Some Facts about Christmas

First off, I have to give a shot out to my friend Christine Elliott. It is because of her I read 'The Case For Christ' by Lee Strobel. If I hadn't read that book I would have never read 'The Case for Christmas' by Lee Strobel (which I am reading currently). So a big Thank You Christine is in order, because without you "strongly suggesting" to read that book, I would have never had my eyes opened. THANK YOU!!

What I am getting to is a passage I read today. It is on page 19 (for ya'll that have the book. If you don't, get it!). ** A little background info, this is a book based on facts.

"When Was Jesus Born?"
"History doesn't pinpoint Jesus' birthday. Spring is most likely, because shepherds were watching their flocks at night and this is when ewes bore their young. In fact, around AD 200, theologians concluded Jesus was born on May 20. "Others", said journalist Terry Mattingly, "argued for dates in April and March. This wasn't a major issue, since early Christians emphasized the Epiphany on January 6, marking Christ's baptism."

Continue on page 20

"In AD 385, Pope Julius I declared December 25 as the day for celebrating Christ's birth. "He chose that date," Christian researcher Gretchen Passantino told me, "partly to challenge the pagan celebration of the Roman god Saturnalia, which was characterized by social disorder and immorality"

I never knew any of this. How interesting a pope had to CHOSE a day that was to symbolize peace and love because the Roman people of that time worshiped a god of such chaos. today, people will make such a big deal and go way out of their way to "worship" Santa and other things when it is a MADE UP holiday. Now, I'm not taking anything away from the fact that Christmas time Is suppose to represent a time of showing love and giving. The kids love to look at the lights and put up the tree and decorate it and receive gifts from family and friends. With all the hype of surrounding the faux reason for celebrating "Christ-mas", let's NOT forget the real reason why we celebrate (each and every different way we do) the holiday in the first place. We are to be celebrating CHRIST BIRTH.

Just some thoughts

The kids and I went to Christmas in the Park last night. The weather may have been in the 20's but we were having fun. Singing Christmas songs as we walked and drinking hot chocolate to help keep our seemingly freezing bodies warm. Poor Logan's little nose was turning a bright shade of red while Kendra's teeth chattered. We walked around the park and saw all the pretty displays and made our way over to the most popular attraction, the Hayrides.

As we waited in line, Logan and I struggled to keep him wrapped up. We've never been in weather that cold before so the kids were not as bundled up as most of the other kids but they didn't seem to care. A lady in front of us gave us an extra beenie she had been carrying for her grandson. After I thanked her, Kendra asked me why the lady did that. I told Kendra that the lady was concerned about Logan not staying warm enough. I opened my eyes and really looked at my kids. They were very bundled up and warm. Kendra had on her coat and an extra blanket. Logan had on 2 shirts, a jacket and was wrapped up in a blanket. We may not have had the warmest of coats on but the kids and I were having fun and didn't have a care in the world.

While in line Kendra and I had a talk about how there are some people in the world that didn't have any blankets or coats to keep them warm. I went on to tell Kendra, so many people get caught up in the commercial Christmas and forget or pay little attention to the REAL meaning of Christmas. The Lutheran Church across the street was having a LIVE Nativity. We journeyed over to watch. Kendra and Logan were so much more interested in the re-enactment of the First Christmas than they would have been with a Fake Santa.

I made me realize the greatest gift was already given to us when Christ died and was risen; A chance for Eternal Salvation. He came to this world, lived a PERFECT life, and gave his life for ME. I tend to forget that. He gave so much for us. I just pray that Aaron and I continue to be blessed enough to give to others.

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas is right around the corner. I cant believe it! Where has the time gone. I wish I could report that our Thanksgiving went off without a hitch but I would be lying.

I picked up my mom from Houston airport on Tuesday and the 1 1/2 hr car ride back home was tense. We had to stop at 11 at night and pick her up a pillow; which was fine but I had Kendra in the car with us and I just wanted to get home. Then when we finally got home she stayed up until 1 am washing her face and doing GOD knows what else.


The next day was Wednesday. I had a ton of stuff to get done before we left. I had laundry to do, 5 pumpkin pies to make, pack for 4 people and then get it all into the car. I will admit, she did sort of help me keep the kids occupied. Kendra finally stepped in and make ALL 5 pies for me. I am not stretching that by any means of the imagination. Kendra really lifted a ton of bricks of my shoulders. After we got everything packed in the car, it was off to Wells Fargo to sign the papers on the sell of our house. Yeppee!! We had been waiting on that for 21 days after the original close date (thanks to all the people in the valley that operate on a totally different time than the rest of the world). After al was finally said and done at the bank, we were able to head out of town. Thanks to me, we drove 45 mins until I realized I has forgotten the kids outfits for their pictures. GREAT!! So we had to turn around and get those. After a 3 1/2 hr drive to Ft Worth at about 11:30 pm. When we go there the kids of coarse wanted to stay with Grammie so I closed our door. I was still hearing little voices at 1:30 in the morning. Why?

Thanksgiving was finally here. At last. The morning we all got dressed and managed to make it out the door and arrive on time to Phil and Jennifer's house. We has a blast there. I has such a great time with Jennifer and holding my newest nephew Noah. He is sooo sweet! Knowing my mom has a terrible pet allergy, I asked Jen and Sherry to keep the dogs outside. They were great about it but mom still had to comment and make faces.

The original plan was to take her to Grapevine on Friday so she could meet up with one of her friends so that way on Saturday she could help me with the kids while we got their pictures taken. That didn't happen. Her friend never called her and all she wanted to do was stay in the room. Fine. So I left her there. Jennifer and I went out and about while the kids played (with Sherry watching) and we had a great time. Traffic and Black Friday shoppers were not bad at all. But then again, we went around noon so I'm sure they were all asleep or eating lunch.

We got back to Jennifer's house around 2 pm. Logan was taking a nap so I called me mom to check on her. She was cleaning the room and watching TV. I told her I would come and get her when Logan woke up. She said that was fine. Long story short, when Logan woke up, we all went to Grapevine Mills Mall. That's when drama hit the fan. She, for whatever reason, thought we were going downtown Grapevine. When I told her that I would never take the kids down there (too nice an area) she proceeded to say she could go to the mall at home. So we left. By that time the kids were starving. We took them to Chuck E Cheese because they had been couped up inside all day. That night plans got mixed up and we ended up taking Ian and Caleb back with us and Matthew was suppose to pick them up. Well, it was way past my kids bed time and my mom wanted to turn the TV on. I told her they would never go to sleep so the answer was no. After that she left the room in an uproar and locked herself in her bedroom. All because she has cleaned earlier. Whatever. The kids were fine just reading books which wasn't going to make a mess. She was just pissed.

The next day was picture day. I told her she needed to help me with the kids because we were going to have all 6 there. She said it was too early and didn't come with us. That's fine. The pictures went great. All she would have done was just sit there and complain about something anyway. "The boys look dirty. Does Matthew do anything with them? Why is this taking so long? Kendra do this. Logan do that." Actually, I'm glad she didn't go.

When we got back to the apt, Kendra and Logan were both asleep. She was watching this movie Broken Trail. When Kendra woke up she wouldn't change the channel. The scene was this guy about to rape this girl! She went on the say that it was a christian movie and based on facts. How stupid can a person be. Really?! Anyway, the channels were switched and things were better. The only way I was going to make her happy is if I took her somewhere that made her feel like she was living the high life. We Jennifer, my mom and I went to South Lake Town Center. Perfect place for my mom. Tons of shopping at high end stores, trees wrapped in lights, and horse drawn carriage rides. That went fairly well. Finally it was time to go back to the apt.

Sunday morning came. She had no choice but to come with us because we where leaving right after church and heading home. During services she was ok. It wasn't until Jennifer's dad made a comment about 2 Corinthians 5:21. She huffed and puffed and I thought she was going to walk out. She will do anything to disrespect my church and the way my family believes. Little miss Holy Roller herself. That fine. Needless to say the ride home was quite. Thank GOD. I took her to the airport on Monday and I have never been more happy to say her off.

Now, this may sound like a mom bash fest but its more of a release of tent ion and inner-stress. I can put that week behind me now and move on. Move on to preparing for our Christmas visit. Which will include a back up place to sleep.