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25 days of simple christmas, christmas memories, fun, simple memories

25 Days of Simple Christmas-Make Memories!

Welcome to the 25 Days of Simple Christmas! Each day I will be posting an idea about keeping the holidays simple- so that we can focus on Christ and the real meaning of Christmas!

While Christmas is such a special day, so much of the joy gets lost in the busyness.

Each day I will be writing about a simple way to celebrate the season. To focus on family, joy, and memories, without the elaborate extras that can bring added stress. Simple can be more meaningful if it gives us more time to focus on the huge GIFT we are awaiting-Jesus Christ, our Savior.

One thing to keep in mind during Christmas season is that you are making memories. Things that will be ingrained in your child’s mind for a very long time.

Think back to your favorite Christmas memories. I bet most of them did not involve material things.

My fondest memories were of time with my family-cousins, grandparents, and relatives. Laughing and joking…always having a fun time at holiday parties.

This cookie tin was my grandmother’s. Every year I remember chocolate chip cookies filling that tin. And that tin was there when Christmas came, or whatever special occasion it was…

I can’t pull that tin out without thinking about those memories.

And when I fill it with cookies, it makes me feel warm…

I try to remember that what I am doing each moment matters-
Do I want my kids remembering mommy always stressing about the housecleaning, or mommy running around outside playing soccer? (and boy am I terrible at it-always gives them a laugh)

Do I want them to remember me on the computer or in the Bible (self-convicting here)

Do I want them to remember me be stressed over finances and Christmas gifts? Or surrendering it ALL to the Lord and trusting Him to provide? Remembering me on my knees, faithful.

*Disclaimer-I am working on these things. It is not easy!

Yet…

What we do matters.

Our children are a gift and have such a short time with us, that we must make the most of it.

I pray for making memories that will last and ones that will be pleasant.

Children will remember feeling safe and loved, and having fun.

God’s love will be refleceted.

So amidst the busyness, take time to slow down and create memories.

Last year we made a gingerbread house. We had one of those kits, and we set out for a family night to put it together.

Well, half way through we got crazy– my husband starting taking the icing and painting mustaches on the kids faces, and taking pictures.

We were laughing so hard.

So that year, did we end up with a beautiful decorated gingerbread house? No way…but we DID have memories.

These are the things that shape children-feeling secure in the family and loved.

Simple memories.

Please Join These Bloggers in

their 25 Days of Christmas Series:

25 Days of Christmas: Home for the Holidays @ Graceful Abandon

25 Days of Easy Christmas Crafts for Toddlers & Preschoolers @ Sidetracked Sarah

25 Days of Christmas Traditions @ Sharing the Journey

SimplyLivingforHim

December 23, 2011 by Karen DeBeus

AWANA, family, fun

AWANA Closing Ceremony 2010

Last night was the closing ceremony for AWANA. For anyone who does not know what AWANA is, it is a Bible club for kids where they meet weekly learning God’s word, memorizing scripture, playing games and fellowshipping with other kids. We have participated since Grace was a Cubby. 3-4 year olds are “Cubbies”, K-2nd grade are “Sparks” and 3rd-5th grade are “TNT’s.” Our kids love Wednesday nights at AWANA! More info about the program can be found here.

Last night was the closing ceremony. Grace earned her first book award as well as silver award. She completed her whole book, plus some extra work for the silver award. Luke completed his second book, the review of his second book, and an extra credit book! John completed his second year of cubbies and next year will move up to Sparks. After the ceremony there was a cookie party with friends. It was a great night!

Grace receiving her awards

My “TNT” ~which stands for Truth and Training

John and the Cubbies performing their Cubbies Song

SimplyLivingforHim

April 29, 2010 by Karen DeBeus

fun, socialization

She is going to be just FINE…

What a day. Grace (9 years old) took an all-day class today at a local community college. The class was for kids ages 9-12 and was titled “Making Presentations Using Power Point.” It was from 9 am-4 pm. Seven hours about Power Point? YUP! I signed her up because I felt it would be really good for her to learn Power Point since they are using it so much in the schools these days. We have the program at home, but it would be good for her to learn all the ins and outs. Plus, it is good for her to have some time away from home and gain some independence as she gets older.

I was a little reluctant this morning when I went to drop her off, and saw all of the college kids on campus. Once I found her classroom though I was very comfortable with the teacher, the location, etc. and knew she was in good hands.

What struck me was when I went to pick her up. I arrived a few minutes early and peeked inside the room. There she was, head held high in front of the class working on her presentation, then talking to the other girls and walking around the room with such confidence. She was glowing. I could tell she had a great day.

When she came out of the class she beamed, “Mommy! That was the BEST class EVER!” Seriously. She loves life, she loves people, and she is confident. What more can a mom ask for? I knew right then when I saw her, she is going to be just fine. She is growing into such a fine young girl. Oh and to answer the age old homeschooling question…WHAT about socialization?” Yup, I think we’re doing just fine!

SimplyLivingforHim

April 1, 2010 by Karen DeBeus

family, fun, SUN day, Vitamin D

“SUN” Day!!

Today was our “SUN” Day of the year!! We have decided every year, instead of taking off for “snow” days like the schools do, we work on those days and then when the weather turns nice, we get a “SUN” day! We celebrate the warm weather and get out there and ENJOY it!

The weather was about 70 degrees here today. After a very cold and wet winter, it felt great to close the books and just have fun outdoors! First we went to a local farm. The kids visited the animals and we played outside for awhile. Then we bought some fresh fruits and veggies at the market and some ice cream! We came home and the kids spent the entire afternoon outside. They played a game using their imagination by building a whole “house” on our front porch. The game went on for hours. It was GREAT! And we got lots of Vitamin D! 🙂

SimplyLivingforHim

March 19, 2010 by Karen DeBeus

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Karen DeBeus is a homeschooling mom learning to live more simply and keep God at the center of it all. She is the author of four best-selling homeschooling books and writes at Simply Living for Him. She speaks nationally and recently was a speaker at the Bible Family Conference in Washington, DC. Her passion is to help others clear the clutter from their lives, seek God first, and to encourage women and families to get in the Word every day. In 2020 she began the Simply Living for Him Online Women’s Community, a thriving community of over 1,200 women where she leads Bible studies and provides resources and encouragement for women to grow in their walk with the Lord. She enjoys life on her hobby farm with her husband and children. Together they are a work-at-home family pursuing a simple life with purpose and, above all, seeking to glorify God in all they do.