Friday, December 21, 2012
She's Growing Up...
Some of you who "pinterest" often have most likely seen the pin claiming to pin for later as a way to explain Santa to your children. Yes, we "do" Santa in our home. Many do, many don't, just a personal "thing" and we do. BUT... we also stress the reason for Christmas... that it's not about Santa... that our Savior Jesus was born and we are celebrating His birth. We make him a birthday cake and sing and remind one another of the specialness.
But, we do Santa, and we've had our "Elf on the Shelf" for four years now. And my kids wholeheartedly take part in that little bit of "magic". Just like the Tooth Fairy. And the Easter Bunny. Sue me.
And even at age 11, Olivia swears she's seen our elf Tom move. She was thrilled when Santa sent her a video (Thanks Portable North Pole!) telling her she was on the nice list this year! (Because last year she was on the NAUGHTY list! So funny! And it worked like a charm to even out some kinks in behavior we had been having!) And she's in 6th grade this year. And has asked a few times questions that led me to believe she was having some doubts, although I think Braeden is my bigger skeptic. And I also know kids she's in school with and the fact that most of them "know."
I've never outright lied to the kids. When I've been asked a question I've turned it back to them and have asked them what they thought and it was left at that. But I knew the time was drawing near.
So this past weekend I decided to "break it" to Olivia. Because she's 11. Because most kids her age don't believe and do know the "truth." And partly too because I have had this blog post "pinned" for over a year and knew it was just what I needed to help in divulging this important information, on my time, in my way, without her hearing it from others first.
And I took the letter that I pinned and tweaked it and made it my own. I typed and worked and thought and printed. And here's what I gave to my daughter...
Dear Olivia,
Lately, from time to time, you have asked me a very important question. Oh, it’s been said in different ways, but it all leads back to the same question: “Do you move Tom?” (our elf) “Are you Santa?”
I know you’ve wanted the answer to this question for a long time, and I’ve had to give it careful thought to know just what to say. The answer is no. I am not Santa. There is no one Santa.
I am the person who fills your stockings with presents, though. I also choose and wrap the presents under the tree that are labeled ‘From Santa’, the same way my mom did for me, and the same way her mom did for her. I imagine you will someday do this for your children, and I know you will love seeing them run down the stairs on Christmas morning. You will love seeing them sit under the tree, their small faces lit with Christmas lights as they view all the extra presents that arrived there overnight.
This won’t make you Santa, though.
Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. What he does is simple, but it is powerful. He teaches children how to have belief in something they can’t see or touch.
It’s a big job, and it’s an important one. Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe: in yourself, in your friends, in your talents and in your family, in your faith. You’ll also need to believe in things you can’t measure or even hold in your hand. Here, I am talking about love, that great power that will light your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments.
Santa is a teacher, and I have been his student, and now you know the secret of how he gets down all those chimneys on Christmas Eve: he has help from all the people whose hearts he’s filled with joy. With full hearts, people like me take our turns helping Santa do a job that would otherwise be impossible.
All because a little baby was born on this day so very long ago. A little baby whom we all need to believe in, because HE is our Savior. A little baby who saves us and our world day after day.
So, no. I am not Santa. Santa is love and magic and hope and happiness. I’m on his team, and now you are, too.
I love you and I always will.
Mom
Remember that this note holds words just for you. This is not something you should be talking about to your brothers or to other children. That is for their parents to discuss with them! :)
She took it so well, with grace and love and the intention that it held. Of course she's always known Christmas is about God and Jesus coming to Earth for us, so it's not like this news "ruins" Christmas in the least little bit. I think she loves being "in on it" and keeping the magic alive for the boys, too. The other night we went out to eat because Santa would be there and Liam hadn't yet seen him this year (Braeden won't go by him). Olivia looked at me as if to say, "Ha ha, I KNOW." So cute!
So, yes we "DO" Santa...
But we also know who rules our Christmas! And we'll be singing Happy Birthday real soon!
But, we do Santa, and we've had our "Elf on the Shelf" for four years now. And my kids wholeheartedly take part in that little bit of "magic". Just like the Tooth Fairy. And the Easter Bunny. Sue me.
And even at age 11, Olivia swears she's seen our elf Tom move. She was thrilled when Santa sent her a video (Thanks Portable North Pole!) telling her she was on the nice list this year! (Because last year she was on the NAUGHTY list! So funny! And it worked like a charm to even out some kinks in behavior we had been having!) And she's in 6th grade this year. And has asked a few times questions that led me to believe she was having some doubts, although I think Braeden is my bigger skeptic. And I also know kids she's in school with and the fact that most of them "know."
I've never outright lied to the kids. When I've been asked a question I've turned it back to them and have asked them what they thought and it was left at that. But I knew the time was drawing near.
So this past weekend I decided to "break it" to Olivia. Because she's 11. Because most kids her age don't believe and do know the "truth." And partly too because I have had this blog post "pinned" for over a year and knew it was just what I needed to help in divulging this important information, on my time, in my way, without her hearing it from others first.
And I took the letter that I pinned and tweaked it and made it my own. I typed and worked and thought and printed. And here's what I gave to my daughter...
Dear Olivia,
Lately, from time to time, you have asked me a very important question. Oh, it’s been said in different ways, but it all leads back to the same question: “Do you move Tom?” (our elf) “Are you Santa?”
I know you’ve wanted the answer to this question for a long time, and I’ve had to give it careful thought to know just what to say. The answer is no. I am not Santa. There is no one Santa.
I am the person who fills your stockings with presents, though. I also choose and wrap the presents under the tree that are labeled ‘From Santa’, the same way my mom did for me, and the same way her mom did for her. I imagine you will someday do this for your children, and I know you will love seeing them run down the stairs on Christmas morning. You will love seeing them sit under the tree, their small faces lit with Christmas lights as they view all the extra presents that arrived there overnight.
This won’t make you Santa, though.
Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. What he does is simple, but it is powerful. He teaches children how to have belief in something they can’t see or touch.
It’s a big job, and it’s an important one. Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe: in yourself, in your friends, in your talents and in your family, in your faith. You’ll also need to believe in things you can’t measure or even hold in your hand. Here, I am talking about love, that great power that will light your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments.
Santa is a teacher, and I have been his student, and now you know the secret of how he gets down all those chimneys on Christmas Eve: he has help from all the people whose hearts he’s filled with joy. With full hearts, people like me take our turns helping Santa do a job that would otherwise be impossible.
All because a little baby was born on this day so very long ago. A little baby whom we all need to believe in, because HE is our Savior. A little baby who saves us and our world day after day.
So, no. I am not Santa. Santa is love and magic and hope and happiness. I’m on his team, and now you are, too.
I love you and I always will.
Mom
Remember that this note holds words just for you. This is not something you should be talking about to your brothers or to other children. That is for their parents to discuss with them! :)
She took it so well, with grace and love and the intention that it held. Of course she's always known Christmas is about God and Jesus coming to Earth for us, so it's not like this news "ruins" Christmas in the least little bit. I think she loves being "in on it" and keeping the magic alive for the boys, too. The other night we went out to eat because Santa would be there and Liam hadn't yet seen him this year (Braeden won't go by him). Olivia looked at me as if to say, "Ha ha, I KNOW." So cute!
So, yes we "DO" Santa...
But we also know who rules our Christmas! And we'll be singing Happy Birthday real soon!
Saturday, December 15, 2012
A Prayer
Max Lucado's prayer from yesterday... speaks volumes...
Dear Jesus,
It's a good thing you
were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.
These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.
The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?
Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod's jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.
Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.
Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won't you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.
This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.
Hopefully,
Your Children
Dear Jesus,
It's a good thing you
were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.
These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.
The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?
Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod's jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.
Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.
Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won't you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.
This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.
Hopefully,
Your Children
Saturday Favorites... not today
It's put on hold for the week.
I just can't get the images and thoughts of yesterday from my mind as I'm sure many of you can't either.
I know that as I continued my day as a teacher yesterday, as some of us staff spoke of this tragedy and about our practices and disaster drills, we were thinking "How should we change what we do in practicing. How can we tighten security? How can we protect these children we are given charge of day after day after day?"
And as I texted my own kindergartener's teacher to be sure he was safe and sound, how many other parents were wondering if theirs was and then finding out they weren't.
To then find out that not only did this tragedy happen in the US, but at almost the same time in China, where guns are outlawed, a group of 22 children were attacked at knife point outside their school.
It's not about the guns.
It's about a world that desperately needs Jesus.
So today I will hold my children tight. I will prepare for Christmas, for Jesus. And I will think of ways to explain to an 8 and 11 year old who may have questions, just why oh why such horrible things have to happen in our crazy world.
I just can't get the images and thoughts of yesterday from my mind as I'm sure many of you can't either.
I know that as I continued my day as a teacher yesterday, as some of us staff spoke of this tragedy and about our practices and disaster drills, we were thinking "How should we change what we do in practicing. How can we tighten security? How can we protect these children we are given charge of day after day after day?"
And as I texted my own kindergartener's teacher to be sure he was safe and sound, how many other parents were wondering if theirs was and then finding out they weren't.
To then find out that not only did this tragedy happen in the US, but at almost the same time in China, where guns are outlawed, a group of 22 children were attacked at knife point outside their school.
It's not about the guns.
It's about a world that desperately needs Jesus.
So today I will hold my children tight. I will prepare for Christmas, for Jesus. And I will think of ways to explain to an 8 and 11 year old who may have questions, just why oh why such horrible things have to happen in our crazy world.
Saturday, December 08, 2012
Saturday Favorites
Do you have an Elf on the shelf?
Well, we do and let me tell you "Tom" has been acting awfully daring of late! (I think Pinterest may be to blame!?)
Tom comes the day after Thanksgiving to our home and leaves on Christmas Eve.
During the night he flies back to the North Pole to talk to Santa and let him know what's been going on in the our household. This often makes for much better behavior during this month! :)
Then in the morning he returns, but shows up in a new location and it's up to the kids to find him. They can't touch him though or his magic will leave!
On one of the first few days we spotted him in the bathroom. I think the blindfold was for Olivia's benefit because just before he came back she was talking about how it's "awkward" when he shows up in the bathroom and she has to shower with him in there!
I apologize for two of these pictures but can't figure out how to format them better. :(
Olivia was beside herself that he got into HER candy jar and was eating her pack of reeces pieces!
After they awoke to Tom ziplining through mom's room (they had BOTH been sleeping in my room that night!) this was their reaction! I LOVE how Braeden clapped his hand to his head, priceless!
Well, we do and let me tell you "Tom" has been acting awfully daring of late! (I think Pinterest may be to blame!?)
Tom comes the day after Thanksgiving to our home and leaves on Christmas Eve.
During the night he flies back to the North Pole to talk to Santa and let him know what's been going on in the our household. This often makes for much better behavior during this month! :)
Then in the morning he returns, but shows up in a new location and it's up to the kids to find him. They can't touch him though or his magic will leave!
On one of the first few days we spotted him in the bathroom. I think the blindfold was for Olivia's benefit because just before he came back she was talking about how it's "awkward" when he shows up in the bathroom and she has to shower with him in there!
I apologize for two of these pictures but can't figure out how to format them better. :(
Olivia was beside herself that he got into HER candy jar and was eating her pack of reeces pieces!
After they awoke to Tom ziplining through mom's room (they had BOTH been sleeping in my room that night!) this was their reaction! I LOVE how Braeden clapped his hand to his head, priceless!
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Olivia - 14
Braeden - 11
Liam - 9
Macy - 5
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