This year we celebrated Christmas with our best friends, The Tyldesleys. They have three kids under the age of 7 and when we walked through the door, it was ON!
We played football video games, we shot Nerf guns over the catwalk and we played with princess dress up clothes.
We ate homemade sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles BEFORE dinner!
The house was loud and messy and, in all ways, it was perfect!
Our Christmas at home was low key and sweet.
Our Christmas with our friends was loud, messy and fun.
And when we got home, Scott and I enjoyed the silence of our home, with our kid nose deep in her new Kindle reading.
It is funny, to me, how two families, who really have a differnet kind of life than the other, can come together and appreciate what each other has and enjoy each other so much!
This year's Christmas was perfect!
In every way!
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Christmas Future
When I was pregnant with Courtney I made the rule that my family would not travel at Christmas. I did not want her worrying that Santa would not be able to find her. I also did not want to pack everything in a car or on a plane and travel with a small child. So, I told family and friends that while we would not travel, our home is open to any and everyone who wants to come to us. Scott and I will do the cooking and the cleaning; all they have to do is come.
After her very first Christmas, where she received WAY too many gifts, Scott and I decided that we would only get her three things. After all, Jesus only received 3 gifts, and she certainly isn’t any better than Jesus.
And we have stuck to that rule every year since.
She is 15 now, and Christmas lasts about 15 minutes in our house. Maybe 20. When you only get a limited amount of gifts, it is hard to stretch the morning out and make Christmas last.
This now has me thinking about traveling at Christmas.
I think, maybe, that next year we will rent a cabin in the mountains and do our Christmas there. Or maybe rent a condo in Florida and have Christmas on the beach. Maybe it is time for this family to experience Christmas outside of this house. Of course, this is in my head and I have not run this by Scott, so who knows…
Christmas Future….
I wonder what it will hold for us
After her very first Christmas, where she received WAY too many gifts, Scott and I decided that we would only get her three things. After all, Jesus only received 3 gifts, and she certainly isn’t any better than Jesus.
And we have stuck to that rule every year since.
She is 15 now, and Christmas lasts about 15 minutes in our house. Maybe 20. When you only get a limited amount of gifts, it is hard to stretch the morning out and make Christmas last.
This now has me thinking about traveling at Christmas.
I think, maybe, that next year we will rent a cabin in the mountains and do our Christmas there. Or maybe rent a condo in Florida and have Christmas on the beach. Maybe it is time for this family to experience Christmas outside of this house. Of course, this is in my head and I have not run this by Scott, so who knows…
Christmas Future….
I wonder what it will hold for us
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Christmas Past
While we were decorating for Christmas today, Scott asked Courtney and I what our favorite Christmas memory was.
Courtney wasn't sure. True to form, her favorite memory is the most recent. Not that she doesn't remember fondly on things that have happened, she just can't wrap her mind around the whole concept of looking back father than an year, so she goes with what she knows.
Scott's favorite memory was from Christmas 1989. He had just finished boot camp and was going home for the first time since he joined the military. Home was Valdosta, GA. For those of you who do not know where that is, it is just over the Florida border. He had two wishes that year; To be home for Christmas. And snow. Now, the chances of getting snow in Valdosta is SLIM. But that year he got snow. And not just the snow that came out of the sky and melted when it hit the ground, but the snow that stuck and could have snowballs made out of it.
I have many favorite memories. Like how every Christmas morning we got up, opened presents and then when to my Aunt Deanna's house for brunch. Or the year Courtney was 5 years old and she wanted cow girl boots. Santa brought her red ones, and she wore them all day with her pajamas. Or how we were all set to decorate when we were living in Key West and it was too hot to get in the decorating spirit so we walked down to Duval Street. I was pregnant and wearing a sundress in December.
So clearly, for this family, it is not the gift that makes the holiday or the memory special.
It is snow.
It is brunch.
It is staying in your pajamas all day.
It is family.
What is your favorite memory of Christmas past?
Courtney wasn't sure. True to form, her favorite memory is the most recent. Not that she doesn't remember fondly on things that have happened, she just can't wrap her mind around the whole concept of looking back father than an year, so she goes with what she knows.
Scott's favorite memory was from Christmas 1989. He had just finished boot camp and was going home for the first time since he joined the military. Home was Valdosta, GA. For those of you who do not know where that is, it is just over the Florida border. He had two wishes that year; To be home for Christmas. And snow. Now, the chances of getting snow in Valdosta is SLIM. But that year he got snow. And not just the snow that came out of the sky and melted when it hit the ground, but the snow that stuck and could have snowballs made out of it.
I have many favorite memories. Like how every Christmas morning we got up, opened presents and then when to my Aunt Deanna's house for brunch. Or the year Courtney was 5 years old and she wanted cow girl boots. Santa brought her red ones, and she wore them all day with her pajamas. Or how we were all set to decorate when we were living in Key West and it was too hot to get in the decorating spirit so we walked down to Duval Street. I was pregnant and wearing a sundress in December.
So clearly, for this family, it is not the gift that makes the holiday or the memory special.
It is snow.
It is brunch.
It is staying in your pajamas all day.
It is family.
What is your favorite memory of Christmas past?
Friday, December 10, 2010
Baby, It's Cold Outside
Courtney is blessed to have great-grandparents on both sides of her family.
When she was born, and she met Scott’s grandparents for the first time, Grandpa would sing to her. They were songs I didn’t know and he wouldn’t sing all of the song, just little snippets. The songs would change depending on what time of year he would see her. But – he mostly saw her in the winter time when it was cold outside.
Oh, baby, you’ll freeze out there
It’s up to your knees out there
When she was a baby she would just look at him, but as she got older, she would smile and he would sing it again.
I had no idea what he was singing but LOVED that he sang to her and that she enjoyed it.
Then, about 6 years ago, we were all at Scott’s parents for Christmas and rented the movie Elf with Will Ferrell. Courtney was 8 years old. It got to the part of the movie where the song Baby, It’s Cold Outside was sung. I was sitting next to Grandpa, and I turned to him and said “HEY! That’s that song that you sing to Courtney.” He looked at me like I was a little nuts.
I went out and bought the sound track to that movie just to hear that song.
And every Christmas I get it out and listen to that song over and over.
It is now one of my favorites.
All because Grandpa sang a snippet of it to my daughter long ago.
There’s bound to be talk tomorrow
Think of my life long sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied
If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can’t stay
Get over that hold out
Ahh, but it’s cold outside.
When she was born, and she met Scott’s grandparents for the first time, Grandpa would sing to her. They were songs I didn’t know and he wouldn’t sing all of the song, just little snippets. The songs would change depending on what time of year he would see her. But – he mostly saw her in the winter time when it was cold outside.
Oh, baby, you’ll freeze out there
It’s up to your knees out there
When she was a baby she would just look at him, but as she got older, she would smile and he would sing it again.
I had no idea what he was singing but LOVED that he sang to her and that she enjoyed it.
Then, about 6 years ago, we were all at Scott’s parents for Christmas and rented the movie Elf with Will Ferrell. Courtney was 8 years old. It got to the part of the movie where the song Baby, It’s Cold Outside was sung. I was sitting next to Grandpa, and I turned to him and said “HEY! That’s that song that you sing to Courtney.” He looked at me like I was a little nuts.
I went out and bought the sound track to that movie just to hear that song.
And every Christmas I get it out and listen to that song over and over.
It is now one of my favorites.
All because Grandpa sang a snippet of it to my daughter long ago.
There’s bound to be talk tomorrow
Think of my life long sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied
If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can’t stay
Get over that hold out
Ahh, but it’s cold outside.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Mom's Book
Last Christmas Courtney purchased, with her own money, a book for me. This is actually a great gift for me as I love to read. The book is entitled The Moms' Book for The Mom Who's Best at Everything.
When I opened the present, I thought she got me this book because she thought I was, clearly, the best at everything.
However, that was not the case.
The book is a handbook on HOW to be the best at everything.
Apparently, she thinks, I need some help in that department.
That could be because of the time I dropped her off at school when it was closed. Or the time she ate dinner at a friends house and I forgot and made her eat dinner again at home and she got sick.
Anyhow...let's go over this book shall we?
The first part of the book talks about how to get your kids out of bed in the morning and how to get them to stay there at night. It gives great tips like tickling their feet to wake them up or telling them a bedtime story that is not TOO exciting to get them to sleep. I guess this is better than set your alarm to get up and telling her that if she gets up again she is getting spanked I don't care if the house is on fire.
The second part of the book talks about how to have the BEST birthday parties. It has everything from different themes to recipes. REALLY? All of these parties are to be held at your house. Now tell me, who wants a bunch of kids at your house messing it all up? Birthday parties are to be held somewhere else and quite frankly, Publix makes a birthday cake better than anything I could make for a great price.
The next chapter talks about heroic moms. One in particular, Josephine Baker, adopted 12 kids and still managed to be a star of stage and screen along with undercover work in the 2nd World War. Bitch please. I am a mom to an autistic kid. She's got nothing on me. My one is like having 12, only I don't get a tax credit at the end of the year.
The next chapter talks about how to throw an instant dinner party when you child decides to invite 5 friends over without letting you know. Dinner Party? Are you out of your mind? First, my kid better ask first and she knows that and second, order pizza. Good Lord, why make it so hard that you need a book to tell you what to do. Get Papa John's on speed dial for crying out loud!
It goes on to talk about house work shortcuts. Here's a shortcut for ya - marry a military man. No one can clean a house like someone who was in the military.
It goes on to tell the reader how to take time to pamper themselves. I guess this author doesn't have kids because last night while I was trying to "pamper myself" by taking a bath (we really call that just good hygiene), Courtney came in 3 times and Oliver brought his ball in wanting me to throw it for him. So much for pampering.
If you are needing help in the parenting department, then this just might be the book for you.
But let's face it, you and I both could write a book about how to parent. It is just that no one will publish it because it is TRUE LIFE.
When I opened the present, I thought she got me this book because she thought I was, clearly, the best at everything.
However, that was not the case.
The book is a handbook on HOW to be the best at everything.
Apparently, she thinks, I need some help in that department.
That could be because of the time I dropped her off at school when it was closed. Or the time she ate dinner at a friends house and I forgot and made her eat dinner again at home and she got sick.
Anyhow...let's go over this book shall we?
The first part of the book talks about how to get your kids out of bed in the morning and how to get them to stay there at night. It gives great tips like tickling their feet to wake them up or telling them a bedtime story that is not TOO exciting to get them to sleep. I guess this is better than set your alarm to get up and telling her that if she gets up again she is getting spanked I don't care if the house is on fire.
The second part of the book talks about how to have the BEST birthday parties. It has everything from different themes to recipes. REALLY? All of these parties are to be held at your house. Now tell me, who wants a bunch of kids at your house messing it all up? Birthday parties are to be held somewhere else and quite frankly, Publix makes a birthday cake better than anything I could make for a great price.
The next chapter talks about heroic moms. One in particular, Josephine Baker, adopted 12 kids and still managed to be a star of stage and screen along with undercover work in the 2nd World War. Bitch please. I am a mom to an autistic kid. She's got nothing on me. My one is like having 12, only I don't get a tax credit at the end of the year.
The next chapter talks about how to throw an instant dinner party when you child decides to invite 5 friends over without letting you know. Dinner Party? Are you out of your mind? First, my kid better ask first and she knows that and second, order pizza. Good Lord, why make it so hard that you need a book to tell you what to do. Get Papa John's on speed dial for crying out loud!
It goes on to talk about house work shortcuts. Here's a shortcut for ya - marry a military man. No one can clean a house like someone who was in the military.
It goes on to tell the reader how to take time to pamper themselves. I guess this author doesn't have kids because last night while I was trying to "pamper myself" by taking a bath (we really call that just good hygiene), Courtney came in 3 times and Oliver brought his ball in wanting me to throw it for him. So much for pampering.
If you are needing help in the parenting department, then this just might be the book for you.
But let's face it, you and I both could write a book about how to parent. It is just that no one will publish it because it is TRUE LIFE.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Be Carfeul What You Ask Her.....
Christmas for the last several years has been celebrated with the DiMaggios. They are our dear Georgia family. This is a very extended family with Grandparents and Uncles too. These people not only accept my child for who she is, the actually love her. They make sure she is included in everything. Needless to say, they walk on water in my book.
This particular year Santa had brought a family gift instead of just a Courtney gift. He does that sometimes when he is on a budget. This is the year he brought Guitar Hero. And she loved it.
Or at least we thought she did.
When we had our Christmas over at the DiMaggios, she received a Three Stooges DVD as one of her gifts. The child LOVES the Three Stooges. Everyone laughed because she was so excited.
When we got home that night and she was getting read for bed, I asked her what her favorite gift was - fully expecting her to say Guitar Hero.
Nope.
It was the DVD.
Later, I called Nicki to tell her that was her favorite.
She bust out laughing and said:
"Melissa, I got that out of the dollar bin at Target."
We learned with Courtney that it is not the amount you spend on the child. It is truly the little things.
This year she would like socks that have patterns that she can wear with her boots.
I am having trouble finding ones with designs on them.
I will not stop looking. There are still several days left!
This particular year Santa had brought a family gift instead of just a Courtney gift. He does that sometimes when he is on a budget. This is the year he brought Guitar Hero. And she loved it.
Or at least we thought she did.
When we had our Christmas over at the DiMaggios, she received a Three Stooges DVD as one of her gifts. The child LOVES the Three Stooges. Everyone laughed because she was so excited.
When we got home that night and she was getting read for bed, I asked her what her favorite gift was - fully expecting her to say Guitar Hero.
Nope.
It was the DVD.
Later, I called Nicki to tell her that was her favorite.
She bust out laughing and said:
"Melissa, I got that out of the dollar bin at Target."
We learned with Courtney that it is not the amount you spend on the child. It is truly the little things.
This year she would like socks that have patterns that she can wear with her boots.
I am having trouble finding ones with designs on them.
I will not stop looking. There are still several days left!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Me and My Drum
Christmas.
Ughh.
The time of year where people go into debt to make sure that everyone gets a gift and everyone had the same amount spent on them. Some people, who don't have enough money to pay cash for everything, will put it on credit cards and spend all of the next year paying it off only to repeat the process again.
What have we all been taught? When Jesus was born, people came from all over bringing him gifts. Expensive gifts at that. It makes sense, to some, that we should buy expensive gifts for each other.
But maybe it doesn't have to be that way. Let's look at the little drummer boy, shall we?
He was told to come see a new born King and that people were coming from all over bringing him the finest of gifts. But he was poor. He had nothing to bring. Did that stop him from going? Nope. He still went.
Imagine his surprise when he showed up and there was a KING in a stable with cattle. Still, people were bringing the best of the best and gifting it to the child.
I have no gift to bring
That's fit to give a King
All he had to offer was what he did best - play the drum.
What do you think Christmas would be like if all we gave was the best of us?
Do you think people would rejoice?
Do you think people would get mad?
What if all I could give was the service of raking my neighbor's leaves up in the yard? Do you think they would think that was the best gift ever?
Maybe. Maybe not.
But as long as I remember that I gave my best that is all that matters.
I played my drum for him
I played my best for him
I chose to believe that Mary and Joseph loved that drum playing the best of all.
Because it came from the heart.
Pa rum, pum, pum, pum
Ughh.
The time of year where people go into debt to make sure that everyone gets a gift and everyone had the same amount spent on them. Some people, who don't have enough money to pay cash for everything, will put it on credit cards and spend all of the next year paying it off only to repeat the process again.
What have we all been taught? When Jesus was born, people came from all over bringing him gifts. Expensive gifts at that. It makes sense, to some, that we should buy expensive gifts for each other.
But maybe it doesn't have to be that way. Let's look at the little drummer boy, shall we?
He was told to come see a new born King and that people were coming from all over bringing him the finest of gifts. But he was poor. He had nothing to bring. Did that stop him from going? Nope. He still went.
Imagine his surprise when he showed up and there was a KING in a stable with cattle. Still, people were bringing the best of the best and gifting it to the child.
I have no gift to bring
That's fit to give a King
All he had to offer was what he did best - play the drum.
What do you think Christmas would be like if all we gave was the best of us?
Do you think people would rejoice?
Do you think people would get mad?
What if all I could give was the service of raking my neighbor's leaves up in the yard? Do you think they would think that was the best gift ever?
Maybe. Maybe not.
But as long as I remember that I gave my best that is all that matters.
I played my drum for him
I played my best for him
I chose to believe that Mary and Joseph loved that drum playing the best of all.
Because it came from the heart.
Pa rum, pum, pum, pum
Monday, December 7, 2009
Tis The Season
Dear Shoppers - we have entered into that time of year where everyone is in a rush to get their gifts purchased, wrapped and under the tree in time for Christmas morning. While out shopping this past weekend, there seems to be some confusion on just how to do this. The following are some helpful suggestions to make the experience a little more pleasant for all involved:
1. Do not, I repeat, do not under any circumstances take your small children with you to the toy store. Let's face it, we all want to get in and out of there with all of our limbs in tact and without spending a small fortune. It would be helpful if you left your spoiled scream for everything on the top of their lungs brats at home. No one else wants to listen to little Susie and Tommy cry for an hour because you thought it was wise to take them with you to a TOY STORE!
2. If you do have to take your kids with you, please use the stroller for what it is intended for. By no means should you ever allow your child, who can barely walk, push the stroller down the walkway of the mall. No one thinks your child is as adorable as you do and quite frankly, you are in the way. Either strap that kid in the stroller and carry your packages, or stay home.
3. When you tell little precious to sit down in the stroller or they are going to fall out, and then don't enforce it, don't act surprised when precious does fall out on their head. Clearly you knew it was going to happen. It is simple really, put precious in stroller, strap them in and go. It is not rocket science, people.
4. Don't go to the Apple Store if you have no idea what a computer, iPod or cell phone is - enough said.
Basically people, if you can't handle it, stay home. I could have been done in half of the time yesterday if I didn't have to run into all of you.
Thanks, Guys! Merry Christams!
1. Do not, I repeat, do not under any circumstances take your small children with you to the toy store. Let's face it, we all want to get in and out of there with all of our limbs in tact and without spending a small fortune. It would be helpful if you left your spoiled scream for everything on the top of their lungs brats at home. No one else wants to listen to little Susie and Tommy cry for an hour because you thought it was wise to take them with you to a TOY STORE!
2. If you do have to take your kids with you, please use the stroller for what it is intended for. By no means should you ever allow your child, who can barely walk, push the stroller down the walkway of the mall. No one thinks your child is as adorable as you do and quite frankly, you are in the way. Either strap that kid in the stroller and carry your packages, or stay home.
3. When you tell little precious to sit down in the stroller or they are going to fall out, and then don't enforce it, don't act surprised when precious does fall out on their head. Clearly you knew it was going to happen. It is simple really, put precious in stroller, strap them in and go. It is not rocket science, people.
4. Don't go to the Apple Store if you have no idea what a computer, iPod or cell phone is - enough said.
Basically people, if you can't handle it, stay home. I could have been done in half of the time yesterday if I didn't have to run into all of you.
Thanks, Guys! Merry Christams!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Thanks For The Boots
She was in Kindergarten. This was the Christmas that she wanted cowGIRL boots. We don't know why. But she wanted them, so Santa delivered. They were red with a silver tip on the toe. CUTE, CUTE CUTE! We also got her a hat.
Our Santa always leaves his present unwrapped underneath the tree. So When she came out on Christmas morning, they they were sitting and she put them right on with her pajamas. She was wearing thermals at the time and they slipped right into the boots without a problem.
When it came time to get dressed, I pulled her jeans down over her boots and she started crying. This is before we were aware of all of her sensory issues. She could not stand the feel of those boots against her skin and refused to wear them.
REFUSED.
SO I started thinking and pulled out a pair of tights and had to convince her to put them on with jeans. But I did and then put the boots on. When I pulled the jeans down over the boots she was fine. They weren't touching her skin and life was good.
She wore those boots for forever. I had bought her a red shirt and thought that she would only wear them when when color coordinating, but I was wrong. That girl wore them with EVERYTHING. There were nights I would go to tuck her in before I went to bed and she was sleeping in them.
This was the beginning of her love for boots. NOT SHOES, boots.
She has a pair right now that she wears EVERYDAY. She loves them because they have a heel that makes her taller. Even with the heel, she is shorter than the kids at school.
I have a feeling, when she is older, her closet is going to be nothing but boots, flops and slippers. If she can't go anywhere in any of those, she'll just stay home!
Our Santa always leaves his present unwrapped underneath the tree. So When she came out on Christmas morning, they they were sitting and she put them right on with her pajamas. She was wearing thermals at the time and they slipped right into the boots without a problem.
When it came time to get dressed, I pulled her jeans down over her boots and she started crying. This is before we were aware of all of her sensory issues. She could not stand the feel of those boots against her skin and refused to wear them.
REFUSED.
SO I started thinking and pulled out a pair of tights and had to convince her to put them on with jeans. But I did and then put the boots on. When I pulled the jeans down over the boots she was fine. They weren't touching her skin and life was good.
She wore those boots for forever. I had bought her a red shirt and thought that she would only wear them when when color coordinating, but I was wrong. That girl wore them with EVERYTHING. There were nights I would go to tuck her in before I went to bed and she was sleeping in them.
This was the beginning of her love for boots. NOT SHOES, boots.
She has a pair right now that she wears EVERYDAY. She loves them because they have a heel that makes her taller. Even with the heel, she is shorter than the kids at school.
I have a feeling, when she is older, her closet is going to be nothing but boots, flops and slippers. If she can't go anywhere in any of those, she'll just stay home!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Harmonicas Make You Swear
She was in 2nd Grade.
All she wanted for Christmas was a harmonica and a jump rope. That's it. Both of those items, to me, are stocking stuffers not actual Santa Claus gifts. But every time you asked her what she wanted that is what she came back with.
During this time in her school life she was mainstreamed with the help of a parapro, Tracey. Courtney can make friends with any adult on the face of the planet, but try as she might, kids her age she just, to this day, can't seem to master how to be friends with. Tracey thought Courtney walked on water so when she called me and asked if it was okay for her to get Court a harmonica for Christmas I agreed. Anyone who is nice to my kid is GOLDEN in my book. The last day of school came before vacation and Tracey gave her the harmonica. She called me at work to warn me that it had not been out of the childs mouth all day and she could blow on it pretty loud. I get home that night and Court is all proud and played it for me - if you can call it playing.
The next day I had to run some last minute errands before the big day and she decided to come with me. It is not uncommon at all for Court to be so quiet in the car that I forget she is with me, and I am sure this is what happened this day. Here I am driving down the road, lost in my own thoughts, and all of a sudden she blows on that damn harmonica hard and loud. It scared the crap out of me and I used some words that I am not proud of.
She thought she was hysterical. She sat in the back seat and laughed loud and long.
I GLARE at her in the review mirror and ask her just what in the hell she was thinking.
She looked right back at me and with all the seriousness in the world said
"Mom, I just love this thing. This is the best present EVER. And it fits in my pocket."
We made a rule right then and there that the harmonica was no longer allowed in the car.
And then I prayed that she would never repeat the words that I let slip in the car that day.
All she wanted for Christmas was a harmonica and a jump rope. That's it. Both of those items, to me, are stocking stuffers not actual Santa Claus gifts. But every time you asked her what she wanted that is what she came back with.
During this time in her school life she was mainstreamed with the help of a parapro, Tracey. Courtney can make friends with any adult on the face of the planet, but try as she might, kids her age she just, to this day, can't seem to master how to be friends with. Tracey thought Courtney walked on water so when she called me and asked if it was okay for her to get Court a harmonica for Christmas I agreed. Anyone who is nice to my kid is GOLDEN in my book. The last day of school came before vacation and Tracey gave her the harmonica. She called me at work to warn me that it had not been out of the childs mouth all day and she could blow on it pretty loud. I get home that night and Court is all proud and played it for me - if you can call it playing.
The next day I had to run some last minute errands before the big day and she decided to come with me. It is not uncommon at all for Court to be so quiet in the car that I forget she is with me, and I am sure this is what happened this day. Here I am driving down the road, lost in my own thoughts, and all of a sudden she blows on that damn harmonica hard and loud. It scared the crap out of me and I used some words that I am not proud of.
She thought she was hysterical. She sat in the back seat and laughed loud and long.
I GLARE at her in the review mirror and ask her just what in the hell she was thinking.
She looked right back at me and with all the seriousness in the world said
"Mom, I just love this thing. This is the best present EVER. And it fits in my pocket."
We made a rule right then and there that the harmonica was no longer allowed in the car.
And then I prayed that she would never repeat the words that I let slip in the car that day.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
It is funny how music can take you somewhere the minute the first word is sung.
When I was a little girl, and Christmas time came around, my mom would pull out the Bing Crosby White Christmas album. I was raised on Bing. He would sing how it was Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas and a version of Silent Night that can bring a tear to the eye of the toughest man on the face of the earth. We would listen to that album while decorating the house for Christmas. My mom not only did the tree, she also decorated the entire house. Jeff and I each got a Christmas pillowcase to sleep on.
Scott was raised on Henry Mancini’s A Merry Mancini Christmas. That was a tradition in his house. His mom would always make homemade cookies and they would drink hot chocolate while decorating the Christmas tree. Scott and Rick each had a bell that they hung on the tree.
Both of our families watched all the claymation shows like Rudolph and the cartoons like Charlie Brown. However, Scott was and still is, way more into in than myself.
Out here in Georgia, the Christian radio station starts playing Christmas music the day before Thanksgiving. Something my sister in law would absolutely love. Tonight on the way home from work, as I was flipping the channels on the radio, 104.7 The Fish was playing Bing. There I was a little girl in my parent’s home that they still live in today, excited because of a pillowcase.
Now I am 40 and Christmas doesn’t really do it for me. Part of it is Courtney had such issues with it when she was young. She never really bought into the whole Santa thing and she absolutely refused to sit on his lap. She told me she couldn’t because he wears glasses. Who can argue with that?
Part of it is because Scott and I don’t have a lot of traditions. We had to learn to go with the flow when Courtney was little and part of it is because we didn’t lay down roots when we were first married because we were in the military.
But for me I think it is lack of family. We ALWAYS went to Christmas Eve service at church and Sharlene Blakely would sing O Holy Night. Every single year. On Christmas morning, we would open presents and then go to my Aunt Deanna’s house and eat brunch. My grandparents would be there too. This is just what we did. And I know it doesn’t sound like much to anyone reading this, but it is so much to me.
Living in Georgia is great! I have a change of seasons that can take a person’s breath away with the beauty of it. I have friends who would walk to the ends of the earth and back for me. I have a husband and a daughter that I wouldn’t trade for the world.
But I am missing so much too.
So Bing can make me smile, warm my heart and bring a tear to my eye all in one word of a song.
And no matter what, Christmas is going to arrive on the 25th.
Maybe I would enjoy it more, if I had a Christmas pillowcase!
When I was a little girl, and Christmas time came around, my mom would pull out the Bing Crosby White Christmas album. I was raised on Bing. He would sing how it was Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas and a version of Silent Night that can bring a tear to the eye of the toughest man on the face of the earth. We would listen to that album while decorating the house for Christmas. My mom not only did the tree, she also decorated the entire house. Jeff and I each got a Christmas pillowcase to sleep on.
Scott was raised on Henry Mancini’s A Merry Mancini Christmas. That was a tradition in his house. His mom would always make homemade cookies and they would drink hot chocolate while decorating the Christmas tree. Scott and Rick each had a bell that they hung on the tree.
Both of our families watched all the claymation shows like Rudolph and the cartoons like Charlie Brown. However, Scott was and still is, way more into in than myself.
Out here in Georgia, the Christian radio station starts playing Christmas music the day before Thanksgiving. Something my sister in law would absolutely love. Tonight on the way home from work, as I was flipping the channels on the radio, 104.7 The Fish was playing Bing. There I was a little girl in my parent’s home that they still live in today, excited because of a pillowcase.
Now I am 40 and Christmas doesn’t really do it for me. Part of it is Courtney had such issues with it when she was young. She never really bought into the whole Santa thing and she absolutely refused to sit on his lap. She told me she couldn’t because he wears glasses. Who can argue with that?
Part of it is because Scott and I don’t have a lot of traditions. We had to learn to go with the flow when Courtney was little and part of it is because we didn’t lay down roots when we were first married because we were in the military.
But for me I think it is lack of family. We ALWAYS went to Christmas Eve service at church and Sharlene Blakely would sing O Holy Night. Every single year. On Christmas morning, we would open presents and then go to my Aunt Deanna’s house and eat brunch. My grandparents would be there too. This is just what we did. And I know it doesn’t sound like much to anyone reading this, but it is so much to me.
Living in Georgia is great! I have a change of seasons that can take a person’s breath away with the beauty of it. I have friends who would walk to the ends of the earth and back for me. I have a husband and a daughter that I wouldn’t trade for the world.
But I am missing so much too.
So Bing can make me smile, warm my heart and bring a tear to my eye all in one word of a song.
And no matter what, Christmas is going to arrive on the 25th.
Maybe I would enjoy it more, if I had a Christmas pillowcase!
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