Making a list and...

checking it twice is the mode I'm in now. I'm finally beginning my Christmas shopping. We've scaled way back on gift giving. The boys will each get one item they really want, and a few small things. In years past they would always end up with 7 or 8 gifts. I never felt good about it, I always felt it to be excessive.

Now that I'm holding firm to our 'few gifts' I'm aware how the world at large sees me. I'm backwards for having this philosophy. I've found it's a point that sets me apart from the world, something I've grown to appreciate more and more each year I mature. I find the points that set us apart from the world are the points that are the strongest witnesses for God. I'm grateful that He uses these subtle areas.

He's used gift giving to change me. For years I've seen our family, and nation as wasteful. I felt as if I was on a merry-go-round that wouldn't stop, and I was too afraid to jump. The economy has allowed the merry-go-round to stop or at least slow down enough that I don't mind jumping. Whew...I can catch my breath.

I feel a great deal less stress about the whole gift buying, giving thing than I ever have before. I'm extending the downsizing to all the people the boys want to thank as well. Several blogs I read have ideas for homemade gifts, we've taken their lead and jumped off the merry-go-round for the much slower bandwagon of homemade items. We'll be making more gifts this year than in years past. We're using resources we have already. The first resource is an overabundance of ripe bananas in the freezer. We plan to make banana bread for all their teachers, scout leaders, piano teachers, coaches, bus driver ect... We're headed to Walmart to buy fabric for them to sew, on the machine, a simple bag to slip the bread into and tie with a ribbon.

For family we are taking a suggestion my mom gave me. Several years ago she suggested that she'd love the boys to draw pictures of a ski trip she took them on. I just couldn't get them motivated to do it at the time. Now they are willing. I've cut down large card stock to standard frame sizes 8x10 and 5x7. They'll each draw, paint, or rip art two pictures, one for each grandparent. What renewed the idea for me was a picture Luke made in school. The picture is of he and his dad shooting the bow, too cute! I can't wait for Chuck to see it.

I come from a long line of homemade gift givers. My mom instilled homemade gift giving in me and I had plenty of other great examples. My aunt and grandmothers were all homemade gift givers.

My mom spent countless hours at a sewing machine making Barbie clothes and doll clothes for Christmas. She would also sew outfits for me. My aunt made two of my prom dresses and one grandmother made outfits for me when she was younger. The other grandmother crocheted. These homemade heirlooms are more precious than anything that could be store bought. To me, there's so much more behind a homemade gift. A person giving a homemade gift is giving far more than a present. They are giving of themselves. They've thought, planned, and spent hours making an item. Many times in those hours they've thought about me and prayed for me.

In recent years I've received a table runner and placemats from my aunt, the one who made my prom dresses. I received a crocheted blanket afghan from my secret sister (Dottie), and a lap afghan from my friend Alana (a fortieth birthday gift.) My mom made me curtains, and Patti gave me a picture with scriptures of some of the biblical descriptions of God (her friend did the calligraphy, but Patti conceptualised and compiled), too cool! My neighbor (we call her Martha, you know Stewart) brings me lunch at least once a week, a meal that she's made. Our other neighbor brings us all kinds of homemade goodies, Stromboli, pies, clams and linguine. I know there are many, many other homemade gifts that I'm overlooking.

I regret, due to my busy schedule, that I don't have the hours to put into gift making like I'd like to. I love to do cross stitch. Once the boys came along FORGET IT! I'd get two stitched done and they'd need me. I'd spend more time figuring out where I left off than I did stitching. I've also enjoyed many other crafts, but most of my gifts come from the kitchen now. It's something the boys and I can do together. I enjoy making gifts much more than purchasing gifts. I'm looking forward to future years of getting back into handmade gifts, not just kitchen gifts.

Please take the time to post about some of your favorite homemade gifts you've given or received.

I hope your Christmas gift preparations are going well. Mine is now in full swing. With the fall semester behind me, I'm making my list and checking it twice...

In parenting, like all aspects of life...

there are positives and negatives. I can't say I just love every moment of parenting. I can't say I'm a natural at parenting. I can't say with confidence I'm a great parent. What I can say is so far "these are the best years of my life." I'm doing right now what I was meant to do. I was made to help guide these boys into men and show them the choices God has given them. For doing that I get to witness some of the coolest things.

I get to sit front row at every game, concert, and event they're in. I get to see the cogs clicking into place when they learn something new. I get to measure maturity in ways that psychologist can't measure. I get to wipe tears and feel their pain all the way to my soul. And I get to appreciate four someones like NO ONE else will ever appreciate them again.

For all the hustle and bustle and hub bub that goes with four active boys I love being the taxi, the snack mom, the room mother, the carpool mom, the team mom, the encourager, the snuggler, the nurse, the psychologist, the reader of chapter books, and hot cocoa maker with extra marshmallows when a bruised ego needs a little lift, and the one who sees the yet realized potential waiting to be unearthed.

Sometimes I'm scared that my prayers for my children lack enough faith. I'm scared that all my hope for them will fall short. I'm afraid I'll let God down, by not getting it right. I'm afraid I'm going to miss out on these great times. I'm afraid that they have choices, and they may not choose what's best despite my blood, sweat, and tears. And...There you have it, the point of it all summed up in one little sentence.

When it's all said and done, I can sleep well at night because they are mine to treasure for a while, but they ultimately belong to The King, the one who truly shed blood, sweat, and tears. The one who says "yes, I see you the same way you see them."

"Thank you for not being stingy and thank you for not giving up!

I was wondering, would it be too much to ask you to slow time down--just a bit? I want to savor every moment. Is it just me, time seems to be moving too fast...? What time is it anyway? Ah, yes my favorite time. They're sleeping and I get to sneak into their rooms, tuck the covers up tighter, pray over them, and marvel at their beauty."

Grati-

I've missed for several weeks, having blog block and not enough time to sit, write, and edit, due to other projects.

I'm grateful for my husband. I know I've written about him before, but really can enough be said in gratitude for the ones you love? He's done a million and one little things around here for us, and a bunch of big things too since he came home last Wednesday. He in so many ways goes above and beyond the call of duty for us. He NEVER complains, and he asks for so little. He loves me, more than I comprehend at times. He loves our boys more than they will understand, until of course they're a dad. The boys adore him.

He always wants to do what's right in God's eyes, and he leads us spiritually. We are so blessed to have him in our lives.
Chuck and I are very different.

He'd be happy hunting and fishing all day alone in the woods, I of course would be happy in a a spa being pampered all day with a friend or two.

I would love to live in NY City, he'd live, where else, the woods.

His idea of vacation is going someplace, sleeping late and relaxing. My idea of a vacation, do everything the place has to offer, you're only there a short time anyway.

He'd go to sleep with the TV, I want complete dark and silence.

He doesn't give two hoots about an education, I would go to college forever if someone would pay for it.

Sometimes we wonder how it works, we know of course it's only with GOD. He knows what He's doing, why do we second guess it?

Thank you Chuck, for all you do, and your undying love and devotion to our family. I'm blessed, and grateful!