When in Texas...

We do as the Texans do! This includes "gearing up" for the Rodeo.

The city shut down

The day it snowed in San Antonio!

On the second day after Christmas, we finally post our Christmas message

Since becoming a mother, my perspective on the Christmas Story has changed greatly. I know the story inside and out, was an angel (and once the star--literally) in many Christmas Eve pageants. Our housing development is peppered with sweet nativity scenes. It's all beautiful, joyful...sterile. Mary, mother of Jesus, not only didn't have our modern advantages in childbirth, it's unlikely she even had the advantages of her own time. A stranger to Bethlehem, she didn't have the help of sisters, mothers, aunts--women who had been through and assisted with many births. She didn't have a lovingly prepared birthing area, filled with clean cloths and water to wash in. She had Joseph, and a stable. We've romanticized the stable too, making it a pretty little barn with doe-eyed beasts kneeling in adoration. The real stable that Mary and Joseph stayed in was more likely a cave, and I imagine the animals kept there were somewhat alarmed by the pangs of labor. I think that we like to think that Jesus, being God, was born painlessly and easily--the perfect birthing experience. But we know that when Jesus was later nailed to a cross, that he could bleed, that he felt physical pain, that his human body had normal physical responses. Why would we think differently of Mary, who was not divine?

Yes, I think differently of the Christmas Story now. It's messier, less pretty. There are emotions attached to it now--fear, pain, joy. Yes, still joy. Mary and Joseph were given the blessing of a son, Jesus, the Son. That first Christmas, the wise men still hadn't showed up--it took them a bit longer. Yes, the angels sent the shepherds to worship and bow down, but they were in no position to give gifts. The only gift given that first Christmas was the gift that would offer salvation to the world. Jesus humbled himself, while still fully God, to be limited to a human body and be born into this world.

Christmas brings new challenges to John and I as we navigate parenthood. We have very pointedly tried to avoid perpetuating the Santa Claus myth. Sam, being in kindergarten, gets that Saint Nicholas was a real man, but that Santa Claus is pretend. Daniel doesn't so much get that yet. So this year, when they told each other, "You're going to end up on the naughty list and then you won't get any presents!" we started talking about the differences between how Santa gives and how Jesus gives. Santa gives based on merit; if you're good, you get rewarded, if you're naughty you're penalized. Jesus gave all of himself, even unto death, holding nothing back, even though none of us deserved the gift of grace. Santa gives what you earned if you word hard enough; there is nothing we can do to earn the salvation from Christ Jesus. We can only accept and be grateful for the free gift.

I know that a Christmas "newsletter" is supposed to be full of pictures, news, and family happenings. And I am promising you that I'll be vigilant and start updating and backdating entries and pictures. It's going to be a New Year's resolution, and you know how unbreakable those are. For now, I just wanted to share the best news: We celebrate Jesus' birthday because he was the greatest gift. He willingly died on the cross as the only possible perfect sacrifice to cover the sins of every person. We can't earn his salvation, we don't deserve it. Just like getting a Christmas present that someone sends because they love you--our only choice is whether or not to accept it.

Do you?

Silent night, holy night

The kids after Christmas Eve service.

The family that skates together, stays together.

The Chezem family in front of the roller rink Christmas tree. Once a month one of the San Antonio homeschool communities hosts a fantastic skate night.Daniel shows off his "skills."

Anna will skate with us all night...and by skate, I mean practically have her arms dislocated as we glide her around the floor.

Happy 70th Birthday Grandpa!

Today's Bible knowledge quiz!

Figure out why this cracked me up:

Sam is learning all the names of the books of the New Testament for AWANA. After our first time through, he looked at me and said, "But why did he bruise James?"

Kids of the four-footed variety

I took the dogs to the vet the other day, and it struck me that I've been spending too much time with my two-legged children. Why? When the vet gave the dogs a treat, I choked on the desire to remind them to say "thank you." And on the way home, I almost went off the road in mild panic that they weren't in the car seats....and no, we're not the kind of people that have doggy car seats.

Happy Halloween!

"Bad Idea" game

So, the boys will occasionally play the "Bad Idea" game. I don't really know what that is, but it usually involves their empty laundry hamper and a lot of excited whispering. I'm expecting this game to get more alarming when they hit their teenage years.

Catching up with photos

Sam and Anna take a break before Sam goes to karate.

I don't know what she says...

but Anna definitely tells her brothers off sometimes. If they get in her face too much, pull on her, or--horrors!--sit in Mommy's lap when she wants to, this little girl hauls off a loud, vehement tirade on the offending brother. And the look she gives them! Anna may still be in 6 month old clothes, but she's got a full size personality.

That's not how karate works

I was on the floor playing with the kids when Daniel decided we should spar and started "punching" me in the chest. So I kept blocking him. He got really frustrated, and finally looked me in the eye and said, "Keep your hands to yourself and I will punch you."

He got in some pretty good shots after that because I was laughing so hard.

Healthy weight manifesto

They say that stating your intention makes it more likely to happen. So, here goes:

I intend to lose 30 lbs (and keep it off by cultivating healthy habits) by 1 January 2010.

-I intend to post this intention on our Blog site so I'm not the only one who knows about it
-I intend to take a daily weight and send it to my friend Anna for accountability
-I intend to keep a journal of my daily food intake and send it to Anna for accountability
-I intend to drink a full glass of water before snacking to see if I'm really hungry
-I intend to do activity for 10 minutes before snacking to make sure I'm not just bored
-I intend to not cut out any foods from my diet, including sweets, but to make reasonable choices--making this sustainable
-I intend to record daily exercises and send it to Anna for accountability
-I intend to without-stopping exercise at least 30 minutes 5 days a week
-I intend to seek out other activities to do--weight lifting while on the phone, "stair-stepping" on the bottom step, cleaning vigorously--that I can incorporate into my daily life
-I intend to need a whole new wardrobe for Christmas this year

Who knew?

Anna: "Pbbbbft" (raspberry sound)

Daddy: "Pbbbbft"

Anna: "Pbbbbft"

Daddy: "That's just part of the special Daddy-daughter relationship."

Theological observation from a 4 year old

When the boys are riled up at bedtime, trying to pile on daddy or running around their room, I often sing a little song to calm them down for family prayer time. The song I sing is "Be Careful Little Eyes What You See" and since I sing it from memory of my own Sunday School days, I'm sure my lyrics are slightly off. However, I sing it as:

Be careful little eyes what you see
Be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is watching us with love
Be careful little eyes what you see

Then I sing through "Be careful little ears what you hear" and "Be careful little mouth what you say." By the time I finish those three verses the kids are settled down.

Last night, Sam picked up my song as soon as I finished, and this is his new and improved verse:

Be careful little nose what you smell
Be careful little nose what you smell
For the Father up above is smelling us with love
Be careful little nose what you smell

We were shaking with suppressed laughter. Well, it could be true. And I'm sure that if God is smelling us, He is doing it lovingly.

Well, the thought was good.

The kids and I went to Inflatable Wonderland today. It is, as you may surmise, a place for kids to play in all sorts of inflatable bouncy areas. It was half price day, and we met several other moms and kids from church there. As I got the boys and Anna buckled into the car, I thought to myself, "Self, you have to bring the camera." So I did.

Notice how many pictures are posted here? That's how many I took. Sigh.

We had a fabulous time other then the 40 minute drive. We'll probably go back for another half-price day, and then I can take the video camera so I can not take some video to post.

Where's the snooze button?

Two recent conversations that demonstrate why I don't need an alarm clock:
Daniel: “Mommy?”
Mommy, with eyes still shut: “Daniel.”
Daniel: “Mommy?”
Mommy: “Daniel.”
Daniel: “Mommy?”
Mommy: “Daniel.”
Daniel: “Mommy?”
Mommy: “Daniel.”
Daniel: “Mommy?”
Mommy: “Daniel.”
Daniel: “Mommy?”
Mommy says nothing, hoping this will break the cycle. It works for 10 seconds.
Daniel: “Mommy?”
Mommy: “Daniel.”
Daniel: “Mommy?”
Mommy: “Daniel.”
Daniel, with a giant grin: “Good morning Mommy.”
Mommy: “Good morning Daniel.”

Another day (I know it sounds whiny, but I swear it was done so matter-of-factly):
Sam: “Mommy?”
Mommy: Mzkrmkm
Sam: “Mommy, it’s daytime out. I want you to get me breakfast.”
Mommy: “I’m asleep.”
Sam: “But I want you to get me breakfast.”
Mommy: “I just want to sleep a few more minutes.”
Sam: “I want you to get me Cheerios with yogurt.”
Mommy: “It’s not time for me to get up yet.”
Sam: "With blueberries and a little bit of milk.”
Heard from downstairs:
Daddy: “Where’s Sam?”
Daniel, yelling: “Sham! Sham! It’s time to eat!”
Mommy: “See, Daddy hasn’t left for work yet. He can get you breakfast.”
Sam: “No Mommy, I want you to get me breakfast.”
Mommy: “I love you buddy, but I had to work last night and I’m not ready to get up yet.”
Sam: “OK.”
Two minutes go by.
Sam: “But it’s daytime out.”

I'm learning--slowly, but I'm learning--that I might as well give in sooner because I will always end up giving in later.

Come a little closer...

Gotcha!

Siblings

Have I mentioned that the boys adore Anna, often to her peril? They love to get down in her face and talk with her, and for Anna to grab their hands. Shown here are some of my favorite recent "sibling" pictures.

"So, what's new on the floor?"
"No, Sam, look UP if you want your picture taken!"
"Wow, my brothers sure love me!"