Happy Valentines Day!

When browsing through one of my favorite crafty blog-stops :), I came across this fun little project and couldn't resist involving the girlies in a little "crafting."

Now, we've attempted painted crafts before, and the result was a bit ... chaotic. So, when I planned to do this one, I actually ran through the entire procedure mentally the night before (and the morning of) to ensure proper ... paint-crafting execution!!! I'm a bit of a control freak that way :). 

Anyway! It went well! Armed with plenty of paper towel, Sweet K strapped into her chair and a full-cooperation agreement from Little M, we hand-stamped love shaped valentines to give to grandmas, grandpas and daddy ;). What fun we had! And afterwards, it was a trip to the tub :).

I've become a bit of a cynic when it comes to holidays, I might add. Before we had kids, I didn't focus on them (meaning the holidays, not kids!!) too much. I loved (and still do) decorating for Christmas, but something ... essential, yet something I had not yet found words for ... was lacking. It all seemed a bit commercialistic and consumeristic to me.  Yet, I didn't want to completely abandon the yearly celebrations that make things festive either. I just needed to rediscover their value and seek out traditions with meaning that resonated with me.

And so, I've been on the search :). Just recently I snagged a book from our church library. Originally penned in the '80s (oh the decade of bad hair, bad jeans and biiiig glasses!!!), Ann Hibbard writes a book that catches my attention years later!!

"Yet people still crave the secuity and joy that come from the timeless family traditions, rooted in Biblical Christianity. [However] they long for something deeper than a "Hallmark card holiday." " Family Celebrations: Meeting Christ in Your Holidays and Special Occasions, p. 2.

She discusses the joy of the anticipation leading up to a holiday, and discusses how we can use these opportunities to impart spiritual and moral lessons to our wee ones (and to learn and grow ourselves ;)...).  I turned to the section on Valentines Day, only to learn of the martyrdom of St. Valentine and how we can use this time in the year to underscore the value of friendship, loyalty, faithfulness and commitment. Some examples of biblical stories that Hibbard recommends for the weeks leading up to 'ole Feb 14 are Ruth & Naomi, David & Jonathan and the love of the Father for the prodigal son. This book is full of good ideas (and I'm sure even more creativity can be added with quick www search :)...). And since it was published, she has since written a whole series of books, one for each major holiday.

This reading has provided food for thought as I reconsider how our little family will celebrate various festivities throughout the year. Moving beyond the gift-giving extravaganza (which is a lot of fun - especially when the gifts are for me :P!!) to include more intentional times of teaching. It's exciting and a bit overwhelming :). Lots of room for creativity to be sure :). But worth the effort, I think, as we seek forge meaningful traditions and habits that connect us as a family and as a culture.

What fun traditions have you adopted as a family :)?
What have you let go of because it just didn't seem to fit?
Which celebrations are most meaningful :)? Why?
Send me a note! I'd love to learn more!!

Oh yeah - and Happy Valentines Day!

Yuletide confessions...

I am allll about feeling ... cozy :). Some people gravitate towards beauty, others toward romance, and still others seek out heat and sunshine ----- I am thrilled with a cup of something steamy, twinkling lights, flurries, a soft turtleneck sweater and all things snug and comfy. Really. All this does my soul good.

I love the way fall colors blend into the first snow fall, when I get to reorganize my closet and whip out all my favorite sweaters and the old stand by pair of cords. This fall I had the thrill of unpacking my maternity clothes at the same time, delighting in finding the shirt I wore when Sweet K made her arrival and reveling in a few new-to-me items :). Good times!

However, this season brings with it some angst as well. A few confessions :)....

1. I don't really like christmas baking. Let me rephrase that. I don't like MAKING christmas baking. I really ENJOY eating it (especially when other people have put it together!!!). SO this year, I have abandoned the pressure-filled tradition of cookin' up something tasty and pretty. I might make a few favorite cookies, the kind that go over really well and I'm not tossing out the dried out ones at the end of the week :). But no major baking spree for me this christmas. I have decided to save this tradition for when it is meaningful for the kids as well. Then we can all decorate tasty treats together and craft our memories in fun!!

2. Christmas shopping stresses me out!!
- It is not because I don't enjoy giving people gifts. Because I do.
- It is not because J&I are NOT early shoppers. We shop the 2nd week of December (though we have r.e.a.l.l.y. detailed lists well before that - does that count :P?), and definitely the 3rd week. (I find that other people freak out about my not-finished-christmas-shopping far sooner than I do!!!)
- Full malls do not intimidate me (it's the -40 windchill with kids combo that prompts me to stay home!!). In fact, I ENJOY the craziness (well, maybe not the long trek across the walmart parking lot!). You see the funniest people! (Well, they see me too, so I can say that!!).
- The thing that stresses me out most is the fear of disappointing people! Nothing worse (okay, maybe there are a few things worse!!) than searching your heart and scouring the malls (or your own creativity) for the perfect gift, only to see that it was not meaningful at all to the one you love. And let's face it, some people are just plain impossible to shop for!!!

3. I really really really r.e.a.l.l.y dislike the question, "Are you ready for Christmas?" I know it's just a good conversation starter, like the weather or the things that your kids are doin' that are drivin' you crazy, but it chafes at me like a pair of tight leather pants on a hot summer day (not that I've actually worn such, but just the thought makes me shudder :P).

Why? Why does this bother me so?

- It adds to the perception that life is a race. The first person with their tree up and shopping done, wins. Sigh. I know this is not the intention of the question, but it's the pressure I feel with these kinds of conversations. Silly, but true.
- It triggers that aforementioned issue I have with gift-giving :P. And an ongoing issue I have with procrastination :)!!
- But mostly, because it's such a casual conversation that resonates deep meanings in my heart. This advent season I've been reflecting on material provided through our church conference. At first I was skeptical - would these short devotions be relevant (or understandable!!) for me at this season in my life? But they have spoken deeply to me. In the ambient light of the christmas tree, reflecting over coffee, journal and bible, I am challenged beyond the nativity story. I am called to examine again and celebrate with thanksgiving the freedom I've experienced because of my Savior (which has not been an easy journey). Increasingly, my attention has been drawn to the return of the King and the kingdom of justice, mercy and love He is beginning now and will establish in entirety at some point in history. And I am forced to ask myself questions - am I using the talents and time He has given for His glory? Am I truly surrendered to participating in serving Him, rather than getting lost in the distractions of life? In what ways am I contributing to injustice without even thinking of it? And more. So much more. I love the story of Advent - the liberty that came and the liberty to come! And I am challenged into self-examine, with no guarantee of what I will find and wrestle with.

Am I ready for Christmas? Go ahead - ask. I dare you :). I will smirk because it is a sticky question for me. Yes - I have lights up, garlands in place, I have lists like you wouldn't believe, some presents bought that I am TOTALLY PSYCHED about giving :) (others, I hope, that will do just fine!!) and I am on a christmas-baking strike, so that's one other thing off the list!! But am I ready for Christ's return? Yes and no. I cannot imagine that moment when I get to thank Him face to face for all he has done. Gives me chills just thinking of it. But no - there is much more person for me to become and much more that I hope to do in gratitude before that moment arrives.

Simply nesting .... nesting simply....

It has felt like chaos around here.
The month of November has flown by.

Yesterday was a day all it's own.

Preschool drop-off
Development appointment #1 - meet and greet new people who are a part of our development team
Development appointment #2 - goes well, but explore plans to integrate a new method of speech therapy
Preschool pick-up (which, I am happy report, I was actually NOT late for!!)
A trip to local grocer (these are always ... interesting!)
Lunch. Settle the feathers for a few minutes.
Baking. Guilt kicks in because I haven't let the girls "help" me bake in a while. So, everyone grabs a chair, scuttles up to the counter and we begin the dump and pour and mix process.
Nap - which was actually, delightfully uninterrupted.
Get moving again, sans caffeine, since any coffee or regular tea past 10 am makes me ill. This is rough :P.
Vacuum. Clean the house. Again.
Get supper ready. Again.
J staying late at work to meet with other kids' parents. This means a looonnnngg day.
Because we all had such successful naps, the girlies are bouncing around until 9:30pm.
I. Get. Tired.

Thankfully, not all days are like this. But in the midst of this chaos there is a growing desire for simplicity. Of speech. Of commitment. Of heart and soul and life. Fueled (of course) by a book I'm reading and rereading (Freedom of Simplicity - Richard Foster - um, fast becoming a favorite author!) and brief (somewhat traumatizing!!!) flashbacks to this time last year - the Great Birthday Party Mayhem :) - and the Trip to the Strip (sounds racy - really it was family time in VEGAS!!).

This year, I've set out Christmas decorations. Lots of lights (because I am highly addicted to colored mini lights!!), a few greeneries, a nativity scene and a few other pretty things.

But I kept it simple. No Better Homes 'N Gardens pressure for me this year :).

Tonight we get to have a family fun night. Pizza party followed by loud christmas tunes, a dance party, some chocolate treats AND the DECORATING of the CHRISTMAS TREE. Fun. But simple.

It is delightfully freeing to carve out the unnecessaries and embrace the simple, lovely, elegant.
A smile. A kind word.
And linger in the moment.

And speaking of moments, the kids are fighting and biting and a sense a monsoon growing from the tub.
Better run!!!!!