Getting Ready for Christmas

David is the lead when it comes to putting up the Christmas tree in our house and decorating it. I help, but he loves to take on that task. He didn't have Christmas trees in his house when he was growing up, so ever since we were married, it has been a super big deal to him. I am thankful my husband wants to help in this regard. I enjoy decorating the tree, but it's nice to have some of the Christmas items on our list spread out so that one person is not responsible for everything leading up to the holiday.

This year, both boys helped, as Brad is now old enough to help and enjoy the fun. We began a tradition of Drew placing the star when he was younger, so now we are adjusting the tradition to allow both boys to have an opportunity for placing the star.


Drew and Daddy hanging the bead garland.


Bradley excited to have bins to push around the living room!


Drew adding very special ornaments to the tree. We have ornaments my mom made when I was a baby & toddler, ornaments from my late godmother's collection, and ornaments I made when Drew was a baby. All are child safe and of great sentimental value.


Drew's moment to place the star.


Brad's first star-placing experience - he's a natural!


B exploring all the new 'toys' on the tree (ornaments).


In awe over the shiny star on the top! I just love that chubby little hand!

Ways to a Simpler Christmas

After hearing how many of my close friends have really long To-Do Lists this time of year, I thought I would offer some solace to, a) those of you who loathe list-making and just want to let yourself soak up all Christmas-time has to offer and b) those of you who thrive on lists but are so over the never-ending tasks of Christmas.

*Disclaimer*

This is only going to be of help for those in the b) category if you are willing to surrender your past ideals. If you make yourself crazy with your lists, and you love to do so, then, this article will be of no help.

In the past, I have discussed on this blog how our family relishes in the simplicity of our Christmas (here and here). Now, I am not going to share every single aspect of our Christmas celebration here... that is not the point of this post. However, I am going to share the things that are derived from a list of craziness, but they are fewer in number, they are less intense, toned down several notches, we move more slowly while we do them, and we savor each moment involved. We have a greater appreciation for these simpler things than we've had for many more things in Christmases past.

Let me start by saying that even last year, when we had a simple Christmas planned and in order, the Lord simplified it even more by timing my surgery for December 17th. That really made us prioritize, slow down even more, and enjoy that which was the reason for this season.

Gonzalez Ways to a Simpler Christmas

• Our past tradition of sending Christmas cards was re-arranged to become, instead, an Easter tradition. We now send cards at Easter, and that alone takes quite a bit off one's list. We still include a family photo and letter - it just arrives at a different time of year.
• We purchase one gift for each child, and David and I abstain from gifts for each other. For most of you, your jaw is on the floor now. The first times in our marriage that we did this, it was an adjustment. But, now, we don't miss the gifts. Now, keep in mind that neither Dave nor I have a Primary Love Language of Gifts. If we did, this might be catastrophic, and if your Primary Love Language is Gifts, or your spouse's is, I don't recommend this!
• We put up a few strings of lights on the front of the house, but we don't purchase or use elaborate lawn decorations or lights that cover the yard. There is nothing wrong with lots of lights! They are beautiful! We just do a simpler version and the look on the kids' faces is still one of delight and wonder as they watch the twinkling lights.
• We attend a Christmas Eve Service at our church. Keeps our focus in the right place on the Eve of the biggest Commercial holiday! We LOVE to attend Christmas Eve service, and it's such a joy to see our church 'family' on this holiday, too!
  
• We bake, but mostly just for the experience of baking. We keep a few sweets on hand for the kids to enjoy during the holiday, but we don't keep a long list of those to bake for. Yes, it is wonderful to let all those folks know how important they are to us, and that we are thankful for them. But, let's be honest - they are not in fellowship with us because of what we give them at Christmas. For that same reason:
• We don't purchase gifts for other families outside our own, except for families in need. See previous note.

So, these are just some of the ways our family chooses to lead a simpler Christmas season. We have found that we are much more free to enjoy time with those we love when the opportunities arise because we are not pressed with to-do's. We avoid the commercial side of Christmas at all costs, and do not allow ourselves to spend based on our emotions. By offering our family this simplicity, we pray that our children will grow up understanding there are no 'have-to-do's' to make Christmas happen. Remember what I said in 2008: "in spite of the absence of all other practical preparations, He chose to send His only son, our Lord, to this earth and provide the one gift none of us would be alive without."

Christmas is coming, and it will be here, whether your list is complete or not! Make your heart ready, and be blessed. Let the rest stay where it belongs... on the list.

Operation Christmas Child

I wouldn't normally talk about this in a public forum, but this is a story of waiting on the Lord and Him granting us the desires of our hearts. He alone deserves all the glory for this.

Every year, our church participates in something known as Operation Christmas Child. It is organized by Samaritan's Purse, and while you can read more about it on their web page, put simply, it is an international effort to put shoe boxes filled with wonderful things for children all across the globe who do not have much and the boxes are presented along with the Gospel message.

Since having Drew, I have wanted to participate in this each year when the time rolls around. Our MOPS group participates, setting a new goal each year for how many boxes we hope to collect and pray over before they are shipped out. Well, every year, when it's time to participate, our finances have just not allowed for spending the money on the contents for the box. Yes, by now, I've lost you. Most of you are probably doubting that statement, and thinking something like "Well, really. You can't just forgo a few luxuries and put out the few dollars to send this stuff to some child who has way less than you?" I can't blame you for thinking that, because every year, I've felt silly not participating - guilty even. But every year, at this time, we have just not been able to give up $20 - that $20 was either all we had left to buy diapers or a few groceries, or gas. So, every year, I was gravely disappointed that I, someone who lives in the most privileged nation, and is way wealthier than most people in the world, could not participate in this wonderful ministry to children. I was wanting so bad to make it a family tradition with my children.

Fast forward to this year. I intended to take a box, but like in previous years, the money just wasn't there. As in, no money to pull out of the bank. I felt awful - but knowing that Dave and I are working diligently on the plans the Lord has laid before us, by paying cash for everything, not using credit, etc., etc., etc., we learned that being content also includes recognizing when you have given at the level you can, and waiting on the Lord before you give again. I missed the MOPS deadline, and thought I had missed the church deadline. Yesterday at school, Drew's teacher gave him a box to bring home and fill. Honestly, I was a little annoyed. Not with the teacher, at all, but annoyed because now how am I supposed to explain to my son that we can't fill the box? Annoyed only because I wasn't sure how I was going to explain this difficult topic to my four year old.

I was there at dismissal because I had helped with Drew's class for the last hour and he and I were going to have a Drew and Mommy Date. He was redeeming a reward ticket that called for a "Shop Till You Drop" day. My mom was watching B so Drew and I could spend some time together perusing thrift stores, stopping at the grocery for five things, and somehow, I just knew the Lord was going to provide a way for me to allow my son to "Shop" without spending a load of money. I thought I would be creative with which stores we went to and what types of things I could entice him with in order to not spend money on useless stuff that we don't need.

After my brief 2 seconds of annoyance I mentioned earlier, the Lord gave me my answer! I had previously worked it out in my mind that we would not spend more than $30 yesterday on our 'date,' including lunch. After a $6 lunch for both of us, together, we stopped at a thrift store, bought a DVD for Drew (Old Yeller), and then we went to the Dollar Store. What little boy doesn't just love the Dollar Store?! I explained to Drew before going in that we were there to pick out toys, books, and necessary items for a little boy on the other side of the world who doesn't have much. I explained, as best I could in four-year-old speak, the ministry that would take place because of this box. We went in, and Drew had a blast "shopping" like crazy, picking out all sorts of things to put in the shoe box for this little boy. He could not contain his excitement. He never asked for anything for himself (which is hard not to do in the Dollar Store!). We paid, spent $19, and we were on our way. We picked up the few groceries we needed on the way home, and once home, Drew was more than satisfied with his "Shop till you Drop" afternoon, and felt he had been rewarded with an amazing prize, better than he had even imagined it being.

All that to say, in a very long-winded way, that the Lord may have had me wait four years, but He did grant me the desire of my heart to send a box to a very special child somewhere so that he may be blessed by its contents and hear about the love of Jesus Christ. AND, he planted that desire in my son's young heart, as well.

Party of Six

Every Wednesday night, my sister, Jaime, comes to pick up her baby girl, Piper, from our house. We keep Piper with us on Wednesdays while Jaime is working at her internship for school.

When Jaime first gets to our house, the kids, Jaime and I all play together, visit, and laugh, a lot. Then by the time Dave gets home, dinner is started, or already in the works. Jaime and Piper stay to eat dinner with us before they travel home to get Piper's nighttime routine started.

I was saying just the other night how our weekly tradition of getting to spend time together reminds me of that old TV show title, Party of Five. Those five family members had a special table they all sat at to eat dinner together.

So we now have our own Party of Six tradition, and we enjoy every minute of it. I personally enjoy getting to do something to serve Jaime. Both of us have little ones, so schedules are something we have to stick to right now. That doesn't always leave me all the time I would like to serve my extended family. Serving dinner to her is one way that I can do that right now in this season of our lives. We enjoy sharing about our day together, the kids laugh and carry on, and since it is a night Dave is home, we all get the benefit of a real family dinner together at the table. Now, if we can just figure out a way to get Gary here... (his work schedule prevents him from being here on Wednesdays).

Enjoying the Gulf

We are, quite literally, soaking up the beach as much as possible right now. I even made one trip the other evening by myself with both boys (something I would not even consider under normal circumstances!). I grew up in Southwest Florida, and have lived here my whole life. Dave has always lived on the coast, also - part of his life on the east coast, the rest on the west. We have both always had the wonderful gift of the beach. All the memories, the fun, the experiences... it was such a large part Dave's childhood, and mine. It saddens us to think it could be taken away from us. At the risk of sounding dramatic, it breaks our hearts to consider the possibility our children may not have the blessing of the beach for any portion of their childhood. We are praying against any harm from the oil spill in the Northern Gulf, but we are most definitely taking advantage while we can, just in case we can't in the near future. And, we ARE enjoying every second of it!

What my grandfather's home was to me...

As most of you heard, Drew and I left town for five days last week to accompany my mom on her monthly trip to the cabin she and my dad have in South Georgia. David had two large projects for work to complete, so the timing was perfect for us to give him the house to himself. I have several posts about this trip, but I will give you one at a time so it's not so overwhelming.

While we were there, as I watched Andrew spend time with his Nana, I was quickly brought back to the many times I spent with my grandpa and grandma when I was a kid. Until I was about 10 or 11, they lived in Lehigh Acres. Then they moved away to Southern Illinois where my grandma had family. My understanding is my grandfather planned this so that when something happened to him, grandma would be surrounded by her family and not be alone. Well, we traveled to their house almost every summer, and sometimes on other occasions. I have such wonderful memories of cooking with grandma, walking to Main Street to go the bank, sitting on the front porch with grandpa waving at all the passersby, working with grandpa in the garage and in the garden.

As I remembered these special times, I was deeply saddened by how much I still miss them both (Grandpa went to heaven in 1999, and Grandma in 2005). I realized, once again, how much I wish they could be here to meet and love on Andrew, and how much I wished they could see Mom and Dad's cabin to enjoy family time with us all there. However, as I was sitting in the rocking chair on the back porch of the cabin, tears in my eyes, the Lord told me something very special: "Jennifer, why are you crying? This place is, and will be, for Andrew what your Grandpa and Grandma's home was for you."

I couldn't believe I hadn't realized that before. I was overcome with joy at how true that is, and how I will (Lord willing) have the great privilege to see my son make very similar memories with his Papa and Nana in a very special place.

Black Friday

The clock on Jaime's car radio while we waited outside JCPenney- WAY-FM was keeping us awake!

Initially, I was supposed to do some shopping with my friend, Jen, on Black Friday. However, since I was still sick, I did not want to risk getting her sweet baby boys sick. Jen was gracious and understood.

Then, last minute, my sister, Jaime, found out she did not have to work on Friday: very dangerous! That means we made our plan quick, and stuck to it. We opened Miromar Outlets at midnight (yikes!), JCPenney's at 4 am, Toys R Us at 5 am, stopped at Walmart, opened Family Christian at 6 am, ran through the drive-thru for some food, and hit Joann's about 7:30. We were back at her house at 8, took a nap, and went back out around 1:30 after a yummy lunch that Gary and Mia made for us. We went to Old Navy and Ulta, and then on my way home, I stopped at Radio Shack.

I have NEVER, EVER been on a shopping trip quite like this one, but it was so fun, even though I was sick and we were both exhausted. I think we started a new tradition in our family, and next year, we are dragging Mom with us (she was out of town this year). Most of my shopping is done, and Jaime made quite a dent in hers. I am very thankful to the Lord that we didn't encounter any problems and that we were safe the whole time we were out. Just in case, we both carried our mace with us! Talk about double trouble!

Thanksgiving 2008

This Thanksgiving was the first we stayed home and cooked for the three of us. The only other Thanksgiving we have been home included about 25 people eating with us (which was very fun, by the way). Drew and I were still sick, and we didn't think it would be wise to be mixing with family who was getting together, and other family members were out of town. While we always love spending time with both families, it was nice this year to stay put and relax a little.

Here are some photos, and if you Facebook, sorry, some of these might be duplicates.

Tired after cooking a lot the night before Thanksgiving.

Dave and Drew making a hand turkey for the placemats.

Close-up of Drew's turkey placemat.

The first turkey I ever made. I followed an Emeril recipe, and WOW, was it good. Very moist and flavorful, and I'm assuming that is from the brine we had it soaking in for 30 hours before cooking it.

FOODIES Section:

I put this at the end so I don't bore those of you who don't care about the food details.

As I mentioned, the turkey was soaked in a brine ebfore we cooked it, and I stuffed it with a stuffing made out of the fresh Italian bread I made two nights before. In the stuffing was Italian turkey sausage, dried cranberries, celery and diced apples.

I made sweet potato casserole from a Paula Deen recipe that I adapted to our needs (I used applesauce in place of eggs and rice milk in place of heavy cream). Then I made the sugar topping but used baby marshmallows instead of roasted walnuts or pecans.

There was also corn casserole, which is 2 cans corn, 1 can creamed corn, butter, and Jiffy cornmuffin mix.

Veggies = Sauteed spinach with green beans and caramelized onions.

Then I made dairy and egg free pumpkin muffins for dessert.

We ate very well, and I didn't break the bank this year on my ingredients. AND, our favorite part, we had (have) tons of leftovers.