Month of Gratitude - Day 16 - Reason for the Season

Today, I am thankful for special celebrations like Christmas, 
but even more than that, I am thankful for the reason behind them!

Twice in the past week, I've had people ask me a question.
 The same question.

"Have you started to teach Markos about Christmas?"

My answer was the same to both.

"Yes, we've started to talk about it, but there is still a lot that he doesn't know."

Both times, their responses to my answer surprised me.  They were along the same lines as well.

"Oh, good, because we were just talking about Santa...."

In both cases, I think I confused, or maybe just surprised the people I was talking to.  They were about to embark on some Santa thing with him; I had said that I had started to teach Markos about Christmas; and I hadn't even mentioned Santa Claus to him yet.  Well, ummm, yea.  That's about it.

We've never really put a huge emphasis on Santa.  Santa visits our house, but we just don't make a huge deal of it, especially in the weeks leading up to Christmas.  Certainly, when I'm just starting out teaching a 5 year old, who hasn't really ever experienced Christmas like WE do Christmas, I am not going to start out with Santa.

Honestly, I still don't know HOW to even do the Santa thing now.  How do I explain that Santa didn't visit the children in Ethiopia?  Why didn't Santa bring Markos toys or candy or new clothes all those years?  Was he on the naughty list?  Maybe he and all his friends and family in Ethiopia were bad?  Why does Santa only seem to visit the rich kids and not the poor kids?  How do we explain that?!  (OK, this post wasn't really supposed to get into that, but it is something I'm struggling with!)

The real point is.  I want Markos and my other kids to know WHY we celebrate Christmas.  I want them to know that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ!  I want them to know WHY we give presents.  I want them to know WHY we put a star on top of our Christmas tree.  I want them to know WHY we set up that nativity scene every year and what each piece represents.  I want them to know, because it is the reason that we celebrate.  It is the only reason to have Christmas.

Today, I let the boys set up little trees in their room.  As we did, we talked about the shepherds and the angels.  We talked about the star in the sky and how the Wise Men followed it to baby Jesus.  We talked about how they took Jesus presents. 

I haven't made it to Santa, or Jingle Bells, or mistletoe, or pretty girls...

Because I'm starting at the beginning.....

Jesus' birthday.

Born in a manger.
God coming to Earth.

Shepherds in a field.

Angels singing.

Wise men following a star.

Presenting the Christ child with gifts from afar.

If you're wondering, so far, Markos knows that Christmas is the celebration of Jesus' birthday.  

That Jesus came to Earth to show us how to live and then to die for us to save us.

He knows that Jesus was born in a stable because the inn was full.  

That angels appeared to shepherds in a field and a star appeared in the sky.  

He knows that some kings, also called Wise Men, followed the star to find Jesus and they took him gifts.  He knows that is why we put a star on top of our tree.  

And, that is why we give presents at Christmas, on Jesus' birthday.

That's it.  That's as far as we've gotten.  That's enough for now.  We'll get into Santa another day (after I figure out how!).  Just to get this far, we had to talk about the tooth fairy (long story).  We sang the birthday song to Jesus.  We talked about why we get presents when it's Jesus' birthday, and why we have cookies instead of birthday cake.  There will be a lot of firsts this Christmas season.

But Markos has already learned about Christmas.  The real reason we celebrate Christmas.  He started to decorate his very first Christmas tree and he put the star up on top all by himself, all the while knowing that we put the star there to remember how the star appeared in the sky and guided the Wise Men to Jesus.  

This is going to be a very special Christmas!!  

So very happy that Markos is here to celebrate with our family this year!

Month of Gratitude - Day 15

Today, I am thankful for Christian preschools, daycares, and Mothers-Day-Out programs.

Being a stay-at-home mom is hard work.  

It's a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week job.

No vacation time.  No sick leave.  No personal days.  No pay.

When you're doing this unrelenting job called motherhood, you sometimes need a break.  Sometimes, that break isn't even for relaxation or for fun.  Sometimes, it's to take one of your other children to the doctor or to the hospital.  Sometimes, it's to visit the doctor yourself, to have some tests runs, to have your teeth cleaned.  Sometimes, you just can't do it all by yourself.

If you are fortunate enough to have family that lives close-by and can help you, and you're participating in this Month of Gratitude, then I hope you have listed that as one of your things that you're thankful for because it's a blessing.  I don't have that luxury.  My parents are 2+ hours away.  My sister is 10+ hours away. 

True, I have some close friends who are always willing to help, but they have their own children and their own jobs and their own responsibilities.

But thankfully, I have always had good, quality, Christian childcare options close to home. 

Because of that, I can also be thankful for:

• all the field trips I've gotten to attend
• all the classroom parties at which I've been able to help
• all the naps that I've gotten to take
• all the visits to the gym or cardio tennis classes
• all the doctor's appointments at which I've been able to concentrate
• all the lunches with friends, but without kids
•  all the uninterrupted hours of homework time for me to go to grad school
• all the time spent unwinding and refueling - at Bible studies, book studies, or even just goofing around or chatting with friends online

There's plenty more that I've been able to do because my children were playing at preschool or daycare, but I better go because I have to pick Markos up from day care in 3 hours and I still have to take down the Halloween decorations and clean the house so we can get ready to get out the Christmas decorations!!

Month of Gratitude - Day 10

Wasn't sure what I was going to post about today because I have much to be thankful for.  Then, when driving home from getting a hair cut this evening, I checked my phone and saw a few emails from Facebook.  The comments made no sense to me, so I opened Facebook and found this:

mom-

sorry for hacking your facebook and changing your profile pic... (; 

you were overdue for a new one. you're my role model and 

i love you more than life itself! ♥

love, 

your amazing daughter

Decision made!  

Today, I am thankful for my beautiful daughter, Mackenzie! 

I love my boys.  They are wild and crazy and fun.  They make me laugh and keep me running.  

But, there's something special about having a girl!

She was my first-born.  Sweet baby girl.

With big blue eyes, and an adorable grin.

She is bright and caring. 

Loves animals and cares about people.

Straight A student, piano playing, tennis playing 

She surprises me with special things.  She's the one who has always made me cards.

When she knows I'm sick, or it's Mother's Day, or Eric's and my anniversary, or my birthday, she's the one who gets the boys together and organizes special surprises.

Like this:

Or this:

I was so proud of her this year when she went to Haiti with me.

She loved on those kids and didn't complain about the heat or the lack of comforts.

Such a mature young woman she's becoming.

She is absolutely beautiful -- inside and out!!

I am SO VERY BLESSED!!!

Calendars for a Cause!

Seems that I'm always trying to get organized. Once our 3rd child joined the family, this wasn't as easy as it once was. When I was recently scheduling dentist appointments and doctor's appointments, I realized that this year has quickly gotten away from me and I am in need of a 2012 calendar. So, I was so excited when I saw this:

The new Amharic Kids' 2012 Ethiopia Calendar!

I was even more excited when I saw that they were selling them in bulk for families to use as fundraisers. Because, I mean, who isn't excited to do fundraising?!   (ha!!)

Actually, I have been wishing that I could do something to help raise money for a certain special family that I've met online through our adoption. They recently adopted a sibling group of 3 kiddos from Ethiopia to add to their family. They have a heart for sibling groups, you see. And they are faithful. When God calls, they respond. And not just once, but twice.

God recently pierced their hearts again. This time, not for a sibling group of 3, but for a sibling group of FIVE!!

Yes, you heard me correctly -Five!

Five!! Cinco!! Cinq!! Ammïst!!

 The Jensen family - Chrissy, Paul, and their 7 (soon-to-be 12!!) kiddos - live in Tennessee.  They are currently awaiting a court date.  You can read the story of this most recent adoption here and follow along as the story continues to unfold on Chrissy's blog, Injera and Chocolate Gravy.  Also, if you feel called to do more than buy a calendar, you can donate to their adoption fund on their blog!

If not, you know you need a calendar for 2012, so buy one here.  It will have beautiful pictures from Ethiopia each month, bringing back memories for a lot of us, I'm sure!  

The calendars are $20.00 each (which includes the shipping costs).  All proceeds will go to the Jensen families travel fund.  They will need to purchase 4 round trip tickets, plus 5 one-way tickets in all!!  That is no small potatoes!

To purchase your calendar, click on the PayPal button on the right to pay and then either leave a comment or email me at lori.stark@gmail.com with the mailing address where you want the calendar shipped.  

Calendars for a great cause!!  And, maybe, if you're lucky, you'll be able to get organized.  I know I'm hoping I can!

Month of Gratitude - Day 7

On this day, when all 3 children are home from school, full of energy, and on each other's nerves before noon, 

I am thankful that we live in a safe neighborhood, with beautiful parks and playgrounds all around.

Beautiful trees with leaves - red, orange, yellow, and brown.

The sun shining on my face.

The boys able to run safely ahead, while I stroll along with the over-sized puppy in need of exercise.

There's no better way to tire the boys (and the dog) out so their energy is used for good and not evil on these unscheduled free days.

Month of Gratitude - Day 6

Today is Orphan Sunday. 

Today (and everyday), 

I am grateful for our God.

There are an estimated 147 million orphans in the world.

Our God knows each one by name.

An estimated 15 million children have lost both parents.

Our God is the Father to the Fatherless.

He sets the lonely in families.

He will never leave them or forsake them.

He has a plan for them.  And it is good.

The question we must ask ourselves is:

What is MY part in His plan?

Month of Gratitude - Day 5

Today, I am thankful for the internet.

I know.  Some people claim that it's evil.  They don't want their children on their computers.  I understand that and acknowledge that there is danger lurking out there and that it can be used for evil, (as with ALL things).  But, there is also amazing good for which it can be used.

I can't begin to tell you the support that we received during our adoption process AND even continuing now, by people known only through the computer.  We've prayed together, cried together, shared stories with one another, shared tips and information.  The Yahoo group for our agency was one of the single most valuable sources of information to us during the entire process.  They were my go-to-girls.  Before I'd pick up a book or email our agency, I'd ask those women (and a few men).  More often than not, they had answers.  Good answers.  From people who've been there, done that.

Google is also one of my main go-to's.  I seriously sometimes think I should have been a researcher.  It can be problematic at times, but it's also incredibly helpful most of the time.  Your daughter just spilled oil-based paint on her carpet and you don't know what to do?  Google it.  Your son has some funky bumps on his arms and you don't know what they are?  Google it.  Your lab results were just posted online and your doctor hasn't called you to discuss them yet and it's Friday and you are DYING to know what XYZ is?  Google it.  (BTW, I'm sure that I drive my doctor completely insane because I am ALWAYS saying, "well, I read online that....", but, too bad.  I like to think that I'm an informed consumer of medical care and that I keep him on his toes.  He probably thinks differently.)  I also drive my husband crazy because I frequently Google his ailments and diagnose him with some serious afflications.  **think Arnold Schwarzenegger, in whatever movie that was, saying "It's NOT a tumor!".

I can track my kids grades on Edline.  I can see what they buy in the school cafeteria.  I can do my banking and pay my bills.  I can skype with people in other parts of the world or IM with my sister at midnight when everyone else is sleeping.  I'm even going to graduate school, primarily online when my kids are sleeping or at preschool!!  Come on!  It's incredible.

I've nearly forgotten how to use a dictionary, thesaurus, or phone book.  And, frankly, with a house as small as ours, I'm so happy not to have to keep those additional books in the house! 

I have done intensive, video-based Bible studies online, while my kids were napping or at preschool.  I have watched sermons when I couldn't go to church because my kids were sick and my husband plays guitar for the praise team so he has to go. 

I've stayed in touch with friends who have moved far away, and gotten back in touch with friends from high school.  I've laughed myself silly goofing around on Facebook with old friends and new. 

I've also received urgent prayer requests or cried until I was exhausted at receiving the most awful of news. 

I have friends who "aren't into computers" and I understand that, but for me, it's a God-send.  Truly.  Markos is the biggest attention-hound known to man-kind.  If I even think I'm going to pick up the phone and have a conversation with someone, I am sooooo mistaken.  But, I can sit and email at any time day or night without interruption.  OK, not really without interruption, but without the recipient having to endure the interruption with me.  :-)

Surely, the internet can be used for evil, but it can also be used for good.  And, I am grateful for it!!