Tis The Season

Here we are...17 days before Christmas and I've been meaning to write about this subject for a while now so figure I better get to it before I forget for another year.

Christmas 2005: after surveying the leftover wrapping, watching our eldest quickly move from toy to-soon-abandoned toy, and having a sense of dread (second child was going to be born in 5 days) of Christmases to come; my husband and I made a decision. We decided on 3 gifts per child (little did we know what a fantastically liberating idea). We decided this for two reasons: 1. financially it was INSANE to try and "out-do" last year and 2: we wanted to re-focus on WHY we celebrate Christmas. So now the children get 1 gift they really want, 1 gift they really need and 1 gift the whole family can enjoy together.

Now why am I mentioning this? Because I am AMAZED at how many people who find out this is what we do (3 present rule) think this is a great idea. I'm not amazed by the fact they think it is a great idea, but that these same people are scurrying for boatloads of presents the following years. See, this is where an idea and its implementation fall apart.

I can only assume it is because of guilt. Here's what I mean: one Christmas when our second child was little we opted not to put up a tree so we wouldn't have to worry about broken ornaments, pine needles in little knees or feet or having the whole tree pulled down. I felt SO guilty. But why? Christmas still came. The children still saw their relatives. We still enjoyed the holidays. Yet in society we see images of Christmas and how Christmas "should" be so when it is "less than" we feel guilty. So people put up trees, buy loads of presents, deck the halls with enough lights and tinsel to wrap the World in gaudiness for years. For what?!

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying to be a "Scrooge" and poo-poo Christmas. I am saying that so many times you hear during the Christmas season to "Keep the Spirit of Christmas alive all year long". If Christmas were about monetary things then we should all be buying and giving like this once every month. Now doesn't that seem ridiculous? Of course it does! We should decorate everyday in ornaments and ribbon and lights? I think I'd hate red and green by March. Cookies should be baked everyday of the year. Okay...well THAT isn't a bad thing, but you get my point.

For me, Christmas means focusing less on all the gift giving, tree trimming, and the pretty "packaging" and BE better at this whole human thing. To remember that time and kindness with and towards others should be our objective, at Christmas and always. As a Christian I get to focus more on my Savior than seeing things as my salvation. What better way to celebrate it there really?

Tutu Tutorial (yeah..say THAT 3xs fast)

So it's only August but yes, I am already working on the Halloween costumes. I initally started early because I get bogged down by crafting projects at the end of the year. Now I think it's just so these children stop changing their minds. Commit! Commit! Commit! LOL!

Anyway...Lil Princess decided she'd like to be Ladybug Girl. And in case you have no clue who that is:

So on to the tutorial (it's my first so bare with me):

Supplies:

Tulle: I used 3 1/2 yds but bought 5 (better safe than sorry).

It will also depend on the size of the child and how full you'd like the tutu.

3/4" elastic

2 1/2" ribbon (optional) 12" longer than waist measurement

1. First measure waist of child and add 1 inch.

2. If you'd like to cover the elastic so it won't show when stretched this is where you'd take your ribbon, fold it right sides together the length of the ribbon, folding ends out 1/4" and sew a scant 1/4" seam allowance. Turn inside out and lightly press.

3. Insert elastic through ribbon casing and sew elastic ends together.

4. Slip stitch ribbon casing openings. Set aside.

5. Determine the length you'd like your tutu. I cut this one 26" and it falls mid thigh (not as short as Ladybug Girl but she's 4! Gimme a break.). The width is 3" (that won't change no matter WHO you make it for). I cut 100 of these. Don't worry, tulle is easy to cut and goes fast.

6. Next I took 4 pieces of tulle, divided the waistband into quarters and attached them at those points. And to attach? Knot them on! Yep! That easy. Tie once, tie twice. Voile! Attached.

7. Between each of the quarters I tied on 25 strips of tulle.

That's it. SO simple, quick and cheap. You can sew the tulle onto a waistband if you like but since this is for play and not a beauty contest, I knew all that mattered to her was that it sparkled and she'd look like Ladybug Girl! Oh! You can also do different color tulle and alternate the colors which would be beautiful. Good Luck! Happy twirling!

Toying With An Idea

CW & I took the Goobers to a local Art Fair (yeah..it was dumb but...)last Saturday. We went to meet up with a couple of his friends from out of state that he hasn't seen in a long time. Unfortunately the stupid thing started at 11AM (we got there around 11:15AM) and NOBODY, I mean NOBODY was fully set up! Not the sellers, vendors and even the local shops were unprepared for the crowd. What the..?!?! A couple good things came out of this though: CW got to talk (albeit briefly as the children were VERY hungry) to one of his friends, we scored a 1983 mint Godzilla for the eldest Goob for his impending Godzilla Birthday Party and the reason I am bloggin: possible selling of some crafts.

See, as we walked and scanned the half set up booths...I realized, "I can make this crap!" Not that what people were hocking was crap..well...LOTS of it was but...some stuff was truly made by artisans of their craft. Anyway, so now I have been toying with the idea of making some stuff and seeing how it would sell at these arty farty shindigs. LOL! Okay, so I probably shouldn't deem them as such but this particular Art Fair...ugh! All it needed was a Goth Drag Queen singing ABBA!

But what to sell?! Aprons, totes, children's clothing, quilts, a combination? Something to mull around and decide if it would be something worth investing time and money into. Hmmm...

Guilty as Charged

So I am reading a book called, Chasing God and the Kids Too by Cheryl R. Carter hoping to find some methods to re-think my prayer life. Honestly, it really needs some help. It's not that I don't pray, I do. It's more about making it a PRIORITY. I spend time with God but not IN God. I seldom allot any time to hear what He actually says. Instead I pray and move forward. Almost as if I feel I shouldn't waste His time with my "drivel". Yet, He WANTS to hear it. Whether my prayers are of repentance, joy or sorrow. Of happiness or bitterness or loss. I forget how much He really does want to know and care for me. That He will provide the answers if I simply be quiet and listen. There's the rub...I'm seldom still for a moment. It will be interesting to see how being still in Christ will allow Him to work in me.

Already I have heard Him while reading this book and must say, I was convicted. A couple of weeks ago I was so disturbed and, truthfully, appalled at a situation of a friend of mine. I publicly admonished and condemned her in all my self-righteousness. I took a stance of "I survived it. Why can't you?" During my sanctimonious stance did I ONCE pray for her and her family?! Nope! Instead of saying nothing and taking my concerns and disappointment to God's heart for her, her family and my own scars; I judged her and sentenced her. As a friend, that is difficult to admit. As a Christian is is a very hard pill to swallow. I get so wrapped up in what really is NOT my concern. When it should be turned over to God so He may work. I am so ashamed of that behavior and yet so glad the Lord brought it to my attention. Will it ever happen again? I hope not, but if it does...I know who'll be calling me to task. ;) I wouldn't have it any other way.

So Much..Yet So Little

Where did the school year go? So much has happened but either I haven't felt like writing, forgot to write or simply didn't care. So much for trying to keep "on top of things". Where do I start? The good stuff? The bad stuff? Or all the stuff in between? Jeeze! Who knows?! Let's begin somewhere...

My brother was severely injured in a work related accident in October of 2009, my father was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in April of 2010, my husband's job situation is still crappy (yeah...1/3 the pay but still the same amount of bills), sleepless nights over a violent act a street over from us, my husband recently being injured at work and now the children are currently sick. On top of trying to understand people who complain over the minor of things. Some days I have wanted to crawl under a rock at the bottom of the ocean but...God reminds me of what I have and what we have been blessed with.

We have a son who has finished kindergarten with a wonderful knowledge base and a reading level above the 1st grade. A daughter who is learning so much daily. The littlest who is jibbering on and on when we wondered if he'd EVER utter a word. My brother survived his injury despite losing a limb. My father who had lost his way in his faith walk is once again realizing God IS. Sure times are tight and we struggle but we have managed to keep our home, pay off our cars and keep food on the table. He has shown me that violence happens but that it allows me to be more aware and conscious of Life itself. That prayers of safety do not go unheard , otherwise my husband would not have moved that 550lb mold and survived to come home to us. He has reminded me that children get sick and that my prayers for their health are heard but time must be taken to ensure a full recovery.

This year has taught me that life is precious and SO often I get caught up in all the "little" things that I forget that this is only a temporary place. A way station. It was created by a Father who doesn't want to "hurt" me. He wants to mold me. He doesn't want me to "suffer". He wants me to learn and grow. Too bad I tend to be a very slow and methodical learner huh?However, I AM grateful for all we have been blessed with and while sometimes the little Envy Monster pops up...I wouldn't change what I have learned these last couple months.