Don't forget Santa...

As I was looking at one of my very favorite websites Pinterest the other night, I ran across this very cute letter that a mom wrote to her child about the "real" Santa. I wanted to blog about it for a couple reasons, 1) I don't want to forget about it when the time comes to explain Santa to Brayden and 2) I love how the letter is written and this is how I want Brayden to think of Christmas forever.

Dear Brayden,

Thank you for your letter. You asked a very good question: “Are you Santa?”

I know you’ve wanted the answer to this question for a long time, and I’ve had to give it careful thought to know just what to say.

The answer is no. I am not Santa. There is no one Santa.

I am the person who fills your stockings with presents, though. I also choose and wrap the presents under the tree, the same way my mom did for me, and the same way her mom did for her. (And yes, Daddy helps, too.)

I imagine you will someday do this for your children, and I know you will love seeing them run down the stairs on Christmas morning. You will love seeing them sit under the tree, their small faces lit with Christmas lights.

This won’t make you Santa, though.

Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. What he does is simple, but it is powerful. He teaches children how to have belief in something they can’t see or touch.

It’s a big job, and it’s an important one. Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe: in yourself, in your friends, in your talents and in your family. You’ll also need to believe in things you can’t measure or even hold in your hand. Here, I am talking about love and God, that great power that will light your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments.

Santa is a teacher, and I have been his student, and now you know the secret of how he gets down all those chimneys on Christmas Eve: he has help from all the people whose hearts he’s filled with joy.

With full hearts, people like Daddy and me take our turns helping Santa do a job that would otherwise be impossible.

So, no. I am not Santa. Santa is love and magic and hope and happiness. I’m on his team, and now you are, too.

I love you and I always will.

Mama

Is this not the cutest thing you've ever seen? Is it bad that I'm looking forward to the day I get to give this to him?... Hopefully it won't be for many, many years though!

Weekend Roundup : Mom and Son Adventures!

I'm pretty sure this last weekend was the one weekend a year Jarrod looks forward to... and I know it's really the start of... you guessed it, FOOTBALL season! The boys had their annual Fantasy Football draft. This year they decided to head to Lost Lake for a 3 day camping adventure (pictures to come). 

What did this mean for Brayden and I? Shopping adventures and park adventures too! We had so much fun while daddy was away. We read books, ate junk food, went shopping, played and did A Lot of airplane watching! We sure had fun and I know Jarrod enjoyed his time with the boys. I didn't get any crazy stories this year about things they did... which only means one thing, their all getting OLD... in bed early and starting to mellow out. It was a fun weekend for all 3 of us that's for sure! 

Charlie : 1985-2012 You'll forever be missed

While we were at the beach I received a horrible phone call from one of my best friends. When you answer the phone to a phone call like that, it makes your heart beat fast, it makes your stomach turn in knots, you freeze in place, and a million things run through you mind. When I finally got what was going on... I was in shock.

Our dear friend Charlie passed away on Friday 8/10/2012 he was in a car accident on his way to the beach (ironically b/c we were at the beach the same weekend) and was hit head on... he passed away instantly. I've known Charlie since my freshman year of college where we lived in the same dorms together at OSU. Him and his friends became instant friends with me and my friends. I think we spent everyday together that year... all of us and all of them from beach trips to trips to the Enchanted Forest, the hours of poker playing and fun party nights. That year, his friendship soon turned more with one of my dear friends Mallory. They dated all through college... inseparable really. You always knew wherever Mallory was, Charlie would be there too. After college they went their separate ways, but still remained good friends. Charlie was at our wedding, made trips to Hood River, stayed at our house here in Hillsboro and even went to one of my little sisters basketball games. Charlie was the nicest kid you've ever met. He made everyone laugh, held his friends so close and would truly give you the shirt off his back. It makes me so sad to think that the world has lost someone so good hearted and kind. Those people don't come into your life often, but when they do you need to be thankful for the time God has allowed us to spend with them. Over the past few years, I hadn't seen Charlie much... but we would always stay in contact with a quick "hi, how are you" text message or a comment on Facebook.

(Above) Alyssa, Chalie and I at Anna's wedding in Hood River.

(Left) is when Alyssa and I duct taped Charlie up... because he said we couldn't. (Right) is one of our many car rides with Shane and Charlie over to Naaman's house. We spent many nights over there our freshman year. 

(Left) one of the many nights of poker playing (Right) When you gotta go... you gotta go, even if it's at the beach

 Fun beach trip with the whole gang. 

 (Right) one crazy night in mine and Alyssa's dorm room... oh these were some crazy boys! 

(Left) headed to the beach... Chalie forgot his sunglasses... so my extra pair were perfect! (Right) Mal and Chalie on her 21st birthday at our house... never a dull moment with those 2! 

(Left) The boys on the back deck enjoying a nice cigar. (Right) Alyssa and Charlie hanging out in Naaman's room - one of my fav. pictures! 

Friday 8/10 was a sad day... the world lost a really good guy. I truly think he's partying it up in heaven and enjoying watching all of us make a fool of ourselves down here! May you rest in peace, Charlie and like I always say... it's not "good bye" it's... "I'll see you in heaven" we'll miss you forever Char.

Fogle Family Beach Trip

We spent last weekend at the beach with the whole Fogle clan. We have never been on an "all family" adventure before and it turned out really fun. Jarrod, Brayden and I were in charge of breakfasts and we made yummy breakfast casserole on the first night and french toast, bacon and eggs the second morning. 

We spent time chatting, walking on the beach, playing in the sand, playing games, walking dogs and enjoying the beautiful house! Oh and we watched some Olympics too! It was so much fun and so overdue. Here is a little glimpse of the fun adventure. 

 

Throwback Thursday

Year : 2000

Dance : Sadyhawkiqns  

Peeps : (left to right) Kyle, Alyssa, Lauren, Todd, me, Alex

Haha I saw this and had to make it a throwback picture! We thought we were so cool and we look like little thug gangsters! We sure had fun in high school though. Some of the best memories for sure. I meant to put this up last week, but it totally slipped my mind. So, for all of you to enjoy... it sure takes me back! and gives me a good laugh! What is Brayden going to think of this?!

Zoo Zoo Zoo we love the Zoo

Zoo Zoo Zoo we love the Zoo! Here are pictures of our latest Zoo adventures...

Our new friend Davis