Our Twelve Days of Christmas 2010

On the twelve days of Christmas my family and I had

12 Glee tunes playing

11 poinsettias blooming

10 crazy friends

9 rounds of Wii Just Dance

8 nutcrackers

7 minutes with Santa

6 jars of hand scrub 

5 hot blonde guys

4 kids making ornaments

3 trips to the pediatrician

2 fainting spells

and


1 house off of Partridge Lane

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Christmas Past

I found these pictures on a memory card while searching for pictures for T. I remember taking them last year with a hope in my heart that it would be the last Christmas spent in our little "Gingerbread Home".

As much as I love our new home and neighborhood, I have to think back fondly on our previous home. It was the house that AC spent the most years in, where she learned to swim, ride a bike and control her temper. It was also a new beginning for our family, the place where we became a true unit. 

Advent Conspiracy

The Movement: Advent Conspiracy

The Goal: to feed 1500 orphans in a Malawi village for one year

The Purpose: To honor Jesus this Christmas season

This was the goal given to our church at the beginning of the Christmas season. As a family we made a goal and established a plan. We would give up any and all fast food for the month of December. Whenever it would be easier to order a pizza or we were craving an ice cream, we would instead think of the children that had no food, the children that were praying for God to send someone to nourish and love them. We set out with very good intentions.

But, as the month wore on, those Chick-fil-a nuggets pulled us in and the busyness of the season caused us to stop and grab something on the way home from this practice or that lesson. Still, we didn't lose sight of the fact that God was calling us to something more important and it was our responsibility to take care of those in need.

AC doing some extra dusting

So, we came up with a new plan. The callouses on my feet are just going to wait, as are the gray hairs on my head that desperately need coloring and Christmas cards will just not be mailed this year.  Anna Cate has taken on more chores at home to make up for the deficit in her little Advent Conspiracy box, including "poopy duty" that makes her gag. As a result, Matthew and I will be feeding 10 orphans this year and AC will be feeding one (entirely by her own efforts).

I'm not proud that we did this. I am filled rather with a feeling that we grew a little this year; That we took a moment to look outside our little worlds and see the bigger picture.  My hope is that we also experienced a more sincere gratitude for all that we have. In a society that constantly encourages us to buy more and consume more than we could possibly need, concentrating on the things that are really important can be really difficult. Maybe, for just a moment, we were able to do that.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

We Need a Little Christmas, Right This Very Minute...

And what says Christmas more than running in 70 degree weather, dogs dressed in costumes and bouncy houses? Okay, so maybe we are a little strange, but the 12k's of Christmas race really did get our family into a cheerful holiday mood.

Every year the city of Gilbert hosts a 12k, 6k and 1.2k race with proceeds going to the Valley's animal rescue organizations. Participants are encouraged to create matching costumes and bring their dogs along for the fun. Guided by his latest obsession passion, Matthew suggested we all take part and compete in the event this year. He ran the 12k (and placed 31st out of 1000+) and AC and I ran the 1.2k. We dressed in matching reindeer antlers, red shirts and black running pants. I don't recommend reindeer antlers for any runner actually concerned with his time, but it was fun seeing little AC running down the path with them on her head.

After the race, we met up with some of AC's friends from school and they immediately began scooping leaves together and throwing them at one another. They also ran up the hill and rolled down several times and climbed on the playground that was in the park. (Did I mention this was after she had run a mile?) Then, finally, we walked to the area where all the rescue organizations had set up tents and brought dogs that were eligible for adoption.

It was perfect! The weather, the jolly mood, the incredible number of santa hats, the dogs, dogs, DOGS dressed up and ready to be pet. AC fell in love with two huskies who snuggled up to her in total contentment. We left with a definite feeling of happiness.

Of course, in typical Anna Cate fashion, on the way home she asked, "So guys, what are we going to do now?"