Anne had her Polar Express Party at school. They got to wear their pajamas to school and they watched the Polar Express Movie, had hot chocolate and I came and helped them decorate Gingerbread Cookies! What an interesting task that was. All I can say is that 5 year olds LOVE sprinkles!!!!
Anne borrowing Mrs. Reed's Conductor Hat
Decorating Gingerbread Cookies
Waiting for the gift exchange
Opening Presents!
It was after the class party that we went to Wal-Mart. Anne was still in her PJ's and I had to laugh at the young mothers who would look at Anne, and then me and ask, "Pajama day at school today?" We would excitedly tell them "Yes - it was her Polar Express Party!" Then, the older women at Wal-Mart! Well, let's just say that suddenly I was one of "THOSE Mothers" who do not dress their children! People are so funny. Of course this was the same day that we witnessed the fight in the parking lot as we were leaving! AAAHHHHH! Just let me get home!
I received a second box of Jewelry from ApParent Project on Wednesday and by Thursday evening it was half gone! I ordered a third box and had it Expressed to me so I received it on Saturday. I needed it for church yesterday. I am so excited about the response that I have had to this. So far I have sold enough jewelry to send $1910.00 to the artisans in Haiti! That is amazing!!!! I feel as though I am getting to know the artisans a little. I recognize the names on the tags and am learning about them through Facebook and the ApParent Projcect Blog. Leo had a birthday this week and Rodney's grandmother (Rose's mother) died of Cholera. My heart broke when I heard the news - but was so thankful that their jewelry is on my table and I am helping them in some small way.
One of my ApParent Project tables at the church. Thanks to my friend Tracy for loaning me her displays!
Another Table
This was my friend Andrea's idea! Neat display!
Anne was my special helper. She named it the "Haiti Beads and Jewelry Store". Jarod wrote it up there for her and then Anne kept track of how many people were in the store and then would write the number on the board. So cute!
Christmas break is here and the kids are home for the next 2 1/2 weeks. I'm looking forward to the down time. On Friday we drove down to St. Augustine to look at all the lights. It was a nice family night out. The Lord has continued to keep things scaled back so that we can re-evaluate our traditions. I will be honest and tell you that this entire process has not been easy. A few of the posts that I have written have taken me three hours to write. It's been therapeutic as I work things out - vent - delete - and work things out some more. I have cried, I have sobbed as a matter a fact. Changing traditions is not easy. It's a loss - it's a process. It's grief over things that once were and are now going to be different. It's examining myself to understand WHY I do what I do - and often times not liking the answer. It's conviction over selfishness and greed. Over my lack of thankfulness for what I have. It's wanting to be different from the world and then feeling like you are Mickey in Sorcerer's Apprentice when he's holding tightly to the book as this huge whirlpool spins rapidly around him. Of course, in my mind, the book is scripture. I can hold tightly to that and let the world swirl around me or I can let go and get sucked into the madness. Then you grieve because you feel left behind by the madness because you've chosen to do something different and no one around you understands or cares.
This really has been an exhausting month! But, I will tell you that we have implemented something new this year and I'm anxious to see what will come of it. In all of this change, I haven't been worried so much about extended family and friends. They are grown ups and understand that money is tight. But I have been concerned about my kids. Not because they won't get anything for Christmas - they already have plenty from family. But what about our Christmas morning? The big present that always awaits them - unwrapped - under the tree - the stockings full of fun stuff - the three gifts we always buy representing the gifts brought to baby Jesus of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Usually I have ideas and am praying for God's provision specifically for those ideas. This year - if the Lord were to drop a bunch of money in our lap - I wouldn't know what to do with it. No ideas. My kids don't NEED anything. I found that odd. Until the Lord showed me that instead of buying gifts, let's re-gift. Let's make gifts. Let's get outside of 'Just buying something to buy it' and really think and get creative.
Russ and I talked about this and got excited because we immediately began thinking of things we could do for the kids that wouldn't cost much - if anything. But - how would Jarod and Anne take it? So, last Tuesday night, we sat down at dinner and began to present the idea to them. Explaining different things they could do. Making things, offering coupons for special tasks, re-gifting things they have that maybe someone else in the family would enjoy. I was amazed to see their eyes grow wide and the wheels begin turning! They were excited! By the end of dinner they were off in a corner discussing ideas. This morning when I got up they were on the computer looking things up on the internet. They are actively seeking ways that they can be a part and are very excited about it!
I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am about Christmas morning! The pressure is off - everyone is on board and I have a feeling that this is going to be one of our most memorable Christmases for our family yet! I am so thankful for the struggle that I have had to go through to get here and I am confident that it is going to be worth it! God is sooooo good and I look forward to sharing with you our special Christmas Day!
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