Breakfast with Santa

Santa came for breakfast this morning! From the moment Ryan got up he asked when he was going to be here in about 5 minute intervals. Santa Bob is the only Santa Ryan will go anywhere near. Last week in the mall we had to walk outside to get to Target because he was terrified to walk by the mall Santa inside the mall. Our Santa Bob is special and we had quite the morning together.

Not so happy with Santa's lap

Santa liked MIL's Dutch pancakes!

Erik and Tessie

Warming up!

Ending well!

Thanks Santa Bob and Mrs. Santa!

A Little Joe

Ryan was Joseph in the school play today. He couldn't have been cuter. He loved every minute of it and we did too. He likes us to call him "Joe" now.

Reflections

Today marks thirty years since my mom died. In many ways it doesn't seem possible that it has been that long and yet it does seem like forever since I saw here. I have so few memories of being with her, I was only 9 when she got sick, and only a handful of pictures. It's why I have always written letters to Ryan throughout the year and made sure that we have pictures with Mommy and Daddy. I started to write Erik as we started the adoption process. How I would love to have something in her handwriting that told me how she felt about me, that told me more about her. There are so many things I would have loved to share with her throughout my life, but none more than my husband and children. I wonder what our relationship would be like and am sad that there are relationships that are broken that would sadden her. I wonder if she is with the baby we lost and long for that reunion. I wish I could say that after thirty years I understand God's plan and that everything worked out smoothly. In some ways it feels less clear to me than when I was eleven. But I do know that God is in control, that He is good, that He has taken care of me, and that there is so much better to come. I miss you mom!

17!

So today was #17. That's how many Dr. appointments Erik and I have had between us since he came home three months ago. I am so grateful that though it has been time consuming and inconvenient none have been serious. Erik's virus and the bumps on his back are gone so no more trips to the dermatologist and the eye doctor today said his eyes look great and he does not have to see her again either. We also had our third visit with our social worker today. She was very pleased with Erik's progress and said she usually sees kids as comfortable and settled in after a year at home. We have two more meeting with our social worker. In April we can put in the papers to finalize the adoption.

He gets his finger as close as he can without touching and then looks over at us. The tree is his biggest temptation. So far he hasn't ever tried to touch the Snow Village houses or snow.




I love kids in pjs, especially next to a Christmas tree!

Ryan really wanted a train around the tree this year so we brought the Geo Trax from his room.

"Merry Christmas"

It's that time of year, you know, when you get emails telling you which stores to boycott because they won't say "Merry Christmas", and which stores are calling them "Holiday trees", (you know, for all of our Jewish and Muslim friends who put up trees in December). As hard as I try not to get irritated I still cringe when the clerks wish me a "Happy Holiday" as they hand me my bag overflowing with ornaments, Countdown to Christmas placemats, and Christmas cards. Why do I expect others who don't believe in the true meaning of CHRISTmas to behave differently? My FIL sent me the following letter and it's the perfect response to all those emails:

Letter from Jesus about Christmas --

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town. Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were... If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8. If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5 Pick someone who has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest.

Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :
I LOVE YOU,

JESUS""Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32).

Wishing you a Merry Christmas! : )

There's a White Elephant in the Room!

One of my favorite Christmas traditions from my childhood was our annual Christmas party with several families from our church. The highlights were sitting at our dads' feet listening to their fraternity stories (while our moms chatted in the kitchen), family skits, and the white elephant gift exchange. As soon as Harvey and I moved into a house we had our first white elephant party. It's a tradition that we have enjoyed for the last six years and that I hope we continue for a very long time.

This was the treasure I picked!

Somehow I keep getting a gift from the same family. Last year I got a t-shirt with a termite set in amber. Nice! Harv ended up with a soccer ball with HIV and TB awareness slogans. Again, nice! Of course someone brought an actual gift, brand new flashlight with batteries! It got stolen a few times as did the sushi mat. For some reason, the termite shirt I saved for this occassion, didn't! I have a feeling I might see it again.

So Ryan is my poser and Erik is not. Still trying to get a photo for the Christmas card. He is so not interested in posing for a photo!

The Shepherd

The kids were shepherds and angels and came through the living room singing as they brought a little heart to baby Jesus.

Who knew Jesus was actually born in a cabbage patch?

It's going to be tough to beat this! We'll have to start planning next year's performance soon! : )