Well...Do you? This Advent Season I've tried to be reflective...to think of happy memories, to make memories, to challenge myself and my family, to love deeper, hug longer, and smile more. BUT...somedays, my kids still drive me nuts, I feel like crying because I'm so overwhelmed, and I just want to have a beer, take a bath, and go to bed.
During those times, I've tried not to think "WWJD?" ( What would Jesus Do?) but rather "WWMD?" ( What would Mary Do?). I'm connected to her. We are mothers and when I'm having a bad day and I just want to yell at my kids, I ask myself if Mary might have ever been annoyed by the escapades of Jesus. If Jesus ran around the house and causes a mess, if he didn't eat all his veggies or said unkind things that made her want to smack his bottom.
We;ve done alot of Jesus talk this Advent season. Alaric is old enough now and so inquisitive. He is feeling connected to this great man and its bring me closer as well.
So, in my opinion- I think Mary did put Jesus in timeout. I think she did get annoyed with him and wished she too could simply have a beer and take a break. It makes me feel better thinking that the mother of the guy who is supposed to be perfect all the time had bad days too.
Good luck with your bad days- I'm feeling much better about mine!
look at all the gifts- disgusting, really but fun!
The stockings- each one made by my mom!
Alaric and Amara in front of the gifts!
Look at Mara's admiration of her big brother!
The Fultons
All of the Bechtel Family!
Grammy and Papa and their grandkids( this really was the best one)
The Bechtels
Al opens part of his stocking
Veronica in front of her pile of gifts
Al in front of his
Mar needed to be different so she wore a hat!
Bri made V a hoola hoop with Care Bear fabric on it
We took a short break from the gifts to eat bread and homemade soups together. Here the boys enjoy their meal
V and Papa loved the soups!
Back to the gifts!!! Amara got a SNAKEY!!! Snakey was a treasured knitted snake Dan had as a child that my mom then recreated for V and Alaric a few years ago. Now Amara gets her own. The first thing she did was kiss it!
We gave Papa his own Superman t-shirt ( there are wonderful pics of my Grandpa and Dan when he was about Alaric's age in Superman shirts). We also got Alaric a shirt. Dan and V wore theirs too and got Amara a Super Girl shirt! It was so fun to strip off shirts and reveal our surprise!
Amara got her first Cabbage Patch Doll- and it was one of mine too from when I was little. I got to choose which one I wanted her to have and I chose one that goes in the bathtub with you!
My mom got lots of new stuff for her playhouse including a new plaque so everyone knows its hers!
Grammy and Papa gave the kids these matching, super duper soft teddy bears from Pottery Barn Kids- they loved them!
Then we rushed out the door to church. The older two got to bring up two of the wisemen to put in the Nativity set during the song, The first Noelle
Then we headed back to Grammy and Papa's after church for cookies and hot cocoa
Mara got to have hers in an open cup- BIG DEAL!
Then, as Bechtel Family Tradition dictates, the kids got to hear The Night Before Christmas, read by Grammy and Papa!
So many special memories!
