Tuesday, December 13, 2011

'Tis the Season

And for some reason I am not feeling jolly. Could it be my shoes are too tight? I don't know, but I've been less than into Christmas this season. I started my shopping/budgeting late this year and I HATE trying to figure out money and gifts. Ugggh...if only I had an endless budget to give the best gifts EVER. I know I'd be an amazing gifter. It is my favorite thing to do!! Sigh...Behind and feeling stressed is not how I wanted my season to go. I had grandiose ideas of the things we'd do and experience and I truly haven't accomplished anything much. Blahhh!

BUT, the true reason for the Christmas Season has been smacking me upside the head quite often. It probably started out with Josiah coming to me and asking the "truth". I believe in coming clean, but also reminding him what Santa is all about. And, Josiah had no problem catching on. In fact, he has been teaching me the lessons. He has been so excited in sharing the joy of Christmas with his brothers. He helps out with Jean Luc (our special Cajun Elf on the Shelf) and gleams with joy when his brothers giggle when they see the funny places our elf hides. He has hemmed and hawed over his Christmas list since he knows when funding for gifts comes from. I have had to remind him to still write a list, Christmas miracles happen. He has come home with treats and ideas from school to share and help his brothers get all excited. And then, he even offered his money. I was looking online making lists for the boys when he noticed what I was doing. He remembered Gavin has asked for a DS this year. He knows they cost a lot and so the next thing I see is him coming towards me with his birthday money in hand. Being the sweet brother he is, he offered it up to help us afford Gav's DS. I told him not to worry about it, but he persisted and finally explained he wanted Gavin to have the best gift and wanted to help out. So willing to give. So willing to love. Thank you Josiah for a sweet lesson on selfless giving.


11 comments:

whitney said...

Oh, sweet boy. It pulls on my heart strings to picture his cute little freckled face light up with glee when his brothers look for Jean Luc and then to offer his much-prized birthday money for Gav's santa gift. What a sweet little man.

Anonymous said...

What a great example of sacrifice and pure love. I can just picture his glee trying to decide where to put Jean Luc and then his excitement watching his siblings. How sweet. What a great song. Love it. I've been feeling the exact same way as you described above. And, I'm not quite sure why. Maybe we've been buying shoes at the wrong store... Whatever the reason may be I need to try and refocus my family on the true meaning of Christmas. Perhaps that will help snap me into the right mood. Now I'm wanting to go buy her album... ;)

Ashlee said...

I love that little boy! So sweet and such a generous heart!

Stress can take the fun out of things,so try to relax and enjoy. (Easier said, than done! I know from experience!)

Love you!

Grammy said...

Oh Josiah,What a darling! Still alittle boy but so grown up in so many ways! He has such a sweet heart. I know you will get into Christmas, you are the true Christmas Elf! Who listens to Christmas music in July, only Liberty!
If I close my eyes I can see their little faces all aglow with thoughts of Christmas. I miss you all so much! Keep your chin up, it will get better! Love you

Jenny said...

You are doing something right Lib, if your boys are that sweet. Tell me the secrets! And someday you will have that endless supply of money to be the best gift giver you've imagined. It's called being a grandparent!

Annie said...

Such a sweet boy! These kids have such pure hearts. This really gives me the Christmas spirit. Sometimes the best gift is time. They probably won't remember what presents they got anyway, but they'll remember making cookies, movies, games, and having fun with their family. I only remember about one gift that I got, but I will never forget the way I felt during our family candlelight reading and singing and sharing testimonies.

And it's okay to hit the thrift stores!

Mamapierce said...

I know it's hard when funding is low. I hope you still manage to have a MERRY CHRISTMAS! :D

holyoak said...

Great lessons from the little man, reminds me of something Isaiah said, “And a little child shall lead them.” (Isa. 11:6.)

I agree with Jenny. He is being taught correct principles by his parents.

Hannah-girl said...

Oh, what a good brother. This post made my heart smile.

Aubrey said...

What a sweet, sweet boy. I hope I can teach my kids those same lessons.

Andrea said...

Liberty, this is such a sweet post. Thanks for sharing. I love Josiah and miss his sweet spirit. Christmas miracles happen all the time and most of them don't cost a penny. Your friendship is one of the greatest gifts I will always treasure, and I will forever remember the lesson you taught in Enrichment on Christmas and traditions while you were here. I agree with the other posters...you and Kit are doing something right when you are raising children who are selfless. Remember the greatest gift ever was given to us all in the humblest of circumstances ...I know your children are experiencing that gift just through the story you shared which is something that will last with them well after they have outgrowned videos games or broken toys. Love you lots and miss your family terribly. Ya'll are the BEST!