Edamame

Edamame is perhaps my family's absolute, hands, down, everyone loves it, favorite. The other night I was out doing some Christmas shopping (by myself!) and I picked up some to go from Pei Wei. I also got some fortune cookies and chocolate, but little green soy beans is what they were clamoring for more of!

The Claus Conundrum

Christmas is, like most people, my favorite time of year. I love the cold, the anticipation of snow, the decorations, the music, the parties, the shopping, the wrapping, and of course being with my family and celebrating the birth of our Savior (even if He was probably born in April!). What does not thrill me about this season is Santa Claus. At least, this has been the case since I have had children.

Now, I know that most people immensely enjoy hiding presents under the tree Christmas morning, and look forward with great pleasure to the look on their kid's faces when they see all the gifts and the crumbs left behind by the elusive St. Nick. I too, LOVE giving my children their little hearts' desire Christmas morning. But, I don't like lying to them. That's what it feels like to me, anyway. Especially when you have a kid like Bronwyn. She is extremely curious and imaginative, but she's also a realist. Ever since the Christmas she was two she has been asking if Santa is "really real". Up until now we had managed to be pretty evasive. We've never emphasized him or really said anything one way or the other. I guess we sort of left it up to the world to tell her about Santa. Last year I did end up saying that he is real in your heart. That generously giving is a very real and good thing. But what happens when she asks the same thing about Jesus? "Mom, is Jesus really real? Isn't He just in my heart?"

Plus, on a selfish note, it took a lot of time and energy to shop for and put together that kitchen, that wagon, that dollhouse, etc. I'd like some friggin credit! Or at least a thank you!

On the other hand, Santa is fun, relatively harmless, and nearly impossible to avoid.

So, this year, she pinned me down. "Is Santa real?" "No, sweetie. He's not. He's just make believe." But then the kicker: "Please don't tell any of your friends at school. If they still believe in Santa then let them."

Well, yesterday in the car after I picked her up she started talking about how "every last one" of her friends all believe in Santa and one of the teachers at school said she even knows him personally and calls him on the phone. But like I said, the kid's a realist. She said, "Mrs. Blalock must just be calling someone who says he's Santa." Then she turned to me and said, "I wish I was just like everybody else. I wish you hadn't told me the secret."

Of course that just about broke my heart! But then I thought of how many times I must have said that same thing to God. Why do a I have to be different? I still don't really know the answer. I just know that we are "strangers in this land". That we who believe are "set apart". Now, I'm not saying that the kids who still believe in Santa aren't. It just hit me yesterday that this was of my firstborns first experiences in being not of this world. And it was hard. For both of us. Which will make the picture below extremely ironic, but darn cute! Can't I just learn from my mistakes??

Never thought I'd say this, but....

Yea, I'm getting a van!!!


Now I just have to come up with a name for her. Any suggestions??

Happy Birthday Boaz!

Well, my little man is 2! It's absolutely amazing how much a person changes in two short years. The whole first year of Boaz's life he was the most laid back , easy going baby. What a difference a year makes! This kid is non-stop action now. He goes from one destructive activity to the next. This morning I found him on top of Bronwyn's 4 foot tall dresser getting ready to throw down her musical carousels. It's not a matter of if he's going to break something today, it's a matter of what the unfortunate object will be! But he's also the CUTEST little boy ever with a big heart and a love of cuddling. I can't ever seem to get enough kisses planted on his bouncy little cheeks each day. Right now he's obsessed with all trains, and pretty much anything else with wheels. He also loves, loves, loves his big sis and follows her around like a little puppy when she gets home from school. At one time my place was secure as the love of his life, but now all day long its, "Whey daddy go." But he still needs his mama for all the bonks and bruises.

Here's some pics from his party the other night. Happy birthday buddy!

New Photo Shoot

Fab photographer Lezlie Andrew came to our house when Holland was about a month old and took some pics of the kiddos. I have to say, it is most impressive when you can actually take some great shots of 3 kids at the same time! Here are some of the results she was kind enough to let me post:


Check out more of her great work on her blog link at the left of my page. Thank you Lezlie!

The Nutcracker...Pun Intended

We have a traditional nutcracker sitting on the shelf of a curio cabinet in the corner of our dining room. The kids really like to play with it because it has a removable sword, so it was not unusual to see it sitting out on the table the other day. What I did not expect was this:




Kevin swears he didn't do it.

Blood of Jesus Force Field

I have no idea when this started...probably months ago. Kev playing the role of "tickle monster" or something and Bronwyn running through the house screaming "Blood of Jesus force field!!" at the top of her little lungs. Basically, that's the magic phrase to neutralize the Daddy monster. Now Boaz has jumped in on the action and trails, only slightly, behind his big sis saying something like "Buda Jisis fa fa".

Not too long after Bronwyn realized the Blood of Jesus takes away the power of funny monsters, she had the revelation that the scary monsters would have to obey her command as well. Now whenever we tuck her into bed and turn out the lights (well, not all the lights) and she asks one of us to stay because she's scared, a gentle reminder of the Power of the Blood removes all the fear that dimly lit room produces.

What a reminder for my own life, my own fears. Blood of Jesus force field over the health of my children, over their lives, over my marriage, over my finances, over my own vulnerable heart.

Thank you Father, for sending your Son to this world as a helpless baby. That He grew up a spotless Lamb. That He gave his Life and spilled His Blood so that we would have power over the Enemy. Thank You God, for the Blood of Jesus Force Field!

On another note, I walked into B's room as Kev was praying for her last night at bedtime. I overheard him praying for her husband, asking the Lord to make him a man after God's heart; a man that loves God and loves his bride. Then I heard Bronwyn say, "Yeah, cause if I married a devil-boy I'd break up with him for sure!" Funny B.