Christmas 101: Lesson #1 - It Is Good to Give!

We love Christmas at our house! My son especially loves Christmas! I've never seen a kid who loves a holiday more than his birthday, but mine does. He loves presents -- the more the better. Even more, he loves OPENING presents. Oftentimes, the excitement he displays prior to actually getting the darned gift open is climatic. The gift itself is only a nice byproduct of the gift opening experience.

While I really enjoy seeing him so happy, I have been trying to make him understand that the joys of Christmas come from the giving and not the receiving. (Anyone who has successfully taught this lesson to a four year old, I need your number.) I have tried to stress the importance of being humble and the value of sharing. As a result, I had both of my kids take a gift request from the the Junior Auxiliary/Carl Perkins Christmas Tree.

My son chose to give to a little boy, and my daughter chose a little girl. I let them choose the toy, help me wrap it, and put the gift under our tree. (My 3 year old daughter is still trying to figure out how she can acquire that gift instead of the needy little girl for whom it was purchased.) The whole process was very sweet, and I think my son understood...kind of.

Today, E wanted to play Santa. All by himself, he put on a red Christmas shirt, some red shorts, and his red and black snow boots. My kids are always pretending and dress up nearly every day. This get up was nothing out of the ordinary, and I really didn't think much about it.

After putting on his Santa get up, he asked if he could go out outside. Obviously, I said no since it's rainy and 40 out there. He got so upset with me, and went into this lengthy explanation of why it was so important for him to go outside. I'm embarrassed to say it, but I let him go on the porch just so I wouldn't have to listen to the whining not really understanding his mission. At least his dad made him put on a pair of black sweat pants under the shorts. Of course, mom had to convince him that the sweat pants looked like the boot covers Santa wears. He bought it and conceded.

He wasn't out there long before I realized why it was so important for him to go out. Beforehand, he filled a box with some toys he doesn't play with anymore. He then went outside on the porch, and began yelling at the cars passing by. He wasn't having much luck, so he asked me to make him a sign. The sign said:

Free Toys from Santa Eli!

He took his new sign out to the porch and taped it to our front door. He continued to chant "Ho, ho, ho! Come get your free toys! Free toys here!"

After a little while, our next door neighbor came outside and took him up on his offer. He was so proud of himself. He gave some of his toys to the little boys visiting next door. The smile on his face was worth a million bucks! And the generosity in his heart was PRICELESS!

Eerie Coincidence or Fate?

I don't know why I haven't blogged in awhile. I've certainly had lots to talk about. I guess finding the time is the hard part. Today, though, I am sitting in a condo in Biloxi while my husband and kids are at the park. There's absolutely no noise. Peace. And. Quiet. That never happens! But that's not really what I wanted to talk about...

Nope. Instead, I'm having a little sentimental walk down memory lane. I talked to one of my very BEST friends from college today. I don't think we've spoken in probably 10-15 years. We just recently reconnected via facebook, and I am thrilled to have her back in my life. Seriously, I don't know how I could let all those years pass without talking to her. We were thick as thieves back in the day. No one in the world could make me laugh like she could.

We did so many crazy things, and I've often considered writing a book. But I'm not sure anyone would believe me nor do I think that some of our "escapades" should be documented for fear that one of our children would one day use the old adage, "Yea, but you did such and such when you were my age." No sir-REE, Mister! Ain't nobody leaving here without singing the blues... Or, at least, stealing a Muddy Waters cassette from a taxicab driver in New Orleans. No, I'm not losing my mind; that was for insiders only. (Do you remember that, Lizzie?? Was that the same night we joined the band on Bourbon and played the scrub board and spoons?)

Ah... I have so many memories. Don't worry, Liz. I won't elaborate; I'll just spark your memory. Like Kenny Sumrall. Or chasing MTV to Daytona Beach and listening to Rick Springfield. Oh, and how about that time in Jackson..."Is this your friend? Well, then do something with her!" What about the time they had to pull the door off the bathroom at Ropers to get me out? What was that guy's name that work there? You know, the one you had a crush on that bought his clothes in the pre-teen department at Gayfer's? Do you remember the time I thought Brett Favre and his friends stole my Bon Jovi coat? How about "Ladies, if you're not gonna dance, get off the dance floor!" It's a wonder we are still alive. And it's even more hilarious that we both have children who rely on us. LOL!

What's weird is that as I strolled down memory lane, it dawned on my that many of my BFFs over the years have the same exact NAME! Isn't that strange? They are all named LIZ or some variation. Lizzie M. (or Lizzie L. now) was my BFF in college. Liz R. was my BFF when I moved to Tennessee. My newest BFF is Liz H. who also happens to be a coworker. Not only do they share the same name, they are all so much alike. They are all HIL-AR-I-OUS! I've had so many great times with all of them. There is nothing like a friend who can make you laugh, especially on those days when you feel like crying.

I don't know if they know how much I treasure them. I hope they do. Each one has helped me keep my sanity through lots of crazy times. I hope that my daughter will find good friends like the ones I've found. Don't get me wrong; not all are named Liz. I've got Aimees and Aprils and Beckys and Beths and Carolyns and Collettes... I could go down the entire alphabet. I really wish I could name them all, but I'm afraid my "alone" time is limited. I just hope my daughter is as blessed! There's nothing like a good girlfriend!

I hope all of my girls have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Liz H., don't forget about me next week when you go to the gym. You know my fat butt won't do it alone! And you know I'm eating because willpower is not my friend!