Catch-up and Christmas 2009

The Catch-Up

It has been WEEKS since I wrote on our blog. Life has been...well...very, very busy. Since becoming a foster family, we have been constantly sick. The children often arrive sick, have very poor immune systems, and therefore catch everything...bringing their illnesses home to us...getting us all  sick as they are toddlers and have no sense of germ containment. Since Jabber Jaw and Big Boy arrived we have had...

• Swine Flu
• Seasonal Flu
• Brochitis
• Sinus Infections
• Colds
  
• Stomach Flu
• ER visits for accidental injuries

It sometimes take up to 3 weeks for the illnesses to run through everyone. By the time we recover there is a new illness making it's way through the family.

Christmas 2009

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. Sam came home for a few days and spent Christmas with us. I had several times when I thought, "This could be the last time it is like this." Sam is an adult and may not come home for Christmas in the future, or she could bring a husband/family with her.

This year we decided to focus on homemade gifts. I wanted our family to put more thought and more of themselves into their gifts. Also, I hoped for each family member to be thankful for what they receive, rather than worry about getting what they want. It was met with mixed reactions at first. Nobody really wanted to spend the time making gifts. But, as time progressed, I saw each person take pleasure in making their gifts. On Christmas morning it was so fun to see each person anxiously await the look on each person's face as they opened the gifts made by them. We had a wide variety of gifts, as each person's talents came into bloom! I'm thankful that I stuck to my guns about the homemade gifts. At one point I almost gave into the complaining. I even had difficulty getting my gifts done since I was so sick with bronchitis, sinus infection, and then stomach flu during the weeks leading up to Christmas.

The main family gift that made a big hit was a Wii Fit Plus. Everyone has been using it and having a lot of fun. I have to say that some of it is really hard! I am very sore! I hope to post some pictures of Christmas soon!

Christmas 2008

We had a wonderful Christmas with all three of our children at home for the last time with all of them as "children". Next year Sam will be 18 and may or may not choose to be with us on Christmas morning. It was a nostalgic time for me as I watched them open gifts together one at a time as is our tradition, watching each person receive their gift and commenting on the gifts and the persons involved. I am reminded of what is truly important in life and how quickly time goes by. I'm feeling a bit saddened by the passing of time.

We focused this year on service rather than gifts, although there were plenty of gifts as well. We also focused on not going into any debt for Christmas. I'm happy to say that we were successful thanks to my little part-time job. We enjoyed each other's company and spent the day happily even though there were fewer gifts and less money spent this year. I'm not sure that any of us really noticed.

The day would have been perfect had Mike and I not come down sick later on Christmas Day. I'm still sick, which explains why this post is so late and lacking photos. I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

The Nativity Story

I picked up the movie "The Nativity Story" from the library this past week and we watched it today. We are sick today and so this movie was kind of church for us. I was fascinated by the politics, realistic settings, and portrayal of the customs of the time when Christ was born. I was deeply touched by the relationship between Joseph and Mary. Mary was shunned by her village for the pregnancy, while Joseph also made the decision to allow people to believe the child was his rather than allow Mary to be put on trial and most likely stoned to death.

My kids kept looking at me and asking, "Why are you crying?" I was so deeply moved by the scenes of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem and their desperation to find a place for Mary to give birth. Maybe it is partially because I'm a mother, but I just can't think of how difficult it must have been for Mary.

Of course, the main element missing in this portrayal of the Birth of Jesus Christ is the lack of what took place on this continent. The Book of Mormon references to the signs seen in this land and testify that there were many others looking for the sign of the Savior's birth. However, I feel this movie can greatly enhance educating ourselves and our children about what the scriptures say and understanding the times and circumstances of when Jesus Christ was born. I often wonder why the Savior came at that time rather than another period in history. It will be one of the questions I ask in the next life.