The Sidden Family

A few weeks ago as we were driving home one evening Luke estatically observed the Christmas lights and other decorations on the houses we were passing, "Look Mama! They have Christmas at their house... that house has reindeer at its Christmas..." Thinking this was a teachable moment I responded, "Luke, do you know why we have Christmas?" His quick response, "Mama, we don't have Christmas at our house." My moment was stolen by Luke's all too atuned observation that it is true, we do not have Christmas at house. Not in the traditional sense of lights, a tree, stockings, etc. This has been a year of transition and we are in betweeen homes and for my own convienence and sanity we did not decorate this year. However, Nana has Christmas at her house in Texas complete with lights, a tree, stockings personalized for each grandchild, and an abundance of food, family, and old friends. And so, here is a glimpse into Christmas in Texas:


The annual chili and tamale party at the Anderson's house. Luke had the thrill of riding in a horse-drawn carriage with Santa and singing Christmas carols as we looked at lights around the neighborhood with family friends. Shaun was enjoying his tamales and we all get to enjoy seeing old friends and eating good food!


Santa's Christmas eve visit to Nana's house: Don't ask how she does it but somehow, Nana knows Santa personally and for years now he has made a stop by our house in Abilene to warm his toes, say hello, and mezmerize the imaginations of the young ones.


Carolers on Christmas Eve: As we open presents around the tree there is a pleasant interruption by voices singing outside. Old family friends bring their entire family to carol at our house and others and pass out little sweet treats to the children (the family owns the local bakery). What a highlight!

I could go on because coming home for Christmas is full of spending time with my family who is spread all over the country, seeing old friends, nostaligic memories, good food that can't be gotten outside of Texas (i.e. real BBQ, Mexcian food, homemade tamales, etc), new socks and underware in our stockings (I think that comes from growing up wth 4 brothers), Luke's chance to horseplay with his cousins, and so on. I'm not saying my family is perfect and we don't get in our fair share of petty "discussions." What I am saying is that it's home. And though, we may not have a Christmas tree at our house in NC, I think Luke got a full dose of Christmas in Texas.

This past weekend we went to see Santa in the park. Luke wasn't so sure about this Santa. He likes him in our books but in real life I presume it was a bit intimidating. Nonetheless, Luke sat at a cautious distance on the bench with Santa and proceeded to tell him what is on his list for this year. A "big diesel." So, Shaun and I are in a quandry. There are two diesels that are part of the Thomas the Train family. However, they are the same size. We're crossing our fingers... I have no doubt that Luke will let us know if Santa leaves the wrong one in his stocking. It is amazing to me how children know all they know. Who told Luke about Santa? Where did he see a big diesel versus a little diesel? When did he learn to count past 10 (all they way to 18)? He's a little sponge who observes everything around him and absorbs it all. He learns something new everyday and surprises me all the time. He is so full of energy and spunk. For example, last week he crumbled his cornbread to a thousand tiny pieces. When I realized what he was doing I said in a maternal tone, "Luke what made you do that?" He simply replied, "the rabbit (his toy) made me do it." So what should I focus on? The crumbled food, his imagination, or that rascally rabbit! My solution... I sent the rabbit to time out for telling his friend to disobey his mommy and told Luke, "it's not nice to tell our friends to disobey." The rabbit seems to have been very quiet lately and we haven't had any more crumbled cornbread... this week anyway.

I wish I had a great picture for this entry. However, I have to admit we have not taken a picture or had reason to over the past couple of weeks. Life is just moving along as usual. My computer crashed last week and so I am "borrowing" time at my in-laws' computer to check email, blog, etc. I thought I'd share a few highlights from our past week or so... Shaun was thrilled yesterday evening to pull out my first gray hair! Somehow, I was not as thrilled. In my defense, Shaun's winter beard is covered with grays. Last Sunday, Luke told me that the Bible was about God and Mrs. Karen (his Sunday school teacher). She is very sweet and deserves sainthood for being patient with room of toddlers week in and week out so I didn't argue with Luke. Shaun and I have laughed at Luke's new found obession with Winnie the Pooh and friends. It's hilarious to hear him talk like the animals. My personal favorite is his two year old attempt at a British accent when he says (like Christopher Robin), "Silly ol' bear." Luke and I have made new friends: Sabine and Frieda. They are new to the States from Germany and came to the Women's Bible Study I attend. Frieda is two and she and Luke enjoy playing and it has been great fun to listen to their banter and become friends with her mother. Hearing Luke say, "bitte" and "danke" is so sweet. As I learn how to discipline a strong-willed toddler, Luke and I had an encounter as we ate dinner with friends this week. He was not eating and was acting crazy so I firmly gave him the option of sitting and eating or standing in the corner. Acting crazy was not an option. He chose to stand in the corner, nose to the wall, through all of dinner. I'm not sure who won that battle: He didn't run around but he also went home without any dinner... And last and quite possibly least, today I had the joy of fishing out the penny that Luke dropped in the toliet just after he peed (don't worry, I put on a cleaning glove). Oh, the joys of parenthood.

I picked Luke up from his first day of preschool today and like all typical parents asked, "How was school?" His reply, "I don't know." Following a brief silence Luke asked, "Where does Jesus live?" What a question! I answered, "In your heart." Luke responded with one of his favorite questions, "What's he doin' in there?" I thought, this could get complicated and answered, "Loving you, protecting you, and taking care of you." Another silence followed by Luke asking, "Do you have a Jesus too?" "Yes, Luke." I answered thoughtfully as I contemplated the depth of his thinking. Another silence. "Can we go to 'Chickel-a'?" So we went to Chick-fila where he promptly bit our best buddy Eliott and brought me back to the reality that Luke really is a 2 year old boy!

So appearantly, I'm the last on the blogging train it seems. My friends, Kay-Lynn, Barbara, and Mandy all have blogs and to keep up it seems I must jump on this train. I have to admit it is probably easier than trying to maintain individual contact with my loved ones (who are literally all over the place), though surely no substitute. Also, it seems as KL commented on her blog a good way to document the daily adventures of our children, which may only be interesting to me but now available to all in case your up for some leisurely reading.

So, I just returned from a girls' weekend to Las Vegas for my oldest friend's bachleorette weekend. What an interesting, bizarre place. A combination of unimaginable creativity and fascinating spectacle and people who seem to have lost all common sense - acting and dressing like complete fools. Thankfully, my travel companions all kept their senses about them. While I was away, Luke went with his Omi and Bebop (shaun's parents) to the beach and Shaun spent the weekend catching up on the never-ending remodel we are working on with time out to enjoy opening day of dove season.

This week begins a busy week for us, the stay-at-home mom and Luke that is. Shaun is always busy. Luke had his first day of music class - Musikgarten - a program for preschoolers which I attend as well, tomorrow is meet the preschool teacher, Thursday I am "comissioned" as a small group leader for the Women's Community Bible Study in which I am involved and Friday Luke begins preschool.