Merry Christmas from Us

Lily's First Christmas.

I'm sure this will be the last blog for the year as we head to Oklahoma this weekend for our Christmas Vacation. Each year we gather with parents, siblings, grandparents and friends, and each year the dynamics always seem to change. Some years we add new members via births and marriages; and some years the table is a little emptier with the loss of a dearly loved family member. This year as we gather around the tree to open presents and the table to eat dinner, there will be a couple of new baby girls that will experience the insanity that is our family Christmas.

I just wish that Lily could have met my Grandmother and my Aunt Mary.

It wasn't too long after my Mamaw and Papaw passed away in the early 1980's that my little sister was born. I remember hearing my dad tell us how much he wished that his mom and dad could have met, held, known, and rocked Rebecca. I feel the same way about Lily. There was something Rockwellian about Christmas, as we knew in one corner of our den would sit one of the Ledbetter matriarchs casually rocking with a gentle (almost mischievous) smile taking in the wonder of family. Although my Aunt Mary and my Grandmother were very different they were both perfect in their own right. Gosh, I miss them.

I bet you have a similar story. This summer Shauna lost her Grandma Staude and I know her story would sound almost identical.

But, then again there is this little thing called Christmas that changes everything. I mean if we can get a perspective that is a little larger than the hear and now, we will eventually run smack dab into HOPE. On our family Christmas card we quoted the verse out of Matthew that says, "Behold the virgin will give birth to a Son, and they will call his name Immanuel, which translates 'God with us.'" So, here it is: Jesus was born that we might be born again; He lived that we might find purpose; He died that we might be free; and, he rose again that we might have HOPE.

There is no question that one day there will be a celebration of the birth of Christ where we will understand the fullness of this December holiday. Where presents will give way to presence. I know it's speculative, but, perhaps the conversation may go something like this:
"Lily, that lady in the corner who looks as beautiful as heaven itself... that's your great grandmother Blanche. And, the other lady who personifies strength and character... that's your great great aunt Mary. And the other one. The one with that beautiful smile who is obviously the life of the party... that's your great grandma Staude." There will be hugs and there will be smiles there may even be soap-on-a-rope (a gift my Aunt Mary gave me when I was about 10 years old).

If there was no other reason than HOPE, it is enough to embrace the true meaning of this great HOLYday.

I'm Dreaming of a Lily-White Christmas

A stroll down memory lane anyone? anyone? Beuller? Christmas can be a bit perplexing for me. In one sense it is like a drug addiction that can never quite be tamed. It's like that first hit that brings you back over and over again, hoping to hit that initial high... but, it never quite satisfies. For me, the year was 1979. We had tickets to the Nutcracker at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Before the show I remember eating dinner with my aunt, uncle and two cousins at The Magic Crepe. I'm not sure I even knew what a crepe was, but when they told me it was a thin pancake with powdered sugar on it... I was in. After dinner and on our way to the play we strolled through the old Williams Center when they had an ice rink downstairs. Carolers dressed in Dickens costumes filled the hall with all of the classic Christmas songs; and, if my memory serves me well, I think there was snow outside. The pipe shop filled the first floor with an unmatched aroma that sang BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE. It was the stuff holiday dreams are made of. AND, if I recall correctly I got a pony that Christmas and my sister got her two front teeth.

After that the bar had been raised and it's been difficult to live up to such dreams.

This weekend our family loaded up and drove to Memphis (via Little Rock to see our new niece). My younger sister treated us to the Broadway production of White Christmas. Part of the Stockstill tradition has been to watch Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney in White Christmas as we decorate our Christmas Tree. There is something about hearing Bing Crosby croon that old familiar song that puts me in the Christmas spirit like nothing else. Needless to say, in the final act when the belted out THE song, they had somehow rigged the auditorium to snow inside. I looked over at my two boys who were completely mesmerized by the moment and realized there is something magical about Christmas that can only be seen through the eyes of a child. So, what do you say we approach the season with a 'kid-like' attitude. Let's lose the pessimism, skepticism, political division and political correctness. Let's be amazed at the fact that it really can snow inside buildings. Let's wish for the ponies and the teeth.

All the Leaves are Brown (and Red, Yellow and Orange)

It is still strange to think of December as autumn (at least half of it anyway). We've been in Mississippi for 11 out of the last 13 years and at least part of "getting into the Christmas spirit" has to do with a certain chill in the air. You know, it's just a little odd singing: Winter Wonderland; Let it Snow; White Christmas; I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, in shorts and a t-shirt. Except for the occasional cold front that comes sweeping through for 24 - 48 hours, the weather is generally mid 70's with mostly sunny skies. Sure, that is perfect weather for 11 months out of the year, but not so much in December. I want snow... and, lots of it. I remember taking a pair of old water skis as a kid, removing the back rudder, duct taping our shoes to the skis and heading down the highway overpass embankments. I remember trash can lids doubling as supersonic sleighs. I remember 8' tall snowmen, formidable snow forts, bloody snowball fights, and missing school. Now, I realize the Norman Rockwell postcards that we have so forged in our memories are not exactly the way things really were, but these 80 degree Christmases are a little rough.

New Camera (Test 1..2..3)

New camera. Old camera was crushed on last plane ride to Tulsa. Never pack your camera in with you luggage. I know... I know.

Fit for a Queen

Here it is the end of November. Micah turned 5 on the second, Lily hit 7 months on the 11th and Dylan will hit 8 in less than 2 months. So, in case you were wondering that does mean that Shauna and I are staying quite busy. I guess the biggest news is that on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, the 20th, another Stockstill female was born into this world. My brother Danny and his wife Sara gave birth to a beautiful little girl, Brinlee Rose. If my addition is right, that makes.... 4 boys and 4 girls in the ole clan (Keep it even Rebecca!). Christmas ought to be WILD in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

It seems like every year I find myself smack dab in the middle of November and find myself thinking, “Hey! What happened to Arbor Day… what happened to the whole year?” You see, for me Thanksgiving is perhaps THE defining moment of the year. It is the whistle for the fourth quarter to begin. We switch endzones, we hold up four fingers, we drink a lot of Gatorade, and we look to see which way the flags on the goalposts are blowing. It’s a time to suck it up and win one for the Gipper. Thanksgiving is the official launch of the holiday season which ends precisely as time expires in the final college bowl game.
So, there is a certain “gearing up” that has to take place. So, if you’re sucking wind at this point and looking for the nearest oxygen mask, let me give you a game plan to help you really enjoy the holiday season.

1. Eat the Good Stuff. I know, I know "everything in moderation." But, seriously... eat the good stuff.

2. Sing Loud. It is officially legal to play Christmas music. I believe the rule book states "Christmas music may thus be introduced to the musical rotation the moment after your first piece of Thanksgiving pumpkin pie has digested.
A list of my favorites: White Christmas- Bing Crosby
Drummer Boy- Bing Crosby and David Bowie
Baby it’s Cold Outside- Leon Redbone & Zooey Deschanel
Carol of the Bells- Vienna Boys Choir

O Holy Night- Enya Silver Bells-

The First Noel- Jim Brickman

Mele Kalikimaka

Silver Bells

Christmas in Killarney- Bing Crosby

The Holly and the Ivy (if you need more just email me)

3. Family Movie Night. Go ahead and pull out all the favorites. Set aside one or two nights a week to eat Christmas goodies, curl up by the fire (if you don’t have a fireplace- candles work nicely), drink hot chocolate and cuddle. If you need someone to watch a movie with, just come bearing gifts I’m sure they’ll be glad to hang out. If you need someone to cuddle with, come with an expensive gift. (Seriously, who can say no to a good fruitcake?) There’s no reason to go it alone!
A List of my favorites:
Christmas Vacation

White Christmas

A Christmas Story

Elf
The Polar Express

Rudolph, Frosty and all the classic flocked claymations
The Bells of St. Mary
Fletch (I know it’s not a Christmas movie, but I have to plug it at every opportunity)

Holiday Inn

The Family Man

Jack Frost

It’s a Wonderful Life (if you need more just email me)

4. Make Memories. Don’t let the holiday season rule over you. Don’t let money dictate whether it was a great season or not. Look, you’ve got one full month before the big day. Go ahead and make plans to enjoy every second. Do something extraordinary.

Go see a Christmas play

Make a Gingerbread house

Go Grizwall and decorate with lights

Put laundry detergent all over your neighbors lawn and then make snow angels

Ride up and down elevators singing your favorite tunes

Make divinity

Go caroling (alright don’t go caroling.)

5. Give Big. I know this should go without saying, but this really is the time to reflect God’s gracious generosity to a world with a lot of needs.

Invite someone over to watch a movie (snuggling is optional)
When your making divinity, make a little extra and find someone to give it to

Buy some socks and take it to the local shelter
Guard your words. Choose to be an encourager and give laughs away. (especially if you're laughing at OU - OSU score).

The season can be tough for some. Give someone a call or letter that might need it.

Live Beyond yourself.

Wow, it’s amazing how Christmas-y I’m feeling. Fingers up. Gatorade Down. The wind is at our backs.

Brinlee Rose

Ice Cold Milk and an Oreo Cookie!

Someone asked me the other day what the favorite age of my kids has been. So, I thought about it...

0 - 3 months: still blown away with the miracle of life.
3 - 6 months: rocking at night when their little breath meets your cheek.
6 - 9 months: smiles are turning to chuckles which are turning to laughs.
9 mo - 1 yr: rolling is turning to crawling which is turning to walking.
year 1: personality is developing, new words, new looks, new loves.
year 2 - 3: crazy about mom and dad "watch this!"
year 4 - 5: like a sponge soaking in everything.
year 6 - 7: they're turning into little people.

How do you choose a favorite from a list like that? It's like looking at a dessert menu and choosing your favorite. The problem is each plate brings something unique and fantastic to the ole' palet. Devils food chocolate cupcakes with sprinkles on top? That's what I'm talking about. Strawberry shortcake with ice cream?... Pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving with a quart of cool whip?... Hot blackberry cobbler with a scoop of melting vanilla ice cream?... Turtle brownies a la mode?... Blueberry cheesecake?... Nestle chocolate chip cookies (with nuts) straight out of the oven with a glass of milk in a frozen glass?

The best dessert is the one that is sitting in front of you. So it is with your kids.

Without getting too gushy as a softy, I think each day (at least every other day) brings it's own set of unique, unbelievable moments that you can store in the memory bank as a priceless deposit. I'm not saying everyday is perfect, for there are times I understand the concept of animals eating their young; but, seriously how cool is it that we have been entrusted to raise, care for, train, love, discipline, shape these little mini-people for a few years. I guess that's why they're all favorite.

How Time is Flilying

If you blur through these without paying much attention you will think to yourself, "Self, all of these pictures look the same." But, if you'll take the time to really study each individual picture you will find that they capture a unique special moment in the life of Lily. Each expression, each toothless grin, each eye twinkle all communicate in their own unique way... "OU beat Texas!!!"

Life continues to roll along smoothly at the Stockstill household. The boys are doing really well in soccer, Shauna is up teaching aerobics at 5:00am everyday, I am on the downhill slope of school, and Lily is ruling the roost with authority. It's amazing how a 6 month old girl can make two boys (4 and 7) cater to her every whim, not to mention the control she has over a 34 year old woman and a 35 year old man. I don't know that I would call her strong-willed at this point, I think I'd just call her a ... girl!