Cookies
A young lady was waiting for her flight in the boarding room of a big airport.
As she would need to wait many hours, she decided to buy a book to spend her time. She also bought a packet of cookies. She sat down in an armchair, in the VIP room of the airport, to rest and read in peace. Beside the armchair where the packet of cookies lay, a a man sat down in the next seat, opened his magazine and started reading.
When she took out the first cookie, the man took one also. She felt irritated, but said nothing. She just thought: “What a nerve! If I was in the mood I would punch him for daring!”
For each cookie she took, the man took one too. This was infuriating her but she didn’t want to cause a scene. When only one cookie remained, she thought: “ah…What will this abusive man do now?”
Then, the man, taking the last cookie, divided it in half, giving one half to her. Ah! That was too much! She was much too angry now! In a huff, she took her book, her things, and stormed to the boarding place.
When she took her seat inside the plane, she looked in her purse for her eyeglasses, and, to her surprise, her packet of cookies was there…untouched, unopened! She felt so ashamed! She realized that she was wrong….She had forgotten that her cookies were kept in her purse.
The man had divided his cookies with her, without feeling angered or bitter….while she had been very angry, thinking that she was dividing her cookies with him. And now there was no chance to explain herself…nor to apologize.
There are four things you can never recover…
The stone… after the throw,
The word… after it’s said,
The occasion… after the loss, and
The time… after it’s gone.
Author Unknown
http://www.emofree.com/Inspiration/cookies.htm
Here are most of our Christmas traditions. Some of the pictures are new, but many are from years gone past.
Advent Candles and Wreath:
On each Sunday in Advent, we light the candles and add some extra comments to our Jesse Tree devotions.
Jesse Tree:
Complete details and pictures of our Jesse Tree are found here:
http://parentingfreedom.com/2008/12/04/family-christmas-tradition-jesse-tree/
Mistletoe:
We have a little cluster of mistletoe that we hang from a small hook in the ceiling above one of the two entrances to our living room. C7, in particular, is always thrilled to see the mistletoe, and I hold her up to hang it. It is in a spot with some traffic, but not too much, so it does get used. L4 said, “I am going to run under the mistletoe, and when Daddy gets home, I’m going to tiss him!”
Ceramic Christmas Tree:
When we were first married, my grandmother gave us a small green ceramic Christmas tree with lots of little lights. When I store it each year, most of the lights stay on, but enough fall off to give the children the fun of decorating without getting sick of the job. The tree has a special place on the entry shelf.
Hummel Christmas Ornaments:
My mother-in-law added to my Hummel collection by giving me quite a few Hummel Christmas ornaments. They are very cute little children celebrating Christmas and winter. My children are very careful when unwrapping the little figurines and pass them to me after I have the evergreen boughs situated on the mantle and organ. I also decorate a couple wall wreaths with the Hummels. They look very cute nestled among the white lights and greenery.
Fisher-Price Little People Nativity Set:
Even though the children are getting older, there are still cheers when they spot this nativity set among the decorations. It has its own place on a cabinet, but gets brought down to the floor for play.
We also own the Playmobil Nativity Set, but we really don’t like it. It has a paper stable and the pieces all fall apart.
Baby Jesus in a Manger:
This is one of my favorite Christmas decorations. My mother-in-law bought me a lovely realistic boy doll, and my father-in-law made a manger filled with straw. The children, especially my daughter, just love playing with the Baby Jesus doll. Last year, they dressed up as Mary and Joseph and acted out the story. This year, I laughed when C7 said to B10, “You have to be Joseph. L4 is too young to be Joseph.” He wasn’t impressed, but she, of course, is looking forward to being Mary.
Box of Christmas Books:
We have a box of quite a few Christmas books that we store all year and bring them out only for the month of December. The books feel new and exciting to the children, and they spend hours looking at them. I try to read most of them aloud some time during December. I also get some at the library. Here are some of the Christmas books in our box.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever:
We read this chapter book every December. It is always a hit.
Lego Advent Calendar:
Instead of chocolate advent calendars, we bought the Lego Advent Calendar this year. Next year, I would like to get one of those wooden advent calendars that I could fill with my own ideas. I could reuse the Lego toys, or fill them with candies or chocolates, maybe even love notes. There are lots of options.
Paper Chains:
Early in December, the children usually make paper chains and decorate them with stickers. They rip the links off to count down until Christmas.
Nativity Story Movie:
The Nativity Story is a beautiful account of the Biblical story in the historical setting. The movie makes it “more real” rather than just reading the story (which we will do anyway, of course). It is easy to focus on what IS TRUE in the movie, rather than look for imperfections. My favorite part was how God provided Mary with the comfort of Elizabeth for the six months. I also appreciated the portrayal of the kind and gentle character of Joseph. To raise boys to such standards would be a blessing indeed.
Christmas Movies:
The Grinch (old traditional cartoon), etc.
Mr. Bean Merry Christmas
Christmas Socks!
Christmas Caroling:
My mother prepares little Christmas treats, including homemade fudge, and the children and I and my mother visit some of the old people in our family. We usually sing a few Christmas carols (typically Away in a Manger, Silent Night, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas). We visit for a short while at about seven or more homes.
Old Folk’s Home:
We make sure we visit the Senior’s Home before Christmas and sing Christmas carols with a group of people. This year, B10 played two Christmas songs on the keyboard and read from Luke 2. C7 froze and couldn’t sing the song she practiced, “All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth”.
Christmas Cookies:
We always make sugar cookies before Christmas. The children roll the dough and cut them out with Christmas cookie cutters. Then they add bright icing and sprinkles.
The Christmas Tree:
Since we always get a real evergreen spruce tree, we don’t put it up until a week before Christmas. When we decorate, we turn on Christmas music and put on a fire in the living room. We bring down the large storage container of teddy bears for the children to play with while I walk from chair to chair around the tree attaching several strands of white lights. Then, we all put the teddy bears on the tree. Lastly, I wrap a wide ribbon around and around the tree. We wait until it is all done before turning on the lights. Lah di dah!
Here is a one-of-a-kind photo of the time Derek let us put a tree on top of the van.
Christmas Music:
Musical Special:
This year, I am thrilled that we have a family ticket for all of us to go to Handel’s Messiah.
Grandma’s House:
Each year, the children (never a child younger than three years) stay at Grandma’s for the day while Derek and I travel to a nearby city to go Christmas shopping.
Gingerbread House:
Every year, we buy a prefab gingerbread house and the children have fun decorating with icing and candy.
Nana’s Birthday:
On the 23rd, we get together with the rest of the family to celebrate my mother’s birthday. It is usually at Grammie’s. Last year, we did a group rendition of the Addams Family Theme Song which Derek had written. Snap, snap.
Opening Presents at Our House:
One unusual tradition we have is that we have NEVER had the children open their Christmas presents from us on Christmas morning. Depending on various factors, we always open them one, two, or three days before Christmas. We go to Derek’s parents’ house early Christmas morning, and then to my parents’ house later in the morning and for dinner.
Christmas Parties:
I usually host one large party and one or two family get-togethers.
Christmas Church Services:
We never know where we will end up.
Edited to add more traditions as I think of them:
Christmas Lights
We also drive around the community to look at the houses with lots of Christmas lights.
Old Home Movies
Some years, we watch old family Christmas videos or old home movies.
Christmas Story Night Before We Open Presents
Grammie
We love to visit at Grammie’s when she has just made homemade doughnuts and cinnamon buns.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/11/05/crisp-body.html
“The teen disappeared on Oct. 13 after arguing with his parents over a favourite Xbox video game, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. They had taken the game away from him because they felt he had become obsessed with it and his many connections in the online gaming community.”
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/537519
I wasn’t going to comment on this, as I have no intention of judging these parents. I see this more as a parent/child communication problem rather than a video game problem. It is so important to listen to our teens. Prevention would be best, so if your children are young, establish boundaries long before gaming gets out of hand. I think problem-solving is the best way to handle video game conflicts. In our home, we have always had the rule that Mature-rated games are not allowed. I don’t find the Teen-rated games to be too bad. Our video gaming is done in the living room, and I think it is a modern way of children playing together. The tragic story of Brandon Crisp reminds us to connect with our teens, and to be there for them, so they won’t feel the need to flee.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 4:50 PM in »
Parenting General,
Video Games |
5 Comments
(Scroll down for pictures of Todd Palin with his Children)
When the folks in the mainstream media talk about Sarah Palin, they emphasize that she has FIVE children!! How could she ever do it!!! They make it seem like she is a single mother and all five of her children are only TWO YEARS OLD!
Well… Alert the media. Sarah is married to a very capable man who happens to have sacrificed his job to play a larger role in raising their children. I understand they have never hired a full-time babysitter (at least since the last two children were born).
The Palin family did just fine while Sarah worked as governor. It seems her children were with her when possible, and her husband worked as a full-time dad. It certainly seems like Todd and Sarah Palin know what they are doing.
And about those FIVE children… Their oldest son, Track, happens to be going to war in Iraq. I think he’s pretty grown up.
Their oldest daughter, Bristol, happens to be getting married. She seems to be in love and looking forward to getting on with her own life. Read more: http://parentingfreedom.com/2008/09/05/bristol-and-levi-parents-in-training/
Willow happens to be thirteen. She is a big girl who is likely a great help around the house.
Todd and Sarah do have two little ones. Piper is seven, the exact same age as my daughter, and Trig is the baby. Read more: http://parentingfreedom.com/2008/09/03/sarah-palin-mother-and-first-female-vice-president-pictures-children-parenting/
I guess the mainstream media believes that conservative women should stay at home. Have they noticed that both Barack Obama AND his wife work fulltime? Don’t they care about the Obama children?
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/09/05/a-palin-cone-of-silence/
(See second set of quotes)
Todd Palin with Baby Son Trig
Sarah Palin’s Husband with Baby
Todd Palin Caring for Baby Trig
Todd Palin Holding Baby
Looks Like Father is Happy and Baby is Content
I have seen sooo many pictures of John McCain talking to Piper
Todd Palin and Daughter Bristol
Todd Palin Holding Baby
Todd Palin and Daughter Piper
Todd Palin Carrying Baby Trig
Piper resting beside her Dad, Todd Palin
Todd and Sarah Palin and Piper
Todd Palin holding Piper
Sarah Palin’s Husband Holding Daughter Piper
An older picture that has Todd holding Piper
For many more Sarah Palin Family Pictures, click here and scroll down.
http://parentingfreedom.com/category/politics-sarah-palin/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IunQALzGjaE
Pictures courtesy of Yahoo, Google, AP, Reuters.
Isn’t this an AWESOME photo?? A teenage boy doesn’t just do this unless he REALLY cares.
Bristol Palin’s Boyfriend Levi kissing Baby Trig (in Bristol’s arms)
Little Piper with her soon-to-be Brother-in-law and her Big Sister
Bristol happily holding Baby Brother During Sarah Palin’s Speech
I see Bristol and Levi as a young couple in love. They had been planning to get married anyway, and just because they (wrongly) jumped the gun and are now expecting, that does not mean this is a CRISIS pregnancy. How do we know how they felt about the baby? I never did understand how pregnancy is a shock to people (unless they don’t know where babies come from), although I realize people sometimes DO feel “shocked”. Maybe Bristol and Levi were worried at first, especially before sharing the news, but then became happy because their families were supportive, and they have a good excuse to be together. These days, even marriage before twenty-five is frowned upon.
The pro-abortion left is bewildered because the Christian right is not outraged. They cry, “Hypocrites”, but they just do not understand. They do not understand forgiveness. They do not understand love. They do not see new life as a blessing. And they do not see children as gifts from God.
I am reminded of these verses:
“Then said Jesus, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’” Luke 23:34
“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” Deuteronomy 30:19
“He shall gently lead those that are with young.” Isaiah 40:11
For many more Sarah Palin Family Pictures, click here and scroll down.
http://parentingfreedom.com/category/politics-sarah-palin/
Photos found at Yahoo and Google.
Following a devastating cylcone in Bangladesh in 1993, Cindy McCain visited a Mother Teresa orphanage in Dhaka.
Cindy said, “All around me were the children, and the desperate faces of their mothers. The pain was overwhelming, and I felt helpless. But then I visited an orphanage begun by Mother Teresa, and two very sick little girls captured my heart. There was something I could do. I could take them home. And so I did.”
Cindy McCain flew home and carried baby Bridget off the plane to meet John.
John McCain’s reaction to his wife bringing home a baby tells me so much about his character.
When Cindy met him getting off the plane with the baby in her arms, John McCain said something like, “Where’s she going?”
Cindy replied, “To our house”
John said, “That’s what I thought.”
I love it!!!!
(Not sure of their exact words. I heard it on the video that came before Cindy McCain’s speech.)
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” James 1:27
“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” Mark 9:36 NIV
Cindy and Baby Bridget
Cindy and her Seven Children
Cindy and Sarah Palin’s Children
Photos found at Yahoo and Google.
Friday, September 05, 2008 8:17 AM in »
Christianity,
Parenting General,
Politics |
1 Comment
I think we are going to go pretty much media-free for the next couple of weeks. That means generally no TV, no movies, no internet, no Facebook, no computer, and no video games for the children and me. I am not going to be too crazy about this. For example, if we have kids over, and it seems appropriate to play the Wii, than so be it. I also want to go to the theatre to see The X-Files when it comes out. I think I will check my email only once every couple of days, but not visit blogs, etc. I may use the computer to prepare the homeschool schedules for the coming year.
Summer is going too quickly. In the future, I doubt my children will ever say to me that I should have let them play more video games and watch more TV.
See you in a couple weeks!
