Ch..Ch..Ch..Changes...yet, not so much ;)

So...it's the holiday season again, otherwise known as 2 months of hell when you have an Autistic kid. I'm not being ugly, I'm just saying..that crowds, and chaos, and changes in routine, and over stimulation are NOT the things that spell J-O-Y or make for a Happy Heart...when that heart is wrapped up in an Asperger boy's body. That is ONE of the reasons that we made some ch..ch..ch..changes to our holiday routine last year. The other (main) one is that we felt that our kids just weren't 'getting it'...well that and they already have enough STUFF.  If you are a new reader of my blog...GO BACK ;) read last year's Blog about..Giving Away Christmas...this could have been titled - Giving it Away..part II.

But seriously, they don't NEED all that stuff.  They have clothes, books, games, toys, and most importantly PARENTS who spend time with them. On top of that they have extended family AND an AMAZING church family, youth group, etc who they SPEND TIME WITH. There are too many kids out there who have NONE of that...who have very little clothes, toys, etc...and who have NO ONE spending any time with them.  Our kids are blessed, and they have spent a great deal of time this holiday season...giving back. This year in addition to their much anticipated (and much loved) Advent calendar from their Dear Mrs. Lois...we decided that I would also create an Advent calendar for them.  I made 2 origami envelopes for each day...1 had a scripture card in it that is taking them through the story of Jesus' birth. Found it here..
http://printable.tipjunkie.com/printable-christmas-story-advent-cards/ LOVE me some Tip Junkie! And the other has had an activity or 'fun thing' according to the kids...

So far the funniest day (to me) has been the day that Justice was reading "...and you will name him Jesus..." and Savy said "hey WAIT! God told Mary what to name her baby?? That's not nice, you should get to pick your baby's name!" LOL When I asked her who's baby was he really? She DID know that he was really God's baby boy...BUT she still thinks that a Mama should be able to name her own baby...haha  It has just warmed our hearts how much they have enjoyed the 'fun things' too...They have been things like - make paper snowflakes, have a picnic in front of the tree, buy gifts for a needy child, make and send a card to someone in the military, donate food to the local food pantry, string Christmas lights...

This past Saturday our kids were blessed to spend the day with our youth group while we went caroling for the afternoon.  We took a group of about 20-25 middle and high schoolers around to give back to the community. We met up with some great folks from the Salvation Army, learned a bit about their Angel Tree program, and then headed out for the afternoon.  We went around to several different locations and spent some time caroling at the 'red kettles' at each location.  It was funny to see how as people bustled by in their rush to shop, they would almost always start singing along with us.  It was a LONG day and our kiddos were troopers. We ended up the evening with our Youth group's progressive dinner.  I just can not say enough about our church family, the fabulous youth group that we have, and most of all our AMAZING youth pastor...Colby is a gem. I'm pretty sure that my children actually think he is related to us since we are all together so much...good thing since he loves our kids almost as much as they love him ;) 

I'm not sure where I was going with this when I started...I have more to say, but it is getting quite late.  I will have to finish tomorrow.  But before I say goodbye, another melt my heart moment - at one point on Saturday afternoon I hear Savy say to Colby "hey Colby...you know what we did last night?!? We shopped for our needy childs..." Maybe, just maybe they are starting to get it...


Until next time...all our love, the Nortons4