It’s So Cute I Had to Share

My two-year-old has been taking a toddler dance class (tap and ballet) at the Wildwood Family YMCA.

She is the youngest in the class, because the kiddos were technically supposed to be 2-years-old when it started in September, and she wasn’t 2 until late October. Thus, I enrolled her knowing it might not work.  But each week as I’ve peeked into the class, she was participating right along with her slightly older peers — although I don’t think she follows directions as well as some of the  others.  However, in the past few months, the class has been preparing for a little Christmas program, so Miss Tammy has been inviting the Moms into class to watch in hopes of giving the girls a little experience performing before a group. My toddler refused to even stand on the line with her peers (much less dance) every single time I came in to watch. She either sat in my  lap OR ran out of the class. So, I was pleasantly surprised when I attended what was a much bigger “recital” than I had anticipated yesterday. Check out the video AND slideshow! I’m one proud Mommy!

I’ve mentioned before on this blog that I LOVE the YMCA — especially MY Wildwood YMCA. Did you know the YMCA doesn’t turn people away for inability to pay? This generosity is accomplished through their partner campaign, and all the money donated via the campaign stays in the community through which it was donated, helping friends and neighbors who have fallen on hard times enjoy amazing programs like this dance program for toddlers. So, if you live in Wildwood and would like to contribute to the Wildwood Family YMCA, click here. If you’d like to donate to a local YMCA in your area, go here and enter your zip code to find one close to you.

Christmas Memories

Like a lot of people, some of my favorite childhood memories involve Christmas.  It’s a magical time when you’re a child — the excitement of waking up on Christmas morning, getting out of bed and racing to see what Santa left under the tree. I remember those agonizing moments that seemed like hours when we had to wait for my mom and dad to brush their teeth, put on their robes, brew the coffee and get their cameras ready before we were allowed to emerge from the hallway and see the payload. I remember the drink and wet doll, the Barbie Townhouse and Barbie Airplane, and the Pong video game system. I remember decorating cookies and skipping school one day each December to go to downtown and see Santa at the Christmas display in Famous-Barr.

Although those are special memories, some of my fondest Christmas memories have taken place during my adult years.  I remember the bittersweet feeling of leaving my fiance in South Carolina to come home to St. Louis and spend one last Christmas with my family as a single woman. I remember thinking the Atlanta airport was the loneliest place I’d ever been when I was waiting for my departing flight that holiday season.  And I remember the extreme excitement I felt as I made my connection through that busy hub on my way back to Easley, S.C., knowing I’d never spend another Christmas away from the man who became my husband a few months later.

I remember just one year later, our first Christmas together as husband and wife — living unexpectedly back in St. Louis.  I remember thinking it was one of the coldest December’s I’d ever known, but my blood was still very thin from living in the South. I think the thing that made me the happiest that year was hanging a Hallmark “Our First Christmas” ornament on our tree.  That ornament — complete with a picture of us looking MUCH younger — hangs on our tree today.

Of course, I fondly remember our first Christmas as parents.  Our DD was almost nine months old at her first Christmas.  I remember shopping for that “perfect dress,” and putting a Fisher Price dollhouse and a few other toys in layaway at K-Mart. But the holiday took on a whole new significance for me that year. I’m a Christian and always believed the Christmas story. But for the first time, when I heard the Christmas story, I really thought about Mary. The song “Mary Did You Know” describes the thoughts that formed in my head as I held my own baby that Christmas. And I’ve returned to those thoughts every year since. Did she know? And if she did, was she able to experience the same joy at becoming a mother that I experienced all three times it happened to me?

I’ll think of Mary and her baby, Jesus Christ our Lord, again tomorrow as I celebrate Christmas Eve with my family at our church. I’ll also try to remind my children why we’re celebrating and creating memories that I hope they will one day look back upon with joy and happiness.

What are your fondest Christmas memories?

Car Accident Puts Things in Perspective

While driving my baby to Mom’s Day Out yesterday, I wrecked my minivan.

I was driving around a curve on Strecker Road in Wildwood, MO, when I encountered an SUV coming the other direction that had crossed the center line.  I swerved to the right to avoid the SUV, and my right front tire went off the road.  I swerved to the left, overcompensated, lost control and my minivan went careening across the road, between a tree and telephone pole and into the ditch.

I found out today that the van is totaled. You can’t really see the damage in the picture because it’s all on the driver’s side, but the glass broke out of the windows on that side, the roof buckled, etc.  It doesn’t matter.  What matters is that my baby was completely unharmed (she was in back on the passenger side in her Britax Marathon carseat) and I only suffered some minor stiffness last night.

The accident could’ve been a lot worse.  The van could have rolled as we went down the embankment. I could have hit the tree or telephone pole head-0n.  My baby’s carseat could have been on the driver’s side, which likely would’ve resulted in at least cuts and scraps from the branches that came into the van when the glass broke.  Suffice it to say — I think Jesus took the wheel. I’m thankful and feel very blessed, once again.

Several times in my past, something or someone has helped me put the holidays in perspective.  Two years ago, we got an amazing Christmas letter from a neighbor whose husband beat a terrible form of blood/bone cancer. When I read it, I took a deep breath, counted my blessings and vowed to try to appreciate the holidays as much as their family appreciates them.  Last year, I got an heartfelt letter from a friend who is raising three kids alone after her husband died from cancer the previous January.  Again, it reminded me to cling to those I hold dear and not sweat the small stuff.  Almost 10 years ago, one of my husband’s co-workers died in a car accident right before the holidays and just months after she’d married the love of her life. That one made me realize how important it is seize happiness and joy when it’s in front of you.

While my car accident isn’t nearly as dramatic as the above-mentioned events, it did help me adjust my attitude.

• There have been some people who have really gotten on my nerves and under my skin lately.  (Insignificant)
• My house isn’t as clean as it used to be.  (Totally insignificant)
• I’m not done shopping. (I’m lucky to have money with which to shop)
• Money is tighter. (My husband is employed, I’ve got freelance work and I’m not having to choose between food and heat)
• My van is totaled and we may only get enough money from insurance to pay it off. (We have insurance and my DH was GREAT about the accident)

I am truly blessed. My three amazing kids and my husband are upstairs sleeping, which is where I’m headed when I’m done here. I will say my prayers of thanks before I close my eyes.

Conspire to Do Christmas Differently

The holiday season is officially here.  And the shopping craze has begun.  I admit to being a part of it on Black Friday.  I did a little shopping online, but then my whole family (DH, DD, DS, DB and I) headed out into the madness and we actually got a lot done.

But my church, Windsor Crossing, along with hundreds of other churches across the country and across the globe, is participating in a movement to do the Christmas season a little differently via Advent Conspiracy and Living Water.  I wrote a whole article on it here for West NewsMagazine.  Check it out and consider getting involved.  The Advent Conspiracy Web site has a really cool video!  Our family will be contributing to this effort via our church. I hope it helps us keep in mind the true meaning of Christmas.