Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas Friends and Family!

We hope all is well with you and yours.  The year 2014 has had ups and downs for the Polski’s, but we are grateful for good health in our immediate family; God has allowed us each to serve Him this year in several different ways and through various gifts and talents.  We’re thankful for a full year, and most of all, we’re thankful that God sent His Son to redeem us from our sin and pain.

We’re also thankful that Lily stopped sucking her thumb.  We truly wondered whether she’d give her future husband the same speech she gave us on the necessity of thumb-sucking.  And so, we decided that since she was old enough to become philosophical about it, she was old enough to stop.  As mentioned in a previous blog, because of a particular dental appliance, her thumb is no longer attached to her mouth.  And thanks to the dental appliance, mom has listened to lily talk more in the last couple of months than ever before. 

Because Lily’s lack of thumb sucking and increased talking capability came to mind when I thought about 2014, it occurred to me:  we need to write our 2014 family Christmas letter…for each other.   So, that’s what we did.  Here are the questions that were asked and the answers that were given by different members of the family (with a bit of *necessary* commentary from mom): 

The Questions: 

1.  If this person were an animal, what would they be and why? 2.  If this person had three hours to have fun, what would they do?  3.  If this person was finished with their work or school work, what would they do?  4.  What is this person’s favorite meal that mom cooks?  5.  What one accomplishment this year would this person be most proud about?  6.  How would you describe this person’s day?  

Our answers about each other…                                                   

Jrod’s (10) answers for Dad…

1.  If dad were an animal, he would be a Gorilla because he’s laid back and calm…and a little big. (Our kids are nice to us like that.  Aging is particularly difficult with kids in the house.)    

2.  If dad had 3 hours of fun time, he would totally nap. 

3.  If dad was finished with his work, he’d nap. (It’s quite necessary to state that my husband does not spend the majority of the day in bed and enjoys multiple other activities that do not actually include a pillow.) 

4.  Dad’s favorite meal mom makes is chili. (The reality is that this is the one meal dad has perfected.   Mom has actually never made chili). 

5.  Dad would be most proud this year of preaching at Easter time. 

6.  Dad spends his day doing a lot of Bible study and sermon prep, and rests a little, and watches a TV show or movie, and goes to bed (Hmm….reality from a kid’s perspective….lots and lots of sleep and rest)

Lily’s (6) answers for Mom…

1. If mom would be an animal, she would be a flamingo because she looks very pretty and dances.  (I appreciate Lily’s compliment, but please feel free to refrain from imagining me doing flamingo type dances around our kitchen; I assure you this rarely happens.)  

2.  If mom had three hours to have fun, she would play with us.

3.  If mom was all done with her work, she would watch a movie and rest. 

4.  Mom’s favorite meal is a salad (of all the meals?)  

5.  Mom would be proud that she became a nice person this year (I really have no words). 

6.  During the day, mom cooks food, watches movies and rests. (Well, at least she acknowledges I cook.)             

Mom’s answers for Ella (12)…

1.  If Ella were an animal, she’d be a hermit crab because she likes to hide away in her room, coming out every once in a while for a little fun…or food. 

2.  If Ella had three hours of fun, she’d spend it with the band, One Direction. 

3.  If Ella had all her school work done, she’d listen to music and take a long, hot shower. (It’s the simple things that make this kid happy.) 

4.  Ella’s favorite meal that mom makes is French Dip Sandwiches. (Due to the disgusted look on my daughter’s face, this was apparently wishful thinking.) 

5.  The accomplishment Ella would be most proud of this year is making the Jr. High basketball team at Westminster Christian Academy. 

6.  Ella’s day includes waking up quite a bit earlier than she’d like (Ella is my night owl), going to school, playing sports after school, listening to One Direction until bed time, then dawdling for a good thirty minutes after bed time until she reads and falls asleep. 

Dad’s answers for Jrod…

1.  If Jrod were an animal, he’d be a fox because he’s sly and sneaky (candy wrappers hidden in an empty tissue box next to his bed might be…could be…an excellent example of this). 

2.  If Jrod had three hours of fun, he’d play Minecraft. 

3.  If Jrod was finished with his school work, he’d play Minecraft. 

4.  Jrod’s favorite meal that mom makes is butter noodles. (Why, oh why, do I slave over the stove, I wonder, when my kids sing my praises when I do things like throw a slab of butter onto a bowl full of cooked noodles?  Oh-vey.) 

5.  Jrod was most proud of making the select soccer team this year.

6.  Jrod’s day includes eating three or four very large bowls of cereal in the morning (I can attest to the truth of this due to visual proof and grocery bill proof), school, and he would include recess as a significant part of school, homework in the car, sports, violin practice, computer games, reading, and bed. 

Ella’s answers for Lily…

1.  If Lily were an animal, she’d be a Hyena because she’s loud. (Ella nailed this one!)

2.  If Lily had three hours of fun, she’d wrestle with her brother (and she goes back to this activity day after day in spite of rug burns, scratches, and bruises.  Like a lamb to the slaughter…). 

3.  If Lily was finished with her homework for the day, she’d try to annoy people (that’s an older sister for you). 

4.  Lily’s favorite meal that mom makes is boxed Mac and Cheese (again…no more slaving over meals…).

5.  Her greatest accomplishment has to be learning how to read. 

6.  Lily’s day includes waking up, going to school, coming home, eating a lot of food, watching movies, drinking a lot of milk and going to bed. 

The kid's answers about themselves…

Ella: 

1.  If I were an animal, I’d be a spider because they’re sneaky.

2.  If I had three hours of fun, I’d go to a One Direction concert. (What?  We were all terribly surprised by this answer.  Or not at all.) 

3.  If I was finished with all of my school work, I’d watch a movie (probably a movie about One Direction.  I’m just putting that out there). 

4.  My favorite meal that mom makes is Orange Chicken and Gooey Butter Cake (I’ve now decided there is some sort of conspiracy against mom.  The Orange Chicken that my firstborn is referring to is frozen and pre-packaged.  Heat and Serve.  Good grief.) 

5.  The accomplishment I was most proud of this year was making the basketball team at my school.

6.  My day consists of waking up really early, taking a shower, doing homework, eating, watching some TV & going to bed. 

Jrod: 

1.  If I was an animal, I would be an eagle so I could fly around (Jrod is definitely my free- spirited kid). 

2.  If I had three hours of fun time, I would have an airsoft gun war with my friends. 

3.  When I’m finished with my school work for the day, I like playing Minecraft.    

       

4.  My favorite meal that mom cooks is baked beans and Barbeque ribs. (He’s referring to the already marinated, pre-packaged ribs.  Heat and serve.)    

5.  The one accomplishment I’m most proud of this year is getting on a select soccer team (I'm going to add that Jrod also rocks at the violin). 

6.  My day includes school, games, shows, dinner & bed. 

Lily: 

1.  If I were an animal, I’d be an elephant because you can eat so much yummy stuff and spray water through your nose. (This answer describes Lily so well.)

2.  If I had three hours to have fun, I would jump on our trampoline. 

3.  When I’m done with my school work, I like to play with Jrod (While this sounds incredibly sweet, there are times when money is exchanged in order for one person to play with the other.) 

4.  My favorite meal that mom cooks is chicken and spaghetti (this is the closest acknowledgment to an actual meal that I have made.  Thank you, Lily Joy). 

5.  I am most proud that this year I learned to be nice to my friends (I’m sincerely glad that someone else learned to be nice this year). 

6.  My day includes eating ice cream, painting, and playing. 

And why not live in a dream world?  With that, folks, we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.  May your days be filled with ice cream, painting, a lot of playing, and above all, may you feel the presence of our Savior.

With Love,

The Polski’s

   

Christmas Reminders

I've been looking at old photos over the last couple of days.  Some cute ones...and some not so cute ones.  Kind of like the junior high pictures that give proof I actually chose to wear my bangs the way I did:  curled up as high as you want to imagine them and sprayed with so much hair spray that wind coming my way would have blown them up in one bulk.    

I stared for a long time at the pictures of my kiddos when they were babies.  Oh, the innocence and sweet phases of wanting to sit on my lap all the time, loving a hug and kiss before school, and the more often than I should admit background noise of Thomas the Train and Elmo's World.  OK, I don't so much miss those background noises so much, though I'm trying to decide if the endless sound from boy bands these days is any better. 

And then there were the pictures of sweet baby smiles - these are the moments I remember with such joy. I want to embrace these memories so tightly that I don't forget any of them.  

And yet, babies grow up.  As quickly as I became sentimental over what used to be, I remembered the sleepless nights (I actually told one of my kids that if they got out of bed anymore at night, they would discover all the things that started crawling around in the middle of the night.  This, folks, was the state of desperate need for sleep that I only heard about before becoming a mother.  And I'm sure my kid will end up in counseling regarding the creepy crawlies).   And the diaper changing.  Oh, the diaper changing.  This needs not commentary. 

And then the crying when Elmo's World was over.  I discovered quickly that logic does not work with a two year old.  No matter how many times I explained I simply cannot make a TV show come back on, there were tantrums galore at the end of every sesame street.  I actually wrote PBS (and I kid you not about this) stating the need for an afternoon showing along with their regular 10:00 a.m. airing.  PBS never listened.  Thus our rather large library (now boxed up) of Elmo's World on VHS.   I do believe that DVR's were, in part, created for parents of toddlers who face these sort of desperate situations today.    

And then there was the grocery shopping with toddlers.  If you don't have one of these precious angels yet, here's a read to keep you from grocery shopping with them.  Possible forever.  

http://www.polskifamily.blogspot.com/2010/05/long-list-trip-to-walmart.html

So, it didn't take long for me to become a little less sentimental and much more grateful for my growing children. 

Last night, I attended the Messiah.  It was a beautiful concert, and in many ways I was caught up in the glory and Majesty of God as the music unfolded the beauty of the Messiah coming to earth.    

At one point I glanced over at my son, who went unwillingly but sat politely and was eating the skittles I brought as a bribe, and I became teary-eyed over the young man that God has been growing right before my eyes.  I loved cuddling him as a baby, I loved his mischievous spirit that kept me on my toes as a toddler, and I'm currently loving his humor, his love for life, and his profound (though at times ridiculous) questions about life.  I found myself longing with anticipation about his future. What will he be like as a high school student?  As an adult?  Will he still be asking for grenades for Christmas as a college kid? (Let's hope that one is outgrown after this year).  

Of course, I was quickly brought back to reality when he noticed me looking at him and leaned over saying, "Mom, stop staring!  And why do they have to repeat every line like five times?  I got that 'unto us a child is born' like the first time they sang it."  

Touche' son.  Touche.' 

I can't help but wonder if these sort of emotions are what we should be feeling at Christmas time. The profound mystery that Christ came to earth as a baby to save us is something as believers we should remember not just a Christmas, but every day we are granted life.  Remembering the past is essential for all of us as believers.  

When I read Isaiah 9:6-7: 
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end," I'm held in the miraculous embrace of what Jesus did for me.   The knowledge of what Scripture tells us happened in a dirty stall so many years ago - that God, our King, humbled himself and came to earth as a baby in order to save us - should affect our daily work, our decisions, and our attitudes. And what happened that night should cause Christmas season to be full of Joy and wonder.

But the joy of the season doesn't end there.  In the same way that merely longing for what used to be causes angst, our thankfulness for what Christ did should cause us to look ahead at what he will do. Advent season isn't only about Christ's first coming.  Jesus came to earth....and He's coming again! When we sing Joy to the World, it should inspire in us a sense of longing for what is to come:  when Jesus returns, the fields, floods, rocks hills and plains will all cry out!  And the shouts of joy will be repeated over and over again.  I can't wait for that day.  

  

Sadly for me, Christmas can be consumed with the stresses that it often involves.  But I'm thankful for the bold reminder through last nights concert of what this season is about as I was surrounded by magnificent music from instruments and voices singing, "And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."  And as we all sang out together:  "King of Kings and Lord of Lords...and He shall reign forever...Hallelujah!"  

And I'm thankful for the gentle reminder from Jesus about the meaning of Christmas when I glance at my son and am filled with gratitude for his past, his present, and all that is to come.  

(Christmas 2008)