Thursday, December 1, 2011

Hello December...

I went to my first Christmas party of the season last night! It was so much fun. I love my LG gals. We meet twice a month and these girls are some of my best friends. We laugh so hard when we're together...like until we cry...it's the best. It's always appetizer potluck and we had some yummy food! I took sausage balls, Trio's spinach dip w/homemade tortilla chips, cheese ball w/crackers, and chocolate covered peanut butter balls.



Me and Jen



Vicki, Alicia, Amy, Heather, Heather, Belinda



I'll post our group shot as soon as I receive it. Or maybe I'll just post the outtakes. Those are the best.

I can't believe it's December 1st. We started a new tradition with Amelia this evening. It's a magnetic Advent calendar where she can move the star leading up to Christmas day.



We also have a book that Alex reads from each night and then we pray together at the very end. It's geared towards children so we don't lose Amelia's attention.



I went to the store looking for Elf on a Shelf. I didn't really know what it was all about and it seems to be all the rage, so I asked the sales clerk to tell me about it. After he told me what it was, we decided that we wouldn't be adding this to our Christmas traditions. It's a cute idea but not exactly what I thought it was going to be. Our main issue was telling our child she should obey because an elf with secret powers is watching her. (LOL) We do tell Amelia she should obey because someone is watching her - and that's someone with the Utmost power. Even when no one else can see what she's doing - we want her to always know God can see. We just always want to tell her the truth, even at a young age. Christmas can still be fun without believing in Santa and elves. I do know that. The movies are fun to watch and she has even started asking who Santa is when she sees him on the television or in stores. I need to brush up on the true story of Saint Nicholas. He was a real man, a good man, and I intend on telling her all about him. :)

I just love this time of year! I'm looking forward to lots of baking, candy making, spending as much time as possible with family, and teaching Amelia what the Christmas season is truly all about. I'm trying to keep things as simple as possible. A friend of mine posted this and it really hit home. I tend to stress at some point during the holidays and I'm going to do my best to remember this. If you follow this link there's an entire article written by Ann Voskamp on this subject:

"Whenever Christmas begins to burden, it’s a sign that I’ve taken on something of the world and not of Christ." -Ann Voskamp

Love to all,

7 comments:

Ashley said...

That potluck Christmas party sounds like my kind of party! Lots of laughter and good food. And of course everything you make looks delicious! I love the way that you wrote about your opinions on Santa and Elves. It just came across as so honest, but not judgmental or critical at all. I really appreciate that! : )

Faith said...

You look so pretty in that pic with your friend! That party looks like it was so much fun and the food - delish!

I love what y'all are doing with Amelia for Advent/Christmas...seriously, I've learned so much from you and Alex and the way you parent. I want to be just like you when I'm a mommy some day =)

Love you!

Ashley E. said...

Ohhh all that food looks so delicious!!!! I need that recipe for the spinach dip! :) I love your take on Elf on a Shelf and although we broke out the Elf this year, I'm not positive it will be a tradition. We are still thinking about it. :)

Amy said...

totally agree with this!!! we use the elf, but just for fun. we hide him and libbi likes to find him, but we don't do the whole "he's watching you and reporting to santa so you better behave or else" thing. she even sleeps with him sometimes, so we obviously don't buy into the "he's magic and you can't touch him" haha!
i love the way you wrote this post without a hint of judgement while still perfectly conveying the beliefs that your family has - wish everyone could express themselves so kindly! :)

Elaine said...

Hey Jill! One of my friends from church is using an angel instead of the elf on the shelf. She's using it for 25 days to speak to her family about Jesus. Just a thought!

Joannah said...

I am not planning on making much about Santa either. You are the only other parent I know who is on the same page with me. Christmas can be fun even without believing in Santa.

The Brown's said...

I would LOVE to know what traditions you do for your family in exchange for santa. I am really struggling with this for our 3year old twins. I would LOVE some ideas! My parents did santa for us and we turned out fine, but I now have a personal conviction to to things different for our girls. Please give some advice...and how can my girls not ruin it for others.