The Truth

Below is a transcript of a conversation I had this morning with Logan before school:

Him: Mom. Poppy told me Santa isn't real.
Me: *heart breaking* What? He didn't say that. Why would he say that!?
Him: Well that's what he told me. You can't help me with my list this year.
Me: OK. Why not?
Him: Because I'm going to see if I get the first thing on my list. Then I'll know if Santa's real or not.
Me: What is it? Heely's?
Him: Nope that's 2nd.
Me: A Wii?
Him: Nope that's 3rd.
Me: You want Heely's more than you want a Wii? *assuming that the thing he wants most will be first.
Him: No mom! There not in order! I'm just gonna make a list.
Me: Ummmm ok.
WOW! He's good. He's going to make a secret list of things he wants. This list will be in no certain order & will be kept hidden from the parents. This is his master plan. To find out The Truth.
After he'd left for school I texted the FIL.
Me: Did you tell Logan that Santa wasn't real? *I'm a bit frustrated. This is something I felt Josh & I should handle. You know...kinda like the Birds & The Bees talk.*
Him: He said he thinks he knows where the presents come from (smart kid). Asked me if it was so. I said it's ok to believe Santa Claus is real in our imagination. Best way I knew to tell the truth. Hope you're not mad.
Me: *this man is one of the most faithful I know. He didn't want to lie which is understandable. I mean, he IS a preacher after all.* I'm not mad I'm just not ready.
Him: Sorry. Wish he had not figured it out.

Then I went on to cook lunch for Brynn & I. The tears came. The sadness of a little boy growing up too fast consumed me. I knew it was coming. He had lots of questions last year. I just wanted to hold on another year or two. Does this mean the magic of Christmas will be lost for him? How do we broach this subject? Will he shed tears? I want to make it more about The True Meaning of Christmas for him now. The miracle of the birth of Jesus. The REAL Reason for the Season. Maybe I should go on and tell Brynn The Truth now and save us all the agony later.

Merry Christmas (eve) To All!

And to All A GoodNight!

Do Not Even Try...

to top this Santa picture.

It just can't be done.

I mean the pure excitememnt and joy in an 8 year old boys face,

the terrified horror in an almost 2 year old girls face

and the bored-get-me-outta-here-so-I-can-grab-a-drink look in Santa's face.

Tis The Season!

The True Meaning

Tonight I ran to Wal-Mart...kiddos in tow. We had to grab some M&M's for Logan's class party this week. It was blistering cold and the wind was whipping in all directions. Not to mention I parked in the LAST spot in the BACK of Wal-Mart parking lot. I wanted to hurry in and hurry out as fast as possible. Wal-Mart, a week and a half before Christmas, is not where I want to be. However, a very important lesson was learned from this trip and a very important lesson was remembered.

As we were walking in a large, Santa-like man was ringing the Salvation Army bell.
"What's he ringin that bell for?" Logan asked.
"He's collecting money for people that don't have any. Maybe it will buy them some coats or a hot meal for the winter."

We rush in, grab what we need and head out. I start digging around for change so Logan can put it in the SA bucket. A few other people had started dropping change in as well. He puts the money in and gets a BIG grin from the Santa-like man who then thanks him whole-heartedly for his contribution.

As I'm walking the mile back to my car, my 2 beautiful healthy kids in tow, Logan says quietly, "Mom, when we went in the store I was feeling pretty bad but, now I'm feeling good!"
"Oh yeah? Why is that buddy?"
"Cause no one was putting money in that mans bucket and I felt bad for not giving any. But then we did and other people were too!"
So basically Logan just realized the true meaning of Christmas. On his own. With no prompting from me. In that short, fast trip to Wal-Mart, that I just wanted to get through and get home as fast as possible, he experienced one of the most important things he'll ever experience. The reason for the Season.
And me? Well I was reminded of just how much I have to be thankful for. Yes, I had to park in the very back of Wal-Mart but, I could park. Because I do have a car. And yes, it was a mile hike to the door with kids in freezing cold but, we walked. Because we are healthy enough too. No, I didn't want to go to Wal-Mart to buy M&M's but we did and we bought because we do have money (albeit not much). And the kids? They were with me. Two clothed, fed, happy kids were with me.