The Magic of Christmas

I often wonder what happened to the magic of Christmas at this time of year. When I was a child, Christmas was more than a holiday, more than a meal with multiple families. I don't know how old I was when the surprise element left the holiday, in fact I am not sure it ever did as far as how the "magic" happened. I never thought about, or tried to figure out, how the presents got there, how the food all appeared, how the stockings were filled, how everything got paid for, or how I always managed to get what I wanted plus, what I didn't even know I wanted. My point is that the magic of Christmas was my ignorance I guess you could say. I wish I could say the same for my children.

I have tried to continue the traditions from my childhood, with a few adjustments for our family, and it worked for awhile. We continue to attend candlelight service, although the powers that be have made adjustments to the services to "modernize" things. We continue to go to Grandma's house after services to eat the same traditional meal of tamales and spaghetti (don't have any idea where that combo came from), although Grandpa is no longer there pouring drinks or "pestering" everyone until Grandma yells from the kitchen for him to stop. The family is still there but everything seems rushed and cramped now, due to great grand kids and having to fit in the meal and presents before anyone has to leave for work or to get home. We still have our "family" Christmas, Christmas morning before we have to rush off to yet another event with the other side of the family. Get ready, get loaded, get there, get done, get home, get unloaded, get settled, get....

Maybe these changes are what happens to everyone when you are no longer the focus of the magic, but the one who tries to make the magic happen. You learn all the secrets to how it happens, the stress of timing and money, the frustration of finding the perfect gifts or picture for the cards, getting the kids to all the functions, etc. and the cycle continues over and over.

I hope that I have given my kids some of the magic as I knew it. I guess my "magic" is different from my parents, and their parents and so on. My kids will hopefully think back to great memories, magical memories of their own. I know my youngest is too smart for his own good and has already figured out how some things are done, but still young enough to think if he doesn't play along that it all goes away. Well, maybe he is too smart, he is giving me back some of the magic by playing along so the magic doesn't all go away, at least not yet.

Adventures in Blogging

I started this blogging project as a outlet for what one could assume would be a journal of sorts. I often have random thoughts that don't always tie in to my world, so this could potentially be the creative outlet I need. This could also prove to be the sounding board or a way to save my husband from my tendency to "blabble". Blah, Blah, Blah, on and on. Sometimes I truly feel like the teacher on Charlie Brown when it comes to being heard in this house of males.

I was reading my horoscope this morning, and I found it interesting. I think it hits upon this new venture I am undertaking. Whether hundreds of people or no one else ever reads this; I am able to delve more deeply into my thoughts, beliefs, and possibly reach new perspectives. Now don't start thinking you have stumbled upon some freak that plans my life upon the stars, but isn't it nice to think when you read one sometimes that the stars are lining up in your favor at least for a little while. Anyway, this was mine this morning: Your intellect is diving more deeply than usual, and you almost certainly find that you're hitting on some new ideas that make life a lot more interesting. It's a great day for making new friends, too!

Let's see where this new adventure takes me and maybe some new friends.

Animoto.com

Tristan did this in class today and I thought I would share it. Maybe it will help bring in the Christmas cheer.

Introduction to the Sivells' World

I am going to start by introducing myself. I am 36 six years old and raising two rough and rowdy boys. Carson is 8 going on 15. Tristan is 12 going on 16. They are both good boys with their own quirks, to say the least. I am married for 14 years, but have been with my husband, Jim, since I was 17. We are an active family to say the least. I have a delivery contract with the USPS for the past 9 years. Jimbo is self-employed in ranching, construction, and even farming. He is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades, to say the least. I have taken up barrel racing in the past three years and have fairly well, despite the lack of practice as often as I should. Jimbo and I both serve on the local Park Board. We oversee the community park, its maintenance, events and the headaches often associated with it. We have been on the board for 8 years now. The boys share their love of sports, fishing, hunting, going to the lake, and riding horses, with their father. They also enjoy spending time with family and friends. They enjoy going to their grandparents houses, especially my dad's or Opa, as they call him. The spend many weeks at his house in West Texas each summer and what they can, over school breaks. They do not, however, enjoy school. They enjoy the social aspects and extra curricular activities involved with school but actual work, you must be kidding. They are expected to work at school?

Tristan decided this year that school was at least tolerable since he was starting junior high sports. I have decided that the coaching/motivational program implemented in the seventh grade, be started in second or third grade. The change and maturity level has changed so much from last year I almost don't recognize my own kid. Tristan remarked after picking him up from football practice one day that he needed to get home to do his math homework and I nearly ran off the road. I actually had to look around and check the back seat to make sure I heard what I heard, from who I had heard it from. To some that may sound ridiculous or overreacting, but we are talking about a child that was almost held back in sixth grade for maturity and academic reasons. He is very soft hearted and would give you the shirt off his back unless of course you are his little brother. He has always been the politician of the family even as a toddler. He has never known a stranger, even when he sat in the grocery cart, he would stop the people passing by and have a quick chat. Sometimes, I would like to throttle him for that, but not completely a bad trait to have. He has always gravitated to older things, people, music, movies. He is an old western buff, loves country and will flat out tell you he is a redneck. He has taken up team roping and if his father was home more he might actually get to practice. He is probably more like me, which is probably why we butt heads more. He is an Aquarius. Tristan wants to be friends with everyone even when they have treated him badly in the past. He is quick to forgive. He will be the kid in the car while the other are papering the house. He might even tell them not to do it but then eventually join in.

Carson is in a mold of his own. He loves to joke and play. In fact, he will straight out tell you that is all he wants to do. Schoolwork and chores just get in the way of fun. I believe his comments regarding his schoolwork falls somewhere along the lines of, "I only got one C, what is the problem"? He is very quick-witted and a bit of a smart mouth. I would of course blame that on his father but those who know me might raise a bit of objection to that. I will just say that he got a healthy dose of stubborn attitude from both sides (60% his dad!). Anyway, Carson is very sociable unless you want him to be and then he feigns shyness. He is very alert to things around him and notices details more than we like sometimes. He has figured out that I am the tooth fairy and Santa. He tells you he knows the truth but then quickly retracts statements for fear that the perks will end. So, by that you can tell his motivation, perks and what is in it for him. Carson is also very giving and kind hearted. He is empathetic but at the same time can be very hostile if crossed or he feels like he is not being heard. Carson will be the kid that is having the party at his house and mooning people out the window. (Which I might add, he has already done). He is true to his zodiac sign Gemini.

Jimbo, is the Aries (the ram) of the family. Stubborn, easily bored, ready to go in an instant, fearless, self-centered, competitive, but highly magnetic. He can frustrate you beyond words, then turn it completely around (after awhile, because after all I am a Leo). He has a very analytical mind and can figure anything out in less time than it takes to enter the information into a calculator. He doesn't like to be bothered with such things as worry, or emotion. Fix the problem and move on. "Doesn't do any good to worry about it" or "You can choose to be happy or sad" are just a couple of his favorite sayings. He thinks through projects or endeavors completely and knows the outcome before even starting, making people often think he has the Midas touch. Oh, if they only knew. Jimbo is the main reason we have achieved all we have, and have done as well as we have in this life. He is a hard worker, and gives his all in everything he does when it comes to work. He works hard but likes to play hard also. When he is "off" work, don't expect much to happen on the honey-do list. The song that always reminds me of Jimbo is "Rolling with the Flow" by Charlie Rich.

Once was a thought inside my head,

Before I'd reach thirty I'd be dead.

But somehow on and on I go,

Keep on rolling with the flow.

Folks said that I would change my mind,

I'd settle down and do just fine.

Ah, but I still love rock 'n roll,

I keep on rolling with the flow.

I got my angel raising kids,

I'm raising hell just like I did.

I got a lot of crazy friends

And they forgive me of my sins.

Some might be calling me a bum,

but I'm still out there having fun.

Jesus loves me yes I know,

So I keep on rolling with the flow.

Can't take it with you when you gone,

But I want enough to get there on.

And I ain't never growing old,

If I keep on rolling with the flow.

Maybe Jimbo has the key, roll with the flow and keep your oars in the boat. Lord knows, often I feel like my oars are dragging behind the boat and I am paddling with my both hands. Don't tell him I said I wanted to be more like him either, I will have to hunt you down. Thanks for losing a few brain cells and some valuable time reading this. More to come, stay tuned...