A week to go

It has been a crazy few weeks. The little side business that my friend Becca and I are running has been quite the hot item for Christmas gifts. WE had to make over 50 plaques in 2 weeks. so here I am now-- no wrapped presents under the tree, no Christmas cards out yet, no christmas cookies for my neighbors made, and I have missed just about every Christmas special there is--where are you Christmas? I am determined to make this weekend and next week a great one. We had Christmas parties at the kid's school today and it was quite the adventure. Eli had some sort of allergic reaction on the way to Aaron's party at 10:30. He was itching and crying all the way there. I just prayed--it was all I could do. I prayed God would "lead Eli beside quiet waters and restore his physical body as well as his little spirit," because momma had to teach arts and crafts and I couldn't bear to see Eli miserable--not to mention the kids probably would be a little distracted. Well, the Lord answered. I put Eli in a chair with a book, and I didn't hear a peep or see a scratch the entire craft. I took Eli to the chiropractor in between parties, and then we were off to Alexis' party. Aaron was playing with a buddy and a matchbox car on the floor, when a friend grabbed me and told me Aaron was bleeding. I turned around to see Aaron's face and hands covered in blood--no tears, just blood. I rushed over to see what had happened. Apparently he was trying to "flip" his car and it flipped right between his eyes and gave him a hole in the head. Literally, a hole! We got him some peroxide and a butterfly bandaid--and I think it will be okay. A matchbox car!? What in the world! When we got back to the party I gave a very hungry Eli some apple slices. He must have been pretty hungry because he stuffed one whole in his mouth and I turned around to see him choking. He choked for a solid half a minute before he got it all out. Needless to say, I was a bit frazzled when I left. But, we are all in one piece, except for that little hole of course.
I leave you with something I wanted to write down and remember. Remember, this is somewhat of a journal for me to reflect on later. The other day Alexis came home from school and let me know that there was no such thing as Santa Claus," isn't that right mom? " I knew this was coming, because Lexi has always asked many questions. She never could wrap her little mind around the idea of a big fat man jumping down a small chimney to deliver millions of presents to little girls and boys all over the world in one night, not to mention on a sleigh led by flying reindeers. She thinks too much. Wonder where she gets that? Anyway, I stared at her for a couple seconds and knew at that moment I could not lie to her. I said, "you're right." She clapped her hands and said "I knew it!" I asked her if she was upset. "No, mom, Christmas is about Jesus. I am just glad He was born." I cried for months when I LET myself believe there was no Santa, and I was like 20, okay maybe 11. Here is this 6 year old telling her mom that Christmas is about Jesus, not Santa. I was the sad one, so was Kevin. Will she still be excited about Christmas? Will she ruin it for everyone else? We are the ones with the hang ups. Not Lexi. She knows who to celebrate. She knows who the world needs. Maybe she will actually always enjoy Christmas? Maybe she will be like the kid in Polar Express and always hear the bell. Not to worry, all of you who's children are exposed to Alexis' new secret. She promises to keep it. Aaron is not yet ready for the news either.
Here'is a recent pic of the kiddos. Merry Christmas if I don't post again before then.


Here is one of the many plaques we made. I really like this one and thought it was appropriate for the post.