Pinkalicious Christmas Tree

Madison stayed home from school today, after another night of coughing spells.  She is improving - in fact, tomorrow she'll be back in school.  We just thought an extra day's rest would help her out some, especially in light of the cold, damp weather outside.

Here is one thing we did today - finish decorating her pink Christmas tree.  It used to be pretty big to her, but now they're about even on size!  Check out the ornament on the tree that she's touching - it's a Winter the Dolphin Ornament.  We got that obviously when we were down at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.  Each year we try to pick up a souvenir Christmas ornament from a place we've been, so that each ornament sort of tells a little story on our tree.  Madison has mostly ballerinas at the moment, and a few Disney princesses, along with Minnie Mouse.  But Winter is new, and takes a big spot in the front of the tree!

Jingle Bell the elf has settled in well, and seems to be enjoying himself.  This morning, he was found playing a rousing game of Candy Land with a few new friends.  Madison was so inspired by this that she herself wanted to go play Candy Land.  We have two boards - this one, and a Disney World one.  Of course, we played that right after decorating the tree.

We did get out for a bit today.  For one, we mailed a lot of our Christmas cards out, including the ones that are going overseas to the United Kingdom.  Daddy dropped off Nana at the Humane Society, where she's working as a volunteer.  But when the chores were done (and some more Thanksgiving leftovers were eaten), we decided to go out and finally see "Frozen."

This was a great movie.  It's been sold out, they said, for many of the shows this weekend.  So maybe it's a good thing we didn't go earlier - it would have been pretty busy.  There was actually a few people there for this afternoon show, despite the fact that school was back in today.  We loved the movie - it was really well done, and one of our favorites.  In fact, I'll go ahead and say it was my favorite animated movie of the year so far.  We've been avoiding hearing anything about this movie for some time now, for fear of hearing spoilers - and that plan seemed to work. There were a few plot twists in this movie we didn't even see coming, which was great.

We watched a few Cartoon Network Christmas specials when we got home, but it was time for an early night for Madison tonight.  She's been busy with two advent calendars each night this month, which we got to right away.  We also read the book "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," which is a movie we watch once a year.  Madison didn't know the story, not having seen the television special.  She enjoyed it, as did Mommy and Daddy, who were quite familiar with the story.  The book had things the television special did not, and of course there were the fun illustrations.

It was time for bed - Madison is still coughing somewhat at night. In that flat position on her back, the drainage is still problematic.  We sort of hoist her up and lean her on some pillows with her head elevated, nearly in a sitting position.  This seems to be working.  All afternoon she's fine with no coughing, and then all of the sudden she's gagging and coughing in her sleep after lying down!  Slightly frustrating, but at least we've got her propped up now so she can rest easier.

So today was an off day, but we did get a few things done.  It was Cyber Monday too - but we didn't really spot anything special online.  Really, all the days are sort of blending together - nothing really stood out as a different sort of sale.  And it probably wouldn't have mattered too much, as we've done much of our shopping already.  Still, we did make the effort to sort of look around.  Anyway, it's time for us to get off the cyberworld for now, and close this blog entry out.  It was a great day, but now it's time for some cyber sleep...

DECEMBER 2 - "The Bishop's Wife"

“The Bishop’s Wife” is a classic Christmas movie featuring a pastor, Bishop Henry Brougham, who prays for a huge cathedral. He’s in for one big surprise when an angel shows up instead! 

Sometimes things don’t go the way we want. Sometimes we’re just too busy to hear clearly from God. That can happen especially this time of year, can’t it? That’s why it is really important for all of us to remember to stop: we need to be still, and know He is God. We need to stop, and see what is most important in our lives: our relationship with Him, and our relationship with our families and friends.

In the end the Bishop realizes he wasn’t praying for a building – he was praying for guidance. Read below the powerful message he gives to the people in his church at the end of the movie. He tells us all where our focus really should be this time of year. It’s an incredible lesson learned, and one of the greatest speeches ever given in a Christmas movie:

“Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking. Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child's cry. A blazing star hung over a stable and wise men came with birthday gifts.

We haven't forgotten that night down the centuries; we celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, the sound of bells and with gifts. But especially with gifts. You give me a book; I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer and Uncle Henry could do with a new pipe. We forget nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled... all that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up.

The stocking for the child born in a manger. It's his birthday we are celebrating. Don't ever let us forget that. Let us ask ourselves what he would wish for most... and then let each put in his share. Loving kindness, warm hearts and the stretched out hand of tolerance. All the shining gifts that make peace on earth.”