Christmas Spirit

What is it, exactly?

Some might define the "Christmas Spirit" as the feelings of joy one gets from the holiday music or the rush they get from the hustle and bustle of trimming the tree, hanging the stockings, shopping for the perfect gifts, attending the best holiday parties, or baking the best-ever pumpkin pie.  And while those things can surely bring Holiday Cheer, the Spirit of Christmas runs a bit deeper than that.

If the true meaning of Christmas is Christ-centered, then it would make sense to assume that the true Spirit of Christmas is also Christ-centered; to live Christ-centered lives.  I've heard it said before that service is the one thing above all others that can bring us closest to the Savior, and cause our souls to become more like Him.  It would make sense then, that if I am a true Christian - which I profess to be - then I would have a desire to be like Him and to serve others.

As a kid I remember singing Christmas Carols with my youth group at the nursing home.  In college, I helped serve up warm food at the local shelter.  As a young mom, I took my kids with me to shop for other families less fortunate.  Anytime we'd pull into a retail parking lot with a bell-ringer, I'd clear out my cup holder, giving the change to my kids to drop in the red tin pail before entering the store.  These things make us feel good, and not because we feel like we are such goody-goodies; but I believe that when we serve others, we are more open to feel of God's love, and THAT is what brings us joy -- for THAT is the true spirit of Christmas.

The last few years, we haven't been able to shop for other families less fortunate because, well, as a single-working-college-student-mom it's just not in my budget.  In fact there have been times throughout the past 4-5 years that I have had to learn to swallow my pride and be on the receiving end of things.   It can be tough because often times I have sat wondering, "What can I possibly give?  What do I have to offer?" Nevertheless, I have still tried to think of ways to serve and to teach my children to serve so they too can feel the true Spirit of Christmas.

This year my oldest used some of his own money to buy a toy to donate to Toys for Tots; and it wasn't just some cheap toy either.  No, he really got excited and put thought into it, trying to think what he would like if he were little.  Makes a mama proud.

As I have thought about what I want to do this year to "serve" others, I've come to the realization, that serving doesn't always pertain to monetary or physical needs, although having those resources surely makes it easier.  I have really tried to think about the Savior and most of all how He treated people.  I have recently felt the need to push myself out of my comfort zone, to friend people I may not normally associate with, and to really understand them and their story, because let's face it -- we've all got a story, right?

It's amazing to me, that as I have done this, I have really come to appreciate people better and I've come to have a greater love for humanity in general.  It's like I've morphed into something greater, or at least evolved into someone more loving and understanding, and less cynical.  There is so much blecky-blahs in this world, I want to focus on the nice-itie-nices.  I have to say that even if the people I have met don't turn out to be people I spend a lot of time with and even if they don't become my next best friend, I have learned something from them; gleaned something good from the opportunity in getting to know them.  I've also learned that what we see on the surface doesn't always accurately reflect what lies beneath.  Some of their stories are heart-breaking or tragic and I feel blessed for knowing about them.  If nothing else, other people's stories and trials surely seem to help me put my own in perspective.

Some might call it karma, but I believe that when we strive to serve others, somehow our own needs get met and suddenly what little we have becomes "enough".  I have already witnessed first-hand the generosity of friends and neighbors this holiday season, for which I feel blessed and truly grateful.  And suddenly, what I have is becoming "enough".

The most I can afford this year is to buy a few toys to place in the Toys for Tots bin, and let my younger kids drop my spare change in the bell-ringer's bucket every time we run into Tarjay or Walmart.  But the best I can do is try to love people the way the Savior would; see them as He would and hopefully become more of the person He already know me to be.

For me, this is how I have come to feel the true Spirit of Christmas this year.

That's What She Said - and Other Thoughts from Last Night

"It's easier to get off if my back is a little lower to the ground."

"Usually, I have the right protection, but I forgot this time. Don't worry though, I'll be careful...I have lots of experience."

"Okay, just put your hands where you feel comfortable and let me know when you're ready."

"We'll take it slow, and if at any time I am going too fast and you wanna slow down, just let me know."

"Do you want to go any further?... I mean, we've come this far -- might as well go all the way, right?"

"Let's see if I can get this in just the right spot."

"What can I say... I'm just average."

..
...
....

We were 4-Wheeling in the mountains folks! Geesh! Get your minds outta the gutter! hahaha!

Had a great time with a new friend and had the best conversations, which I already alluded to in Friday's post. The funniest, however was the plethora of "that's what she said" opportunities. Who knew 4-wheeling could be so dirty? hahaha!

By the end of the night I had feared perhaps I intimidated this great new friend with my personality "overload". But I was told, "Don't worry about it... I actually expected the unexpected. And per my expectations, this was NOTHING like I have ever experienced before. You are definitely the most unusual girl I have ever met." "In a good way?" "Yes...in a good way."

Me? NOT so usual? Yeah... It's how I roll baby!

Triggers

Sometimes certain things will trigger other certain things, yanno?

For example, someone will say something and it will remind me of a movie line or lyric from a song, etc. I'm sure this happens all the time to you as well.

Sometimes, the "trigger" phrase, however, triggers a memory that I have sorta been keeping locked away. Perhaps a not-so-good memory about a painful experience. Sometimes these "triggers" will trigger that not-so-great-memory and THAT memory will sort of make me realize how glad I am not to have to go through that anymore. Sometimes, I do not even realize that there is that little bit of pain left inside of me until that trigger triggers it.

Last night I had a plethora of conversations with the same individual; sorta like a firing squad of Q & A mingled with topic-hopping, followed by getting off on a tangent more than once -- Ha Ha.

Anyway, during this conversational "event" there were several triggers of things once held locked away in my mind and heart. And they surfaced. And in addition to the memories, certain self-discoveries were made. And I realized that perhaps I am stronger than sometimes I am willing to give myself credit for. But in that same sense, a certain insecurity surfaced and it manifested itself through a little emotion.

I love having conversations with a great friend in which I laugh my guts out, cry my heart out and then agree to do it all over again someday soon. Those are the best. Although last night was a NEW great friend, that feeling of comfort-- of feeling like an "old" great friend-- was definitely there. I laughed my guts out, I had ample "that's what she said" opportunities (and took advantage of them), and without warning I even got choked up about certain things. Although I felt slightly insecure about a few things, overall I was comfortable in my own skin and was just being... me.

I was so comfortable I was even the clutz I normally am... Banged my knee on a table, almost fell out of my chair, spilled a little bit of a beverage, and at one point lost my balance and walked like a drunk for no apparent reason...hahaha...yanno... the "usual" not-so-usual me. I guess I tend to be a bit... animated.

Anyway, the triggers that come and go in my life -- the conversations, the music lyrics, the movie lines, the passages from books -- which trigger these somewhat repressed memories is actually a good thing; theraputic in a way.

It's like clearing out cobwebs from deep, dark corners-- an emotional cleansing. Clearing out bad, and making room for new, good, better, best things.

Interview With A Blogger: Randi!

Today I would like to Feature my good bloggy friend, Randi visiting today from S Cub 4 . I "met" Randi somewhere on the blogosphere probably about a year or so ago. I love reading Randi's blog for a few reasons, including but not limited to,

- she is honest. If she feels like crap, she tells ya. If she feels inspired to blog about her testimony, she will. If she's frustrated at potty-training, she lets it all out (pun intended). In many ways, she reminds me of me when I was a new mama of little tykes... trying to figure things out. I love how she asks "experienced" moms for advice or opinions. I love how she loves her man and her babies, and I love how she shares it.

Here is my "interview" with Randi:

1) do you remember the first blog you ever read? A friend's blog on xanga.com


2) What inspired the name for your blog? The English pop band S Club 7 who had a few hits on the Top 40 Charts & a short-lived tv series on ABC Family. I loved them in high school.


3) when did you start blogging? In 2004 or 2005 on xanga.com


4) why did you start blogging? I began as another way to journal the ups and downs of life.


5) are your reasons for blogging still the same now as when you started? No. I blog to gain perspective, to gain friendships, to gain advice, and sometimes to win some cool stuff!


6) one thing that makes you or your blog unique? I think that my openness, willingness to share my faith, and the reality of my life. I don't try to showboat or be fake. I want my bloggy friends to see the same person that my flesh-and-blood friends see.


7) something you want us to know about you? I am not Super Mom (but I very much want to be her).


8) something you don't want us to know about you but will tell us anyway? I am very envious of those who weight drops off of and for those who have children but don't look like it.


Now, some Fill-In-The-Blanks...

9) I feel best about my blog when.... I feel that my posts are purposeful and organized.


10) I feel empowered... when my house is clean, my children are napping, and I have at least an hour to myself.


11) Movies I quote most from... (Can you give some examples?) I don't know that I do quote from movies. However, if I do, it's probably from "A League of Their Own." When Moose cries for various reasons that shouldn't be cried over, I tell him, "crying? there's no crying during story time/bath time/meal time."


Finally, choose one of the following experiences to share... Randi chose "C"


c) Who was your first crush? Was he/she real or fictional? How did you two "meet"? What did you love about him/her? Tell us more...

Oh dear. My first love. Blond hair, blue eyes, a killer smile. Sounds like my husband, right? Well, not quite. His name was Logan. He was 2 years older than me - 7 (or under depending on when I had my crush). He was in my sister's class from preschool through twelfth grade. I thought he was a cutie (then later, a hottie). I even got a chance to kiss him - once. Our moms were friends and we were visiting out at their house. We were playing outside. I think everyone knew about my crush on him. His older brother pinned him down for me to kiss. I got really close...and chickened out. Poor dear, I was frightened by cooties. I continued to like Logan off and on throughout my entire schooling (minus college). I ultimately knew it was unrequited and a very undeserved love on both ends. He was too popular for me and I was too nice for him. But the two men I've fallen for hardest in my life (my husband & my on-again, off-again boyfriend from high school) have both had blond hair and blue eyes. I still like the name Logan even. But Big A refuses to let me name a child that, even a girl!


So that's Randi for ya! Leave some bloggy-comment love for her here and then if you have a sec, I'm sure she'd be thrilled to have you visit her over at S Club 4

One Blog, Two Blogs (Blogathon Post)

(click pic for link)
One blog, two blogs
Red blogs, Blue blogs.
Black blogs, Blue blogs
Old blogs, New blogs

This one is a little bizarre. This one lives not so far.
Say! What a lot of blogs there are.

From there to here, from here to there,
funny things are everywhere.

Here are some who like to run.
They run for fun in the hot, hot sun.

Oh me! Oh my! Oh me! Oh my!
What a lot of funny things go by.
Where do they come from? I can't say.
But I bet they have come a long, long way.

“What is it?” you ask. It’s called SITS!
But many bloggers are also BITS.
The Secret’s In The Sauce, you see.
And if you’re still not sure, just follow me!

We are folks who like to blog –
and then leave witty dialogue.
Bloggy Love is what we’re about
‘Cuz no one likes a comment drought!

Gals are Sisters in The Sauce
and men are Brothers In The Sauce
So SITStas or SITS
and a couple of BITS
are what make this bloggy blog so saucy.
Go take a look! (Yes, I’m being bossy!)

I took a look. I saw a Nook.
One quick look and I was hooked.
Now my daily bloggy fix
is filled with all these saucy chicks!

It's nice to know I'm not alone
when I'm running late, or lost the phone.
It's nice to know there are others
feeling insecure about being mothers.

It's supportive, it's clever and sometimes funny.
Best part is, it costs no money!

Check ‘em out if you dare.
Check ‘em out and see ‘em share.
Check ‘em out over there,
Check ‘em out anywhere.

Submit 3 best posts; don’t be a baby.
You never know - you just may be
the very next Featured Blogger,
with your day to be a hogger!

A “hogger” of the spotlight,
offering your insight
on raising kids and cooking meals
or just plain, crazy, ranting squeals.

You may even make some bloggy friends
Just like I did; it never ends.

Tinabean, she got me started –
She’s so funny and warm-hearted!
The Queen in Residence, High & Mighty
is good for many laughs, all-righty!

Tulsi's a sweetie, Rhondalue’s a riot!
And Mrs. S thinks she needs to diet!
Wait – there’s more! It’s not over yet!
Here are other Bloggy friends I’ve met!

Ashley is a newlywed,
Runs marathons, keeps Lucas fed!
Carol lives across the ocean,
So hers I read with British notion.

And Susie Homemaker, oh so sweet
Her dinner parties are a treat!
BlogStalker found me, but not to fear;
Only good intentions here.

So, Dr. Seuss rhymed about Fish
I borrowed that rhyme to make this wish.
When I wish to make a wish
I wave my hand with a big swish swish.
Then I say, "I wish for blogs!" And I get blogs right on my dish.

So...if you wish to wish a wish,
you may wish for blogs with your own hand swish!

Today is gone. Today was fun.
Tomorrow is another one.
Every day, from here to there,
funny things are everywhere.
So take a dare! Learn to Share
with SITStas on the Blogosphere!

As The Blog Turns

Musings On Blogging...

I could do what several other bloggers do, which is to set up a blogroll of all the other blogs I read. The cool thing about the blogroll is that it keeps you up-to-date when a particular blogger on your "list" last posted. The thing I don't like about it is that it takes up more space and my blog already looks "cluttered" so, I don't really want to do that.

So, for now I am sticking to my "list of links" which leaves me to the daily task of "checking in" with EVERYONE on my list to see if they have posted something new. An alternative would be to subscribe to ALL of them which then in turn junks up my email. Are you seeing how this is quite the conundrum?

Anywho....

There are some fellow bloggers that I know only post once in a blue moon. So I only check-in with their blogs once in a blue moon. Then there are other bloggers who post all the time. I check those ones everyday. But it's the Blogs that go in "spurts" that make me feel "let-down". Like, they blog every day or every other day for a whole month and then BAM - they stop blogging for like 2 or 3 weeks at a time. It's just a big let-down when I click on their link anxiously awaiting the new post.

NOW - how sad is that, I ask you???

My friend jokingly accused me of being obsessed with blogging, so much so, that it has become my social life! (Is that bad?) I defended myself by telling her it is my love of writing and a forum by which to rid my mind of random musings that keeps me connected to the "Blogosphere", as I like to call it.

However, as I logged on a few moments ago (after taking a week off) and was getting all excited to "catch up" with all of my fellow bloggers, I realized that perhaps she may be correct.

And even more so, I have started to turn to complete strangers to get my Bloggy Fix! People who blog that I don't even know!!! I have met many New Friends on the Blog. It's True: The Blogosphere is a HUGE part of my social life!!!

This is the part my mother just does not get. When I was out in Nevada last weekend visiting with them, she "warned" me that "complete strangers" were leaving comments on my blog, and that at least one was Blog-Stalking!

"I know - isn't that so cool?" I replied.

I confessed to both NurseMom and MrBusDr that I love my Blog-Followers and that without Bloggy-Fans, Blogging would just not be the same! It's all about the exposure after all, isn't it?

Oh, but wait, it gets better! So then NurseMom proceeds to tell me that a few of her co-workers read my blog!!! What? I ask. Well, apparently one night at work, she was telling them about a post on my blog, so they just had to check it out. They both loved it so much, that they began to "visit" the blog on a regular basis. Then they go into work and tell her how much they enjoy reading her daughter's blog! I am like - what's the difference!!! Hello!!! McFly!!! I had to assure her that I am anonymous enough, and that my phone number is un-published, and that no one is out to get me...not even the Blog Stalker. Funny thing is, NurseMom blogs too. Welcome to the Blogosphere!

Just to clear things up... I have added a NEW link list to my blog. While "People I Know From The Places I Go" is a list of bloggers who I actually know, "Friends on the Blog" is a list of people I've "met" through blogging. If I have read their blog and we've shared some bloggy comments and I LIKE their blog, then viola! They've made the list.

So fellow bloggers, check it out. Browse around. Live a little - take a trip around the Blogosphere and make new friends too! And if it's someone from my list, well - tell them the Mindless Banterer sent you! (I've always wanted to say that.)