Dinner Time at Toys R Us

Let's not lose sight of what Christmas really means.

In the society that we live in today, it's so much harder to teach our kids about what Christmas really means. Stores try and push Christmas on us sooner every year. They start the hype earlier, to make us feel the pressure quicker, to get us to spend more money for a longer period of time. Can we please make it through Thanksgiving first before the onslaught of retail madness??? As it is, even that holiday is losing some of it's value. Stores are starting to open up on Thanksgiving night to try and get the edge on their competitors. All because they're trying to get "first dibs" on our money. And we, as consumers, play into that madness - camping out all night to be one of the first in line, just so that we can save a few bucks. When in reality, if you're a smart shopper you can get deals just as good (if not better) throughout the year. Let's face it. The economy being in the state that it's in, retailers are doing whatever they can to keep people coming through their doors.

What bothers me the most, though, in fact it breaks my heart, is that through all of this - through all of the antics that are employed to get us sucked into this craziness, the same retailers that are trying to get us to spend our money with them, are the very same retailers that are trying to take away what we celebrate, and the reason that we go out and buys gifts!! All under the guise of "not offending anyone". Come on!! Not offending anyone???? What about the millions of us that celebrate Christmas? Yes, that's right!! Not "the holidays", but good old fashioned, traditional, let's call it what it is, CHRISTMAS!!! And another thing. I don't know about you, but in our house we put up a Christmas tree. Not a holiday tree, but a CHRISTMAS tree. It's our symbol, as Christians, of a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Just like the Jewish faith doesn't use a candelabra during Hanukkah. They use a MENORAH. It's THEIR symbol of celebration!

In closing, I'd just like to say this: Christmas to me means celebrating the birth of Jesus. The Son of God who was sent to this earth to die a cruel death on the cross to pay the price of my sins. It means time with loved ones and friends. Time to celebrate each other and give gifts as a gesture of "you matter to me". It doesn't matter how big or small the gift, but rather that the gift was chosen specifically for that person, knowing that it would bring them joy. It means the smell of a fresh Christmas tree in our family room, bringing back memories of Christmases past. It means traditions - old and new ones that are created as the years go by. It means the joy I'll feel at seeing Joshua and Anna's face on Christmas morning when they get to see their presents under the tree and open them for the first time. It means the smell of homecooked/homebaked goodies in the house. Most importantly - IT MEANS LOVE and the celebration of it!

Joshua playing drums

Our Thanksgiving Adventure

For more than two years now Scott and I have been contemplating moving to North Carolina. We have never felt that the time was right up until now. About three weeks ago Scott flew up to Atlanta for an interview with Rubbermaid for a position in North Carolina. While we were waiting to hear back we researched the area very thoroughly online. We really liked what we saw and had our hearts set on moving there (still do in fact). When he wasn't offered the position we were disappointed, but a few days later we decided that we'd take advantage of the Thanksgiving long weekend and go and "spy out the land" anyway.

Our weekend started off at 5am on Thursday morning, with great anticipation for our little adventure. We were on the road to Savannah, Georgia to spend the night and then make our way to Charlotte, North Carolina on Friday. We were greeted with cold weather in Charlotte, which we all quite enjoyed. It was a pleasant change from the hot, humid weather that we have all the time at home.

We spent two nights in Charlotte and spent both days looking at the two areas we were interested in settling down in. We discovered that they were both wonderful family neighbourhoods and that it's a very "up and coming" place. Lots of houses, and stores being built. We fell in love and are now more excited than ever about moving there.

On our way back from Georgia we decided to stop off for lunch in St Augustine in Florida. It's a town filled with lots of history and beautiful, Spanish inspired architecture. We had lunch in a Pub across the road from the ocean and walked around a little to stretch our legs. It was an unplanned, "spur of the moment" diversion that we all enjoyed.

Coming back home for us was a little bittersweet. We were very sad to leave North Carolina and the place we believe with all of our hearts is going to be our new home. We don't know how or when it's going to happen - the waiting is going to be the hardest part. What we do know, though, is that God has this all worked out already and that in His timing things will work out.

"Presents Tree"

It's official... Joshua knows what Christmas means.... a tree with presents for him - his own little "presents tree". We were on our way to dinner tonight and one of the communities in our neighbourhood had their trees decorated with Christmas lights. He was all excited and kept saying something and then we finally understood what he was telling us: "presents tree, presents tree". Anna of course had to say the same thing... simply because she has to do everything like her big brother, which is really cute!

It's funny how quickly they learn. Scott and I have been saying that this will be the first Christmas that Joshua (and maybe Anna) will start to learn about Santa Clause (or Father Christmas as I know him). It's definitely going to be lots of fun!!

Where did the weekend go?

I can hardly believe that the weekend's already done! It feels as if I just blinked my eyes and here we are, Sunday night, getting ready for the new week. We had a lovely weekend together. Friday night we took the kids to Toys R Us, which seems to have become somewhat of a routine for us. It's a great way to get the kids out of the house and they're able to play with a bunch of different toys, meet other kids and just have a good time. Saturday we did a bit of running around getting last minute things for some boxes that we were putting together for Operation Christmas Child and then we hung out at home. Sunday, thankfully was a quiet day for us. We went to church then had a delicious turkey lunch, celebrating Thanksgiving with our church family and then Sunday evening the kids played outside while Scott did some yard work. All in all a nice family weekend.

It's about time

Well I finally did it! I created a blog to let everyone know about the going's on in our lives. I have to say I'm quite excited. I think it's going to be a fun, easy way to ramble on... and on... and on and hopefully in the midst of it all keep everyone entertained and well informed. So here's to sharing our lives with you and to getting to know us a little better!