our kitchen tree
when Joey brought these magnolia leaves home-
my heart skipped a beat
funny frostys from my mom and who doesn’t need Christmas ornaments in an old candy machine
sweet A and I had a little craft time
her smile says it all
G joined in
hot gluey goodness
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a few weeks back, we made ginger people, dinosaurs, and ninja bread
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after a week of near constant stomach virus from all four of our family, I felt a little wonky
and then I heard about Connecticut and the bottom dropped out
I felt murky, slippery depression coat everything and slow my movements
sharp words and hot tears mixed with the grit of anxiety and the weight of doubt
I don’t have any great theology that makes this any less horrific, evil is real and shameless
my only solace is a small inclination in my head that tells me this is not the end of the story,
this is not the final chapter
I pray and cling to that truth- this is not how it all ends
with that said, I am fighting this depression, this disbelief, this evil
by clinging to truth and finding beauty- this is my mutiny, my rebellion against evil
I will love my family, I will rub my eyes and find beauty, and celebrate life
-this is not how the story ends
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Sweet Joey and I had planned on finishing our Christmas shopping on Monday. A stomach virus of epic proportions derailed that plan. We did make it to one of my favorite off-beat vintage stores: nostalgia. What’s not to love about a dried okra painted Grinch? Little did I know that in mere hours, the stomach virus would leave no one standing in our family. Fast forward several days, two ER trips, five medications we are almost back in the land of the living. It’s amazing how the glimmer of nausea and the slowing of reflexes makes you appreciate normal life so very much. Cheers to non-sick days and Cheers to dried okra painted ornament Grinches!
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so my eight year old may or may not have accidentally hacked a family member’s i-tunes account and racked up several hundred dollars of charges for her pretend ponies
I may or may not watched a child (not mine this time) crawl out the car widow and dance on top of the car today
I may or may not have had to use a mini gingerbread die cut for baby Jesus because there wasn’t a baby one- no biggie, just the son of God as a cookie in my craft project
sometimes I wake up and just wonder how I got here- to this being an adult and making dinner and laundry and paying bills and trying to be a good mom and wife and psychologist
I’m not sure I can make any sense of any of it-
maybe I need some chocolate or some prayer or some adult beverage or maybe a combo of all three
or maybe gingerbread baby Jesus, and car dancing children, and expensive magical ponies aren’t suppose to make sense
hard to say….
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parenting that is, tough gig for sure.
we’ve had several questions lately about how we celebrate Christmas/elf/no elf/santa/no santa, ect.
so here it is, with the disclaimer that this is what works for our little quirky family-
not a prescription for a one size fits all anything for anyone else
we read to our kiddos about St. Nicholas and tell them this is how the legend of santa developed-
that it’s a fun, happy way to share with others but their gifts come from us
(but some families do play santa so don’t spoil the fun for others)
they receive three gifts just like the wise men brought baby Jesus three gifts
we’re not santa haters, we don’t rain on anyone’s parade, it’s just that we really want our kids
to know that we strive to be honest and direct with them
(they don’t let me forget the infamous mushroom dinner incident)
and for us it matters that we share with them about Christ
and focus on him especially during the Advent season
so where does the elf come into play?
Ava has been sharing zany stories from friends who have an elf on the shelf
she really wanted one……
so welcome Jingle Belle Thompson
we don’t tell the kids that the elf flys to the North Pole
we say it’s a fun, pretend way to celebrate Christmas
(I know with ages 5 and 8, the days of wonder are numbered)
our elf, Jingle watches for ways the kids show kindness
and other ways that they can share with others to honor
Christ on his birthday
and gets into a little mischief as well
it’s kind of all over the map but it works for us
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I’ve had great quantities of caffeine and Christmas music- a dangerous combo no doubt
as I wrap gifts- I ponder wisdom and need to be sure my children have a written record of the following:
A and G, listen up:
1. don’t show your panties in public (learned this in kindergarten, and it’s sound advice guys)
2. good manners are the ultimate assessory
3. kindness is always the right choice
4. and last but not least- under no circumstance leave ribbon edges to fray: it’s just tacky sweet babies
simply torch the edges lightly and you are all set!
-oh and this is a great tip from the “interweb”
wash your hands because Jesus and germs are everywhere!
love, your mama
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baby Jesus, burlap, and the red cups at starbucks:
I love the Christmas season!
(seven trees up at my house but who’s counting)
I adore having a reason to share little gifts with some of the wonderful people in my life
it doesn’t have to be expensive- paper plates, napkins, and cups with a little card saying:
“my Christmas wish is for you to do less dishes” (pinterest, baby)
how fun is that?
I work with incredible Speech and Language Pathologists
(who’s down with SLPs – such a bad pun from such a bad 90s song)
any who- gingerbread mix, gingerbread candle, and ornament
I really am crazy about SLPs and peppermint mochas- yay Christmas!
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fish or lure? family joke inspired by a precocious two-year old
one of these silver platters was a family heirloom, one was $2 at Good Will
neither were living up to their potential, soooo
homemade silver tarnish remover with no scrubbing- Thank you Pinterest!
After: a bit of happy shiny for my wall
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well not so much in Brooklyn but in my kitchen
the thanksgiving tree may have to become a new tradition
complete with Pickel our pet porcupine and a turkey disguised as a pumpkin
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designnarrative 