Christmas Giving…and Oyster Stuffing

As Christmas gets closer and closer, I am reminded about how much our priorities change as we age. We go from thinking only of ourselves to thinking of others. We go from a more selfish point-of-view to a point of view where we are considering the thoughts and feelings of the people around us. As we grow and change, we realize that we are not center of the universe and that others matter as well.

When I was a child, Christmas was all about the presents. I loved Christmas because it was a time that I was able to get new toys and lots of candy, fruit, and other good things to eat. My mom always made the best turkey and oyster stuffing. We only got turkey and oyster stuffing on Christmas, so it was something that was a real treat. I remember waking up early on Christmas morning and having the house smell so good from all the celery and onions that were already being chopped up in preparation for the Christmas feast.

As I got older and moved out of the house, Christmas was a time to come home from college and have a much needed break from my studies. I treasured this time with my mom and dad because I didn't get to see them very much. I was too busy with classes and friends at that time. However, Christmas was always a time when things slowed down and I could come home to spend time with my parents. As an only child, we didn't have those big family Christmases that you see on television. It was a simple matter. However, we had (and still have) as much love as a family of 1000! It was so nice to get to come home for a while. You don't appreciate your mom's home-cooking until you have been eating food at college for a while!

After I married Lisa and we moved away, Christmas grew for me. Up until that time, Christmas was just about me and my parents. When Lisa and I got married, the Christmas holidays also included my lovely wife and her family. It was cool to see new traditions and celebrate the holidays with new people as well. I loved Lisa's family and their Christmas celebrations because they were now my family as well. This started our tradition of spending time with Lisa's family on Christmas Eve and my family on Christmas day. I still had to get home to that famous turkey with oyster stuffing!

After 19 years of marriage (going on a lovely 20!), Lisa and I find ourselves in a new role. We are now Mommy and Daddy to a lively 2 year (going on 3 year!) old little boy. Now Christmas has taken on a new meaning for us. My greatest Christmas gift this year has been making this holiday season as magical as I can make it for my son, Jacob. We have been reading Christmas stories, watching Christmas DVD's, and visiting the stores to see what Santa can bring him on Christmas morning.

This past weekend, we traveled around to various places.....and wouldn't you know it.....we ended up seeing Santa THREE different times! First, we saw Santa at True Value right here in Jackson. Of course, Jacob had to sit on Santa's lap and have his picture taken while he told Santa not to forget his guitar on Christmas morning. After that, we saw Santa again in Meijer's at Hamburg in Lexington. Jacob ran up to the old man with all the toys and once again had his picture made with him. He told Santa to bring him a guitar. He just wanted to make sure that he didn't forget.

Finally, we enjoyed the Southern Lights display at the Kentucky Horse Park. For those of you who have never been, this is a wonderful Christmas display of lights and music. You drive through the Horse Park and enjoy scenes such as the 12 Days of Christmas, Winter Villages, and even a dragon! Afterwards, you go to the Visitor's Center to see holiday crafts, shows, and...you guessed it...Santa! We had to see Santa one last time. And of course....Jacob once again told Santa to bring him a guitar. I guess that Jacob thought that Santa really traveled around on that day! LOL!

So as we get closer to the holiday, I just want to say that for me, Christmas is all about bringing joy to my little boy and to my family. I just want them to have the happiest holiday of all. For me....it isn't about the gifts and the "trappings" of the season. It is about the giving.

Of course, I am still looking forward to Mom's turkey and oyster stuffing!

Until next week....class dismissed!

Christmas is Alive and Well!

Christmas time is almost here! You will be happy to know that Christmas is alive at the Fugate household...and so is Santa Claus! Jacob has been learning all about the holiday and how Santa Claus comes to visit all the good boys and girls on Christmas Eve. He is all excited to know that Santa will leave toys and candy for all the good children in their stockings and under the Christmas tree. Now...if he can just get the "good" part down...LOL! Bless his heart, he really is trying.

 

So far, we have decorated the Christmas tree and hung up the stockings. Of course, we had to decorate the tree in the child-friendly fashion this year. This means that the decorations only come down to a certain line....Jacob's reach. He is so excited about the tree that he just has to grab decoration off of it. He wants to help with the decorating. But his idea of decorating is taking ornaments off of the tree and flinging them down the basement stairs! Maybe he is just trying to spread the Christmas spirit around a little bit more. Who knows?!?

This past weekend, we traveled to Grayson, Kentucky. This is where my wife Lisa spent her childhood so we try to get back there every now and then just to see how things have changed. While we were there, we went shopping at K-Mart. Well wouldn't you know it....they had a huge sale on toys! We just had to make sure that "Santa" was able to get some good bargains on the Christmas bonanza that will soon hit. LOL! Of course, I had to distract him while the toys were loaded into the van. HA!

We also hit several other stores on our way to Ashland and Huntington. In Wal-Mart, we even got to see the old man with all the toys himself....Santa Claus! We quietly informed Santa that this was the first time Jacob had ever seen Santa in person and that he might be a little bit frightened. Old Santa was really calm and kind with Jacob and didn't let out with any loud "HO HO HO's." Instead, we gently placed Jacob in his lap. Santa asked Jacob what he wanted for Christmas. Jacob was really shy and quiet, but he didn't cry or try to get down. I was afraid that he would shout "NOT REAL" and try to jerk Santa's beard off! Instead, he bashfully told Santa that he wanted a guitar and some drums for Christmas. Add a couple more items to the list! LOL! Luckily, his Mamaw Janet has already gotten him a guitar...so that just left a drum set for us to get for him. Check!

After a long day of shopping and playing with the toys in the toy aisles, we hit Central Park in Ashland, Kentucky. They have a fantastic Christmas light display. The best thing about it is that you can drive all the way around it and see everything. You don't even have to get out of the car. Now, it isn't as big as the Southern Lights at the Horse Park...but it is a really nice display. Jacob's eyes got really big as he gawked out of the window so that he could see everything. He kept saying "Again...see it again!" So we made a couple trips around the park so that he could enjoy it.

It was a long day...but it was a good day. I think that "Santa" is all ready to go now. The toys are snuggled away in a secret location....ready to make their grand appearance on Christmas day. I still need to see which ones come in multiple parts. I will get to take on the role of Head Elf....putting all of this stuff together. I certainly don't want to be stumbling around all bleary-eyed on Christmas morning trying to fit Tab A into Slot A....or trying to find batteries! What would Santa do? LOL!

This will be our first Christmas as a family....and Lisa and I couldn't be happier. We spent so many years waiting to be parents. And now that moment is here. Our first Christmas. We just want to make it a magical moment for our little boy. I know that each Christmas is a special, magical time. But there will never be a "first" Christmas ever again. We plan to make this year the best one in the books.

So as we count down the days until old Santa arrives, I hope that each and every one of you will find the Christmas spirit alive and well at your house as well. Christmas is a time full of love and giving. And Christmas through the eyes of a child is something that is worth more than all of the silver and gold in the world. God Bless! Merry Christmas!

Until next week....class dismissed!