Christmas Wish List!

When I was in high school I had two friends from church who told me they got everything on their Christmas list. EVERYTHING. What did a "cool" Christmas list look like in 1986? I don't remember their whole list, but here are a few things I remember:

• a waterbed (they were cool back then)
• new Jordache jeans (all the rage)
• a VCR (yes, the old tape kind)
• the soundtrack for Pretty in Pink (on cassette)

I remember being jealous when the day after Christmas these two girls confirmed their parents had fulfilled their wishes. I also felt a little sad for them. I mean what's the fun of opening Christmas presents if you already know what's inside?

I also laugh at the things we thought were cool back then. Fads come and go, which makes me think of my own Christmas wish list.

This year I have a few things on my wish list that I'd like. They include some WWII non-fiction books and a few fun bath items, because soaking and reading is one of my favorite past times. My own list isn't as large as it used to be, mostly because I've been practicing being more thankful--even before Thanksgiving.

During the Christmas season it's easy to be more focused on what we want, rather than what we have. And while it's okay to be eager to see what gifts await you under the tree, our greatest gifts aren't wrapped with bows.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17).

What to feel really thankful? Take a moment to think about what would happen if God took these "gifts from above" away. Frightening isn't it?

Considering this gives me a whole new outlook. It also makes me more eager to create a new type of list.

One of the things I've been doing lately is thinking of 10 things I'm thankful for as soon as I wake up in the morning. It's amazing what this does for the outlook of my day.

My thankfulness list doesn't include my bed, jeans, dvd, or iPod, although it could. Mostly I've been thanking God for my health, for money to pay the bills, for good friends, for a husband and children who love me, and for my salvation. These are things that mean the most--true gifts from God.

What's on your list? I'd love to hear. There will always be little things we'd like to have, but remember to take time to thank God for the large gifts in your life you don't want to live without.

Appreciate A Dragon Day!

Today is Appreciate a Dragon Day. This holiday which has gained momentum was
 instigated by yours truly.
Here’s a blurb about it:
 We are pleased to bring you news that this week on Friday, January 16, people
 around the country will be celebrating Appreciate a Dragon Day! What is this
 strange holiday, you ask?
 
 Several years ago when DragonSpell first came out, Mrs. Paul was reading a
 book about how to market a book. One of the suggestions was to register a new
 holiday. So she registered Appreciate a Dragon Day, or AADD.
 
 Appreciate a Dragon Day is all over the place! Mrs. Paul is very grateful to
 the many people and places that have given it a boost. It was not only a
 publicity ploy, but something that is dear to her heart: promoting literacy.
 
 Check out the AADD Event Pages
 http://www.donitakpaul.com/fun/aadd/index.html to get more details on this
 interesting holiday and some suggestions on how to celebrate. Some of these
 ways include making a dragon kite, a dragon cake, a dancing dragon toy,
 putting on a dragon puppet show, and many more fun ideas!
 
 We would love to hear about how YOU decide to celebrate this special day of
 dragons. Email us your AADD pictures, poems, videos, etc., and we may post
 them in the AADD Gallery!


Holidays Not Found on Your Calendar

Yesterday my son Nathan’s school had a celebration that they’ve been counting down to all year—100th Day. They make a huge deal about the 100th day of school every year. For the 2 weeks leading up to it every student at King’s Academy works to collect 100 hugs (Here is the method: the student asks his/her friend/parent/teacher/relative/pastor/anyone at church/etc., “May I please give you a hug?” then asks the hugger to sign his/her Hug paper). On 100th Day everyone brings 100 of something to school, such as 100 pennies, 100 jelly beans or 100 Lagos. Nathan brought 100 pieces of leftover Halloween candy and passed it out. Upper grades have to build something with their hundred items. They play games, have special snacks, and treat the whole day like a holiday. He even came home with glasses shaped like the number 100 (made of paper—the kids got to decorate them). As a kindergartener Nathan did 100th Day for the first time. You’d think he had just returned home from a Christmas party!

Nathan’s cousin Kai’s school is also celebrating this week. They are observing National No Name-Calling Week. Each student is treated like Star of the Week and they even have an assembly to honor them all. Kai, as well as every other child, got to fill out a paper about himself, telling what his name means and why his mom or dad chose it (FYI: Kai means ocean in Hawaiian; his parents chose it because they love Hawaii, the ocean, and anything tropical). The poster includes information about grandparents, cousins, and other fun stuff. The whole idea is to help the kids appreciate what makes each of them unique. I suggested it to one of my friends who teaches at Nathan’s school.

Other holidays on Nathan’s school calendar include Johnny Appleseed’s birthday (a day to dress in jeans and plaid shirts and eat foods made from apples—it’s a very big deal; even the 6th-graders think it’s cool) and Dr. Seuss week, when the teachers dress like the Grinch or Thing One and Thing Two, Dr. Seuss books are read in every class, they learn Seuss trivia, and green eggs and ham is served on Friday.

Of course they have the usual Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Harvest Parties (it’s a Christian school). They make quite a spectacle on Grandparents’ Day. But I think the holidays that the teachers created just for the sake of giving the kids another reason to celebrate while learning are my favorite. It reminds me to look for reasons to have fun—to celebrate life.

If you could make up a holiday, what would you choose? How about if we make today National Girls, God and the Good Life Day, celebrating how God has blessed each of His girls as unique creations. So what’s yours? I’d love to hear about it.

Celebrate today!
Jeanette