Christmas 2009

It's Micah's first Christmas.  Maddie finally understands OPENING presents.  Unfortunately, it didn't go as planned.  They're BOTH getting over bronchitis.  Here they are with their nebulizers.

 

Maddie with her Zhu Zhu pets.

 

Maddie and Micah with their Thomas train table.

 

 

 Micah and Aunt Bethany.

 

Our new tradition -- a birthday cake for Jesus.  Notice the Zhu Zhu pets and Birthday Thomas joined us for the fun.

 

Santa: The Great Debate (Part II)

InTouch Magazine offers an interesting perspective on the man in red as well.  It's taken from Stories Behind Men of Faith by Ace Collins.  Here's a good excerpt:

"Yet what ultimately made [Nicholas of Myra] a legend was his love of children.  As he grew older, he used more and more of his funds to purchase gifts for children.  Giving toys or candy to little ones, Nicholas told stories of Christ and the gift He had given through His death on the cross.  Then, he would add, 'Jesus loves little children, and He loves you.'  Through these gifts, many began to understand the full measure of their salvation."

It goes on to describe him as a "servant of God" and a "legend of faith."

Santa: The Great Debate

Our Santa trains didn't collide until we had Maddie.  Emily was in the non-believer camp.  I, on the other hand, believed and was devastated when I found out.  I recall standing at the top of the stairs and yelling down to my parents, "I guess that means the Easter Bunny isn't real either!"  Believe it or not, it's the source of all my problems today.

To believe, or not to believe?  That is the question.

Here's a great resource for those trying to figure it out -- Thinking About Santa.  In my opinion, the best excerpt is this:

"...we think about how confusing it must be to a straight-thinking, uncritically-minded preschooler because Santa is so much like what we're trying all year to teach our children about God.  Look, for example, at the "attributes" of Santa:

• He's omniscient -- he sees everything you do.
• He rewards you if you're good.
• He's omnipresent -- at least, he can be everywhere in one night.
• He gives you good gifts.
• He's the most famous "old man in the sky" figure."
  

For those debating, I highly recommend checking it out.

Whose birthday is it?

Unless someone told you, you never would have known I turned 28 today (see below). Yes, I was born on 09/09/81 (mathematical) and today's date is SUPER cool -- 09/09/09.

Em made things festive this morning with candles in our breakfast. Notice it's Maddie's second birthday and my first!


Maddie loves the candles SO much she took one out of her bag (in her lap under the table) and stuck one in her chicken nugget! Wait a minute, whose birthday is it?


She's becoming a pro at blowing them out. Good thing, because she turns TWO in a few weeks!

This has been one of the best birthdays ever. Maddie is at an age where she understands what is going on. I've heard "Hap burt-day to dada!" a number of times and even got two homemade birthday cards covered in Disney princess stickers!

Oh yeah, thanks Em for the "guest post". I know how much you HATE to write and how much more you hate someone to read what you write. I love you so much. Thanks for making this birthday extra special as well!

Hap Mommy Day

Maddie picked out a balloon for Em for Mother's Day. I suggested one on a stick, but she wanted a "big one." When Maddie gave it to her, I managed to get her to say "Hap Mommy Day."

I want to brag on Em, but have no idea where to begin. I'm convinced being a stay-at-home mom is the HARDEST job out there -- and she does an EXCELLENT job. Thank you, Em, for taking care of us. We love you SO much!

Easter Pictures (Finally)

I've been trying to round up the cameras to make sure I have all the pictures. Here are some pictures from our neighborhood Easter egg hunt and Easter itself.

Symbol of Hope

Andy's sermon on Sunday -- The Final Hours -- set the tone for Easter by recounting the final hours of Jesus' life. While the cross had been a symbol of shame, ONE crucifixion has made it a symbol of hope. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him" -- that is, whoever places their trust in Him, makes Him the Lord of their life, etc. -- "shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

Thank you Jesus, for not only choosing death, but death on a cross, so that I may enjoy the freedom that is found in You.

Happy Valentine's Day

While you demonstrate your love for your significant other this Valentine's Day, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the greatest demonstration of love ever -- the cross.

Funny update...

We put the Christmas decorations away yesterday. Maddie keeps pointing to the decorative tree (sitting in the same corner as the Christmas tree) for us to turn the lights on - there are no lights. She also went into her big-girl-room last night and started banging on the closet door. I went in to see what she wanted. I opened the closet door. She turned around for me to pick her up. Once I picked her up, she pointed to the Nativity that was packed away and sitting on the shelf.

"Next year sweat heart, next year..."

Memories from Christmas 2008

Maddie was three months old her first Christmas and wasn't much for making memorable moments. This year, however, was different. Our favorite memories (in no particular order) are:

• The figures in the Nativity can be arranged and rearranged endlessly. They can even stand on the roof of the stable.
• The Christmas trees MUST be turned on when Maddie wakes up and turned off when Maddie goes to bed - including midnight rendezvous for "mulk" (i.e. milk).
• Apparently Katherine Davis forgot a "bum, bum" after the Little Drummer Boy's "pa, rum, pa, pum, pum". Maddie even added the "bum, bum" while walking by one of those music-sample-kiosks playing the song at Target.
• The "ba" (i.e. pacifier) is taken out and "ho, ho, ho" is said any time anything remotely symbolic of Santa catches Maddie's attention.

Some of Maddie's favorite Christmas presents...

Good News of Great Joy for All People!

My favorite part of the Christmas story is whent the angel says, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-12). The birth of Jesus is GOOD NEWS of GREAT JOY for ALL PEOPLE. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

For a different take on the Christmas story, check this out.

Merry Christmas and may God bless you in the New Year!

Christmas: Mauntel Style

Emily and I are Practical - with a capital "P" - and whenever someone asks "What are you getting Emily for Christmas?" and my response is "A toothbrush and a pair of socks!" they look at me like I have a third eye. Well, it turns out we aren't the only ones who celebrate this way.

The funny thing is Bethany's friend Tripp Crosby (DontBeThatGuy) created this!

Santa Claus is coming to town...

I grew up believing in Santa Claus. I was devastated when I found out he wasn't real. In fact, I recall standing at the top of the steps and yelling to my mom, "I guess that means the Easter Bunny isn't real either!" Emily, on the other hand, didn't believe and neither one of us have suffered any ill-effects.

So, what are we going to do with Maddie? Tell her the truth. But, we'll still have fun with him - just like we would with Mickey Mouse at Disney World.

Thanksgiving Fun

Thanksgiving 2008 was fairly low-key. Here's a picture of Maddie showing us where her food is going ("in my belly"):

And here's a clip of Maddie kicking off Black Friday with a carousel ride with Grampy (Emily's dad):

Happy Thanksgiving!

I LOVE Thanksgiving - fall is my favorite season, the food is delicious, I enjoy watching football, and the thought of getting a good deal the next day (i.e. Black Friday) excites me. But is that what Thanksgiving is all about?

According to George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation (1789), we celebrate Thanksgiving "to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor." According to the proclamation, both Houses of Congress recommended we have "a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God."

As is with every Thanksgiving, I have a lot to be thankful for. But, what I'm most thankful for is:

• The cross - I've been forgiven; I've been set free.
• Emily - She's an answer to prayer; a living example of Proverbs 31.
• Madeleine Grace - Knowing she can't comprehend how much I love her reminds me (a child of God) I can't comprehend how much my Heavenly Father loves me.

So, "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever" (Psalm 136:1).