds of laundry, and sink of dishes, I hear and see that our message is sinking in.  The message that we have more than what we need.  That maybe what we want needs to be re-evaluated or adjusted.  Thankful for what we have NOW and not worrying about what we can get.  That we should be content with what we are given.

Isn't as Christians that is what we are supposed to do?  Trust in the Lord that he will provide everything we need in HIS timing and not our own.  Thankful for what we do have and not the things we don't.  To live joyfully in our current situation instead of pining away for a different one.

So our crazy idea maybe isn't that crazy after all.  Maybe just maybe we are teaching our kids a life lesson that can impact them for years.

So although we have no gifts under our tree, the gift of our Savior is the only gift we truly ever need Growing Up on Dublin Lane.

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon[d] his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called[e]
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

I am back!

Well, you may not have even realized I was gone but I am back!  Unfortunately we ended up with the flu in 6 of the 7 folks in the house.  This momma had it the worst and of course I am the only one that didn't see a doctor for a prescription to end my suffering.  Isn't it always like that for us moms?  We do a great job caring for others but not so much for ourselves.

With the new year just around the corner, the fact that I always seem to be my last concern made me consider what I will try to do different this next year.  Top of the list is to make time for my well-being.  I don't mean Girls Night Out, pedicures, or massages.  I mean doing the things to promote a general well being....exercise, balanced diet, and daily quite time.

Honestly some days I don't eat before noon and you can forget about getting in my daily allowance of water or even a drink of water before mid-day.  Exercise is always pushed off for more pressing matters (at least here lately during this busy part of the year).  I do manage to spend time in Scripture frequently but it always seems hurried or rushed.

So I am reclaiming my importance (not an overstated one) but one where I schedule time for the things that will ensure my well being.  But as I contemplate what this will actually look like for our family of seven I am finding a few indulgences I am going to have to give up and few areas I will need to discipline myself!

1.  Sleeping in after the Hunky Hubby heads off to work.  Neither my husband or I are morning folks.  If we could have a schedule where we slept until 8am we would both awaken with the energy of spring chickens but with a houseful of kids that is just not feasible.  Or at least when we do then the entire day is chaotic!  So no more rolling into his warm spot and enjoying a few extra moments of sweet dreams!

2.  Meal planning.  I do a great job planning meals for the kids but I am a finicky eater.  I don't like oatmeal or cereal which are great options for the kiddos.  They love it and can manage their morning meal independent of me.  So to make sure I eat I am going to have to prep ahead of time and make a plan.  Boooo!

3.  Laundry!  Ugh!  A family of 7 can wear some clothes especially with our littles fashionista who layers every outfit and changes multiple times each day.  I think it is time to purge clothes to avoid the mountain of clothes.  I mean if you only have so many sets of clothes you will have to laundry, right?  

4.  Date night!  I miss my husband!  Since staying home, I have limited adult interaction and boy to I miss it.  But more than that I miss my best friend.  We used to be able to manage a date night but recently faced the challenge of getting away.  Our autistic son had a period of time where he just wasn't dealing with the world and finding a sitter is near impossible.   So we just buckled in and rode out the storm.  I love our commitment to doing what is best for our family but I think we forget that our relationship needs the same commitment and attention.  So I am committing to finding time for my husband every day!  Yep I know that is a big goal.  But it can be as simple as a few minutes to share about our day.  Or a time to laugh together.


So wish me luck as I discipline myself in the months to come.  And check back in to see what is happening Growing Up on Dublin Lane.