December 15

I was going to post my Do December Different picture every day in December.  I keep forgetting.  Tuesday and Wednesday were about babysitting.  I babysat on Tuesday for my three year old’s BFF Hope.  And her sister.  I had Bible study but it’s pretty low key so I thought they could play while we studied.  I forgot how busy a one year old is!  But it was fun to play with the girls and Bible study went on famously in my own kitchen without me. 

Wednesday after school we had some friends from church over to play so their Mom could work late, Christmas shop or whatever she needed to do after work.  We made gingerbread houses.  I never thought that 8 year old girls could make a bigger mess than preschoolers.

After the boys got back from a shoveling mission it was the older kids’ turn.  They had a strategy.

We had spaghetti from a can for supper, which is going to lead into my next post.  But right now I have to go do laundry. 

December 12

Sunday was the first day of family swim and I had hoped we could go as a gift to my kids for that day. We generally go every Sunday because I buy a pass and consequently become psycho about going so we don’t waste our money. But this Sunday we had a messy house, and an undecorated Christmas tree in the middle of the kitchen. So with our small group coming to our house that night I made the very grown up decision that we should stay home. I didn’t like it either because I love swimming!

We set up the tree and got out the ornaments.

It’s always really fun getting out the ornaments. The homemade ones.

Gifts from the kids.

Gifts from teachers.

The kids all found their special ones. Maren bemoaned the fact that she doesn’t have as many as the older kids. They kept reminding her that they “have lived longer” than she has.

I found one of my favorites. I got it from my prayer partner the year I was pregnant with Jenna (I think, yeah I’m pretty sure). It's a baby buggy. A photographer I am not.

And my new favorite. Sunday night a friend from small group popped this out of her purse for me. I love it because it means she thought of me and something special we share.

I’ve been accused of being a grinch on the gift giving. But it’s not that I don’t like gifts. I just hate the obligation. I love giving and getting gifts that are little signs that someone was thinking of me or loves me. And all the ornaments reminded me of that.

So this week I have picked up several little things to send out to some family members. They were cheap but they will bring a smile to their face. That’s what I love about gift giving; showing love. And spreading joy.

So that’s my elf act for this week, buying fun little gifts just because. Not because I drew their name, or because they bought for me, or because it’s Christmas. Just because they are loved.

December 11

We didn’t get the snowstorm we were promised.  It slipped south of us.  So we also didn’t get to sleep in this morning.  It was basketball bright and early.  I just love going to cheer on the team even if I am loud and obnoxious.  My daughter still thinks it’s fun to hear us whoop it up when they score, for now.

After we got through the games and a practice we headed out on a very important mission.

We headed out into the woods to cut down a Christmas tree.  A few years back we started getting our trees from a wonderful couple from our church’s land.  They fed us cookies and hot chocolate.  A year and a half ago Betty passed away.  This year Mike had the idea of going out to get a tree and bringing dinner so we could eat with Clarence. 

They have a great sledding hill.  Well, it is great to kids who live on the flattest piece of land in the county.

In case you noticed, this is day three that Annie has had the “I took my pet to the vet” tattoo on her cheek.

Then our tour guide Joe arrived and we set out into the woods.  He never lets us take the first one.  There’s always a better one on the horizon. 

It wasn’t even (that) cold in the woods.

We saw a porcupine nestled up in a tree.  That made me pretty nervous.  Clarence told us a funny porcupine story at supper.  He can tell a story!

Then we found it.  There were no lights or angel choirs but we were getting tired.

Clark even remembered a saw.

 

We ate soup and bread and pie and had a lovely visit in a very warm house.  We thawed out, not we are just waiting for the tree to do the same. 

December 10

We babysat for a friend from church today.  She was going to a doctor’s appointment with her mom who just found out she is battling cancer.  I thought it would be fun to do a project.  My kids only had a half day of school that day.  I had read the idea to use your unwanted Halloween candy for gingerbread houses. We’ve got plenty of that.

I borrow this gingerbread house mold every year.  Maybe one day I should buy one.  I didn’t get the gingerbread made early enough so we used almond bark.  That’s right, a gingerbread house made out of pure candy.  We dyed it blue.

Pour it in the chilled mold and refrigerate.  Then pop the pieces out.

Get plenty of frosting ready.  Using the spritz gun worked really well.  But so did the baggie.

An architect or engineer I am not but we got it together.

Then it’s time for the kids to go to work.  I wish I could say they were responsible for the dilapidated roof but they aren’t.

The more frosting and candy the better.

It’s really fun to have the kinds of conversations kids have when they are busy working at a project. 

There are no rules against eating the candy.

Or looking like a construction worker with a jackhammer and cigarette.

If you have a masterpiece like this

and the kitchen looks like this

and the kids are covered in frosting, then it was a success.

December 7

Last night, we did some elf work from home in front of the Charlie Brown special.  We gathered up some supplies: coloring books, crayons, stickers, and stocking stuffers. 

The little girls worked very hard. 

Cutting.

Wrapping.

Taping.

It’s kind of hard for me to let go and allow them to dive in themselves.  Actually, halfway through I was wishing I would have just done it myself after they went to bed.  They didn’t exactly look like packages from Macy’s when they were done.  But they were really excited to help.

We put the packages into big envelopes and are going to drop them in the mail today to two of our church’s missionary families.  These families each have one parent that grew up in our church and they are now out doing ministry full-time with their families.  That’s one of the blessings of God allowing us to be here for so long. 

We’ve got more people that could use Christmas cheer on our list.  How about you?