It's amazing how you kind of go full circle from when you're a kid to when you're an adult. Tommy really really really wants "The zoo I don't have". That's exactly what he'll tell you. And when you ask him what else, he says nothing. That's not so hard (except that this zoo was impossible to find, and only thanks to Uncle Todd, he'll be getting the zoo he doesn't have). I'm sure in the next few years consumerism will take over and he'll have a list a mile long. Now, that didn't stop us from getting him more gifts, but I just thought it was interesting that he'd most certainly be happy just getting one present.
I was that way when I was little (I think). Then when I got a little older, I had a million things I wanted. Now that I'm a responsible adult, I realize there's not much I can think of that I want. Maybe a pedicure. And a good Bible (I'm notorious for losing them). But really, that's it. Yet here it is on Christmas Eve and I'm fretting and running around trying to make sure things are perfect (they're not). I've discovered a great cinnamon raisin bread so I'm trying to make lots of that (each loaf takes about 4 hours) and I'm trying to keep the house clean while Tommy runs behind me and throws everything on the floor that I've just put in place. I found myself thinking this morning that all I want for Christmas is a day off.
And I realized how sinful that was.
Of all times, the Christmas season should be the least stressful. After all, don't we say "Jesus is the Reason for the Season?" (well, I don't because I think it sounds corny but the meaning is still true) And here I am, fuming while cleaning the kitchen floor for the second time in three minutes because Tommy opened one of those huge tins of popcorn and proceeded to dump it out, step in it, and eat what he had stepped in. Gross! And minutes later all I could think of was the verse that says "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Granted, that's not talking about being tired from cleaning and cooking, but the principle applied. I say I'm trying to make Jesus the center of everything, but really I was (and have been) relying on my own strength for everything I do.
I have to be the perfect mom. The perfect wife. Not only the perfect wife, but the perfect pastor's wife. The perfect friend.
And I'm not.
And now I can finally rest in that and realize it's ok. And that's what I want for Christmas.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Seasons Eatings
Tis the season for food. I have sugar-laden goodies coming out of my ears, and I'm not even halfway done baking. But I do have a couple really yummy treats that I've made this Christmas, so if you need some edible (easy) gift ideas, here you go!
Oreo Bon-Bons
1 20 oz. pkg Oreos
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1 12 oz. bag chocolate chips (any variety will do)
Bring cream cheese to room temperature. Finely crush oreos and mix with the cream cheese. Works best if you use your hands (but gross). Roll into balls and put on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, melt chocolate chips in microwave. Remove oreo balls from fridge and roll in chocolate. Refrigerate again to harden the chocolate. Sprinkle with desired toppings (crushed peppermint, almonds, peanuts, etc.)
Reindeer Kisses
Pretzel mini twists (I used Snyder's)
Hershey Kisses
M&M's (holiday colors are always fun)
Line a baking sheet with foil and preheat oven to 200. Place as many pretzels as desired on the baking sheet and put a kiss in the middle of each one. Bake just until chocolate begins to sweat. Remove from the oven and put an M&M in the middle of each kiss. Refrigerate and enjoy!
Oreo Bon-Bons
1 20 oz. pkg Oreos
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1 12 oz. bag chocolate chips (any variety will do)
Bring cream cheese to room temperature. Finely crush oreos and mix with the cream cheese. Works best if you use your hands (but gross). Roll into balls and put on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, melt chocolate chips in microwave. Remove oreo balls from fridge and roll in chocolate. Refrigerate again to harden the chocolate. Sprinkle with desired toppings (crushed peppermint, almonds, peanuts, etc.)
Reindeer Kisses
Pretzel mini twists (I used Snyder's)
Hershey Kisses
M&M's (holiday colors are always fun)
Line a baking sheet with foil and preheat oven to 200. Place as many pretzels as desired on the baking sheet and put a kiss in the middle of each one. Bake just until chocolate begins to sweat. Remove from the oven and put an M&M in the middle of each kiss. Refrigerate and enjoy!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Success?
I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch, but I think Tommy is daytime (as in, still diaper during nap and bedtime) and home potty trained (as in he hasn't gone on a public toilet yet). We've worked really hard and Dean has totally immsersed himself... literally. My favorite text in a while was from Dean on Saturday afternoon when I was finishing my piano recital. It simply said "We have gone through 4 pair of underwear and peed on every square inch of floor but we've had 3 successes!" And that's what it's all about, folks. Successes.
After that day, we headed south to see Sally, Bennett, and Mac and then to Ft. Lauderdale to see my family, so we didn't know if that would kill the potty mood or not. He went 2 days without even trying to go because we were travelling and then on day 3, he wore the same pair of underwear all day and did not have a single accident! Next day, only one accident. Yesterday we didn't try because of travelling again. Today, no accidents. And now we stand at the toilet. Yes, this is a bit weird to use words like "we" but for any parent who's participated in potty training, it's a group effort. I suddenly have the urge to get Twitter and tweet every time he goes to the bathroom by himself. Don't worry, I won't.
After that day, we headed south to see Sally, Bennett, and Mac and then to Ft. Lauderdale to see my family, so we didn't know if that would kill the potty mood or not. He went 2 days without even trying to go because we were travelling and then on day 3, he wore the same pair of underwear all day and did not have a single accident! Next day, only one accident. Yesterday we didn't try because of travelling again. Today, no accidents. And now we stand at the toilet. Yes, this is a bit weird to use words like "we" but for any parent who's participated in potty training, it's a group effort. I suddenly have the urge to get Twitter and tweet every time he goes to the bathroom by himself. Don't worry, I won't.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Christmas Park
Last night we went with some Well friends out to dinner and then to Dorothy B. Oven park, officially known in our family as the Christmas Park. As you can see, we had a blast.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Time to Play Catch-Up
Oh boy. A lot has happened since Friday. Christmas on the Moon for one. Over 1,100 people crowding, no, pouring into The Moon until there was standing room only in the third balcony. Dean and Matthew have the scoop.
Recovery day Monday. I baked like a fool, burned more cookies than I'd care to count, and attempted some more potty training with Tommy. The kid held it for about 5 hours and then let it all out just as I was getting ready to put his diaper on him to get him ready for his nap. Go figure.
Yesterday more baking. And burning. I'm normally not a bad baker. my kitchen timer broke so I've been relying on my stellar sense of smell (it's supposed to be hightened in pregnancy) and the clock on my phone. Well, the phone clock doesn't do much good if you keep forgetting to check it.
Last night was Tuesday night adult small group Christmas dinner at the Merritts. Two fried turkeys, a ham, a ton of sides, and a plethora of desserts later, and I'm still stuffed. Plus they have more singing Christmas decorations than I can count and so Tommy had a blast putting them all in a clump on the floor and pressing all the buttons at once. Yes, they were all singing different songs. Ah, the heavenly choir.
Then we get word last night that Sally is finally in labor! We kept in close contact with Dean's parents, who left here at about 10:00 last night and arrived in her hospital room around 2 am. We finally got the text just around 11 this morning that Mac is here! Sally was a brave mama, but incredibly tired when I got to talk to her. But I'm an aunt! And Dean's an uncle! And Tommy's a cousin!! Very exciting!
Today we did more potty training. And had 4 successful pees in the potty. After the first one, we were so excited and he said he wanted to call Mickey Mouse. Thankfully my dad is great at voices, so I called my parents and told Tommy that Mickey was visiting them and could talk to him on the phone. I should've thought that one through a little more. As soon as he hung up, he wanted to know when Mickey was going to visit our house. Then he kept checking the front door to see if he was here yet. I'll plan better next time.
Oh yeah, and then there was this tornado that touched down about 2 miles from our house so when my first piano student got here around lunch time, we all crowded into the guest bathroom (yes, Dorsi too) and waited it out. Never a dull moment, folks.
Recovery day Monday. I baked like a fool, burned more cookies than I'd care to count, and attempted some more potty training with Tommy. The kid held it for about 5 hours and then let it all out just as I was getting ready to put his diaper on him to get him ready for his nap. Go figure.
Yesterday more baking. And burning. I'm normally not a bad baker. my kitchen timer broke so I've been relying on my stellar sense of smell (it's supposed to be hightened in pregnancy) and the clock on my phone. Well, the phone clock doesn't do much good if you keep forgetting to check it.
Last night was Tuesday night adult small group Christmas dinner at the Merritts. Two fried turkeys, a ham, a ton of sides, and a plethora of desserts later, and I'm still stuffed. Plus they have more singing Christmas decorations than I can count and so Tommy had a blast putting them all in a clump on the floor and pressing all the buttons at once. Yes, they were all singing different songs. Ah, the heavenly choir.
Then we get word last night that Sally is finally in labor! We kept in close contact with Dean's parents, who left here at about 10:00 last night and arrived in her hospital room around 2 am. We finally got the text just around 11 this morning that Mac is here! Sally was a brave mama, but incredibly tired when I got to talk to her. But I'm an aunt! And Dean's an uncle! And Tommy's a cousin!! Very exciting!
Today we did more potty training. And had 4 successful pees in the potty. After the first one, we were so excited and he said he wanted to call Mickey Mouse. Thankfully my dad is great at voices, so I called my parents and told Tommy that Mickey was visiting them and could talk to him on the phone. I should've thought that one through a little more. As soon as he hung up, he wanted to know when Mickey was going to visit our house. Then he kept checking the front door to see if he was here yet. I'll plan better next time.
Oh yeah, and then there was this tornado that touched down about 2 miles from our house so when my first piano student got here around lunch time, we all crowded into the guest bathroom (yes, Dorsi too) and waited it out. Never a dull moment, folks.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Inserra Christmas Traditions
Lindsay and I are swapping blog ideas. She posted her traditions and now here's a brief overview of ours (hers is only slihtly more entertaining)
1) We get a real tree from Home Depot. This year Publix was having a sale so we went with that, but the guys didn't cut enough branches off the bottom. So next year we're back at Home Depot.
2) We have some college kids over from the church to help us decorate. This year Dean told me we were having 8 over. While I dreamed of drinking hot chocolate while singing along to Christmas music and everyone taking turns hanging our random assortment of ornaments and then all making s'mores together, he somehow neglected to tell me that most of them were actually coming over to watch the FSU basketball game. I would need to play my Christmas music over the computer. So not festive! So I hung ornaments and strung lights with a couple of the girls (thanks Giana and Margo!) and everyone else sat in tension watching FSU. Oh well.
3) Our tree crashes to the ground. This is somewhat of a new tradition but I'm sure it's one we will stick with. Last year it was at least twice because Dorsi kept running by and knocking it over with her massive tail. In 2007 it started falling right after Christmas so we dragged it out back (it was near the back door), where it stayed for about 9 months and turned into a little Christmas tree corpse. Kinda creepy. This year, after everyone left, Dean came into the bathroom while I was taking a late night shower (it was about 11:30) and informed me that the tree was on the ground and we had lost some ornaments and he couldn't pick it up by himself. It is a pretty big tree. So I finished and got out and the two of us hoisted the tree back upright and I unscrewed and rescrewed the base. At least twice. It still leaned really bad so we had to turn it around backwards and lean it against the corner. Where it remains to this day.
More to come later!
1) We get a real tree from Home Depot. This year Publix was having a sale so we went with that, but the guys didn't cut enough branches off the bottom. So next year we're back at Home Depot.
2) We have some college kids over from the church to help us decorate. This year Dean told me we were having 8 over. While I dreamed of drinking hot chocolate while singing along to Christmas music and everyone taking turns hanging our random assortment of ornaments and then all making s'mores together, he somehow neglected to tell me that most of them were actually coming over to watch the FSU basketball game. I would need to play my Christmas music over the computer. So not festive! So I hung ornaments and strung lights with a couple of the girls (thanks Giana and Margo!) and everyone else sat in tension watching FSU. Oh well.
3) Our tree crashes to the ground. This is somewhat of a new tradition but I'm sure it's one we will stick with. Last year it was at least twice because Dorsi kept running by and knocking it over with her massive tail. In 2007 it started falling right after Christmas so we dragged it out back (it was near the back door), where it stayed for about 9 months and turned into a little Christmas tree corpse. Kinda creepy. This year, after everyone left, Dean came into the bathroom while I was taking a late night shower (it was about 11:30) and informed me that the tree was on the ground and we had lost some ornaments and he couldn't pick it up by himself. It is a pretty big tree. So I finished and got out and the two of us hoisted the tree back upright and I unscrewed and rescrewed the base. At least twice. It still leaned really bad so we had to turn it around backwards and lean it against the corner. Where it remains to this day.
More to come later!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Moon Week
It's that time of year again.
Christmas on the Moon is less than 4 days away. It's something that we (and by we, I mean Dean and Matthew) have been preparing for for months. I had band practice number 2 tonight and I'm completey exhausted. I also had a lunch date, a 1:45 doctor's appointment, and 5 piano lessons beginning at 3. Then I rushed off to eat dinner and head to practice. Aaaaah. It's good to be getting ready for bed.
Last year our church decided to help out with the water crisis in Rwanda and raise money to build a clean water well. The goal was $7,000 for one well. We raised over $13,000. In one night. This year we're stepping it up a notch. We want to raise $100,000 to build lots of clean water wells in places where they can't just turn on the faucet, gargle, and spit. Every drop is precious. So we'll take our initial collection on Sunday night. And then there will be a benefit dinner in the spring. Watch for details.
Our family is cutting back on Christmas gifts this year so that we can give more for the wells. I would encourage you to do the same. Check out the website here.
Spend less, give more.
Christmas on the Moon is less than 4 days away. It's something that we (and by we, I mean Dean and Matthew) have been preparing for for months. I had band practice number 2 tonight and I'm completey exhausted. I also had a lunch date, a 1:45 doctor's appointment, and 5 piano lessons beginning at 3. Then I rushed off to eat dinner and head to practice. Aaaaah. It's good to be getting ready for bed.
Last year our church decided to help out with the water crisis in Rwanda and raise money to build a clean water well. The goal was $7,000 for one well. We raised over $13,000. In one night. This year we're stepping it up a notch. We want to raise $100,000 to build lots of clean water wells in places where they can't just turn on the faucet, gargle, and spit. Every drop is precious. So we'll take our initial collection on Sunday night. And then there will be a benefit dinner in the spring. Watch for details.
Our family is cutting back on Christmas gifts this year so that we can give more for the wells. I would encourage you to do the same. Check out the website here.
Spend less, give more.
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