Family

I've been in thought about family and what it means to be apart of one. Is it birth,  adoption,  who you choose to be with, who you spend your time with, church, marriage? Yes, to all. I grew up in a great family for the most part my dad worked full time providing for our family and my mom was our care taker and household manager.  I found an old calendar of my mom's from 1986, the details she kept track of were amazing for everyone in the family's lives. I have an older sister and two younger brothers. As I look back on my childhood I have a pretty beautiful memory.  Until family was changed in my view my sister chose not to be apart of our family she cut us all off 100%  in fact I personally haven't had communication with her since 2009. Honestly over time it has just been the way things are and it doesn't really bother me anymore.  The other thing that has changed my childhood view of family is marriage, as my husband and I developed our family together. I have been blessed to add my in laws as my parents and friends.  The parents you are born with are amazing but, in laws are really special as you get to know them you one gain more insight into your spouse as to why they do different things, you also get to have an additional set of caring eyes and ears on your life. I'm so grateful I get to share my life with them and know that they care about me just as much as one of their children the raised. The other view of family that has changed my view on family is friends who are closer to my heart then any sister by birth ever could be. 3 woman have been there for me for so many years to know my heart, my struggles, my weakness,  to remind me if my strength,  to make me laugh when all I want to do us cry, to call me out when I'm being dumb, and so much more.  They are my family. 
Family builds you up, points out your failings, makes you cry, makes you laugh until you can't breathe, cares so deep they feel your struggle,  wants what is best for you not just what you want, family is friendship,  love, support,  anger management training,  and so much more.
I am so grateful for my family by birth, marriage,  and friendship.  That is the joy and blessings of life.

Sharing Jesus while Decorating

Last night we decorated for Christmas. I really want Christ to be the first in this season of Christmas. As we put the star on the top of the tree I explained to Kaiden what that meant. "Kaiden do you know why we put a star on top of the tree?" He shook his head. "Because a long time ago God came to earth as a tiny baby boy named Jesus some wise men in another land saw the star when Jesus was born it was so amazing that they packed up and followed it to where he was." "They drove for a long time?", Kaiden replied. "Yes, you could say that. When they arrived they worshiped him and celebrated Jesus' birth by giving him presents. So, that's why we have the star here, Jesus is where our journey should always lead us." Kaiden "and I get presents." Three year olds hear what they want to hear. "yeah, you do get presents Jesus is so nice he lets us get presents when we celebrate his birthday, he was born so we could have the greatest gift his love and salvation. Jesus is pretty cool huh?"

As I pulled out the nativity set I told the story again in a different way. Taking time to remember Christ is the reason we celebrate. Merry Christmas and happy decorating.