Shoeboxes, Turkey, and Birthdays, Oh My!

So I’m way behind in posting about our last Family Night, and we didn’t have one last week due to time spent with extended family.  That being said, I thought I’d catch you up with the goings-on around here. Consider this post a “Family Time Montage”.

Our last family night was on November 21.  Each child was given the assignment to raid their closets (which they absolutely love to do… on a daily basis, even!) and find a large shoebox in GOOD CONDITION.  Who knew that’d be such a chore?

When all the boxes were on the kitchen table, I introduced the Operation Christmas Child mission to the children using this video.  We talked about the fact that the only gifts some children will get for Christmas would fit inside those boxes.  As you can imagine, my children were dumbfounded. 

With all the commercialism involved in Christmas, and the fact that we Americans live in such luxury and decadence compared to the rest of the world, I wanted us to start this Christmas season by understanding what it truly means to LOVE.  And SERVE.  And GIVE.

We then bundled up, left the house, and went out in search of “treasures” for each box.  The kids were so excited.  Sam kept talking about getting Christmas presents for his “little brother’s” shoe box.  (When we got to the store, I instructed them to find gifts for a child their same age and gender).  About an hour later, we were done!  We took our “treasures” to the check out, and then headed home.  (After taking a few moments at the local Chick-Fil-A to nourish our bodies, and get some exercise at the indoor playground). :-)

At home, we filled the boxes, and wrapped and labeled the lids.  One of the gifts Sam chose for his “little brother” was a teddy bear.  He had to give it hugs and kisses for him before he closed the box.  I think he’s got the LOVING part, down pat! ;-)

The following Monday, we took our shoe boxes to the local collection site.  Before loading them in the van, we prayed over each one…that it would be a blessing, and for each child who would receive them.  When we got to the drop-off point, my children were amazed at the large truck being loaded with all of the shoe boxes.  They proudly walked to the table and delivered each box, while I filled out all of the paperwork. 

As we headed back to the car, Jacob said, “Mama, I want to pray for those guys in that truck…that they will drive safely, and that none of the little children’s toys will be broken”.

So we did. 

And I said an extra prayer of thanksgiving to my Father for these precious children He has entrusted me to love and nurture, and asked for added grace and wisdom with which to mother them into His Kingdom.

Fast Forward.

We spent Thanksgiving Day with my Dad’s extended family over at my Mammy’s (his mom) house.  It was the first time in YEARS that my Dad and both of his brothers have been able to be together on Thanksgiving, and it was truly special.  My kids got to play with cousins that we have not seen in a long time, and it ended up being a wonderful day filled with food, family, love and laughter.

Nana and Papa took the kids back to Columbia with them on Thanksgiving Night, and Chris and I came over on Friday to celebrate my Mom’s and my precious nephew Nathan’s birthdays.  Every year, for as long as I can remember, we all come together on or near Mama’s birthday, to decorate her tree.  This year was no different. 

The kids LOVE it because Nana’s tree is SO TALL that it takes a ladder to place all of the ornaments, and they LOVE climbing that ladder while Uncle Buck holds it steady.  After eating a delicious meal of Hudson’s Barbeque, and trimming the tree to the soundtrack of Aaron Neville’s Christmas Album, we sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Nana and “Nate Dawg”, and further indulged in ice cream and cake. 

All that yummy food and two days of frolicking made it hard to stay awake on the drive home, but we made it.  Safe and sound.

Saturday, inspired by Nana’s tree, the five of us spent the entire day decking our own halls with merriment.  Despite the fact that NONE… NO NOT ONE! of our strands of lights for the tree were in working order, and I had to take a trip out into the madness known as Wal-Mart, it was a good day.  And I am quite sure that my tired little elves went to bed that night with visions sugarplums dancing in their heads.

Last night, we had the first of four “Christmas Around the World” family nights at our house.  We celebrated as Brits, ending our evening with “Tea and Crumpets” and The Muppet’s Christmas Carol.  (I’ll post more on that later… this has already become a bit of a novella already!)

So there  you have it.  If you’ve been wondering why I took last week off from blogging, wonder no more. 

As the late Paul Harvey would say…

Now you know the REST of the story!