I Won!

Ha! At least when I war against myself, I know I'll win! (Not something I can always say, like when Aaron and I disagree, etc. hehe)

No, but seriously, I want to put closure to the last post and update those of you who graciously shared your advice with me regarding my delimma with Ashton's Christmas gift wish. I really do appreciate you taking the time to respond. A couple of you suggested that I explain to Ashton that the power wheels gift would be too big for Santa to bring on the sleigh and still have room for everyone else's gifts too. I tell you, I was so beside myself that I wasn't thinking creatively enough and I justed needed you to open my eyes to other options!! This explaination sounded good enough to me! Thank you for your help. :)

When Ashton asked how he would ever get the power wheels toy, I told him that it is probably the type of toy that his mommy and daddy could buy for him, "perhaps for his birthday" (February 20). So we sat down and wrote a letter to Santa with a list of toys that he would be happy to receive, understanding that it is up to Santa to choose what gets delivered.

We put the letter in the mailbox ;) and Ashton got a toy chain saw and a stuffed elephant from Santa for Christmas (among many many other things from others). Since then, I have not heard one word about him not getting the power wheels toy! Yay!! This just goes to show that he has no grasp of how expensive a toy is and that, really, any toy will do.

I learned my lesson. ;)

At War Against Myself

I suppose I set myself up for this dilemma when Aaron and I decided we would let our children believe in Santa.

The problem: Ashton has asked Santa for 1, and only 1, toy -- a "real" Dodge Ram with doors that open on the side and a tailgate that really lifts and lowers. Okay, it is a Fisher-Price type Power Wheels truck. =) But it is still $300!

One side of me wars: Ashton has no concept of money and cost; he is not trying to be greedy; this is an honest desire of his. It is his only request. He talked to the Santa at the mall and told him about this one request. Whenever people ask him what he "wants / what Santa is bringing," (as if they are one and the same) he consistently answers the same way. And of course, as Christmas day gets closer, each day Ashton asks if it is Christmas Eve because he's "really looking forward to the presents Santa will bring." This is the first year Ashton has grasped the idea of Santa bringing gifts and if Ashton doesn't receive his one request, he might resent Santa right from the start. Heaven forbid... ;)

The other side of me wars: We do not have the money. I don't want to go in debt over this toy, for pete's sake! $300 is a lot of money to spend on anybody (not to mention a 3 year-old! )something I've only done a few times.

As I write this post, I think I realize the obvious answer and how ridiculous this is. I suppose it is because I am Ashton's mother and I only want my child be happy that I have let myself get emotionally clouded. This dilemma/worry has really consumed too many of my thoughts during an otherwise peaceful and meaningful Christmas.

Does anybody else have any advice, opinion, or similar experiences from which I can learn?

...On my mind

In order to finally blog, I'm putting aside my list of things to do. Because it is such a busy time of year, the list may never get done... I have so many mental notes of things I want to blog, so we'll see how many I remember.

About a week ago, Sadie, Ashton and I were at my grandparents house. I put Sadie down to sleep on a comforter on the floor of one of the bedrooms. (Fortunately, she's totally different than Ashton was when it comes to sleeping -- I can [and do] lay her awake in her crib and she'll put herself to sleep.) When it was time to leave my grandparents house, I went into the bedroom to get Sadie and lo and behold she wasn't where I had left her. My mind quickly started going every which way as I quickly scanned the entire room. She was nowhere. She rolls around a lot, so the only reasonable explanation was that she had rolled under the bed in that bedroom. I lifted up the bed skirt and sure enough -- there she was -- peacefully (but still breathing) asleep! That crazy girl will never live that one down!

On Thursday my boss gave me my paycheck AND a Christmas bonus/gift!!! I am so excited, thankful, and blessed. God is so good. (And Curtis too.) I hadn't even thought that far ahead about this years' potential bonus, so it caught me especially off guard. As I explained it to him, it's like Christmas is free this year! How freeing -- it makes the holiday more enjoyable.

It's somewhat beside the point, but it's a shame that society makes Christmas so expensive -- like save-all-year-or-go-into-debt-expensive! I feel as though this is the first year Ashton kind of gets Christmas, at least more than ever before (duh). Along with that ability of his to understand, I need to do my part and put it all in perspective for him. I notice at every new commercial he sees, he suggests another gift he'd like to receive. Where did he get that idea? Perhaps from all of us asking each other what we want for Christmas! I need to do a better job of emphasizing the meaning of Christmas and if anything -- giving to the less fortunate. This is something that's been on my mind ever since I explained to him what Thanksgiving is about, and I know I have a lot to figure out still! I'm just thinking out loud.

Sadie's in love with her toes and with rolling over. I love her so much.

Ashton's cast comes off tomorrow! Hopefully he doesn't struggle with walking again like I did 19 years ago when the cast came off my broken leg. Ha. Only my family will appreciate that last sentence. Let's just say it wasn't pretty (or quick).

Ashton has said so many funny / noteworthy things lately that I wanted to blog about and now I can't remember any of them. Arggh. I've learned my lesson. As soon as he says it, I am going to resist the urge to be lazy and I will immediately go write it down. He is so smart these days, I'm sooo amazed. (I wonder if it's those Expecta Lipil pills I popped every day. Or for that matter, I wonder if it's because he was breastfed for so long. Or maybe I'm just biased. =) )

I've reminded myself of something Aaron told me today. I was washing dishes and Aaron was drying them when a loud bang came from Ashton's room. Ashton called Aaron's name and when Aaron went into Ashton's room, the miniature car collection of Aaron's (from when he was a child), had dropped from where it had been. Aaron asked Ashton how that happened. Ashton's response started with his response to every question. "Um. Hmmm." Then, "me be naughty." At least we can agree on some things.