Thursday, March 31

Well, this is going to be quick, because it is late.

I started potty training Kinley today, and it went surprisingly well. Of course, I was forced into it because yesterday she pooped on the potty all by herself, without my knowledge or anything. So, hopefully it continues to go well.

I took the three little kids to the grocery store by myself this morning...and I didn't lose any of them, and I kept my sanity.

This evening, a good friend came over and had dinner with us and stayed and hung out for awhile, and we had a great time just talking. I am so thankful for good girlfriends!!

Wednesday, March 30

Well friends, today had a little variety to it. I awoke this morning to Kinley being up at 6:15...you know, the one who doesn't like to go to bed...she also likes to get up early. Anyway, there was also a nice thunderstorm rolling in, which I enjoyed. It reminded me of Oklahoma weather. When we lived in Alaska, I really missed thunderstorms. So, it rained the entire drive to and from Covenant Academy this morning...not one of my favorite things.

I had already scheduled a babysitter to come for the morning since there is no Mom's Morning Out this week....you know, I thought I might need to go grocery shopping or something. It was a good thing because I ended up having to go pick up some things from base to mail to Nathan, which I have picked up now but have not mailed. I also went by Walgreens and met up with a friend for an impromptu brunch. Didn't get any groceries, but it was a nice morning out by myself.

Now, let me back up a couple of days and let you know that last weekend we went to the beach and my back did not agree with the bed at the condo that we stayed in. So, I have been having back pain ever since, and Tuesday evening it was really bad. So, I applied lots of icy-hot before bed and said that if it wasn't better in the morning I was calling the chiropractor. Because, you know, when you are the only parent around, it is good for you to be able to pick up your baby and toddler and do things with them...like change diapers and give baths, etc. etc. Anyway, my back still hurt this morning, so I called and got an appointment for this afternoon. Bless my babysitter for staying at my house all day long. Even though I was there part of the day, she stayed and helped...what a blessing! So, to cut to the chase, my back has been re-adjusted and feels much better, although not quite 100%...maybe like 85%. I am so thankful for that, and I have another appointment for Friday afternoon...for which I need a babysitter(if anyone in WR is available...please call!).

We also had church tonight, which was nice. We have dinner at church which is wonderful because we get a great home cooked meal that I don't have to cook. And, I love my ladies Bible study group. They are such an encouragement to me, and we just have a lot of fun together. Then, I have the privilege of going to choir practice, which always lifts my spirit and encourages me. Of course, that makes for a late night...and to top that off, Kinley still didn't want to go to sleep again tonight. Hopefully she has fallen asleep by now!!! And maybe she will sleep a little later in the morning...we can always hope and pray. Why is it that the two year old is always the hardest one to deal with??

All in all, it was a good day. The Lord continues to bless me with a peace about this difficult job He has put before me right now. One day at a time...

Tuesday, March 29

Well, today went pretty well. The best part about today is that I finally heard from Nathan! He emailed me this afternoon and we were even able to Skype for a little while. It was during naptime, so Brianna was the only child awake. She thoroughly enjoyed talking to her Daddy for awhile. Kinley woke up at the end of the call, and got to see him for a couple of minutes. I think this really confused her, because she has been asking for Daddy all afternoon and evening. Anyway, Nathan arrived safely and had even slept some when he called. He was still pretty tired, and I have a feeling he was heading right back to bed after we hung up. He didn't have much to say, except that he made it there safely. We are so thankful for that!

Bedtime was especially difficult with Kinley tonight. In fact, I still don't know if she is asleep. I spent an hour and a half trying to get her to sleep. Of course, not all of that time was spent directly with her, but I kept checking back with her, and she had not gone to sleep. I even stood over her constantly telling her to go to bed for over thirty minutes. Any advice from you experienced moms out there? This has been going on ever since we moved her into a room with her sister and since she has been in a big bed. She will be fine, even sing bedtime songs and such, and then when we say that it is time to sleep, it is like she just flips out and screams and cries. I surely don't know what to do.

But, other than that, today has also gone very well. Brianna is such a big helper...she even made lunch for everyone today, and if I let her, should would do it every day, but I think we would get tired of cheese sandwiches. :) Nate again was very obedient...I little tired this morning, but I made him take a short nap, and he was fine after that. James is just the best baby ever...I know that the Lord knew I needed a good baby during this time. I mean, I put him to bed at 7:30 in the evening and I still have to wake him up at 7:15 in the morning so I can feed him before we take Brianna to school. No complaints from me there!!!

So, now for a little me time, and then to bed. Another day has passed...

Psalm 121

"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade on your right hand.

The sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

The Lord will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.

The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever."

Nathan read this passage of Scripture to us last night before he left. He knew just what I needed to hear. I am so thankful for a husband who knows me so well and is sensitive to the Lord so that he could share the right Scripture with me during this time. I have read this passage many times today and have gained strength from it. It makes me cry some, but not tears of sadness, tears of comfort...and still tears of missing Nathan.

Today was a good day. Fairly uneventful. Brianna had school, Nate was VERY obedient all day, Kinley is my joyful little lady who continuously brought a smile to my face, and James was a sweet baby all day. I am so thankful for the many blessings of an uneventful day today.

This is the Day...

Well, the day has come. This is the day we say goodbye to Nathan for awhile. I am facing yet another deployment, yet this time, I will have four children, ages 5, 4, 2 and 3 months to care for. ALL. BY. MYSELF!!! I will be completely honest and tell you that I feel completely inadequate for the job that is before me. I have so many doubts as to whether I can do this by myself, for as long as this deployment lasts. I have cried many times over the past few days...especially in the past 24 hours. But, I know that ultimately, the Lord will watch over us and protect us and give me the strength to get through each day. I know that He has a purpose and a plan for me and that through this difficult time, He will teach me and grow me. In a way, there is an exciting time ahead...to see the works of the Lord in my life.

I am purposing to try to blog every day of this deployment. For several reasons...first so that my husband can keep up with what is going on in the lives of his family. Second, for therapy for myself. I think it will do me good to take the time to write down what happens. And third, to show the good works of the Lord. I had the privilege of meeting a 91 year old woman a couple of weeks ago. She said that she journals every day of her life, and she can see the good works of the Lord in every day. So, I hope that through blogging, I can see the good works of the Lord and praise him through this storm.

Today, I woke with the thought that I hated this day. But...

"This is the day that the Lord has made, I WILL REJOICE and be glad in it."

Our Georgia Ski Lodge

Well, we have had a "snowstorm" here. Having spent time in Alaska, this is just another day that ends in Y. But for everyone around here it is a big deal. Everything is shut down, and for good reason. It's actually a freezing rain/snow mix, so we have no desire to join in a game of bumper cars with people that aren't used to driving in it.


The good thing is, that everything is shut down, schools, work, local government, everything! Who woulda thought we get a snow day, but we do! And it's nice.

Here's our backyard proof!

Good thing we have four wheel drive. On a side note, most retailers don't even sell ice scrapers, they just don't see the percentage in it. (They're probably right!)



Freezing rain in the deep south? The global warming thing is just ridiculous, can we finally get over that concept in this country!!!!????

James Harold Hendricks

Well, he is here! We had a planned "induction" on Wednesday. I use the term induction lightly, because they just broke my water, and then we let nature take its course. Anyway, the doctor broke my water at 1pm, and he was born at 5:43pm...natural birth, for all of you who care. Everything went very smoothly. I wish there was more to tell, but there really isn't, unless you want the yucky details, which I don't think most of you do. He weighed in at 9lbs, was 19 3/4 inches long, and is a very healthy little man!


The great thing about it being your fourth child...they have no problem letting you leave the hospital after only 24 hours, especially since there were no complications. I was so glad to be able to spend the night in my own bed and be home with all my children last night and today.


And, I have to say a big thank you to my friends Pam, Debra and Chrissie who all helped with Brianna, Nate and Kinley while we were in the hospital. What would a military wife do without the help of good Christian friends?

All About the Name...

I actually have much to blog about these days, but it doesn't seem that I have the time to blog. But, I will start, and see how much I can blog before this baby boy comes.

We have had the hardest time deciding on a name for this little blessing. I don't know why. When Nathan and I found out that we were expecting our first child, there were so many boy names that we just loved, and only one girl name. And, since we had a girl, we used the one name we both just loved...Brianna Ruth. And, with Nate and Kinley, we kind of just had what we call an "Aha" moment, where we knew we had found the right name. But with this baby...not so much.

We have known from the beginning that we wanted to incorporate the name James into his name, to name him after my grandfather, James Clay. My grandfather is a very godly man. One of the most recent memories that I have of him is a couple of years ago sitting in Sunday School with him at Dad's church. Dad asked someone to look up a Scripture and read it. Grandpa, without hesitating, or turning in his Bible, just quoted the Scripture for Dad. He is definitely a man who has loved the Lord and his family all of the days of his life. I have great memories of playing at his house, especially kicking the ball around outside with my cousins and working in the garden with him and my grandmother. And, the endless garage sales they always had. And, a very special trip that my grandparents took my sister Becky and I on to Colorado. He is still alive today...very old and very sick, but we are still blessed with his life and are thankful for the time that the Lord is giving us with him.

But, should it be the first name or the middle name...and what do you put with it? We have really struggled. We thought we had decided on a name...Jon-Michael James Hendricks (which, by the way, I still really like), but the Lord has changed our minds, yet again.

While continuing to discuss the name situation, Nathan mentioned that his grandfather was born on December 7th, and asked if the baby was born on that day, that we name him James Harold, after both of our grandfathers. My first response was, I would NEVER name a child Harold, because I just don't like the name. (No offense to any Harold's out there...I just don't.) But, the Lord really convicted my heart that Nathan's grandfather was one of the most influential men in his life. Nathan loves to tell stories of his Grandpa Boombah (crazy name he called him), he taught Nathan how to fish- which is still one of his favorite hobbies, and he was the reason Nathan joined the marines and is now in the Air Force. From what I have been told, he was also a godly man who loved his family. I was never privileged to meet him b/c he passed away before Nathan and I even dated. But, he was a very important man in my husband's life, just as my grandfather was a very important man in my life.

So, our son's name will be James Harold Hendricks. It definitely wasn't my first choice, but I know it is the right choice. He will be a very special little man, named after two very special men.

Dress Up week

Last week was Dress up week, and every good dress up week has a sports day...

And a crazy-wacky-tacky day... So Brianna had fun not matching! (I don't know what the big deal is, I hardly ever match according to Beth.)
She was having fun with not matching, even though her expression is curious here.
Then, military day!
Brianna is as tough as they come. A little too cute to be intimidating, though.
Western day.... YEEEEEHAWWWW!


Braided and curled pigtails
Nathan has to be a part of this blog somehow... even if he was sneezing!

Whaddaya think, Kinley? Good slideshow? Thumbs up, all right...

Brianna's first day of school

Rule #1 If you have a pony tail, you must spin around for the "action photo.
Brianna is such a happy girl, and I think she loved her uniform
She is ready for school, although she did admit she was a little scared for the first day.
Here she is checking out her desk during the open house the day before.
And, the morning of the first day of school, we actually had enough time to take pictures of the moment.
Covenant Academy's logo
Day 2 and her new kindergarten bag. To be honest, we can't believe 5 years have gone by so fast. We are so proud of you, Brianna!

Nathan saying his verses

Of course, we are so proud of him, storing up truth at a young age is not a guarantee of anything, but we do hope it stays with him. My Dad taught me this when I was five, so this is my way of thanking him for keeping the word of God on my mind. Thanks Dad.

Nathan

Every Good and Perfect Gift...

Sometimes, life throws you an unexpected curve ball. Mine came a few weeks ago while Nathan was in Vegas on a three week TDY. My back was really hurting...it was way out of alignment. I went to the doctor on base, and she told me I needed to see a chiropractor, but she would prescribe some muscle relaxers for me. OK...I went and put the prescription in at the drug store and then started to find a chiropractor who could see me that day, because I was in a lot of pain. Luckily, I found a good one. She wanted to take x-rays of my back...I wasn't so sure. You know, they make you fill out all of this paperwork, and one of the questions is, "Could you be pregnant?" Well, technically, I could have been, but I had no symptoms, and I really didn't think I was. But, we didn't do them anyway. Now, that my brain was thinking about it, when I picked up my prescription, I picked up a home pregnancy test and thought, "I'll take it just to confirm that I'm not pregnant." Well, SURPRISE...it was positive. Already six to seven weeks along and I had not a clue, other than back pain, I felt fine.

Of course, right before Nathan left I had told him that I really didn't want to be pregnant anytime soon, because I have been doing so well with my weight loss (I had lost almost 40 pounds!) and life for us was just really going well. We had a fun summer planned with a vacation to the beach after Nathan got back from his TDY. You know, I was just being selfish, not wanting to have another child right now.

But, around the same time that Nathan left on TDY, our music minister asked me to sing the solo for the song "I AM" by Mark Shultz. The third verse was written for me at this time. It reads:

I AM the Spirit deep inside you
I AM the Word upon your heart
I AM the One who even knew you
Before your birth, before you were

While Nathan was gone, and before I even knew I was expecting our fourth child, the Lord began to prepare my heart. Of course I had to practice that song, and I had to sing those words over and over. And it was like every time, the Lord was saying to me, "Beth, I am in control and whenever you have another child, it is going to be OK, because it is MY plan for you, and for the next blessing in your life." Well, I am glad He prepared my heart for the shock of that day when all alone, with Nathan out of town, I found out I was pregnant.

And, you know, the worst part was, I had to keep that secret to myself for two whole days until I finally got to talk to Nathan on the phone and tell him the news. That was torture. But, needless to say, we are THRILLED about this blessing that the Lord is entrusting us with.

So, bring on the sleepless nights, the nauseousness, the weight gain, etc, etc, that comes with the territory. I am ready for this blessing! As of today, I am almost ten weeks along, and the baby is due Dec. 15th. Nathan was supposed to be deployed at that time, but he was able to change the dates so that he will go in August and September instead.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above..." James 1:17

Zoo and a funny story

Well, since coming home, we all have had a great time together as a family. Personally, I was shocked to be home after my first deployment with a wife and children left at home. It was great, and I simply could not believe all the hugs I was getting from Nathan J. We decided not to travel around, keep it low key and except for a run to Atlanta for a zoo and aquarium trip, it was low key. I had three dates with just Beth and me, one Daddy-Nathan Day out, and one Daddy-Brianna Day out. Beth and I were able to visit and research several schools in the area, and we've chosen a wonderful Christian school for Brianna next year. But here are the photos to give you an idea of all the great times we had.

Beth and the kids, similar to the zoo picture we had before I left.


After about 40 pictures, I finally got the camera to focus when the lion opened his mouth


The petting zoo, it's priority one for the kids!




Brianna, so happy, as usual

Nathan, almost turning for the camera.


Brianna, once again, all smiles.

Ok, here's the funny story, and I am certain I will not be able to adequately tell it, but I will try. I have always loved to make the kids laugh, and one way I do it, is to whisper like this. Kids, we need to keep our voices down and be QUIET! ....... SORRY!! I slap my hand over my mouth every time I say something too loud, and the kids shake with laughter. Well, on the drive home this evening, I made a similar remark pretending to lose control of my voice, and KINLEY, out of the blue, starts talking gibberish, raises the volume of her voice for the last word, and uses two pudgy little hands to cover her mouth, and her giggles. She repeated this routine several times, and Beth and I both just looked at each other, and it was our turn to shake with laughter. What a little jokester, and she's only 13 months old??

Coming Out of a Blogging Slump

Well, if anyone is still reading this blog, I am trying to come out of a blogging slump. Why have I even been in a slump? I don't know. Maybe it had something to do with Nathan being deployed and the obvious lack of time that comes with that. But, whatever it is, I am going to try to do better.

So, what have we missed out on in the past couple of months?

First, Kinley Brooke turned one year old. She is such a joy for our family. She is really the typical third child...laid back and completely on her own schedule. We were in OK on her birthday, and celebrated with my family, and she was even able to Skype with her Daddy on her birthday. She was sick the week of her birthday, but was feeling better on her actual birthday, which I was very thankful for. She is just now starting to walk on her own, which of course is so much fun to watch and experience with her. She actually took her first steps in the nursery at church...of course it wasn't for her momma!!!

We (Beth, Brianna, Nate and Kinley) came home from OK in the middle of February accompanied by my Mom and Bryce. It was so nice to have the extra helping hands for an extra week while we were here.

Nathan came home from our first deployment on March 2nd. We were very thankful to have him home and have enjoyed the time that he has had off this past week. He has to go back to work next week, and it looks like he will be gone again soon, but we are so thankful for him and the time that we have had together as a family. BTW, I did say OUR first deployment. Deployments are not just for the active duty member, but for the entire family. I told Nathan that I had the hard job of this deployment. Sure, he had to go fly, eat, sleep and work out. But, I had to to keep up with three children, ages four, three and one. And, of course none of them could ever sleep through the night on the same night. And of course we would all get sick while in OK (my mother was a saint taking care of us). And, you know, little boys really do need their daddy around. Nate is a different child now that his Dad is back.

I am married to an amazing man. He loves the Lord and strives to serve Him and know Him better every day. He loves our family and would do anything for us. He loves his country. When people comment to him about serving our country, he just replies with "It is a great country to serve". He is a humble man who credits the Lord for every blessing and gift that he has. I love Nathan so much, and being away from him makes me appreciate him so much more. I missed all the little things that he would do that bugged me...you know, like not putting his clothes in the laundry, not picking up stuff, etc. In fact, I cried the first time I did laundry after he left, because I knew that would be the last time I did his laundry for awhile. I had a really hard time putting it up and cleaning up his mess on his nightstand. So, I guess I would just encourage everyone to let your spouse know how much they mean to you, and appreciate them every day. It shouldn't take a deployment to have to say those things.

So, guess those are my thought and ramblings for tonight. I have had a lot on my mind, and hopefully in the next couple of weeks I will be able to blog them. Also, I need to catch up on putting pics up, so watch out for those!

Happy 3rd Birthday Nate!

Three years ago today, a little man stole my heart. He has always been "Mommy's Little Man" and everyone knows it. He looks just like me and was very attached to his momma during the first year of his life, just as all of my children have been. One of his Sunday School teachers in AK even found a shirt that said "Mommy's Little Man" and had to buy it for him. Now, as his Daddy is deployed, he has become quite attached to his momma again, which is OK. He comes and gets in bed with me almost every night now...something that has never been done in our home. But, he needs that security right now, so it will have to be OK. I love him, and even though it means I don't get as much sleep, I would do anything for that little man.

Nathan Jeremiah Hendricks has been such a joy and privilege to care for. He presents more challenges than his sisters do...at least for his Momma. He is, well, stubborn and defiant even at times. But, when those times try me as a parent, I tend to pray that the Lord will use those traits for good in him some day. Right now, I assume that the Lord is using those traits to teach ME something! I know that the Lord has a plan for Nate, and I pray every night that Nate would know the Lord as his personal Lord and Saviour. I pray that Nate would choose to follow the Lord and serve the Lord every day of his life.

Nate has had a wonderful year being two. He became a big brother and moved from Alaska to Georgia. He can talk up a storm now and just recently started singing songs in full. One day he didn't know I was in the room, and he sang "Lord, You Are" in its entirety, which was medicine for a frustrated mother's soul. How sweet it is to hear your children sing praises to the Lord. Nate can also say the entire Pledge of Alligiance, and his favorite video clip is Tim Hawkins "The Government Can", another song he can sing most, if not all, of. He is a really smart little man...but he doesn't want you to know it. He hides it and then one day he says all of his Bible verse, or sings the whole song, or something like that.

Nathan Jeremiah was names after his Daddy. And, while he may look a lot like his momma, he is a lot like his Daddy too. And, there is no person on this earth I would rather him be like. His Daddy uses his "stubborn" side to stand up for the truth and has such a desire to share Christ's love with others. I pray Nate will be much like his Daddy when he gets older. Nate is also named after Dr. David Jeremiah, a pastor Nathan and I watch on TV quite frequently and who has impacted our lives.

Lord, I pray that you would use Nathan Jeremiah for your glory, every day of his life. I pray that he would know you personally, and that he would share your love with the world. Keep him safe and secure in Your arms. Thank you so much for the privilege of raising this young man here on earth. We don't deserve such a blessing, but we are so thankful for him. Help me as a mother to love him unconditionally and to understand his needs right now and be patient to meet them. Amen.

Happy 3rd Birthday Nate! Your Momma loves you very much!

Life During Deployment

Well, I know it has been awhile since I last blogged. A lot has happened. Nathan has been deployed since right after Christmas. Christmas itself was eventful. Kinley was sick, and I ended up in the ER with her the day after Christmas, and come to find out, she had pneumonia. Also, I had an ear infection. So, life was happening when Nathan left. Kinley is now better, as am I, and we have somewhat adjusted to life without Nathan around here. Not that we like it, but life goes on. We are able to talk with him every once in a while as well as Skype. Praise the Lord for modern technologies. Please continue to pray for his safety as he is serving in the middle east.

As for life here, it has had its good times and not so good times. Tonight was one of those not so good times. Lots of tears shed from the children, and subsequently, by me. But, I guess in a way a good cry makes things better. I was able to Skype with Nathan, but he didn't have his headset, so we just had to chat with our fingers. He is doing well...he looks good, as always.

I pray a lot for patience for myself. I know that the Lord has been gracious in granting me this request many times, because otherwise I would have blown up many times by now. Sometimes the way I am able to respond to the children in a calm voice even surprises me. Thank you Lord!

Aunt Becky has come to save the day. Really, she has been a tremendous help this week. Tonight alone she cleaned the kitchen, gave Brianna a bath and picked up the playroom. And, more than any of that, she has been a friend for me. It gets lonely talking to preschoolers almost all of the time. Tomorrow we are leaving for OK where the kids and I will be spending about a month with my parents. This should be a fun adventure! Lets all pray that Kinley sleeps well in her pack-n-play.

Well, that is my rambling for tonight. I am thankful for all that the Lord has blessed me with (even though at times, like tonight, life has been a challenge) and I pray that you take a little time today to tell the Lord what you are grateful for as well. It helps put life into perspective. :)

Christmas Greetings!

This is for all of you out there who didn't get a hard copy of our Christmas letter! I had to cut back on the amount of people who received the letter because my list is getting so long. Love you all and hope that you have a very, Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas to all of our dear family and friends! We pray that this season you keep your focus on the One true reason we celebrate Christmas- Jesus Christ who came to earth as a baby so that He could die on the cross for our sins and raise from the dead so that we can have eternal life. What a joy and comfort it is to know my Savior!

So, here are life updates from the Hendricks Home:

Nathan has had an incredibly busy year. We started out the year knowing that we would be moving to Warner Robins, GA because Nathan would be training to fly the J-Stars aircraft. We moved in May, Nathan has completed his training, and he is preparing to leave to go overseas before the end of the year.

Brianna has grown into such a big little girl! She is now four years old, and is so eager to learn anything and everything. She has missed her friends in Alaska, but has made new friends here in Georgia. She is involved in gymnastics, AWANA, preschool choir, and loves going to “playschool” one day a week. (“Playschool” is really Mom’s Morning Out, but we don’t tell the kids that!)

Nate is now a big two year old, almost three year old. And, he is really smart, but he doesn’t want anyone to know it. He is really a quiet guy, until he decides to start talking. Then, watch out!!! One day, he just up and told me the entire Pledge of Allegiance. I didn’t even know that he knew it! He has just learned it from our school time with Brianna. He has also started his Scripture memory, and can say the first three verses of Psalm 100 as well as Eph. 6:1.

We were so blessed with the arrival of Miss Kinley Brooke Hendricks, born February 4^th, 2009. She came a couple of weeks early, and weighed 8lbs, 5 oz and was 20 inches long. I was kind of glad she came early after she weighed that much at 38 weeks! She has been such a blessing to our family. She crawls all around the house, following her big sister and brother, and her smile just lights up the house.

As for me, as always, I stay busy keeping up with all of the others. I do miss my Alaska friends, but the Lord is faithful to provide friends wherever we go. I am involved in the local MOPS group and in the choir at our church here in Georgia. I have also made it back home to Oklahoma three times already -twice with Nathan and once with just the kids by myself…that was fun!

Please keep our family in your prayers over the next few months as we face our first deployment. Pray for peace for Nathan as he has to leave us all here, pray for strength for me as I take care of these little blessings by myself, and pray for our children that they will understand what is happening and that they don’t drive their momma crazy!

Merry Christmas!

Nathan, Beth, Brianna, Nate and Kinley

Why I Don't Like Santa

Let me start this off by saying that I don't mean to sound cynical here, but this is how I really feel. I try not to judge others who do celebrate with Santa, so know that even if you do celebrate Santa, I still love you! So, here's the post:

Maybe its because I grew up having never celebrated Christmas with Santa. Or maybe its because my husband sees no need for lying to our children about Santa, because he was told the truth when he was young as well. However I think that the real reason I don't like Santa is because he takes away from the true meaning of Christmas. So many people today celebrate Christmas and have no idea of why they are celebrating it.

Nathan leaned over to me in Sunday school a couple of weeks ago and said, "Isn't it ironic that the one time of year that people EXPECT other parents to lie to their children is at Christmas time?" So, don't expect me to lie to your children about there being a Santa, OK? I won't do it...just letting you know. In respect for you, I may try to totally avoid the subject, but if asked, I won't lie to them.

Christmas is about Jesus. How He came to this earth as a baby, so that He could die on the cross for our sins. The message is so simple, even my four year old gets it. Up until this week, I had never even heard her mention Santa. I don't know why people, why Christians, feel the need to incorporate Santa into their Christmas celebrations. I remember last Christmas we went to a Christmas pageant at a church in Anchorage, and there was Santa in it. Seriously, can't a church have a Christmas program without Santa? It made me so mad!!!

So, you will be very hard pressed to find anything "Santa" in my house. I avoid him at all cost. He makes me mad, because he has distracted so many people from the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus Christ. And, please don't tell my kids about Santa...I want to keep their focus on Jesus!

Think about this, people tell their children about Santa, who they are supposed to believe in, even though they don't see him. They also tell them about Jesus and God, who they can't see, but are supposed to believe in. Then... down the road, these kids find out that Santa isn't real. What are they supposed to believe about Jesus and God?

Oh, and one other interesting fact about Santa that Nathan pointed out to me...rearrange the letters just a bit, and what do you get? SATAN! I think he is at work distorting the real reason for Christmas!

Little Nathan, growing up

Well, Nathan is growing up, we had just watched on old episode of the Lone Ranger, so after the pledge, he blurts out, I'm gonna shoot you! We just laughed and laughed over that. He speaks so well, and has a good memory, as you can tell.

But on a sad note, he and Brianna played a little too rough today, and Nathan ended up breaking his clavicle! Poor little guy. He's ok most of the time, with full range of motion, but every so often, he'll tweak it wrong, and let out a sharp cry of pain. Beth and I both feel so bad for him, we just want him to get better. He went to the emergency room today, and will see a orthopedic surgeon tomorrow for further diagnosis. Gotta tell you, I love that little boy!

Thankful Thursday

1. I am thankful that Kinley had a good check up with the doctor this morning.

2. I am thankful for our church's Mom's Morning Out program. My kids love it!!!

3. I am thankful for getting lots of errands run today.

4. I am thankful that all of my children are either sleeping right now or are playing quietly in their room so that I can catch a quick nap this afternoon.

5. I am thankful for the local MOPS group here in Warner Robins.

6. I am thankful that the Lord is teaching me some kinda tough stuff right now. I will be stronger for it.

7. I am thankful to be a part of a wonderful choir at our church.

8. I am thankful for discipleship.

9. I am so thankful for my wonderful, loving and caring husband. What would I do without him??? And, he is pretty cute too!

What are you thankful for??? Take time to tell the Lord today.