Christmas 2009 and Santa Claus

(it's very long....

WE have been the guilty parents of past who have had many austentacious Christmas'. But for the past 10 years we have truly tried to scale down and give gifts that would last and less gifts that would be forgotten or broken in 6 wks. Successful gifts have been gifts that are still with us a year, later. Rockband2 and the electric scooters and laptops have all been successful gifts, even their boots and clothes. Santa did great last year.

When Sweetheart was 8 or so, her Christmas list would be lengthy and then she would always scale back and say, "No, I will just throw it away or it will break". I knew my incessant words through the previous years had not fallen upon deaf ears and the children were listening.

How our children view Christmas is how we teach them. So, if you have a greedy ungrateful little monster on your hand, you can check the mirror, and tell yourself Thank you. When Warrior and Beauty were very young we started to have these greedy little monsters developing and because of that we implemented the change 10 years ago.

A wooden creche was made for our family 5 or 6 years ago. We would put peices of straw into the manger with each kind act or deed done for someone, in hopes that on Christmas morning baby Jesus would have a soft place to lay. Sadly, I couldn't find it this year or the baby Jesus. (that still has stinging effects).

Dash asked questions about Christmas. He is in that magical in between stage of believing and not believing. Sweetheart too. She suspects and I found out that Warrior didn't truly know until his Junior year of High School, WHAT??? Yeah, he just told me that THIS year!! (pats myself on the back)..

My philosophy on Santa Claus. I relate believing in Santa Claus as believing in God or Christ. God is all giving everything good comes from him. All great gifts come from our Father, and in our household all great gifts come from Santa. I can put a spiritual twist to the movie polar express! Those who have to see to believe and those who have the faith to hear the ring of the bell..... Why is it so hard to believe that there is someone greater than ourselves and that we were created and have a great purpose? Why is it so easy for others to want to squash the magic of Christmas?

Dash's questions:Do you have to celebrate Christmas on December 25th?
Do you have to open gifts on that day?
Do you believe in Santa?
My answers: December 25th was the day that the world has put aside that all Christians would celebrate the birth of Christ and that we would all open gifts. But we are lucky because we don't need the world to tell us when it's ok to celebrate the birth of Christ. WE do that every day, right?

He adamantly agreed. I said, we also don't HAVE to open gifts on December 25th, we could open them tomorrow if we wished, or after Christmas. But, we choose to wait for this magical day and celebrate and open our gifts. He realized that we do not have to wait so much for the DATE and Christmas can be all year round if we choose so.

I had been dreading the actual Christmas morning. I had no idea what was to come. I hadn't done any shopping. Didn't have any money to do so, everything goes to a bill and there are many bills that just don't get covered. Why continue to work so hard when I'm still drowning? NO matter how many countless hours I work I will still fall short and not be able to pay all of our bills. So, why try? Yet, I continue to endure and do all that I can for myself and my family, despite the fact that I fall short. The Church of Jesus Christ has programs set up within to help assist. When we have done all that we can do, they too can assist and help. They have shown mercy upon our family. The spiritual lesson gained is no matter how hard I strive for perfection. I can not be perfect like Christ, so why try?. WE are asked to do our best, to try every day to be better than we were. When we have done all that we can do, His saving grace and mercy will make up the difference. Being a member of the church is such a wonderful blessing.

No shopping at all has been done and Christmas is 5 days away. Two days before Christmas something horrible came knocking at our door. I was working. It's too painful to write but this will spark a memory when I look back on it. The light of Christmas was almost blown out but instantly God blessed us. Where a door closes a window opens. Sunday afternoon, two very large trash bags were given to us. It was filled with some necessity items for each of the children along with many gift cards. I had scheduled myself to work until December 23rd. When I came home late that night we went through the two bags. Overwhelmed and very touched by the generosity of our ward family has truly taught me the magic of Christmas as well as the necessity of giving more.

Mr. Incredible and I went to Walmart, Target and Old Navy and began to purchase things for our children with the gift cards. It was odd being in a store. I felt uneasy and awkward. I hadn't even entered a store for 4 months. WE purchased socks, other unmentionables for 4 children and each of them got a pair of jeans and a shirt! WE were so elated. I knew the children would be too, because they haven't received any apparel since school started. I paid with 11 gift cards.

We returned home that evening and in our mail we received another gift card from my Aunt and my grandma sent us Christmas money with a little extra treat. My sister in law, GRETCHEN and mother in law also sent us some denaro for the children. So humbled by such generosity and my parents had sent their Christmas $$ to all. We chose to divide the money evenly between the children and put them in envelopes on the tree. I knew the older children would enjoy spending it as they wish. WE chose to purchase a ripstick for Dash from Grandma Janice and his Uncle Steve and Aunt Gretchen. When I called to thank Gretchen for their monetary gift she had said that some family's had donated to the Santa fund. Again, stricken with emotion from experiencing such thoughtfulness was overwhelming.

Santa Claus does truly exist. If it hadn't been for the Santas of our family members and friends and the Santas of our ward family my children would not have had a Christmas. I have been on freecycle.com for our area. I was able to find one gift for each person. Freecycle is where people offer up items before they go to GoodWill or the trash. I was able to get an air hockey table for Dash, kitchen cabinets for the garage for Mr. I, and each year the girls get a porcelain doll for their collection, and someone had offered these up. I was unable to find something for Warrior through freecycle. The magic of Christmas still shines brightly in the eyes of the Solomon Family and more importantly the eyes of a 9 yr. old boy.

Dash said, "this is the best Christmas, ever!" He says that every year. I'm so glad he was able to utter those words this Christmas. Thank you to everyone who kept the magic alive for our family.
yeah, I'm kicking his patooty!

A knock came Christmas Eve and the Dash and Sweetheart opened the door on our door step was a giant Christmas stocking. It had 5 or 6 gallons of various ice cream as well as all the trimmings for a sundae. As I am in the kitchen putting away the contents of the stocking I over hear Dash saying, "It's GREAT to be a MEMBER of the church!" I completely agree Dash and echo, "It is GREAT to be a MEMBER of the church" for so many more reasons. I'm humbled that my children see and reap the blessings of sacrifice, charity and service. That they appreciate and recognize all that we have been blessed with during this time. That they understand humility and that Christ has been, and will be the core of our lives.

Again, I can not wait for this journey of unemployment to end. But the blessings and lessons that I have experienced through personal growth and watching my children's testimonies grow has been reaped and rewarded spiritually ten fold. It is quite ironic how we may approach physical bankrupcy that spiritually we are wealthier than any amount of money on earth. Since I have had to walk this path. I'm so grateful that I didn't allow this glitch to rob me spiritually. That my eyes, ears and heart were open to the small whisperings of the spirit to endure, to carry on and that tomorrow would bring a better day.

I'm so grateful for all that God has blessed me with for he has blessed me with more than I deserve. May 2010 bring you all the peace that you seek and may you seek after Him first, you will never go wrong. I promise!

Wishbone 2009

Every year for Thanksgiving someone wins the wish of the turkey wishbone. Dash won this years wish. Ever since I was young the wishbone has always held something magical for me. I prayed that I would win and I was always disappointed if my brother and sister got to split the bone and I was left out. But, I remember getting to split the bone often in my childhood years. I'm sure we had eaten a lot of chicken back in the day.

My wish was always the same. I wished for world peace. I could have wished for anything my heart desired but it was always world peace. If I happened to see a shooting star then my wish would be on things of the heart, more pointed towards love.

Dash, is nine. He is your typical nine year old boy. He loves sports and wants everything to do with playing outside and doing "boy" things. He understands our economic situation but the belief of magic or the hope of all things are possible still reside in his heart and mind. He believes in all that is good and holy and he believes in Santa and the tooth fairy, leprachauns and the pot of gold that can be found at the end of the rainbow. He is at that tender age where magic and wonder become clearly black and white and I'm saddened by this turning point.

He could spend his wish on anything his heart desired, a new bike, a skate board, a game for xbox or new sneakers but he spends his one magical wish, in a very unselfish, untypical nine year old fashion and he wishes for his dad to find employment. My heart is quickly pricked and my eyes begin to burn and fill with warm tears and I turn my head and softly utter, "You are such a good boy." Thoughts of regret swim through my mind that he has to burn a magical wish on such a real need, and then I feel grateful that a young boy of nine, gets it and wants nothing more than a wish that would bring peace, and happiness to not just himself but his entire family.

It is poignant because Dash is the youngest of four. He has been catered to and life has been very easy for him. He was born when material and financial sacrifice was obsolete. Gratitude and sacrifice had always been taught but truly experiencing these things probably haven't been drilled home to him like they have in the past year.

Soft whisperings of the spirit testify that although, this is a trial this trial has still been one of the greatest gifts that we could have ever hoped for to go through as a family. I can't help but feel I am exactly where I should be, at this moment and time. I can't help but feel so grateful for these experiences and I realize that through Heavenly Father's tender mercies and soft whisperings of the spirit that he is pleased with how we have made our special gifts of trials and turned them back as a monument to Him. I'll search for it and post it later. Have a happy day.

What road are you on?

Ever feel like you are on this road and you just can't get off?? I feel like I have been optimistic and hopeful and maintained the stoic resilient being. But, I gotta tell ya this is getting old! My physical self doesn't handle stress well. I am not happy with the expanding waist size.

While I watch each of my children break down at different times it crushes and pangs my heart to no end! We knew the transition after our wonderful 3 Sunday vacay would be hard. Sweetheart, broke down the first week Mr. Incredible had to leave early Sunday morning and that left an open wound upon Mr. Incredible's heart. When I found out, initially I was really angry at her. We have to send Mr. Incredible on the road believing that all will be fine. We need him in the best of spirits. She told me that she tried hard not to break down and cry when Daddy left but she just couldn't help it and then she broke down and wailed. She felt guilty and so bad that she had shown him her true emotion, and then I cried with her and hugged her and told her she was so special and so loved. She knows he must go and she knows that this is necessary, but knowing things doesn't mean you have to like it.

Week two, after vacay Dash has a break down. Mr. Incredible was kneeling at our bedside saying his prayers silently. Mr. Incredible realized that Dash was kneeling across from him saying his prayers and that he had prayed just as long as just as intently. When Dash finished his silent prayer. Mr. Incredible asked what he was praying for. His prayers were as innocent and pure as a child's should be and they were very direct. Mr. Incredible took heed from Dash's example and realized, he too needed to be as a little child and ask specifically for the desires of his heart. He realized he did not have to beat around a bush, he should be direct and ask directly.

Dash was inconsolable. With each salty warm tear that streaked his face my heart shattered into a million peices and then some. He couldn't utter a word. He could only sob and it would have been easier if you had just plunged a knife through my heart. I can handle anything but I can't handle seeing my children ache. I just can't. Each week the children ask if their dad will be able to go to church with them and each week his reply is no. I know their heart drops because mine does too. But, no tears just drive safe daddy have a good trip.

I think the hardest part for everyone is Mr. Incredible not being able to attend church with us. Our church is so late, it is 2:30pm!! TWO FREAKIN THIRTY! I have decided in order for our family to be together that when he is home we would attend another ward's services. It is what's best for our family now. It's better that we attend as a family and partake of the sacrament together and be edified than to go to our ward without Mr. Incredible.

We are still professionally unemployed. We thank Heavenly Father multiple times throughout the day for employment by my parents! HUGE HUGE blessings! Truly with out this employment life would SUCK!! BIG TIME!!! I shutter to think where we would be.

Approaching our six month anniversary of being unemployed brings a multitude of feelings. Feelings of gratitude and amazement! I can't believe we survived. I can't believe how blessed our family has been, I can't believe the out pouring love and support we have recieved from family! Seriously, we have the best family ever on both sides! My kids are so blessed to have such heritage. I can't believe it isn't more difficult. (OUCH, that is not a request for more)

Mr. Incredible has interviewed for another firm, very similar to his last employment. A better position and most likely more $$, it is also located right here. I can't even bring myself to hope because it is far better to prepare for the worse and be pleasantly surprised. August 11th is a second interview with the big wigs. So, if I hold out till August 11th for their little pow-wow, how much longer must we wait to know if we are hired?? Here is my time frame. Warior has to be in Nebraska August 14th. Dash has a big baseball tournament August 14-16th, and Beauty's birthday is on the 16th not to mention school begins the next week! HELLO!!

I NEED TO GET OFF THIS ROAD

CAUSE I AM SO OVER THIS!!!!

Don't worry I have a counter post coming next.

Perspective during the journey

I'm not going to kill myself working tons of hours and stressing. This week I learned to take a step back and relax. I have been off for 5 days and it feels WONDERFUL. My house is back in shape and I am calm. Remember I said I would either be looking really HOT or would need a tent maker. Does anyone know a great seamstress that can work wonders with canvas?? LOL, seriously, NOT! I am gearing up to then work 10 days straight without a weekend but I will be able to work some 10 hour days and that is REALLY nice. My checks have been really nice too, and I like that I know I can dig my heals in and WORK and work hard and like doing it too!

Life is still an adjustment. I feel like the empty nesters. Having Mr. Incredible home has been nice but going on THREE weeks means there are adjustments to be made. Mr. Incredible has many delicious meals already prepared for when I come home from work and there is enough left overs that I can take it to work the next day. ( I can't say the same when HE worked and I was home, sometimes dinner was optional! ::hangs head in shame::)
He always always cleans the kitchen when he is done and does the dinner dishes! My children do not truly have chores and I know this is a downfall. Children should have chores. (IMO) It teaches them responsibility, pride, and ...., I think chores are a good thing. We differ on this.

I would work one day a week. It seems like that was forever ago. I am so grateful for those days. I have come to realize I don't want to HAVE to work. I like being a KEPT woman and Mr. Incredible is so good at it!

I know that this blip in life is for ME! I like being frugal. I like trying to stretch milk, juice and shampoo. I LIKE this. It almost feeds into some sort of sickness that I have. Perhaps, I remember days of my childhood when we were on a budget. Gone are those days that my NY family has had to understand a budget. I LOVE that about them.

In the mail my parents have sent us gift certificates to two grocery stores. One thing I can be sure of, we will be the fattest poorest people in Charlotte! LOL, but seriously. We have been blessed and I am grateful to my parents for their love and concern. It makes me want to give.

I think of the little boy in my son's class. His situation has not improved. His lunches are not better. Dash may just bring extra food and just say he has too much to eat and offer it to him.

Good news:: I have since worked enough hours to have bought this. It is my 60 inch HDTV plasma flat screen.

and this two leather sofas that would line each wall, with the flat screen it would offer more seats in our very small living room.


These were my motivational peices to begin working after the holidays but these motivational peices very quickly began to look like this
G A R B A G E!

It is all about perspective! What a beautiful word!

I was so happy to actually have to work for something more meaningful and much more IMPORTANT like

and these Four beautiful beings.

BUT My NUMBER one challenge of having Mr. Incredible jobless is getting used to having the man HOME! Sharing my home and my daily habits with him. Both of us under roof running one roof isn't necessarily a good thing. I like things done MY WAY and he likes to do things in HIS way. I have had to relinquish CONTROL of certain household duties which has also been giving me HIVES.

Mr. Incredible cleans but he doesn't see clutter.

Mr. Incredible vacuums but he doesn't MOVE things and

And he vacuums SLOWLY ..........
Did I mention SssssssLlllOoooooooooWwwwwwwLlllllllllllYYyyyyyyyyy??

Mr. Incredible likes a bed made EVERY day, but I could care less.

BUT truly, all those BUTS mean ABSOLUTELY NOTHING because the common factor that Mr. Incredible and I have is our determination to get through ANYTHING as a family and to endure well, and to be HAPPY! Isn't that life's goal? To live a good life and to be happy no matter what life deals you!? Perspective, my friends! AND from where I am sitting it looks pretty POSH! What a beautiful life!

I have learned this:

Without our storms we would not know peace. Without our hardships we would not know comfort but being able to find blessings and joy while in the storm is phenomenal! No matter what your storm may be, loss of income, death, children, marital strife, financial, emotional, etc. Learn from the moments in front of you. MG