Did you make your resolutions? Zach has decided to not yell at the kids so much….angry elf! I wish him luck. I’m pretty sure the boys push him the most because they like to see him explode. I haven’t made a resolution since the 8th grade when I vowed to never chew my nails again. It worked and I figured why mess with perfection! I just want to wish everyone a happy new year and offer these encouraging words I came across!
“You have never passed this way before” – Joshua 3:4
As we enter this new year , I’m reminded of several scripture verses given long years ago, but very applicable today.
When Joshua lead the Israelites across the Jordan into the Promised Land, he directed them to follow the Ark of the Covenant, borne by the priests, because “You have never passed this way before”. Joshua 3:4.
In the days ahead, we too, will encounter many new experiences. For some the coming 12 months may be the best we’ve known. For others, they could be marked with sorrow and disappointment. No one knows what lies ahead, simply because “we have not passed this way before”. That fact can strike fear to our hearts, but need not, if we are trusting the Lord for direction in the following days and months.
Think of Moses’ challenge to the Israelites shortly before his death and their entrance into Canaan. With the giants of that land in mind, he encouraged the people, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deut. 31:6
When we claim that promise for ourselves, we too, will not be afraid of the future and will face un-traveled pathways with confidence, trusting the Lord in every situation. As we grow older, sometimes the bend in the road looks sharper than it really is.
Jesus said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear”. Hebrews 13:5,6. A very comforting truth.
May the coming year be a truly blessed one for you as you experience the comforting presence and guidance of the Lord and His provision for each step of the way.
- Elsie K. Young
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Christmas Break
Christmas is a wonderful time of the year! Zach and I both got to take time off this year to spend it with the boys. It’s so nice to be able to spend the extra time with the boys and reconnect with them. With so much going on each boy’s life it’s hard to get everyone together at the same time and just enjoy the day with nothing to do but spend it with each other. Now if you’re like the boys you just rolled your eyes!
School was cancelled the last day before winter vacation. Zach and I got to work from home that day too which was an extra day we go to spend with the boys. We made a gingerbread house. When I say “made” I mean assemble. We got a kit and just frosted it together and put the candies on. Either way we do it every year and the boys enjoy it. This year they didn’t even steal the candies off each day to reveal a naked house! Zach and I made cookies that day as well. It was interesting to work with him in the kitchen again but it was nice. We are perfecting our “work together” attitudes – wish me luck. The next day the boys and I made sugar cookie cut-outs and that was fun. They cut them out, I baked them and then later they decorated them with Zach. It’s probably one of the few times we were home that they didn’t fight!
That same weekend because of the ice we got that cancelled school took it’s affect on our power lines. Later that weekend we lost power for about 16 hours. Zach got up early and went all over Warsaw to find a heater – well he was too late because everyone was sold out. Thank goodness Zach’s grandpa had an extra one we could borrow. Then to find a place that sold kerosene AND had power was a joke too. He drove to Leesburg, Milford and a few stations in Syracuse as well before finally finding a place that was still open. Ashton and I were home playing card games all afternoon. At one point we had a 2 hour game o Uno going. We both got bored and we gave up and took a nap together on the couch.
That weekend (before Christmas) is really the highlight of our 2 weeks together. The rest of the time was spent from one family gathering to the next. We stayed in a lot and just relaxed on the couch watching TV and eating lots of food. LOTS OF FOOD! We even stayed in on Zach’s birthday and New Year’s Eve. Zach really hates his birthday (hate is a major understatement) so it was no surprise that he wanted to stay in on that night.
School was cancelled the last day before winter vacation. Zach and I got to work from home that day too which was an extra day we go to spend with the boys. We made a gingerbread house. When I say “made” I mean assemble. We got a kit and just frosted it together and put the candies on. Either way we do it every year and the boys enjoy it. This year they didn’t even steal the candies off each day to reveal a naked house! Zach and I made cookies that day as well. It was interesting to work with him in the kitchen again but it was nice. We are perfecting our “work together” attitudes – wish me luck. The next day the boys and I made sugar cookie cut-outs and that was fun. They cut them out, I baked them and then later they decorated them with Zach. It’s probably one of the few times we were home that they didn’t fight!
That same weekend because of the ice we got that cancelled school took it’s affect on our power lines. Later that weekend we lost power for about 16 hours. Zach got up early and went all over Warsaw to find a heater – well he was too late because everyone was sold out. Thank goodness Zach’s grandpa had an extra one we could borrow. Then to find a place that sold kerosene AND had power was a joke too. He drove to Leesburg, Milford and a few stations in Syracuse as well before finally finding a place that was still open. Ashton and I were home playing card games all afternoon. At one point we had a 2 hour game o Uno going. We both got bored and we gave up and took a nap together on the couch.
That weekend (before Christmas) is really the highlight of our 2 weeks together. The rest of the time was spent from one family gathering to the next. We stayed in a lot and just relaxed on the couch watching TV and eating lots of food. LOTS OF FOOD! We even stayed in on Zach’s birthday and New Year’s Eve. Zach really hates his birthday (hate is a major understatement) so it was no surprise that he wanted to stay in on that night.
Is Santa Real?
I think that my kids are the few ones left that still believe in Santa Claus. They ask me all the time if he’s real. I tell them that I believe in him and if you believe then it's real to you. It’s like God. You can’t see him but you can see the stuff he does for us and other people. I tell them that Santa is like God and there’s a little of him inside each one of us. When you give and not expect anything in return then you’re doing what Santa does and that makes them Santa’s helpers.
Ashton really took this to heart this year. He had $10 that I was holding for him. $5 of it he spent on magnets (don’t ask) and he had $5 left. We were at the grocery store to buy cookie ingredients and there was a bell ringer outside collecting money for a charity. I can’t pass one without putting something in so I gave each boy some money to put in. We got to the car and Ashton asked if I still had his $5. I was tired and told him we were not going back into the store so he could spend his money. He said “no I wanna give it to those guys” (pointing at the bell ringers). I looked at him in shock and made sure he understood that once he gave it away he would not be getting more money. Once it’s gone it’s gone. I don’t know how many times I said it or how many different ways I said it for him to understand. But no matter what I said he kept saying “I KNOW MOM!” I gave it to him and watched him with tears in my eyes go give his own money to those guys. On the way home we talked about what the money goes to and he felt even better about his decision when he heard that some little boys & girls won't get gifts under the tree. That his $5 could have just helped make a holiday special for one of them. It was just so sweet to see him give from the heart and know he was giving to those in need and expecting nothing in return. I gave him a big hug & a kiss and told him I was proud of him…it was a sweet moment that I will never forget.
Ashton really took this to heart this year. He had $10 that I was holding for him. $5 of it he spent on magnets (don’t ask) and he had $5 left. We were at the grocery store to buy cookie ingredients and there was a bell ringer outside collecting money for a charity. I can’t pass one without putting something in so I gave each boy some money to put in. We got to the car and Ashton asked if I still had his $5. I was tired and told him we were not going back into the store so he could spend his money. He said “no I wanna give it to those guys” (pointing at the bell ringers). I looked at him in shock and made sure he understood that once he gave it away he would not be getting more money. Once it’s gone it’s gone. I don’t know how many times I said it or how many different ways I said it for him to understand. But no matter what I said he kept saying “I KNOW MOM!” I gave it to him and watched him with tears in my eyes go give his own money to those guys. On the way home we talked about what the money goes to and he felt even better about his decision when he heard that some little boys & girls won't get gifts under the tree. That his $5 could have just helped make a holiday special for one of them. It was just so sweet to see him give from the heart and know he was giving to those in need and expecting nothing in return. I gave him a big hug & a kiss and told him I was proud of him…it was a sweet moment that I will never forget.
LAST ONE?
On here for only a few weeks and I’m already slacking. Nothing much happened the beginning of December. Stephon had his very last school concert. I’m sure he will not be pursuing choir in middle or high school so we can safely call this his last school concert. It didn’t click until afterwards that this is his last concert because he’ll be in middle school next year. This was a sad day….sad day indeed! So, I’m thankful that I forced Zach to take the camcorder and videotape the performance. Here is a small clip of him that night.
*** STAY TUNED....I have to get Zach to download the video ***
Did I mention this is his last concert? I know I shouldn’t keep dwelling on it but it makes me sad to think that my first born is growing up so quickly. He’ll no longer be an elementary kid. I just feel like these 10 years have flown by without a blink. I know my mom told me this would happen but to actually realize that her words are right is a major bummer! Now Zach and I look at Ashton and we know why the baby of the family is the most spoiled….the most coddled (Zach says that doesn’t coddle Ash but I beg to differ on that one). I’m not saying it’s fair but rather I can understand now why it happens. They are not better than the other kids by any means. Each child is different and you have to play on each kid's strengths. With Stephon its sports – if you talk to him in those terms you’re going to get much further than if you try to speak in terms of emotions. With Ashton he’s the equivalent of his dad. All emotional and takes everything to heart. Plus Ashton still lets me hug and kiss him. Even in public!! Stephon on the other hand won’t let me touch him unless I’ve filled out the proper paperwork. But every now and then he surprises me and gives me a hug out of the blue or tells me he loves me for no reason at all or even calls me mommy without thinking about it. It’s those moments that make me thankful to God for giving me the chance to be a mom. As much as it hurts to let them grow up the joys of the day to day activities outweigh the sadness.
*** STAY TUNED....I have to get Zach to download the video ***
Did I mention this is his last concert? I know I shouldn’t keep dwelling on it but it makes me sad to think that my first born is growing up so quickly. He’ll no longer be an elementary kid. I just feel like these 10 years have flown by without a blink. I know my mom told me this would happen but to actually realize that her words are right is a major bummer! Now Zach and I look at Ashton and we know why the baby of the family is the most spoiled….the most coddled (Zach says that doesn’t coddle Ash but I beg to differ on that one). I’m not saying it’s fair but rather I can understand now why it happens. They are not better than the other kids by any means. Each child is different and you have to play on each kid's strengths. With Stephon its sports – if you talk to him in those terms you’re going to get much further than if you try to speak in terms of emotions. With Ashton he’s the equivalent of his dad. All emotional and takes everything to heart. Plus Ashton still lets me hug and kiss him. Even in public!! Stephon on the other hand won’t let me touch him unless I’ve filled out the proper paperwork. But every now and then he surprises me and gives me a hug out of the blue or tells me he loves me for no reason at all or even calls me mommy without thinking about it. It’s those moments that make me thankful to God for giving me the chance to be a mom. As much as it hurts to let them grow up the joys of the day to day activities outweigh the sadness.
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