It's like a trumpet blows before the Thanksgiving leftovers are gone and the Christmas season is totally underway. I have the house half-decorated....everything but the tree is out. The shopping is mostly done, and it is time to enjoy the people I love while celebrating the birth of our Savior.
If only it were so easy, right? In this season that makes you think of love and fellowship come the realities of over-excited kids, gifts lists than run longer than our budgets, and trying to fit all of the expected activites of perfection into our real lives. Baking cookies, Jingle Bus tours, Christmas concerts...there never seems to be enough time.
When I slowed down this weekend to think about what I hoped to accomplish this season, I remembered this reflection from last year. I was reminded of what is important, what can go, and how everyone else fits into my plan.
I pray that this year, for myself and for you, will be a time of savoring the season we are in, in every sense of the word.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Top Ten Ways to Keep Your Kids Happy...
So, if you are anything like me, the thought of bringing your kids to someone else's house for a holiday gives you hives. Ok, maybe that is a little strong, but you just never know how it is going to go. Tonight we are going to grandma's house for dinner, and I have already started thinking about how to keep the kids entertained. Here's what I've come up with...please leave a comment and let me know what has worked for you!
1. Plan for the fact that dinner may not be ready right away and bring a few healthy snacks to tide them over. Cranky kids are often hungry kids.
2. Pack a notebook, pencils, and crayons. Have them interview the other guests. If they can't write, they can draw pictures of everyone who is there.
3. Let them choose a few books to bring over.
4. War, with a deck of cards, is a great way to pass the time. It also gives them 52 things to pick up when the throwing begins. Card houses are fun too.
5. Prepare them in advance for anything that might be a stressor for them. My son was desperately afraid of dogs when he was younger, so we would start coaching him ahead of time when his furry cousin was going to be part of the gathering. Give him some coping strategies.
6. Talk with the hostess ahead of time and see if there are special jobs your kids can be in charge of, such as gathering coats, stacking presents, or collecting recyclables.
7. Bring bubbles...it is almost never too cold to go outside for a few minutes.
8. If this is an extended visit, have a place to unwind when your child is just getting overstimulated. At my mom's house, this is the enclosed front porch.
9. Bring activities related to the holiday for your child to work on. http://www.familyfun.go.com/ has tons of resources...I'll be printing out some Thanksgiving activies myself.
10. Remember that it is their "big deal" too. They are excited and probably not trying to be annoying. No one is as bothered (usually!) by your kids acting up as you are. I will be repeating this to myself all night tonight!
I did not list anything to do with handheld electronic things, not because I am against them, but because we don't have any. If you bring a Nintendo DS, bring a bunch of batteries!
So, what works for you? What are you tried and true methods of keeping the kids entertained? I would love to know. Seriously. I could use some coping strategies myself.
1. Plan for the fact that dinner may not be ready right away and bring a few healthy snacks to tide them over. Cranky kids are often hungry kids.
2. Pack a notebook, pencils, and crayons. Have them interview the other guests. If they can't write, they can draw pictures of everyone who is there.
3. Let them choose a few books to bring over.
4. War, with a deck of cards, is a great way to pass the time. It also gives them 52 things to pick up when the throwing begins. Card houses are fun too.
5. Prepare them in advance for anything that might be a stressor for them. My son was desperately afraid of dogs when he was younger, so we would start coaching him ahead of time when his furry cousin was going to be part of the gathering. Give him some coping strategies.
6. Talk with the hostess ahead of time and see if there are special jobs your kids can be in charge of, such as gathering coats, stacking presents, or collecting recyclables.
7. Bring bubbles...it is almost never too cold to go outside for a few minutes.
8. If this is an extended visit, have a place to unwind when your child is just getting overstimulated. At my mom's house, this is the enclosed front porch.
9. Bring activities related to the holiday for your child to work on. http://www.familyfun.go.com/ has tons of resources...I'll be printing out some Thanksgiving activies myself.
10. Remember that it is their "big deal" too. They are excited and probably not trying to be annoying. No one is as bothered (usually!) by your kids acting up as you are. I will be repeating this to myself all night tonight!
I did not list anything to do with handheld electronic things, not because I am against them, but because we don't have any. If you bring a Nintendo DS, bring a bunch of batteries!
So, what works for you? What are you tried and true methods of keeping the kids entertained? I would love to know. Seriously. I could use some coping strategies myself.
Monday, November 22, 2010
The Countdown Begins...
Ok, gals, we are three full days away from the biggest food fest of the year...at least at my house. This morning I took the turkey out of the freezer to start thawing in the fridge. There are years I had to float him in the bathtub all night Wednesday, but this won't be one of them. I'm making a sweep of my cupboards and checking for missing ingredients. So far I've discovered that I have three bottles of pumpkin pie spice but no poultry seasoning or sage. The can of whipped cream I bought last week has somehow gotten used up already...
I have started making lists of what can be done ahead of time. For me, Tuesday is the day to get the house cleaned up, including making sure the serving plates I'll use are ready to go. Sometimes that means trying to remember where I put them last year. Wednesday is the big day of food prep. I get all the veggies chopped, desserts made, and ingredients that I will need first thing Thursday morning set out on the counter before bed on Wednesday. That way I can jump right in after that first cup of coffee.
I think my favorite part of the holiday is all the wonderful smells. I am a bread stuffing girl, with celery, onions, apples, raisins, sausage, and lots of sage. There is nothing like the aroma of everything sauteeing together in the big dutch oven. My biggest challenge every year is the gravy. It seems to have a mind of its own. Even using the same ingredients year after year is no guarantee that it will turn out. If that is your challenge, check out this article for some tips.
The turkey is definitely the centerpiece attraction. Remember the butterball hotline? It is still up and running, but in this computer age, help is just a mouseclick away. Here's the official butterball site if you are cooking for the first year or just have some questions. They also have some great recipes there.
Still wondering what to cook, or just need something new? I love Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade because you don't need a million ingredients that you may only use once this year. Her Thanksgiving episode had lots of yummy ideas!
What is your favorite dessert? I already know I can't choose just one. Pumpkin pie of course, but then there is my semi-famous pumpkin cake roll, apple pie, and the sort of healthy raspberry jello cranberry salad. I think I love Thanksgiving because the menu really doesn't change for us. It's all about tradition, that familiar feeling that lets you know you are home.
I hope you all have a wonderful day, and don't get bogged down in the details of making it perfect. Enjoy your family and these precious years. It won't be too long until you are fighting your daughter (or daughter-in-law!) for the right to cook Thanksgiving at your house!
I have started making lists of what can be done ahead of time. For me, Tuesday is the day to get the house cleaned up, including making sure the serving plates I'll use are ready to go. Sometimes that means trying to remember where I put them last year. Wednesday is the big day of food prep. I get all the veggies chopped, desserts made, and ingredients that I will need first thing Thursday morning set out on the counter before bed on Wednesday. That way I can jump right in after that first cup of coffee.
I think my favorite part of the holiday is all the wonderful smells. I am a bread stuffing girl, with celery, onions, apples, raisins, sausage, and lots of sage. There is nothing like the aroma of everything sauteeing together in the big dutch oven. My biggest challenge every year is the gravy. It seems to have a mind of its own. Even using the same ingredients year after year is no guarantee that it will turn out. If that is your challenge, check out this article for some tips.
The turkey is definitely the centerpiece attraction. Remember the butterball hotline? It is still up and running, but in this computer age, help is just a mouseclick away. Here's the official butterball site if you are cooking for the first year or just have some questions. They also have some great recipes there.
Still wondering what to cook, or just need something new? I love Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade because you don't need a million ingredients that you may only use once this year. Her Thanksgiving episode had lots of yummy ideas!
What is your favorite dessert? I already know I can't choose just one. Pumpkin pie of course, but then there is my semi-famous pumpkin cake roll, apple pie, and the sort of healthy raspberry jello cranberry salad. I think I love Thanksgiving because the menu really doesn't change for us. It's all about tradition, that familiar feeling that lets you know you are home.
I hope you all have a wonderful day, and don't get bogged down in the details of making it perfect. Enjoy your family and these precious years. It won't be too long until you are fighting your daughter (or daughter-in-law!) for the right to cook Thanksgiving at your house!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
The First Thanksgiving
Preparations are well underway for the big Thanksgiving dinner. Well, mentally at least. You can only work so far ahead. The groceries have been bought, mostly. I know what needs to be done when to make the day flow smoothly. This year, it will just be my family at my house, unless anyone wants to come over. Of course, when I say just my family, that still involves 5 kids, a granddaughter, and possibly a special friend or two of my adult kids. I've been cooking Thanksgiving dinners long enough that they no longer freak me out. Not like the first time...
It was 1988. My oldest child was 2 months shy of her second birthday, and my youngest child was two months old. My husband at that time was a soldier and we were stationed in Nurnberg, Germany. Because families were in short supply, we were the unofficial headquarters for all of my husband's single friends. We were expecting about 18 guys for Thanksgiving. In a one bedroom apartment. With a kitchen the size of a large bathroom. With a wife that couldn't cook. I mean I really couldn't cook. The turkey was too big to fit in the oven, so we had to do some magic with a butcher knife and cut it in half. We also had to borrow the neighbor's oven to cook a ham in. While some of the details have faded, I do remember that the meal took close to seven hours to actually cook, and that my mashed potatoes turned out gray. I'm still not sure why that happened, but they were definitely gray. My gravy was lumpy and everything was cold by the time the turkey was finally done, but in the end it didn't really matter. Not because we all had that warm cozy holiday feeling, but because most of the guys had given up and gone to McDonald's, not to mention the alcohol that had been flowing freely. It was not exactly a Martha Stewart holiday.
Even though the day was far from perfect, I do cherish the memory. It was during that time that I grew to love opening my home to friends new and old. I want to have the kind of place that people just feel comfortable in. Those years taught me that my home could be a refuge, a place to kick back and be yourself.
While I no longer get all nervous about cooking a big meal, I do like to have the details in place. Check back Monday and we'll chat about the timetable of Thanksgiving. I'll also list some resources if you need some last minute ideas. In the meantime, I'll be dreaming of love, laughter, and lots and lots of food.What are you all doing? Cooking? Travelling? Eating out? Leave a comment and share what you are up to!~Debbie
It was 1988. My oldest child was 2 months shy of her second birthday, and my youngest child was two months old. My husband at that time was a soldier and we were stationed in Nurnberg, Germany. Because families were in short supply, we were the unofficial headquarters for all of my husband's single friends. We were expecting about 18 guys for Thanksgiving. In a one bedroom apartment. With a kitchen the size of a large bathroom. With a wife that couldn't cook. I mean I really couldn't cook. The turkey was too big to fit in the oven, so we had to do some magic with a butcher knife and cut it in half. We also had to borrow the neighbor's oven to cook a ham in. While some of the details have faded, I do remember that the meal took close to seven hours to actually cook, and that my mashed potatoes turned out gray. I'm still not sure why that happened, but they were definitely gray. My gravy was lumpy and everything was cold by the time the turkey was finally done, but in the end it didn't really matter. Not because we all had that warm cozy holiday feeling, but because most of the guys had given up and gone to McDonald's, not to mention the alcohol that had been flowing freely. It was not exactly a Martha Stewart holiday.
Even though the day was far from perfect, I do cherish the memory. It was during that time that I grew to love opening my home to friends new and old. I want to have the kind of place that people just feel comfortable in. Those years taught me that my home could be a refuge, a place to kick back and be yourself.
While I no longer get all nervous about cooking a big meal, I do like to have the details in place. Check back Monday and we'll chat about the timetable of Thanksgiving. I'll also list some resources if you need some last minute ideas. In the meantime, I'll be dreaming of love, laughter, and lots and lots of food.What are you all doing? Cooking? Travelling? Eating out? Leave a comment and share what you are up to!~Debbie
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Welcome!
Whether you attend Mom Time on a regular basis, or are just wondering what we are all about, welcome!! We are hoping that this will be a place to post what we discussed each week in case you missed, provide additional resources, and give you a chance to get to know us a little better.
Your Mom Time team is made up of Rene' Wade, Debbie Giese, Sherry Judy, Jenn Hoggatt, Becky Thomas, and Luanne DeBoth. Check out the Mom Time Team page to learn a little more about each of us.
Leave us a comment and let us know you stopped by!(There just might be a little something for you if you do...)
Your Mom Time team is made up of Rene' Wade, Debbie Giese, Sherry Judy, Jenn Hoggatt, Becky Thomas, and Luanne DeBoth. Check out the Mom Time Team page to learn a little more about each of us.
Leave us a comment and let us know you stopped by!(There just might be a little something for you if you do...)
Dealing With Difficult People
Nothing says the holidays are coming like having to deal with some difficult people, even those we might find in our own families. The tension of the season is that we are supposed to be happy and cheerful, but sometimes reality intrudes. When we remember that while we can't control the attitudes and behaviors of others, we are in charge of our own reactions. Here are some quick tips to keep the joy flowing:
When tempers are flaring and there doesn't seem to be enough time in the day, I am going to choose in advance, to listen for that voice that speaks in the split second. Jesus is not just the reason for this season, He is the reason for it all. And when I fail, I will pick myself up and try again. I will thank God for the difficult people and trying times that He allows into my life, knowing that He will use it all.
- A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1). Even though you may be well justified to snap on someone, it will only make things worse. Be the one to de-escalate the situation.
- The words of the reckless pierce like a sword, but the words of the wise bring healing. (Proverbs 12:18) Your choice to use healing words can have the ripple effect of touching more lives than just the person you are dealing with.
- Let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:19) Oh, if only my mouth didn't work faster than my brain sometimes. Amen?
When tempers are flaring and there doesn't seem to be enough time in the day, I am going to choose in advance, to listen for that voice that speaks in the split second. Jesus is not just the reason for this season, He is the reason for it all. And when I fail, I will pick myself up and try again. I will thank God for the difficult people and trying times that He allows into my life, knowing that He will use it all.
Staying the Course
Luanne Glass, Director of Women's ministry, shared a Tip Talk this week with us about not growing weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9). Life with the kiddoes is rewarding, but can also be a little bit trying and downright frustrating sometimes. Check out this blogpost by Lysa TerKeurst. She shares some of the verses that get her through the day, providing her with peace and perspective as she raises her five children. Be encouraged as you go about your day that though the days may be long, the years will fly by. Treasure everything...the good, the bad, and even the pukey!
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