My Story

I believed every word to every Christmas song that talked about Santa, reindeers and a sleigh. Until I was eight years old and I figured out the whole thing was a fluke.

It started with noticing that Santa's handwriting looked a lot like my dad's. Then one year I got a trampoline for Christmas, and I knew there was no way Santa could fit that thing in his sleigh. So my eight-year-old, skeptic-self, nonchalantly asked my dad, "how much did this cost?" He gave me the wink and said "Santa brought it!" Ok, sure daddy.

That was when I pretty much knew.

But for my little sister, Santa was magical. And I kept believing because I wanted her to believe too. Once she figured it out for herself, we moved on to making the season completely about Jesus. And there was magic in that.

My Husband's Story

Josh was taught about the St Nicholas of the history books. The real man, who gave gifts anonymously to those in need. But his parents didn't feel comfortable telling Josh and his brothers about a big, bearded man in a red and white suit that flew around the world in one night and climbed down chimneys to bring them gifts. They didn't want them to be confused about what was real and what wasn't. Jesus was always the focus of Christmas for his family.

Our Story

Now that we have a little boy of our own, Josh and I have been faced with the obvious question,

"What do we do with Santa?"

We haven't had to worry too much about it this year. Micah is still too young. We did pass on the "photo with Santa" while we were at the mall last weekend. (It may have been cute, or scary, depending on how much he likes big, bearded men) But once he is old enough to communicate with us, say like... next year... then what do we do?

I believed in Santa and don't seem to suffer from trust issues or lack of faith in Jesus because of it.

Josh never believed in Santa and doesn't feel like he missed out on an important childhood tradition because of that.

For us, the choice has come down to our relationship with Micah. We always want him to know that we will teach him the truth. And the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Some may gawk at the decision to take away "Santa" from a child's Christmas experience, but we don't see it that way at all! In fact, if taking Santa away from Christmas takes away the "experience" of it, then what are we really celebrating anyway?

This is all new to us. The parenting part, I mean. But we want to start it out by gaining our child's trust. Will he remember these years anyway? Most likely not. But he will remember how we made him feel. And that is more important than any holiday tradition.

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What about your family? How did you come to the decision on what to do with Santa?

Our little boy is 14 weeks, today.

He is truly everything I hoped for.

I cried tonight while re-watching one of my favorite contestant's on The Voice, Nicholas David, sing "You Are So Beautiful."

I have been singing that song to Micah since he was born.

In the first couple weeks of his life, I couldn't make it through the chorus without tears streaming down my face.

"You're everything that I hoped for, you're everything that I need..."

Those words make my heart want to jump out of my chest! In almost the same way as it did when I found out we were finally having our baby.

I truly cannot get over this precious gift we've been given. And I want to be the best mother I can be, the best wife I can be,

and closer to Jesus every day.

I held Micah tonight and told him how much I loved him and how thankful I am that Jesus gave him to me and his daddy as a son. He just stared back, smiling. Sometimes I feel like he really understands me. :)

Then I sang this song to him... and just cried and cried like I did when he was born.

Monday mornings. I know, no one likes them.

I figured out the only way to get over NOT liking something - is to find something you DO like about. For instance, I don't like squash. But I like that they are yellow. (bad example)

So I've decided to focus on what I DO like about Monday mornings. For me, it's the chance to start fresh.

Seven days a week, I fail at something. Whether it's completing the long list of chores that need to get done, or driving my car into our garage wall. I make huge mistakes all the time.

I don't know what it is about Monday, but I always feel like I get a do-over. A new week, new challenges, new adventures.

On the schedule this week:

- Christmas cards. (Who's been tempted to post a picture on FB & tag everyone you want to mail one to in it? I'm kidding, mom.)

- Gym time. (This post-baby body needs some TLC. Any advice on how to lose 10 lbs in a week?)

- Christmas party(s). (Ornament exchange, anyone?)

- Shopping. (Please ask me how many gifts I've bought.)

I didn't include the boring stuff that actually consumes most of my time - cooking, cleaning & baby care (except, that one's not boring at all!) Meet me back here next Monday to see what I actually accomplished. :)

I also like Monday's because my love-tank is full from a great weekend. Weekends with Josh & Micah are the best. They are packed full with ministry activities, but we get to be together. Serving Jesus is what keeps our relationship growing. I find myself checking my phone less & spending more time interacting with my family and friends. Whoever decided that mail shouldn't run on the weekends was genius! Now if they'd only apply that to the internet, I'd be in good shape. (Who am I kidding, would any of us survive?!)

Here's a little photo recap of this past week. My favorite photo from each day. I think I may start making this a weekly habit.

But if I don't, there's always next Monday to try again. :)