"God's Plan for My 2013"... IS A SHOCKER

...So as I said in my last blog, it's not January 1st....

                                                         it IS, however, March 10th....

And as for "MY 2013 Plan".....well, I need to update my plan of action...
because of course God hadn't clued me in on the big picture until recently

                                                          ...or rather, better said, "His ways are not my ways."

(If you haven't done so as of yet, NOW would be a good time to read my last blog that Prequaled this one!)

















.....The details of the 6 focus areas for 2013 were in MY original planning efforts...
Cancel those details and insert: 

unpredictability, a little panicking, a few tears, a lot of shuffling/grasping for straws, a bundle of confusion, a plethora of trust, and plenty of adjusting and anxious excitement.










This picture says it all....

...and if you are still searching the picture trying to find the 6th person, you will need an ultrasound for that.

(disclaimer: to excuse what you may assume is my husband's angry, hopeless look of desperation less than enthusiastic "smile," he did not know we were pregnant in that moment/neither did I, and his face is merely reflecting the fact that he isn't a fan of random snow sports. You will be happy to know that he is a fan of having a 4th child....I mean, what other choice is there?!)



In the midst of all of this excitement, I would like to first acknowledge the many friends and family who have struggled with or are currently struggling with infertility issues and infant loss. After my initial selfish thoughts of how my life would change, a quick realization of the many people longing for such a moment brought me back to the blessing and miraculousness in conception and pregnancy, and gave me perspective. Those who are able to celebrate and support pregnant friends while carrying their own grief (magnified by the unfairness of it all) are amazing examples of grace in my life! 




Of course, the shock for many others of you may still be setting in for different reasons....
So to answer your Questions:

1. No, we weren't trying.
2. Yes, we thought we were done at 3 children.
3. Yes, we are in competition with the Capuanos and the Scallys for the most kids (...and with the Gibalas for my parents to win the title for the most grandkids...this baby bringing the count to 11).
4. Yes, I blame Maria and Leandra for praying for another Robinson baby!
5. Yes, we gave away all of my maternity clothes and baby stuff assuming we were done.
6. No, we are not moving into a house that we couldn't possibly afford bigger house.
7. Macey and Justus are, of course, excited and both want a sister...praying for the baby every night before bed.
8. Theo, of course, is confused and has no idea what's happening ...but after my "brilliant" explanation to him, now thinks that my nephew, "Baby Bryson," is in my stomach.
8. I am feeling fine so far.
9. Our original shock has faded to pure thankfulness and excitement (....but don't get me wrong, it took a good 24 hours or so).
10. I know this is my 4th, but I would still like to find out if we are having a boy or a girl.




As for "My 2013 Plans"...there will need to be a little adjusting...

1. Eating Healthier
Needless to say, I am going to LOSE the weight-loss competition severely
....and admittedly, I spent my first 2 weeks after the positive pregnancy test, eating everything I have avoided for the past 2 months.

...But I would like to attempt to get back on track and continue to honor the nature of this goal for the next 8 months and beyond...by eating more nutritiously and releasing my emotional attachments to food (minus any cravings the baby has...I wouldn't want to deprive him/her!)


2. Being Motivated/Finish what I Start
So much for a 5K....or can pregnant women do these things?? Is it possible to run a 5K in the 2nd trimester?
...Would it be socially acceptable for a pregnant woman to maybe walk a 5k? Do I care?
Unless my midwife says otherwise, I am going to attempt to finish...whether running or walking!

AT the same time...Maybe, just maybe, God is teaching me that this process is less about "finishing" and more about giving over the control of MY plans. I do think that finishing is an important quality that God has laid on my heart to give more credence to.....but I am finding that even more important than that is giving God control to guide the process and lead me out of my comfort zones (#3) when I would really like to have the say and the choice in what the process looks like.

As for the pregnancy, I have no choice but to finish what I started there....so, Well played, God. Well played!


3.Stretching Myself and My Comfort Zone
Well the stretching and lack of comfort is inevitable...in more ways than 1!


4. Investing in My Man
He deserves my time and attention now more than ever...and who says we can't take what those magazines call a "babymoon" (though I really hate that term!).

There is HUGE importance in putting my love for my husband at the top of the list, before even loving my kids....and showing my children the stability and solidarity in loving their father actively is an unbelievable positive value for them to observe.


5. Minimizing/Simplifying
We surely need to do some simplifying to make room for baby 4 in our sweet, little, 3-bedroom, city home. Plus, by baby number 4 you realize you don't need nearly the amount of stuff you had for baby number 1....hence, this little one is already helping me with perspective.


6. Taking Time for Me
Making "Time for Me" really does include intentionality and remembering that I am a better me for my family when I know who I am, which becomes clearer in my moments where I can think and process....hence: crafting, Bible Study, getting out with friends, etc.
(and the same for my hardworking husband...hence: basketball, men's group, sports, etc.)

 Not to mention, a whole new world of crafting opportunities is opening up! ....Sewing baby blankets, crocheting baby hats, decorating a tiny corner in our home for a little baby space...! (looks like a new pinterest board is in my near future)




So an official number 7 wasn't on my original 2013 plan...but it was an underlying theme...
7. Believing God
Now more than ever is a time I would like to take to meditate on the Lord in true "Be still and know that He is God" fashion.

I briefly referenced Beth Moore's study, "Believing God," in the previous blog...and if you've done this particular study, then you already know how encouraging and challenging it is in expanding your faith and motivating you to a more in-depth study of God's word.

He had been preparing me for "such a time as this."

I have been working on realizing the depth of each of the 5 principles within the study:
-God is who He says He is.
-God can do what He says He can do.
-I am who God says I am.
-I can do all things through Christ.
-God's word is alive and active in me.

With the help of some great discussion, I came to realize that I was limiting God in my life.

I am relieved that in the midst of this "surprise" in my life (as well as some other things going on with friends at the same moment) my faith continues to grow...and yet God hasn't changed AT ALL.
He is as strong and able and omniscient and loving and merciful and present today as he was weeks ago....months ago....decades ago....
He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The God who walks with me everyday is the same God who calmed the seas and raised the dead.
I am finally starting to realize the depth of who He is...and who I am in Him. I really hope I am done putting Him in a box and asking Him to live up to my expectations....because honestly, my expectations  are a drop in the bucket of His "potential."





So that wraps up my "Plan" ...which is actually more of a "Let's take things one day at a time and see where God is taking us" effort rather than an actual plan.

Plus....I trust God's plan much more!

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future

Who doesn't love a baby reveal dinner of baby corn, baby carrots, baby shrimp, & baby back ribs in true "Full House" Becky and Jesse fashion?! ...not Paul's family; they loved it!

My 2013 Plan

The Outline of intimate details for My 2013 Plan for a better me .....

1. Eating Healthier

I entered not 1, but 2 weight-loss competitions with my sister (shout out to "Mission Slimpossible"), and my friend, and a bunch of their friends. I love competition and it's just about my only motivation for most things in my life, so it absolutely helped to kick me into gear for releasing the control that eating has in my life. Surprisingly, the competition that these ladies offered was actually less "trash talking" and more "encouragement," so that caught me off guard in the beginning.

But back to my obsession.... I'm an emotional eater, a boredom eater, a recreational eater, a social eater. Let's just say, there was only 1 time in my life where I wasn't thinking about food (....and that's only because my life at that time was in crisis mode, thinking of much more profound things). So yes, this goal was about nutrition and health (and helping to create healthy eating habits for my family), but it was also about releasing an idol and foothold in my life. 

2. Being Motivated/Finishing What I Start

While I can be a very motivated individual when I get something in my head, follow-through is not my strong point....finishing is actually a profound weakness in my life.

I am coming to a point in my life where I prayerfully consider even committing. I tend to over-commit to anything from PTA to Bible studies to social events to relationships to sports to anything my kids find interesting, and then I only go halfway; so I started off the year weeding out things that were overwhelming and simply "filling up" my life, and anything that was impeding the growth of my family. This is NOT easy. Saying no to things that tend to be "good" is VERY difficult....saying no to things you actually WANT to do is even harder.

I came to terms with the fact that committing to things that require only a one-time fulfillment were more easily decided than long-term commitments, and so it wasn't very difficult in the midst of my weight-loss challenges and my goal of "a healthier me" to decide to sign up for my first ever 5K (after years of complaining I have bad knees, which is true; and saying that running is an evil torture, also true). I made sure lots of friends joined me to keep me company/accountable. I invested actual dollars toward registering, knowing that as "frugile" as I am, I may disappoint a friend by prematurely withdrawing, but I could not risk my husband's hard-earned cash by not going through with it (...and I understand that is ridiculous, so maybe that will be a future blog). So I anticipated the May 4th Color Run in Rochester, NY ...and we even thought of the best team name ever, "Run or Dye Trying!"

3. Stretching Myself and My Comfort Zone

I decided it was time to take a leap of faith in venturing forward in something I have never done before...and in something I always excused myself from because of lack of faith in my abilities......see #2!

4. Investing in My Man

This year marks our 10th anniversary! Anyone who gets to the 10th year of marriage and says it was easy or pretty is a liar! The first 6 months, maybe....the rest of it....a lot of work, a lot of compromise, a lot of complaining about how the dishwasher is loaded wrong. Then somewhere along the line, you both mature and you push the small stuff aside, maybe hit a crisis along the way, and you realize that you wouldn't want to wade these waters with anyone else! 

The last 4 years of our marriage have been a gift from God of redemption, growth, love, and true intimacy....the past year, even moreso....maybe even a "year of jubilee," if you will. 

So planning a second honeymoon that would trump our original honeymoon was of course part of the 2013 plan.... leaving the kids with...whomever...and escaping the world and responsibility to bask in marital bliss at some tropical location just made sense! 

5. Minimizing/Simplifying

Anyone who has watched the show "Hoarders" has walked away ready to get rid of every unnecessary item in their home, as well as any potential pets that they have only considered getting. I am no different.
That show scares the life out of me! If you watch that show and don't wonder that maybe someday you could end up walking hallways of stacked up garage sale finds that you could never possibly need or use at any point in this lifetime....well then, congratulations! (but then again, that may just mean you are already a hoarder...since they do say that only truly sane people question whether or not they are crazy.)
With that said, I no longer watch Hoarders....but I would still like to simplify our lives....and I would like to prevent my husband from every thinking, "maybe, just maybe, I should call that show 'Hoarders' about my wife."

In the same regards, I remember a very long time ago, a friend telling me that she watched a documentary (or read a magazine article, or whatever) showing different families from different countries standing outside of their homes with the entire contents of their life. At some homes the entire yard was overflowing, and at others they fit all of their worldly possessions in their arms. As an American, I am overwhelmed with consumption and convenience, so of course I have more than I need....do we really need those 10 extra toothbrushes in the bathroom closet in case a group twice the size of our family suddenly decides they have an intense need for fresh bristles at a moments notice? Doubtful! (...Though maybe the Cabreras would disagree, since they own a dental practice.)

So little by little this year, I would like to go through EVERY closet, EVERY room, EVERY cabinet, EVERY toy bin, and the contents of the ENTIRE basement in order to empty out the unnecessaries, materially and emotionally speaking. 

 I want my home to be full of joy and forgiveness and laughter and understanding and giving and compassion and grace and quality time and love....Not stuff!

6. Taking Time for Me

My sister-in-law, Maria and I used to have craft night every Monday night. We have loved finding Pinteresty ideas to create....we have even ventured to 2 (soon to be 3) sewing classes! 

I realized that making time to be creative is such a positive outlet for me. It's not only enjoyable, but therapeutic (hence my over-enthusiasm of home-made birthday parties for my kids!)....AND... I end up with something to show for my time! (unlike when I "outlet myself" into reality tv shows)

So while my Monday nights have been replaced with girls Bible study night (an amazing supplement to my schedule for "me time"....while also including God and some of the best friends a girl could find!) with Beth Moore (please do one of her studies if you haven't already!!!), the crafting thing has become a link to something inside me that I thought was lost...a sense of being creative, being productive, being relaxed. Making time for creative outlet in 2013 will better me and in the end, my family....Consider it my momentary break from anxiety and my life-link to sanity.

...So there you have it....the beginning outline of my hopes and dreams for this year...and it's not even January 1st...

Ghosts of Christmas present

I'm not sure why....but this year marks the first year of an awakening to the realization that Christmas isn't a happy festiveness amidst a season of merriment for everybody.

I know! I know! Pretty ridiculous on my part to just now be realizing this!

To explain....I've always been aware that there are "some who may not have much this Christmas" or that "this time of year can be hard for a lot of people;" but I never let the reality of those truths sink into my core.

Call it naivete....but the reality only just hit me earlier this month and has slowly but surely imprinted itself on my heart.  

...Maybe it's seeing firsthand that so many in my neighborhood and my childrens' schools will not have a Christmas that includes big dinners, lots of family, and a plethera of gifts...or really any Christmas at all; 

maybe it's the fact that I have stood by friends who have experienced so much loss in the past 11 months and are simply waiting for the year to end; 

maybe it's the nationwide mourning for the children and teachers lost in the Connecticut massacre, and the knowledge that there are parents who will never see Christmas the same again; 

maybe it's seeing so many people out of work, wondering how to cover the bills, trying anything they can to provide for their families; 

or maybe it's the fact that so many have come from or are in the midst of an abusive situation that just won't give them a reprieve on December 25th...

and for each of them, no amount of garland and tinsel will take away the cloud of oppression that has entrapped them in grief daily...only to be mocked by those complaining about having to wrap so many gifts this month. 

This season that I find to be such a beautiful expression of peace, love, joy, hope, cheer, and giving is a season of depression, bad memories, and magnification of desperation to many....only exasperated by the fact that most everyone else around them is singing along to "Here Comes Santa Claus" (that started taunting us from the radio over 2 months beforehand).

As a kid, my dad used to light up a huge homemade billboard-type sign across the front of our house. From the age of 3 to about 13, I would see the words "Jesus Lives. Merry Christmas" in bold lights every time I walked into my house...which, around the time I turned 13, was swapped out for the "No Jesus, No Peace. Know Jesus, Know Peace. Merry Christmas" greeting. 

I saw my dad painstakingly carve and drill and wire those structures to share Jesus with the world for that one month out of the year. And it was those signs that made me feel like I was doing my part in "remembering the true meaning of Christmas" simply by living in "that house with the huge Jesus sign."  Since I did my part by living with the signage, I felt it gave me permission to then enjoy my holiday, write long lists of presents I wanted, complain if my parents suggested we go serve at a food kitchen for the holiday, or compete with my siblings in unwrapping our nativity figures with the hope of being the one to unwrap baby Jesus, ultimately crowning one of us as the winner...the winner of....umm, i don't know, "winner of Christmas" maybe...?!  (as for the legacy of competitiveness in my family, that will be a separate blog at a later time) But while we were racing to unwrap that manger, I wasn't thinking of it's significance. (maybe once it was set up I'd stare at that angel hanging from the nail at the peak of the stable and sing a little "Away in a Manger," but during the sibling rivalry, none of that symbolism was crossing my mind.)

The hope of Christmas is historically and traditionally celebrated as the birth of God's Son...God in human form to experience life with the same limitations as each of us, but being perfect and blameless, overcoming all obstacles for our good...and ultimately becoming the sacrifice for our sin. The One who has walked in our shoes and understands our hearts!

...but placing that manger scene on the mantle doesn't mean we have honored the true meaning of the season.

so this Christmas my goal is to not just put in my time at the candlelight church service. I want to take some time to ponder the scene at the manger where Jesus lay alive and well, against all odds as Herod destroyed many-a-baby in hopes of depleting the hope of all those waiting for the King to be born. 

...Jesus...the "peace that passes understanding" ...the hope of nations....my reason for using this season to live outside of myself for once in my life.

This is not to say that people shouldn't enjoy the holiday (cause check out my last blog ...i'm loving me some advent adventures) or that you shouldn't grasp the spirit with all the force of Ebenezer the morning after his visit from the spirits....by all means, grasp away! I have come to realize through the tragedy in Connectict that there is something special in a child's excitement and hope in the magic of Christmas (and even Santa). I want my kids to have an innocence and joy of the fantasy while they are still unaware of the pain of the holidays for many. At the same time, I want them to think of actively loving others through service as a normal part of our holiday...our life.

Try to remember that Ebenezer's greatest joy was blessing those around him and passing along his "cup of cheer" to Tiny Tim and the others. I encourage you to reach out to a "Tiny Tim"....not because you want to put in your good deed before the year's end, but because sharing a little Christmas hope can go a long way...

...and because at some point in time, each of us will need the blessing of hope found in the random gift of a "Christmas goose" or "plumb pudding" given to us by a friend ...or better yet, a stranger!

a very Robinson christmas calendar

a very Robinson Christmas calendar

I have a husband that could really do without all of my holiday

festivity and jolliness ... 

...but being born 2 days after Christmas

... and being a huge fan of Jesus

(who you may or may not realize is the reason we

celebrate December 25th),

I think I am required to be in love

with the Spirit of the Holiday! 

So when my husband mentioned that one of the few things he liked about Christmas

growing up (besides doing ministry with his dad like serving meals to the homeless) was an

advent calendar that his mom made (adorned with gift bows concealing holiday events for

many of the days leading up to Christmas), I embraced this idea with more force than was

necessary (as required by my obsessive-compulsive personality) ...and have gradually been

adding to the many opportunities to celebrate this season with my reluctantly-willing

husband and 3 ambitious kids.

Lots of friends have asked me to share my ideas over the year, so I thought,

"why not blog my list?!" 

(...since blogs are apparently "where it's at").

So here goes....THE LIST! 

(with the disclaimer that I have gathered many ideas from additional sources....shout out to all my creative peeps!)

AND MIGHT I ADD, there is no pressure to go overboard (the way I sometimes do).

Create your own traditions, and do it to whatever level

fits your schedule (and sanity).

"GRACE AND PEACE" to those who don't have time for more than 1 or 2 activities for the month.

1. make a Christmas wish list by cutting out items from a magazine

2. candy cane hunt at home (and the story of the meaning behind the candy

cane...google it!)

3. pass out treats at a nursing home

4. decorate a gingerbread house

5. make hand-made gifts for the kids' teachers

6. decorate your tree

(and take time to talk about any special ornaments)

7. "invite a friend to dinner" night

8. bake cookies/cake/anything from scratch

9. attend light up night downtown

10. visit daddy /mommy at work and decorate his/her desk

(...don't forget to pass out treats to all of their co-workers!)

11. dance to Christmas music*

12. Christmas movie night

13. buy a gift to donate

14. buy gloves and a blanket...and deliver to a homeless person/shelter

15. silly Christmas photos**

(make antlers or use some kind of fun props to use with pictures)

16. Christmas craft and deliver to grandma

(example: wreath made of their handprints)

17. read Christmas story from the Bible

18. hot cocoa day

(great chance to set up the hot cocoa bar with ground up candy canes, frozen whipped

cream hearts, etc as seen on pinterest! .....usually paired with dancing to christmas

music*)

19. make ornament for the tree

(and you can even use the silly pics taken on a previous day**)

20. trip to a dollar store to buy gifts

(kids pick out their own presents for grandparents and each other...and a dollar is a

small price to pay to see what random things they pick for everyone! :)

21. gift-wrapping day (let the kids ATTEMPT to wrap gifts)

22. Hang Christmas lights in the kids' bedrooms

23. make reindeer "food" to sprinkle on the snow 

(1/2 c uncooked oatmeal, 1/2 c sugar, and 1/4 c colored sugar crystals or glitter)

24. snowman sensory activity 

(shaving cream and glue mixed together and formed on construction paper)

25. build an actual snowman outside

26. sled riding

27. give the kids a roll of quarters and visit as many salvation army red kettles as is

necessary until they have had the chance to donate all their coins, letting them

decide how many they put in at each one

28. drive around to see Christmas lights

(taking turns picking and singing christmas carols together)

29. attend a church Christmas cantata

30. (my 6 yr old's addition to our list)

stand around the tree holding hands & singing Christmas songs

(in true "Whoville" fashion)

31. Christmas snack night

(popcorn/homemade chocolate covered pretzels/reindeer chow....

usually paired with Christmas movie night)

32. Christmas bath time

(where they are allowed to use as much shaving cream as they want to make

snowmen on the sides of the tub...and then add glow sticks and turn the lights out:)

33. send a card to widows(ers) to remind them that they are not forgotten during the

holiday

34. christmas story time at the library & barnes and nobles

35. hide a piece of the nativity in each room and send the kids on a scavenger hunt to

find them to complete the scene

36. make a  Birthday card for Jesus

(...great time to tell Him, in writing, what His life has meant to you)

37. Christmas caroling at grandma's

38. indoor snowball fight with rolled socks/pillows/soft balls

(this one is my boys' favorite!)

39. deliver groceries to families in need

40. let the kids pick a "gift" from the world vision/compassion international catalogue 

(where you can buy cows or sheep or healthcare or food, etc for a needy fam in another country)

41. make and deliver cookies to the neighbors

42. make "stained glass" candle holders (cover jars in tissue paper squares with a glue/water mixture) and give them as gifts from the kids

43. go to a Christmas orchestra or ballet

44. visit to NYC to see the tree and window displays 

(OR you can always schedule to just watch the broadcast on tv of the lighting of the tree!)

45. ride the mall train

46. bundle up and take a walk in the snow

47. go shovel snow for an elderly neighbor as a family

48. "kids choice" service project (no matter how big or little)

49. guess holiday scents while blind folded (cinnamon, peppermint, pine, etc.)

50. record the kids reenactment/telling of the Christmas story, in their own words (or answering the question, "what does Christmas mean to you?")

51. (attempt) iceskating 

52. make an angel or star tree-topper (using LOTS of glitter) 

53. Christmas scavenger hunt

54. make a pinecone bird feeder 

55. let kids pick which of their toys they'd like to donate

(it's a good way to make room for any new ones)

56. visit a christmas tree farm ....or open air public market  if you live in Rochester, NY

(you may be lucky enough to take a sleigh ride)

57.  visit santa at the mall

58. check out the gingerbread house/christmas village/train holiday displays

(many museums, libraries and community organizations have displays for the holiday)

59. go see a live nativity

60. donate groceries to a local food pantry

61. cut paper snowflakes

62. make a large felt Christmas tree on the wall for kids to decorate and redecorate

63. read Christmas books/verses with the kids every night

("do you see what i see? a devotional seek and find book for advent"

is great for younger kids and has something to read/find each day)

64. (for the girls) decorate fun Christmas nails

(pretty much painting nails Christmas colors and/or designs)

65. Christmas family game night

66. Collect coats for those in need

67. build a blanket fort

(use it for your nightly advent reading, or let the kids pretend its a stable for their

stuffed animals, or set it up in front of the tv for your Christmas family movie night,

or....)

68. schedule a potluck dinner for your friends to all bring a dish to pass

69. each person in the family picks someone to pray for every day during the month

of December

70. surprise visit to the school with snacks for office staff/teachers/classmates

71. serve a meal at a mission or volunteer to sort/deliver food

72. Christmas word search

(you can make your own or use a free printable download from the internet)

73. "I spy: Christmas Edition"

(AKA "The Christmas Tree Game" in the Pearson family...whoever finds the

appropriate ornament on the tree first from the clue given either gets a point or gets to

have the turn giving the next clue)

74. attend a "Breakfast with Santa" event

75. find a friend with a quad or snowmobile...

(shout out to Heather in Pittsburgh, PA!)

76. "Happy Birthday" Party for Jesus

77. Visit Family who lives out of town

(and take a family pic!)

78. Make an ethnic meal to celebrate your heritage and the holiday!

(you can even talk about the traditional "ST Nick" from that specific country)

79. Find a local Holiday Street Festival

(in Rochester, NY that would be Park Ave!)

80. By all means necessary, Let the Kids make Homemade gifts!

81. Attend a local, seasonal sports game...or maybe you're the type to just watch from home!

(basketball, hockey, football) 

82. at some point deep fry a turkey!

83. Pack a box for Operation Christmas Child

(they usually need to be delivered to a drop-off point in November, so you may need to plan an early calendar event!)

84. Visit a local bakery (support the little guy/small businesses!) and let the kids and the hubby pick out any treat they want

85. One word "Fireplace"

(and make sure there are marshmellows and Christmas music involved)

86. Christmas Carole Charades

(it is really funny watching the little kids try to act out some of the Christmas songs!)

87. "Pajama Run" -let the kids get dressed and ready for bed, and then surprise them with a late night outing...in their pajamas!

88. Easy bake

89. Build-a-Bear

90. make your own wrapping paper

(you can get a roll of plain wrapping paper or brown mailing paper from the dollar store and have the kids design their own wrapping)

91. Kids' Library book Christmas Reading

(let the kids pick a holiday book from the library and then have a family story night where they each get a turn reading their pick to the entire family)

92. Hide and Seek Mittens

(hide a bunch of mittens around the house and see how many the kids can find)

93. Christmas Countdown

(make a paper chain with the number of days til Christmas, and let the kids rip one off each morning)

94. deliver a wreath to someone's door anonymously

95. deliver holiday treats to the local firemen

(Christmas season is very busy for them with all the electrical lights and dry trees)

96. Phone Caroling

(I totally made this up! ...you basically have the kids surprise someone with a Facetime/Skype/Phone call where you call and sing a Christmas carol and then hang up)

97. pull out the old Christmas albums/home movies to reminisce about Christmases past

98. Kids' Sparkling Cider (AKA "Spider" in my house) Holiday Toast

(give the kids a fancy glass of something nonalcoholic and bubbly and let them make up their own toasts.... trust me, you will love it but not as much as they do!)

99. Santa hat Day ...and if possible, entire outfits!

(pick a day where everyone has to wear santa hats wherever they go...even if they don't leave them on!)

 100. Have a jar for spare change/donations that you save to donate to a specific organization at the end of the season
(great organizations to consider: Operation Smile, Sonshine Kitchen, medical missionaries)

and after all of that...

101. Get Yourself a Holiday Pedi! (You earned it!)

...So you probably get the gist now and realize that pretty much any intentional activity with your family during the month of December can become a Christmasy activity just by adding the word "Christmas" or "Holiday" in front of it.

(ie: "Christmas brunch," Christmas coloring time," "Christmas laundry folding adventure")

...then you can always throw in a snowman, a manager, or maybe some red & green if you're feeling really wild and crazy.

The point is, December is a chance to look around and see all that we are blessed with and thankful for (initiated by good old Thanksgiving), then celebrate our blessings and conclude a year of experience before beginning a new year with new resolutions. 

Finish Strong! Finish Well!  Tis the season!