To Santa or not to Santa?

Christmas is over. I've already taken down the tree and put the decorations away. The only tree that remains is in my two-year-old's room simply because I don't have the heart to take it down just yet. She smiles with joy when she looks at it, so I let her enjoy it for a few more days.

So my daughter is two (25 months if you want to get exact). Since the day she was born when Christmas comes up I am torn. Do we believe in Santa or not? I always go through the same arguments in my head. My husband and I both had Santa and well, I think we turned out ok. But then I start thinking of the spiritual aspects of believing in Santa. I never want her to believe that the holiday is because of Santa. No, the holiday is ONLY because of God's gift to mankind, His Son. I want her to understand that and this year we talked a lot about Baby Jesus and when we prayed we thanked God for Baby Jesus but let's be honest, when you're two at Christmas you're inundated with Santa Claus.

I know many parents who don't teach any Santa at all and they only teach Christ's birth. I know some who teach St. Nick (the original) and how generous he was and combine the two. Its so frustrating trying to discern what is best. So last night I started Raising Great Kids: Parenting with Grace and Truth. (I quickly decided that much more would be learned from the book in a group setting instead of individually. Any takers?) But as I'm reading and thinking how I want my daughter to understand truth and to grow in character so that the values we teach now are still with her when she's 12 and 22 and then when she teaches her own children.

So there has to be an answer a right or wrong... right? Or maybe its what's right for my family and what's right for yours? I don't think we taught anything this year that will stick if we choose to not do Santa or if we choose to do Santa.

I'd love to hear what your family does and why you do it that way. That part is important. So leave a comment and let me know.

Here we go....

Several times I have decided to "get back to blogging" and I write one, maybe two entries, and then it stops.... again.

So dare I say, this time will be different. But there have been a lot of changes and a lot of things to write about.

If you followed my blog, then you'll know the last entry announced we were having a girl. Well... she's here and she's also 6 1/2 months old! Where does the time go? I'm prompted to get back to writing so that I keep track of the cute and wonderful things she does... like currently growing teeth. ha I'm trying to pick up my artwork again and stick with it. Art is hard. Sometimes you're inspired. Sometimes you aren't. The important part is to keep drawing or sketching or doodling or photographing even when you're not. I'm also taking some theology classes through Ligionier Ministries and very excited about those.

I'll try to upload a few doodles in the next couple of days. Father's Day is coming up and that should give way to some nice photo opportunities.

Night folks.

Our world will be purple and butterflies....

That't right. On our appointment on Monday, we found out that Baby Brewer is a girl. So we are looking forward to and planning for Isabella Grace's arrival in December. We're all registered at Babies 'R' Us. I have a great patient husband who goes with me whenever I ask. I applaud him. I'm having so much fun picking out baby girl stuff and I'm ready for December to get here.

Doctors are monitoring me closely. As of my visit on Monday I see the high-risk specialist every week. I appreciate them watching me so closely.

We are thanking God for our sweet Bella already! Can't wait til December to post her first pictures!

cb

Blessings...

I've had a post I've been meaning to write for some time. After some recent encouragement I know it is time to take up the pen... or in this case... get back to typing.

I last wrote almost two months ago sharing our good news that Matt and I are pregnant. As of Monday I will be 17 weeks and all is going well. The doctors are very pleased with my progress and are expecting a normal pregnancy. Of course this pregnancy has caused me to reminisce about the boys. Its only natural and I have a lot of thoughts I need to write but one is at the forefront of my mind... the one I have been meaning to post for quite some time.

If you listen to Christian radio at all I'm sure you've heard Laura Story's newest number one single, Blessings. The first time I heard that song, God spoke to me and I knew while Laura may have written it about her trials, God was using it to speak to me.

If you've ever suffered the death of a child you know the awkward moment when someone asks "How many children do you have?" or "Is this your first pregnancy?" and in a few brief moments you have to decide how to answer it. I always find my self evaluating the person. I consider if I'll ever meet the person again or if the person seems compassionate. Either way I usually tell them its not my first and I have children who are just not on this earth anymore. I can't bear saying, "This is our first" knowing I have two sweet boys and two other babies in Heaven with the Father. Sometimes people know what to say and other times the situation only gets more awkward.

But, the thing that bothers me the most is when I tell someone about the boys and their immediate response is "I'm sorry." I'm not. Sure, I miss my boys. There are days when I cry and grieve and that's the way it'll be for the rest of my earthly life. But am I sorry? No. I have babies who are already in the presence of the Heavenly Father. They are enjoying His presence and that is far more than I could have given them. Matt and I love them and miss them but I'm not sorry. They were two of the biggest blessings in our lives. I will never forget holding those tiny babies and looking at God's creation. The weeks that followed were the hardest in our lives and the blessing in it all is that God used those precious babies and their short lives to make mine and Matt's marriage stronger than I could have ever imagined. I remembered reading that the death of a child either tears spouses apart or solidifies their marriage. I am so grateful that for us it was the latter. God used our babies to build our trust in one another and in God. We had moments of anger and frustration but ultimately God taught us that our children are safe with Him.

I look forward to telling Baby Brewer about J.J. and Jordan and how God used them in our family's lives.

Back to the song I mentioned earlier... there is one line that I think we should all think about when facing trials. We must look at the bigger picture.

"What if the trials of this life are your blessings in disguise?"

The death of our sweet boys was definitely life's toughest trial (thus far) but was most definitely a blessing in disguise.

- cb

Big news....

I've been meaning to update but have been sidetracked here lately. Matt and I were able to announce some big news a couple of weeks ago. We found out in April that I am pregnant! As of yesterday I am 9 weeks pregnant. We've had three ultrasounds so far and everything is looking great. So far, this pregnancy has been very different from the others. I stay pretty sick most of the time. I'm not throwing up but I have that horrible nauseous feeling most of the day. My hormones are also pretty out of control. My doctor seems to think that most of this will even out after the first trimester. Let's hope so. I go back to the doctor on June 9th and will have another ultrasound and will be scheduled for a cerclage. I'll keep you updated. We appreciate your prayers! :-)

A day in the life

Me: Thank you for calling today. My name is Crystal. May I have your name please?
Customer: Derrick
Me: How are you today, Derrick?
Customer: I'm hungover but ok. You?
Me: **chuckling** I'm ok. Sounds like you had a good time last night.
Customer: I always have a good time. I'm a legend....well I am in my head if no one else's.
Me: ok. What can I help you with today?
Customer: I need to change my address. I moved to Las Vegas.
Me: wow. That's a big move. Sounds fun.
Customer: you know the saying "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas"?
Me: yeh
Customer: it isn't true. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas except for herpes.....that goes home with you.

Seriously what was I supposed to say after that? I couldn't make this up if I tried.

Location:Brookfield Pkwy,Greenville,United States

Getting back in the swing of things....

I really need to keep up with my blog. I've been making some changes and I'm really excited about them.

I'm enrolling as a student at Greenville Tech and I'm really looking forward to entering the surgical technology program at tech. If everything goes according to their schedule I'll be done with the program in 15 months.

A couple of days someone came across my blog and the previous post was a great encouragement to them. They left a nice comment and it reminded me that God has provided me with the tools and abilities to write (which is therapy for me) and in the process hopefully brighten someone else's day. So I'm making a goal for myself to start back to writing by writing at least one entry per month and then becoming more frequent. It's all about discipline. You can hold me accountable if you'd like. If you notice I haven't posted in several days leave me a comment.

I have a list of topics I'm hoping to cover here and slowly we'll get to them all.

I have another request of you (if you're in the Greenville area).

Mine and Matt's schedules make it hard to get up and to church on Sunday mornings. Is anyone aware of any afternoon Sunday services in the area?


Looking forward to writing more often,
cb

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Provence St,Greenville,United States