December 14th ~ Let The Music Play

On the fourteenth day of December my true love gave to me,

a lovely little melody.

I love these pictures I found with the dates and everything on them, but they certainly aren’t coinciding with my posts very well! haha- oh well.

So yesterday’s picture was kinda close…. it said to do your chores while listening to Christmas Music. So in the tradition of Christmas music we attended Brandon’s school band Winter Concert on Monday night, and Jadon’s school’s Christmas Program on Tuesday night. Wow!

For the band concert, I first have to say that it was amazing. Every year the music instructor starts the program off with the beginning groups, the sixth graders. You can really tell they have been trying for the past 3 months to learn their instruments. All of their songs were more like scales, and it reminded me of Brandon being up there for the first time 3 years ago.

Next comes the middle schoolers, 7th & 8th graders. Even though 6th grade is middle school, these older ones have more experience, and you can hear it in their playing. Already a big difference. My favorite song they did was called Tap Out. I can’t explain it but it was cool. Lots of drum tapping, and the kids who were on percussion really had the beat. Jadon, a budding drummer, looked especially entranced as well.

By the time the high schoolers came out I knew we were in for a treat. This group is amazing. Some of these kids also play in the Strings (band) and the Jazz Band, consequently playing 2 or 3 instruments each. I saw 2 young girls I knew who played 3 instruments each. One played the french horn, trombone, and violin. The other played the saxophone, the cello, and the flute. That’s a lot of practicing! I was impressed. And the group did not disappoint.

He looks thrilled, doesn't he?

So last night was the Christmas Program at Jadon’s school. The auditorium at the Elementary school was packed out as literally every student came to sing their two songs each (per grade). So this included moms, dad, siblings, grand-parents, etc. This is not a normal thing around here. Keep in mind that there are less than 300 students between K and 5th grade, but still, our little school could barely contain the crowd.

This littel diva next to him is a real firecracker- totally adorable!

It seems that during the holiday season I’ve got more engagements in a week than I normally have in a month. It’s exhausting. But I go with the flow because these are special moments. No, not just because they only come once a year, but because some of them only come once in a lifetime. Brandon will only be 14 once, and Jadon will only be 10 once. This is Jadon’s last year of elementary school. Next year he will be a big 6th grader!

Take time to enjoy these things. Yes, it’s a little inconvenient when school night events interfere with homework and dinner time, but that’s what makes Christmas Break so great (and it’s coming up soon!). Enjoy the season in good health, good spirits, and good fun, and savor every moment you share this holiday with your friends and family. Don’t sweat the small stuff and remember the real reason for the season.

“No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

~ 1 John 4:12  NIV

December 7th ~ Start Your Engines!

On the seventh day of December my true love gave to me..

a day at the British Grand Prix.

 I don’t know about you but my engines have been started this Christmas season!

Even while on vacation there was much running about. And even though I did get in several relaxing moments, I probably put more steps on my pedometer while on the cruise than I do in a normal day! It was weird, to say the least, to be unplugged for 5 whole days. In fact, I didn’t even check my email or voicemail until Sunday.

Today is also a busy day. I’ve been up since 4am, getting ready and driving the 3 hours to Norfolk for an ADHD workshop/seminar. So today’s post will be a sneak peek at some of the fun stuff we saw and did whilst on vacay.

In Nassau we saw lots of groovy little speedsters being led in a trial run by Bahamian police. As it turns out we were several days too early for the actual race, but we did still get to see the cars

You may feel as though you are racing around, too. I certainly do! Playing catch-up this week has been harder than I thought it would be, and I still have a few things bearing down on me. There are times when your handy calendar can’t help, and other times when a 15 minute walk or cup of tea doesn’t seem likely either. In these cases I just take a deep breath and say a small prayer.      1 Chronicles 22:18 says, “Is not the LORD your God with you? And has he not granted you rest on every side?”

No matter how busy we get, always stay focused on the Lord. He will refresh you so that you can enjoy the holidays in good health, good spirits, and good fun. And never forget the real reason for the season.

        “…and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.”

                                         ~ Colossians 1:12

December 6th ~ Feeling Good

On the sixth day of December my true love gave to me,

a present for the Angel Tree.

 

Give yourself a warm glow this season and donate some time, money, or elbow grease to a good cause. There are lots of people in your community who are in need, and so in the spirit of Christmas it is an essential part of the season to give back and help others enjoy the holidays in good health, good spirits, and good fun.

There are many ways to help at this time of year: donate some of your time at a local soup kitchen; drop off non-perishables or even a monetary donation at your local food bank; purchase and give Toys For Tots, Samaritans Purse, or Angel Tree (among others); put some money in the Salvation Army bucket; become a Secret Santa for a person or family. There are so many other ways to give. Find which way works best for you. Even the smallest act of kindness can make a huge difference to someone else.

Did you know that altruism induces the same reward centers in your brain as the ones turned on by yummy food? Think how blissfully happy you are when eating that favorite dessert (or in my hubby’s case – Ms. Winona’s collards). Yep, that’s the feeling. And the best part? There’s no calorie guilt that comes from unselfish acts of concern for other’s welfare

In years past I participated in Samaritan’s Purse through my church. One year I even organized the whole program. That was a lot of work! I sincerely appreciate those who do these types of events on an annual basis. Even right here in my community I can think of several people who are continually on the go, working hard to make some event or program available to others. Most often these people are not the front-runners, but the next time you go to a community art show, bazaar, parade, covered dish get together, see a Toys For Tots collection bin,  etc., remember that there was at least one person behind the scenes organizing it so that everything would run smoothly for you.

As much as I enjoyed Samaritan’s Purse I realized that the need right here at home was great indeed. It is most likely the same where you live as well. The same idea can be applied in your own neighborhood. While lists of needy families are not likely to be shared by food pantries, churches, or schools, be assured that these places are aware of where the greatest needs are, and your shoe boxes or donations can be dispersed discreetly through one of those organizations. Here on the island we have several places through which gifts can be given, including an organization called Hands of Love.  You could probably find a similar effort where you live, but feel free to donate to any and all causes.

This year I am giving to Angel Tree. Every year our church organizes this event and it blesses countless children in my community. No wish is too big for a child, so it is never surprising to see a bicycle on the list.

For something fun for your kids ~ try this link to Portable North Pole where Santa emails a personalized message to your child(ren). We have done this for three years in a row and Jadon still gets a kick out of it. You’re never too old to believe in the magic of Santa Claus!

And don’t forget the real reason for the season!

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

~ Matthew 25:40 NIV

December 5th ~ Jump On In!

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me……

a potluck with church family.

Vacations are nice, but it is good to be home!

Christmas is in 3 weeks already - yikes! And as predicted, the frenzy of the holiday season started the minute I got home. Saturday night was all about unpacking and getting settled in. Sunday morning we were off to church and a  Children’s Ministry meeting, following by a quick trip to the grocery store (seeing as we had no milk or anything in the refrigerator!) Bought a rotisserie chicken in the deli for our lunch, and then a few hours of setting the house in order. I had to take down all Fall decorations and begin the  Christmas Transformation.  I’ve only barely begun really. Just a few decorations upstairs. This year we were asked to “Light Up The Village” so I threw some lights up outside the house as well. I still haven’t decided on the tree yet (artificial vs. real with great balsam smell but lots of needles everywhere) so I still have much to do.

Then it was off to the Civic Center for our church’s annual charge-wide Family Night, complete with covered dish and entertainment. When we got home it was time to shower and wind down with a Christmas movie. Getting the boys back on “school time” wasn’t as hair-pulling as I feared it would be (whew!) and we are back on track after a 9 day break.

And so begins the season, and our quest to enjoy every bit of it in good health, good spirits, and good fun.

There will come a time (very soon, I’m sure) when I will need a breather. But seeing as I’ve just had one it’s time to jump in with both feet and do what needs to be done. Even though it is the Christmas Season, we still all have normal work schedules to attend to. As for me, I have a very busy next few days, starting with a doctor’s appointment for Number Two tomorrow (a 3 hour drive one way!) But this new evaluation is needed and will definitely help improve everyone’s quality of life. As I’ve implied before, ADHD never sleeps. It’s a constant motion type of disorder that always needs attention. With age and maturity, people with ADHD need to frequently adjust their medications, therapy, and behavior modifications. I’ve already had three IEP meetings at school this year, and probably will have at least 3 more.

Speaking of…on Wednesday I will be traveling to Norfolk, Virginia (another 3 hour drive) to attend an ADHD workshop. I cannot wait to see what I will learn, and I hope to bring some knowledge back for all you other ADHD mom’s out there. But in the meantime I’d like to share some highlight of yesterday’s Family Night with my church family, where we gathered together in fellowship and to remember the real reason for the season.

“Let us come before him with thanksgiving
   and extol him with music and song.”

~ Psalm 95:2

Keep a lookout for extra posts in the next few days telling all about our cruise to the Bahamas!

December 1 ~ Plan your month!

On the first day of December my true love gave to me -                                              

  a cruise on the Caribbean Sea.

 la la la la la la la……

Today is the first day in my 25 Days of Christmas blog series. You have not lost your mind. It really is November 25th. I will not be able to post from Nov. 29 – Dec. 4, so the first few days of my December series will be posted early. That does mean that there will be several days with no posts, but on the 5th of December I will pick right up where we left off.

So, where was I? Oh yeah, the 1st day of December…..

The number one thing you should do to be able to savor the season in good health, good spirits, and good fun is to plan your month! If at all possible you should sit down with a calendar and start filling in the days. There is a lot going on in December. The first thing you should be able to do is fill in those party dates and travel dates.

Party invites can still pop up unexpectedly, especially those given by friends of the impromptu sort. In cases like those you will just have to roll with the punches and attend the gatherings you can (or want) and not sweat the small stuff. But generally speaking, Christmas (excuse me…Holiday) party invitations are sent out in November, especially when they are work-related or are annual affairs. If you are planning to host a gathering yourself then hopefully you have already set the date, sent the invitations, and have begun planning.

If you are traveling you will have an idea of when to start packing, preparing, etc. so that your trip does not drive you crazy. Traveling can be exhausting (I need a vacation from my vacation!) but throw a holiday into the mix and you’ve got a whole new breed of vacation. Don’t stress yourself out or let others stress you out. Be prepared and help (and pray for) your spouse to be prepared as well. Look at it this way, if you’re traveling to someone else’s house (or a cruise ) then that’s X number of days you won’t have to plan and cook!

If you are staying home for the holidays then you’ll need to plan your menu for the evenings you’ll be home. Even if you don’t normally do this it will really help keep the stress low during this hectic month. Once you’ve done that you can pencil a few days throughout the month for going to the grocery store. Nobody likes having to run to the store for that missing ingredient while the oven is preheating. Be prepared and you’ll enjoy your tasks more.

There are other things to consider when penciling in your calendar besides parties, traveling, or meals. Things like, Christmas Caroling, regular church services or cell groups, and what about Christmas plays and programs at church or your child’s school? How about scheduling in a nice, quiet family night? Don’t forget your baking days, decorating days, or shopping and wrapping days.

Sounds like a lot? IT IS! That’s why you need to plan- so you will stay calm and peaceful and can enjoy the season. And never forget the real reason for the season. Take time every day to be thankful.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
   and his courts with praise;
   give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
   his faithfulness continues through all generations.

~ Psalm 100:4-5 NIV