We spent December 23rd through 28th visiting my family in Glen Carbon, IL. Adam and Jami also were there for a couple of days. Russell relished in all of the attention, and it was nice to have help with the kids. Of course the weather was a lot cooler (at least for a couple of days), so we had to stay in inside and when it got warmer it rained.
Christmas Eve we went to church with my parents and put the kids to bed afterwards. Russell had a hard time falling asleep; I guess he was excited for Santa to come on Christmas!
Russell slept in a little on Christmas (almost 7 a.m.), and he didn't want to wait to go downstairs and see the presents. Grammi (my mom) was making muffins and didn't want him to come down until she had them in the oven. Stalling an almost 3 year old is not easy! It helped when Adam came up and occupied him with watching VeggieTales on his i-phone.
He was all grins as he descended the steps. He saw presents at the back of the Christmas tree and wanted to attack them; we had to encourage him to go around to the front. Then he saw the presents that Santa brought, unwrapped: a wooden train set, a toy vacuum, an Elmo sprinkler for Russell and an animal train and play steering wheel for Nathan.
Russell had a great time opening presents. However, he wanted to play with each one as he received it. I'm thankful for that, but it made opening the presents last a long time (which I think is actually good). I was actually the last one to open any present, as I was busy helping Russell and Nathan with theirs.
While everyone was opening presents, I realized the futility of it all. Did I really need anything I was receiving that day? How many people all over the world don't have enough food to eat or clean clothes to wear, yet I'm getting this stuff that half of it will end up in a landfill in a couple of years. God was really piercing my heart and making me sensitive to other people's needs ahead of my own. I've decided that next year I don't want any gifts. I'd much rather someone donate money in my name to a worthwhile charity (Compassion International, Focus on the Family, Red Cross, etc).
We made a birthday cake for Jesus again this year, although we really didn't need any more sweets, as my mom and Jami had made a ton of cookies, candies and desserts. Russell was in heaven!
Christmas Eve we went to church with my parents and put the kids to bed afterwards. Russell had a hard time falling asleep; I guess he was excited for Santa to come on Christmas!
Russell slept in a little on Christmas (almost 7 a.m.), and he didn't want to wait to go downstairs and see the presents. Grammi (my mom) was making muffins and didn't want him to come down until she had them in the oven. Stalling an almost 3 year old is not easy! It helped when Adam came up and occupied him with watching VeggieTales on his i-phone.
He was all grins as he descended the steps. He saw presents at the back of the Christmas tree and wanted to attack them; we had to encourage him to go around to the front. Then he saw the presents that Santa brought, unwrapped: a wooden train set, a toy vacuum, an Elmo sprinkler for Russell and an animal train and play steering wheel for Nathan.
Russell had a great time opening presents. However, he wanted to play with each one as he received it. I'm thankful for that, but it made opening the presents last a long time (which I think is actually good). I was actually the last one to open any present, as I was busy helping Russell and Nathan with theirs.
While everyone was opening presents, I realized the futility of it all. Did I really need anything I was receiving that day? How many people all over the world don't have enough food to eat or clean clothes to wear, yet I'm getting this stuff that half of it will end up in a landfill in a couple of years. God was really piercing my heart and making me sensitive to other people's needs ahead of my own. I've decided that next year I don't want any gifts. I'd much rather someone donate money in my name to a worthwhile charity (Compassion International, Focus on the Family, Red Cross, etc).
We made a birthday cake for Jesus again this year, although we really didn't need any more sweets, as my mom and Jami had made a ton of cookies, candies and desserts. Russell was in heaven!
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