Missing Baby Jesus

I come from a long line of women who love to decorate for Christmas. My Mom and Grandmothers both decorate to the nines. Christmas would not be the same for me without a tree, a nativity scene, and a menagerie of snowmen. When Chad and I became a family of our own, we started talking about how we wanted to celebrate Christmas, and this discussion has deepened with the birth of our two precious sons. It is our heart that we instill in our boys the true meaning of Christmas. To quote a Christmas song that means a great deal to me, I want other people to know that Christmas is a time when we "celebrate the day that You (Jesus) were born to die so I could one day pray for You to save my life."

 

Now, our boys are still too young to grasp some aspects of Christmas, but we decided to start teaching them the Christmas story early. Jack knows who Baby Jesus is, although he says "Jeez" instead of "Jesus." Melts my heart every time. Last year, Jack was given an adorable nativity set that he can play with. It's been on the floor of the boys' room with pieces strewn about in all directions. This morning,  decided to clean off the fireplace hearth and arrange Jack and Luke's nativity so they can see it and play with it. I found the stable, animals, shepherds, Mary, and Joseph. I even found the angel and 2 of the wisemen. After some searching, I was able to locate the third magi under Jack's bed. I had every member of the initial Christmas story, except the most important player- Baby Jesus!!! I spend a good deal of time crawling around on the floor looking under furniture and digging through cubbies full of toys. I still couldn't find Him anywhere. 

 

My search for baby Jesus struck a heart string. It is so easy to miss Jesus in Christmas.  With the hustle and bustle of the season, I am so quick to forget that Christmas is about celebrating the birth of a tiny, vulnerable baby who was born to 2 very young and inexperienced parents. He wasn't born in a hospital, or even somewhere clean, for that matter. A stable was his shelter. While His entrance into the world may seem meager, all of heaven rejoiced! Angels came and told of His birth. Men traveled miles and miles to lay their eyes on Him. The most beautiful love story in all of history had the most humble and the most miraculous beginning. I do not want to lose Jesus in my Christmas. The nativity scene means nothing without Him. Christmas means nothing without Him. My life means nothing without Him. 

 

I am pleased to report, that our Baby Jesus was found at last. He was in the kitchen underneath the window. I'm sure Jack carried Him in there, all the while saying, "Baby Jeez." He is now safely in His place on the hearth. 

 

May you too find and keep Jesus this Christmas. 

etsy.com- I wish there was a patch.

If you haven't experienced etsy.com, it's awesome. However, you will quickly find yourself spiraling down an endless road of internet wandering. One treasure inevitably leads to looking at the sellers other items or deciding to hunt for something else. If you struggle with spending too much time surfing the web, you'll need some serious accountability. They should put a warning on their website. It is, as the lovely EKB would say, magical. 

Please Keep Your Hands Inside the Trolly

I just got back from a wonderful weekend in San Francisco. It was an adventure, to say the least. We explored Chinatown, crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, at fish-n-chips on the wharf, almost kicked a homeless man in a sleeping bag, got sent to and escaped from prison, hugged a giant Redwood tree, got caught in a parade, and drove down the world's most curvy street in an Expedition. I could share one funny story after another, but I'd like to write about a few very real lessons I learned. 

It didn't take me long to realize that I'm afraid of the "big city."  I've lived in my little bubble for so long that any time I find myself outside of it, I panic. I'm afraid of getting lost or mugged, and I hate the feeling of knowing that I'm such  a small part of everything around me. These feelings really challenged me. I don't want my boys to grow up being afraid of the world. Yes, I know that as a follower of Jesus, I am called to live a life set apart for holiness, but I don't want my pursuit to honor Him to keep me confined to my hula-hoop of safety. I don't think that's what he wants either. Being exposed to the reality and ugliness of sin  and the brokenness of this world is hard to bear, but  how can I really develop a love for people if I'm not comfortable meeting them where they are? 

I touched on this already, but I want to expand a little. Walking among the skyscrapers, walking in the Muir Woods,  and crossing the GG Bridge made me feel so small. I needed a reminder that I am not the center of the universe. It was humbling to remember that I am like a dust spec, and my little world is a teeny tiny part of everything that goes on. Being faced with my own smallness makes me so thankful that my God is so BIG!!!! Yes, he made the ocean and the mountains, but His delight in is Me- the crown of creation! What a beautiful love story. When I saw the sunset in the Bay or gazed at the tallest trees I will probably every see, my heart worshipped. I love and serve a God who made all of those things, whose beauty is indescribable, but I am made in HIS image! 

It was an amazing experience to see the beauty of what God has made and to marvel and what He has equipped man to make. I stood on the bridge and was awed  at the capabilities that God has given us. He has built in us a desire to make, to build, and to create because He is a God who makes, builds, and creates. These desires are intended to point us to Him. My heart was so saddened when I saw such blatant examples of ways that man has taken what God has made and morphed it into something ugly and unholy. Covenant marriage is no longer seen as picture of God and the Church. It's seen as a civil right available for anyone. We've let it become cheap. My heat just hurts for all of the people who want a cheap imitation when God designed and offers the best. It's like going buying a ring at the dollar store when Tiffany's is across the street. I will admit that I am a people-pleaser and I like for those around me to be happy, but I am not willing to endanger things that are precious to me just so others can feel good. It's a hard and delicate balance, and I pray that God will teach me more and more to be a woman who loves people and who passionately stands for His Truth. 

Bye-bye Ball

I have to report a very sad loss for the Larsh family. Today, while we were attempting to enjoy some playground time before lunch at Pine Cove, Jack's new ball game to it's very sad and untimely demise. Below you can see pictures of Jack recreating the sad event (they toy car represents our real car) and the poor ball. You might be wondering, "How could this story have a happy ending?" Well, the sunshine appeared through the clouds, we dried are tears, drove again to Walmart (i.e. The Mecca of New Balls) and welcomed a new spherical friend into our family. 

Lazy Sunday

Ok, so I just realized that for the past 2 months, I've posted on the 21st of the month. Weird!!! It's not that I don't think about posting at other times. I honestly think about it quite often. It never fails, though, that I get distracted by my precious hooligans, or I'm sucked into the ever-so-wonderful Mallow (that's what we call our bed with the poofy down comforter). Having 2 little boys, momnesia, and life-threatening narcolepsy don't make for frequent posts. Enough of the excuses. I'm moving on. 

Lots has happened in the past month. Jack finally decided to feed himself and hold his own cup. This new advancement has revolutionized life in the Larsh house! I'm not exaggerating. Jack has also developed a very extensive vocabulary including the words book, ball, grape, water, and teeth as well as various animal sounds and some signs. We're very proud of our little genius. He's quite the ham. Luke has doubled in size I'm sure. I can't believe how fast the time goes. 

Today was Sunday. We started our day with the craziness of getting 4 people ready for church. This might not sound challenging, but when you throw in 2 babies, a mommy who desperately needs a hair cut, and a daddy who is slow to wake up, things can get very interesting.  We were excited to get to go to church, b/c it was canceled last week b/c Ike knocked out the power. Boo to hurricanes!!!! After lunch and nap time for the little dudes, we ventured out on a quest to explore the world of photography books (I'm considering a new hobby) and to get Jack a new ball. On our way to the big bad Walmart, a colony of invisible meerkats  blocked the entire street, forcing us to detour through the Sonic drive-thru. This is where the magic occurred. It is safe to say that I have arrived at a euphoric state. I have reached the status I have been dreaming about for a long time. Let me explain. When we go to Sonic, I have a slightly unusual drink that I like to order- half Diet Coke, half Diet Dr. Pepper with diet cherry and vanilla. We lovingly call this concoction The Brew. I have long wished that the Sonic employees would recognize my order. Today, it happened. Chad always prefaces my order by warning the drive-thru employee that "this is complicated." It gives them a heads-up. Usually Anna is working the window, and she can recognize the order when we go 2 days in a row (we live on the edge during happy hour on the weekends). Today, a new girl recognized our order. She told us at the window that she started making it even before Chad finished ordering. I HAVE ARRIVED! They know me. They know my order. All I need need now is to be able to pull up and say, "This is Carrie, and I'd like the usual please." Today was one small step for man, but it was a giant leap toward Sonic bliss. 

I would like to take a minute to thank all of you who are still reading. I have a tendency to be rather verbose. 

Back to the lazy Sunday. We continued our outing, Sonic drinks in hand. We needed 1% milk for the grown-ups and Whole Milk for Mr. Jack. I had also promised Jack that he could get a new ball since he LOVES balls. Jack actually saw the balls before we did and started shouting "BA BA BA!!!" He was so excited. Imagine his heartbreak when we left the first batch of bouncy orbs to search for the really big ones. Despite my best efforts, his 14.5 month-old brain couldn't understand that we were going to keep looking at our options and then make a choice. When no beach-ball size balls could be found, we returned to the first bin. After some debate, we selected a green and blue swirl ball. It looks like a globe. Jack carried the ball all through the store and announced to everyone that he was indeed getting a new ball. He did not like it when we had to take the ball to pay for it or when we had to remove it from his grip in order to put him in his car seat. The boy loves to play ball!!! After Walmart success (with the exception of the scanner's inability to read the barcode on my nail file), we journeyed home. Jack held his new treasure the entire way. You would think we bought him the world. In a way, I guess we did. We bought him a ball that looks like a globe. It's quite possibly the best dollar we've ever spent!

I can't believe I haven't posted anything in a month. It's been a hard month, but God is good. 

Earlier this week, I booked my plane ticket to go to San Francisco in November with Chad and 4 of our great friends. I cannot wait!!! I'm compiling a list of must-do's and must-see's for the trip. So far, I have:

Alcatraz 

The Golden Gate Bridge (drive across it and stand on it, if possible)

Fisherman's Whorf 

ride a trolley

see the houses that appear on the opening of "Full House"

eat at In & Out (it's sooooo good)

find a box of Rice Roni (it is, afterall, the San Francisco treat)

I'd love you input. 

Holsteins vs. Hannah

I am embarking on a new challenge for the next 4 months. In an effort to be more healthy, get back into my pre-prego clothes, and support several friends with similar goals, I have a joined a team of ladies in a competition we have deemed "Holsteins vs. Hannah." We decided we wanted to loose the weight equivalent of an entire person by December 1st. Who better than Hannah Montana? A dear friend of mine bought a cardboard cutout of afore mention tween superstar along with a cardboard cutout of the much beloved Chick-Fil-A cow. The choice is simple: we can either join forces to loose Hannah Montana, or we can feel like Holstein cows. Sometimes silliness is the exact motivation you need. If you have an tips, please share. For right now, the boys and I are walking around or very elevatious (I made up that word) neighborhood, and I'm watching what I eat (no, I don't mean I'm watching it go into my mouth). 

Live from the Wigwam

We are in the process of coming up with family Indian names. Chad has deemed himself Chief Chaco, and Jack is Little Black Foot because the tops of his feet are always black from crawling around (despite my cleaning efforts). Luke and I are still nameless. Any suggestions?

Frosty Devistation

Here's a picture of our pathetic frosty. Hollow sadness indeed.

Sweet Tooth Ramblings

WARNING: READING THIS POST MAY CAUSE THE CONSUMPTION OF SWEETS.

It is not uncommon for Chad to say, "I have a sweet tooth." My reply to this is, "I have a mouth full of sweet teeth." There's just something about a taste of something sweet after dinner (ok...after lunch too) that finishes things off just right. Call it a sugar fetish or a chocolate addiction. Call it whatever you want, but I call it desiring to sample the sweeter things in life and wanting to be well-balanced. After all, chocolate comes from beans which are very good for you. Right?

Anyway, I have a couple of thoughts on desserts. The first one is that we should enjoy our sweet indulgences like Jack enjoyed his first birthday cake. I'll figure out how to post pictures and add them later so you can see the full effect. In honor of his first birthday, we bought Jack his very own 5 inch round cake complete with decadent whipped frosting, green writing, and a #1 candle (which he almost grabbed while it was still lit). This was his first dessert encounter in which he had the control. We weren't just giving him tiny samples. He had the whole glorious cake to himself to do with whatever he pleased. It didn't take but a few seconds after o-so-lovely rendition of "Happy Birthday" finished and after I saved his hand from the flame that he reached his curious hand into the creamy goodness of his cake. When I say reached, I mean grabbed. He entire  hand was COVERED in frosting. He then proceeded to cover both hands, both arms, his chest, and some of his head with the icing. As I mentioned, the writing and trim icing on the cake was green, which turned the rest of the icing green as Jack played with it. By the time all was said and done, Jack looked a lot like Oscar the Grouch. Now, in all the theatrics, how much cake did Jack actually eat? I can't say for certain, but I know he probably wouldn't have tasted a single bite if I didn't feed him some. All that to say, he thoroughly enjoyed himself, tasted just a little of t he sweetness, and burned calories in the process. I wish I could be that way with my desserts, minus being totally covered in it, I suppose because other people might be alarmed if I covered myself in ice cream next time we go to Marble Slab. Oh, the joys of childhood. 

Last night Chad's softball  team played a double header. The boys and I went to cheer him on. It was a great excuse to use our awesome double stroller, get some sun, and see some friends. We have a philosophy about softball games that comes from a Brian Regan sketch on t-ball. Whether you play half the game or the whole game, you get a whole snow cone. Now, a double header certainly deserves a more delectable dessert than a snow cone. After the games were over, and we were safely inside our CRV Mifflin, I asked Chad what his sweet tooth was craving. Seeing as how we were all drenched from the unexpected downpour that coincided with the last 15 minutes or so of the 2nd game, we decided to go somewhere close to home to grab some dinner and sweet treat. That meant Wendy's. We ordered are burgers, fries, and a medium frosty, and headed home. As an aside, I'm certain the frosty sizes are getting smaller. We ate our late dinner, fed both the boys, put them to bed, somehow avoided an emotional  breakdown due to exhaustion, and eventually settled onto the couch to enjoy our frosty. The first couple of bites were magical. Nothing like cold, creamy, chocolately goodness at the end of a long day. Suddenly, to our horror, one of our bites revealed a chasm in the center of the frosty. I'm serious. The entire center of the cup was empty. There are somethings in this world that are supposed to have holes in them- a donut, a tire, a ring, a life preserver, a hula hoop,  but a frosty is NOT one of them!!! We had been gipped for sure. If we didn't have kids, and it hadn't been so late, I might have gone back up to Wendy's and asked for a replacement. Instead, we just stared into the abyss in the middle of our late-night post-game escape. Fortunately, the frosty's tastiness factor was not affected by it's lack of volume. The moral of the story is either check your dessert before leaving the venue, or get 2 just to be safe. 

I can't believe that I was able to write this with out stopping to get a sweet treat. I guess finishing the rest of the sad frosty after lunch helped. 

Tennis

In an effort to become more "cultured," I've been watching Wimbledon on tv. I have zero experience with tennis besides hitting a ball around when I was in elementary school and trying to rock a coral-colored tennis skirt that my aunt (who worked for Head Golf at the time) gave me for my birthday. I realized the other day just how little I know about tennis when the player who won the match was actually the one I thought lost. Talk about sad. I can't even tell who wins. I find tennis to be confusing to watch. I understand the basic concept- hit the other ball in such a way as to keep your opponent from hitting it back to you. Terms like deuce, love, and advantage leave me mind-boggled. I told Luke the other day that I would learn all about tennis if he decides on day that he wants to aspire to become a tennis champion (we watch Wimbledon while he's taking his lunchtime bottle b/c it's on when Ellen usually is). While watching Serena Williams today, I decided that I could find my own place in the magical world of tennis. I will be a ball girl. There are several advantages to this prestigious post. First, you get to watch and learn the game. Second, you don't have to run around too much. Third, and most importantly, you get to dress the part. I like the idea of being what I call and athletic poser- someone who is not athletically inclined personally but who dresses the part. I think I'd like wearing the shoes, skirt, polo, and visor. Who knows, maybe years from now Luke will be playing in the championship and I'll be tossing him neon yellow balls so he can serve. 

Maternity Pants

As the mom of an almost-1-year-old, and a 3 and 1/2 week old, I've spent the last year and a half of my life in maternity pants. Now that both boys are here and thriving, the time has come for me to embark on the challenging mission: GET BACK INTO REGULAR CLOTHES. Now, I'm way excited about wearing all of my clothes that have been stored away in plastic bins since what seems like the dawn of time. However, I have a few items of mom-wear that I'm not ready to forgo. These would be my maternity pants. More specifically, my maternity jeans. I don't understand why everyone doesn't embrace the awesomeness of these garments. Why would I forsake my elastic waste-band and zipper/button-free bliss to return to regular jeans? I don't have to worry about whether or not the zipper is broken, and I don't have to go change into sweats if I eat to much Mexican food (which occurs often). Maybe I'm just lazy, but I truly believe that Mommy jeans are amazing. I have a goal of being able to wear my pre-baby jeans by mid-November, but, who knows. I may meet the goal and just get smaller Mommy jeans. They're just too great to give up.

Here We Go

Here we go. I'm officially joining the world of blogging. I've been thinking about it for a while, but something held me back from doing it. Actually, there were a lot of things. One, I'm technologically challenged. Two, I'm not sure who (if anyone) will read my ramblings. Three, time. Well, I've decided to throw caution to the wind and give this a go. I'm excited. Thankfully, my genius hubby got me set up. Now I'm ready to let my witty ramblings lose. Hopefully, I'll be insightful, funny, and not too boring.