Christmas 2007

For the first time since my niece and nephew were born in 2005, my entire extended family just spent Christmas together. We had 5 children, two dogs, two sisters and their husbands and our mom and dad all together under one roof.

It may not sound like such a big deal but distance and responsibilities keep us away more often than not so it is a major accomplishment for our family. It is definitely a memory maker for my children. My 9 year old daughter Jillian instinctively knows the value of extended family and clamors for it constantly so this was a wonderful Christmas for her.

My two sons enjoyed rolling on the floor with their cousins, listening to their Papa tell stories and jokes and learn from their Uncle Brian.

Despite the age differences the kids all just loved being together. The grandparents finally have their youngest grandchildren together and we all got the benefits of having a family instead of just a voice on the other end of the phone or someone to forward emails. It is tricky spending days with those whom you don't see everyday and trying to understand one another's differences. For instance, I am a total and go and do-er where as my sister is a homebody. Our two ways of life are very different but we each lead our family with our own style.

My memories of Christmas 2007 will include Emily repeating "Don't Worry, Be Happy, just one more time" so I could try to capture it on video. My dog being such a great sport and sticking close to me but all the while joining in the fun. My dad and mom cooking and cleaning in the kitchen and my brother in law and I both taking pictures of the events at hand.

We also watched The Polar Express together and listened to Nick exclaim "Oh NO!" when ever something on the TV looked interesting. Driving around looking at Christmas lights, seeing the full moon and Mars in the telescope, munching on cookies, and seeing all the kids just squeal with excitement about the whole experience. Phone calls to distant Uncles and our other sister in Pennsylvania and text messages wishing me Happy Holidays from my three best girlfriends on the planet.

We aren't finished with the holiday but I can say that this one has been one to enjoy despite the slow start that I've had the entire of month of December. We haven't done many of the typical family things we usually do such as look at Christmas lights, attend parties or be as festive as we've usually been but thankfully the past 48 hours have made up for that. It's been a Merry Christmas so far.

Doing Things vs Buying Things

What Would Jesus Buy? Sort of a poignant question to ask this Christmas, don't you think?

Actually, it's the title of a new movie that is circulating around the U.S. this Christmas. However, it's not showing in Charlotte, NC - go figure. I wonder if being the banking Capital of the Southeast has something to do with that.

I have an extreme interest in this as I've learned in my 42+ years that buying stuff ain't all its cracked up to be. Oh, I admit to being the quintessential consumer. I have stood in the bitter cold on any given Black Friday to attempt to score the oh-so-tempting fabulous deals. Like a lemming flocking to a cliff (yea I know it's a urban legend but it's still a good analogy), several of us would flock to the $399.00 deal for a laptop or the mp3 player for $9.99.

But wait, those deals are awesome! Why wouldn't you want to get in on that action? Good question. I wondered the same thing.

But then, I reflected and asked myself - "Where is the laptop today?" DEAD. My son spilled chocolate milk on it.

What about the mp3 player? GONE. The dog used it as a chew toy. You see a pattern? Stuff doesn't last - at least not for long but the debt and/or lack of funds after purchasing said items has lasting effects.

When you're younger and more prone to "buy in" (pardon the pun) to the marketing hype and get caught up in the materialism of the moment, then having "more" seems to be the answer to a lack of self-worth. We can prove (by making others notice us for a moment) that we are worthy because of the size of our home, car, or diamond.

Well, I have seen the error of my ways. I have the debt to prove it and what I've learned is this.

Doing/experiencing things is far more meaningful and lasting than simply buying things. Anyone can stand in a line and buy something they can (or worse) can't afford.

Now that I am in the mid-point of my life, I realized that I have succumbed to Affluenza. I am afflicted as are so many other Americans. Don't get me wrong, I see the error of my ways. I know that Retail Therapy is not healthy. However, ask any woman and most likely, she has lifted her spirits by swiping her credit card.

How then does one avoid the Shopocalypse? (See the movie's website for a defintion). How does a suburban working mother of three stop this crazy pattern?

I have developed a new mission statement for my family - a Mantra if you will. From this moment on -

My family is dedicated to educational moments, having many shared experiences and creating excitement in our day to day lives.

All gifts and future shopping will have to support our mission statement and therefore will allow us to do more instead of buy more.

After all, "What Would Jesus Buy?".

Peace, Shalom, and Merry Christmas.

Foggy Fields

As we drive to the school, my children are entralled by the mist that is lying across the fields . It's such as beautiful, mysterious sight especially to my youngest son who never tires of yelling "Whoa! Look at the fog!"

This morning was particularly beautiful due to the extra thin layer of mist that swirled over the fields adjacent to our neighborhood and their school. My daughter and son expressed their fascination with the way it danced and swirled like a cyclone across the pastures.

It's a rare sight and provides much pleasure to us along the way on our daily drive to school. I am glad I remembered to at least capture the moment on the blog or it might have become lost in the monotony of our everyday life.