Almost Christmas

Well, we've just added the 22nd candy cane on our Advent calendar. It's crazy to think that there are only 3 more to go! Christmas time just speeds by much too quickly! I'm just amazed our tree is still looking lovely. Last year it died within the first week of having it so I think we're doing pretty good this year.

My to-do list is growing faster than it is shrinking but I guess that's just the nature of Christmas time. For us procrastinators anyway. Too much to do in too little time!

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Another thing that is consuming my mind lately is my dear son Colton who is way too smart for his young age. He has been striking me with some very unexpected questions lately and I'm realizing that we are entering a new phase in parenting that I must prepare myself for.

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Some of his latest questions have been "Mom, do a man and wife have to be married to have a baby?"

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He has always been told that God brings two people together, they fall in love, marry and eventually if it's part of God's plan, He blesses them with children. That's it. We've never had to go deeply into it. He understood it and truly, that is exactly the way God designed it be. But we all know that there is a whole other world out there and he is beginning to see it and question it.

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The other surprise question that popped up yesterday out of nowhere was (Colton) "Mom, can I go on the computer?". (me) "No honey, not right now." (C) "But Mom, it's really important!". (me) "what's so important?" (C) "I need to look up... is Santa Claus real." (me)... complete udder silence, heart pounding, tongue tied but I finally manage to get out "oh honey, that's silly, we don't need to look that up." (C) "yea, I know he's real, because you would never lie to me."

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Ahhh!!! Why, why, why did this have to come up just 4 short days from Christmas!

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So I did something that I don't feel is purely right but I quickly changed the subject to "hey honey, why don't we go make some Christmas cookies for your coaches!" This was followed by a very excited "yay!" from a little boy who is trying hard to hang onto his belief.

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I justified my action by thinking that this was not the time for the truth to be revealed as Gracie was also in the room. If I was to talk to him about this, I'd do it in private.

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I have always told myself when my kids come to me with this question, I'd give them the truth. I would not lie to them about it. So the fact that he didn't come and directly ask me "mom, is Santa real?" made me wonder if this qualified for me giving the truth or not. But the part that got me was the "you'd never lie to me" part. I plainly just don't like that part.
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I'm just trying to hang onto this last year of Santa fun but in the meantime, we are doing what we do every year. Talk very little about Santa and a whole LOT about Jesus. After all, Jesus is the reason!

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But... we did go see the big guy in the red suit. Colton said "I feel kinda weird about sitting on his lap". Gracie said "Do I have to tell him what I want for Christmas?" And Fletch just said "I don't wanna sit Santa's lap." Remember last year? Here's a reminder...

But then... Fletch saw the light up balls that Santa was passing out to the obedient boys and girls who obliged to their parents desire for this photo shoot. And so it was...

He even told Santa that he wanted a skateboard, drums, monster trucks and apples! I could tell he was a little nervous but he handled it like a champ!

And yes, Gracie did go ahead anyway and tell dear old Santa just what she'd love to see under our Christmas tree.

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So here we are, counting down the days, trying to plan out meals and finish up last minute wrapping, crafting, and shopping, but mostly just truly enjoying the many gifts we've been given in Christ. Doesn't it feel great to get to celebrate His birth? We certainly don't have to, we GET to! I get chills just thinking of it all!

Merry Christmas to you all, my dear friends and family!