Highlights from Christmas

Christmas was a wonderful time again for the Grisham family. It was our third year to participate in Advent Conspiracy and we certainly slowed down even more this year. Despite having 4 different family Christmas gatherings, they were all spaced out and easy on our schedules. Each one was unique and enjoyable. And Neighborhood Church had some really great events to guide us in our "relational giving" and "loving all."

My favorite Christmas highlights were:

• Caroling at the Cooper Young gazebo: The young families in my neighborhood gathered to sing carols and then were followed by the holiday concert of our neighborhood school choir. It was cold, old-fashioned, and fun. A little ghetto (we do live in the city!) and I had to take down the Christmas lights the next morning to keep them from being stolen. But for a brief moment, we had an idyllic, Stars Hollowish little neighborhood!

• The Clean Water party at the Spicklers: This was the second year they have given this party and we collected $500 for Living Water International. The best part was hanging out with my favorite people near the festive twinkle lights!
• The Christmas service at NC. I invited a guest musician and neighbor, Art Edmaiston, to join Robert for this service and was moved to tears during their performance. On soprano sax, he played O Holy Night, What Child is This, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, The First Noel and Silent Night. It was one of the most worshipful experiences I have had this year.
• Christmas morning at the Grisham home. This was a first for us. Santa actually visited us at home this year! We all really loved it. Santa brought us a Wii and a few games. We spent the morning creating our Miis. And then after breakfast, we talked about Compassion International with Adam and he helped us choose to adopt Gino, a boy his age from the Phillipines. We look forward to getting to know Gino as we pray for him and write him letters.

Adam's letter to Santa. Actually, the first letter he has written.

• Family Christmas Gatherings (and various pictures)

Adam and Yoda, gift from Aunt Megan

Aunt Megan reading the Nativity Story...

Micah demanded to sit in her lap while she read.

Adam's gift from Pa Max and Mama Jerri, his own scooter!

Up was in this Christmas! From Nana and Pa Rick

Yes, Jackdog got a snuggie from Bugula...spoiled dog!

And the newest future addition to the family,

Stephen Wilson, met the whole Fuller fam this day!

Even Granny got in on the Wii action. She's a pro at bowling!

And Pa Howard painted this beautiful wooden rocking horse for Micah.

Addie gave him a ride (and apparently Adam wanted a ride as well...)

We hope your Christmas was wonderful too!

2009 Christmas Card Video from Micah and Adam

Date with Adam and the Nutcracker

During my first year teaching, a retiring Kindergarten teacher passed on a video she had of the New York City Ballet performing The Nutcracker. I had only seen The Nutcracker one time, a year earlier, when a gracious couple from our church invited Robert and I to see it. Neither of us knew the story well, and I'm embarrassed to say that we both ended up falling asleep during the second half. As a music teacher, though, I thought it would be nice to know the story and be able to teach it to my students, most of whom would probably never see it in the ballet.

After nine years of teaching, 8 Decembers included introducing first graders to the wonderful story of The Nutcracker. And I fell in love as a result. Tchaikovsky's music is the soundtrack of my holidays. So, you can imagine that I introduced Adam to the story as soon as I could. Last year, friends of mine who have connections to the Memphis Ballet, took Adam and me to The Nutcracker at the Orpheum. He was only 3, but he captured the magic of the story. His favorite part was the fighting scene when the Nutcracker kills the Mouse King. After seeing it, he requested to watch the video and would dance around the house like a toy soldier and play with my wooden nutcracker.

This year, my friend, Amber, again invited Adam and me to join her at the Orpheum. When it was time to get ready, I remember that friends from Colorado had sent some hand-me-down clothes, including a sports coat and clip-on tie. When I got it out of the back of his closet, he jumped up and down with excitement to wear it! We had to get a few poses of his Derek Zoolander impression.

Then, Micah wanted in on the action.

This time when we went to the Orpheum, we went to the late show and enjoyed some tasty treats. He sat in my lap most of the performance which made it fun for me to really see his expressions and enthusiasm for the story. As soon as the music for the fight scene began, he sat on the edge of my lap with his hands stretched out in anticipation. When the first mouse came on the stage, Adam began clapping uncontrollably. I had to remind him of audience manners a few times, because during the fight scene, he kept adding sound effects.

It was way past his bedtime and he did fall asleep on my shoulder about 20 minutes before it ended. But it will go on record as one of my most favorite mom and Adam memories. To top it off, Amber took us to the backstage door after the performance to meet some of the dancers. First, the Russian dancer came out to meet us, and then Adam recognized the plain-clothed Nutcracker himself! He ran over to him and shook his hand, then asked him how he became real after being a doll. It was the perfect ending to a perfect night.

Relational Giving Ideas

Over the last few years, our family has made some effort to focus on Christmas a little differently as we've joined the Advent Conspiracy. We've tried to give relational gifts and really put more thought into the person we are giving to. Sometimes we save money, sometimes we spend more. But most times, we give much more time than we used to. It's a challenge sometimes, but very rewarding too. I began compiling this list of relational gift ideas last year and have added to it throughout the year as I think of things. I hope this helps you in your gift-giving this year!

Christmas Cards:

Create a video, post it to YouTube, then send an e-mail with the video embedded. (We did this in 2007 and 2008. We're still planning the 2009 video!)

Make your own cards

For Kids Gifts:

Video the child’s favorite family members telling him/her a “Once Upon a Time” story. Burn it to DVD.

Create an ABC scrapbook or flashcards with pictures/drawings of the child’s favorite things, friends, or relatives.

Create a book about the adventures of your child. Use your own photos, drawings, clip art, or magazine cut-outs to illustrate the story. Bind it at an office supply store for a few dollars. (This could also be done by a child for another sibling, grandparent, or cousin.)

Give lessons that encourage an interest (ballet, soccer, art, piano, etc…)

For less expensive toys, find gently used ones on Craigslist, eBay, or at a consignment store.

Take your child on a “road trip.” (Our favorites are Shelby Forest or Shelby Farms)

For Family Gifts:

Give a membership to the gym, zoo, Children’s Museum, Pink Palace, Brooks Museum, Botanical Gardens, etc…

Give gift cards to a restaurant or movie theater to be used on dates.

Give coupons for free babysitting.

Open your home as a “Bed and Breakfast” to serve a friend or another family from out of town.

Organize a family photo session with a photographer. Pay for the sitting fee, then let each family member purchase the photos they like.

Trade taking family photos with another family. (Free!) Then purchase your printed pics from an on-line store.

Create a photo calendar complete with everyone’s birthdays/anniversaries.

Give games that will bring the entire family together.

Organize a family vacation instead of giving gifts. (My family did this when I was growing up. I don't remember many of the gifts under the tree, but I remember every single ski trip and mission trip we took as a family!)

For Parents/Grandparents:

Give home-made gifts (ornaments, frames, candles).

Make a scrapbook of favorite childhood memories.

Compile/edit home videos or old photographs and burn onto DVD.

Give a coupon for free yard work, or a day of completing the “honey-do” list.

Give homemade freezer meals.

Make a date once a month to treat them to a home-cooked meal with your family.

Invite them to join your “Muffin of the Month” club. Take them a batch of muffins each month.

For Friends:

Treat a friend to a sporting event, concert, or art show.

Treat them to a round of golf or tennis game.

Organize a weekend get-away or camping trip for friends.

Organize a regular game night.

Give home-made dinners or desserts.

Wrap two copies of a classic book to read with a friend.

Use your talents:

If you are a techie, offer free “technical support” to friends and family by working on their computers, cameras, or phones.

If you are artistic, ask a friend to work with you to create an art piece of their choice.

If you are gifted musically, offer to give free music lessons to a friend.

If you are a great cook, give away your own recipe book by putting recipes inside a small photo album. You could also offer free cooking lessons.

If you are an organizer, offer your services to help clean out a closet, garage, or help prepare for a yard sale.

If you have a green thumb, divide some of your plants and help a friend start their own garden.

If you are a writer, write a “Year In Review” Poem for friends or family. Frame it and give away.