Shoeboxes for OCC

Everyone's heard of Samaritan's Purse and their annual Opperation Christmas Child drive, right?!  If not, go here, educate yourself, give.  

I am all about family traditions.  I don't want ours to be stuffy or all about how much our children get during the holidays.  I want us to build memories together while having fun.  I want them to know and understand the true meaning of Christmas (fortunately, Emory already loves Veggietales: Saint Nicholas - A Story of Joyful Giving).  I want them to give freely so the world can see God working in and through them.  Currently I have to pry a paci out of the clinched fist of my toddler, so obviously we have a ways to go.  Baby steps!

We go to a large church.  Every year there is a huge collection of these shoeboxes.  It was our intention (you know that they say about those) to do this last year, but it just didn't happen.  So this year we grabbed two boxes, stuffed them with lots of goodies appropriate for two little boys ages 2-4 (it only seemed appropriate since they are from a little boy), wrote a card to each child, said a prayer for our recipients and their families, and off they go with us to church tomorrow!  Perhaps it's silly of me, but I included our address on the inside of the card in hopes that we will hear back from a little boy.  Maybe...

Each box only cost $7 to ship and send.  You can even track your box online if you wish!

In the boxes (keep in mind these are for 2-4 year old boys): several pages of sticker, Lightning McQueen cars, ABC and 123 board books, 2 other mini-storybooks, Slinky (I mean, it's a toy for all ages), harmonica, 2 disc shooters, clapper hands, crayons, and a card with a prayer from our family to his!

I realize this was probably much more thrilling for me than it was for Emory, but I hope he learns to appreciate and enjoy these traditions as he grows up.  This was super easy too!  Most everything came from the Target value section.  You know the one, right when you walk in the door, calling your name to buy little morsels of stuff you could always live without?  Yes, that one!  The crayons I buy when they are on sale in August when school starts (24 crayons for $0.50, why yes I think I do need one more pack).  Lightning McQueen was definitely a Phillip pick, but I liked that he got into it. 

We hope you will join us in supporting this great cause.  They are delivering the 100 millionth box this year!  How amazing!  

It's the small things...like a little shoebox!

Kristin

P.S. - Don't ever attempt to pack a Sperry box.  They are a bit more spacious, but the wrapping process was quite an uphill battle!

Nemesis

Moms: Have you ever had days (or weeks, months, etc.) where you just feel like a failure?  Other moms seem to have it together.  Their kids are more advanced in certain areas.  Why is that 18 month old speaking in entire sentences?  Their homes are spotless even with a tiny tot running around.  Shouldn't there be a finger print on something?  Oh and they cook dinner, feed their children, and clean up in time for a Norman Rockwell painting by the fireplace before bed.  Why is there no food on the floor, no toddler refusing to eat, and the dog isn't eating the cat's food?  Something is wrong!

Or maybe something is wrong with the expectations I place on myself.  Something about being Type A and OCD lends one to a lifetime of uphill battles trying to attain perfection.  Apparently, it's not possible when it comes to parenting.  BUMMER!

I'm trying to learn to be gracious with myself.  Stop comparing (most of what you see/hear is only what the other individual is proud of anyway).  Bask in the small victories (veggies for dinner without a riot?  SCORE!).  Live in the moment...be it good or bad.

I have been (and honestly will probably continue) worrying about Emory.  I read to him all the time in hopes that his language skills will improve.  I talk to him about everything we do.  Praying that something will sink in and click.  I want him to have fun learning, but I feel pressure to do it better or practice more often or give lessons with more enthusiasm.  

The fact is that our son has his own personality.  He's rambunctious at times, he's all boy, and he is curious.  He's also very reserved, overly-cautious, and not a talker (he'll sign for you though).  So I've been focusing on the fun part of learning and developing during our play sessions.  

He LOVES puzzles.  For months he's been playing with all of his Melissa & Doug chunky puzzles, but the favorite (BY FAR) is the vehicle one.  No surprise since Emory seems to believe that everything goes "vroom vroom."  He's never gotten it right all by himself.  Much to my dismay, I sit back and watch as he stumbles on the same piece every single time.  It's his nemesis, THE SAILBOAT.

You can tell from the chipping paint that this puzzle has been through the ringer.

Today, he did it!  I sent Phillip a text message telling him that I couldn't be any prouder had my child discovered the cure for cancer (maybe a bit of an exaggeration).  You see, Phillip is the anti-me.  He knows that I fret over things I can't control (like puzzle pieces that won't cooperate, language that is slow to develop, or tantrums that spawn from nowhere).  Being the supportive husband that he is, Phillip rejoiced in Emory's victory.  

It's been a week of ups and downs.  Physically, I am d.o.w.n. and feeling pretty useless as a wife and mama.  Mentally, I am exhausted from the growing "to do before Baby Boy #2 arrives" list in my head.  Emotionally, well...I'm pregnant (so I'm all over the board).  However, I am elated that today a small sailboat fit perfectly into it's cozy home in a puzzle.  It's the little things in life that make all the difference.  

 Kristin

Vote 2012

Emory helped his mama and daddy vote.  From the look in his eyes, he expected you to do the same.  Hope you at least got out and exercised that right!

Despite the outcome of whatever races you were passionate about, I hope you will join our family in praying for our leadership (both locally and nationally).   They all face countless obstacles ahead of them.  Biblically, it's our responsibility to support them through prayer.  So join us!
 
Kristin

Trunk or Treat

We are so blessed that Phillip's job has afforded our family the opportunity for one of us to be home with Emory almost all the time.  I just substitute on occasion and have done some contract work for the school, but most of my time is spent with Little Man.  The downside to this is that Phillip's company promotes based on seniority, which is only fair.  Granted he's come a long way since beginning and is now managing a crew, but he's still working second shift (3 PM to 1 or 3 AM).  He's hoping that once the kiddos start school he'll be on first shift and around more, but for now we do things like Trunk or Treat sans Daddy (and this pregnant mama sure missed that extra set of arms).  

This was the first year we attempted to do anything since Emory was a whole 6 months old last year and I was scared to take him out.  :-)  Let me just tell you, this kid is NOT a fan of costumes!  (P.S. - Someone please join me in piloting a company that makes cute toddler costumes WITHOUT anything on the head.  One would have thought I was murdering the kid getting him dressed!)  Our church held their annual Trunk or Treat on Halloween night.  Our life group had a few vehicles so we headed out to play with friends.  Emory doesn't grasp the concept of waiting in a line to collect candy, so we didn't even attempt.  He had fun watching the train, bounce houses, and climbing walls.  Best of all (for his tiny toddler legs): open room to run!  

This was as close as we got to a decent picture of us.  It was much easier when he wasn't so squirmy!

Thankfully, Emory is good buddies with Mr. Jason (and he was nice enough to tote my child around for a bit).

Can I tell you how much I love these guys?  Kyler was kind enough to show me how all of the bounce houses worked. 

It was really chilly and Emory was beginning to get a runny nose, so we hopped in the car and headed to my parents house to let them see his costume.  My sister was handing out candy while waiting.  As soon as Emory arrived she turned all the lights out and declared any remaining candy his.  Let's be honest, that's the best kind of trick or treating!  

Checking out the goods.

One of the only things I would let him have: Smarties!

This is why moms could never be grandmas.  She sees no harm in double fisting Smarties, I see potential issues with prying them from my screaming toddlers hands.  :-)

 

My Dad likes to use children for his general amusement.  He spent a good 5-10 minutes giving Emory candy and telling him to take it to my sister's boyfriend (who would subsequently consume it upon receipt).  Emory didn't seem to mind though!

Special delivery!  (Check out that precious stuffed belly!)

We sure did miss Phillip, but we had lots of fun!  Hope you all had a fantastic Halloween! 

Kristin