Well, I ran out of time to blog, but not out of time to do Elbert the Elf tasks with the kids
As previously blogged about:
1. Sorted all clothes and ended up with a 30 gallon bag to donate to a family in need
2. Wrote/made Christmas cards for a local nursing home
Everything else:
3. Did Santa for a Senior for a local senior in need
We got a lady named Doris. Her main request was puzzles, then body wash and a CVS gift card. Oh my I had trouble stopping the spending. She reminded me so much of Marko's Aunt Carolyn, an avid puzzle lover, who died in February. This was the first Christmas in 10 years I haven't bought her a puzzle and what luck the Senior we were assigned would want a puzzle!
4. Donated money to the Guatemalan child Anthony's sunday school class sponsors
5. Took a donation of pet food to our local humane society
And the kids got to see the animals too and they approved of that :-D
6. Bought new shoes for two kids in need
7. Bought new Christmas Jammies for 3 kids in need
8. Donate food to the (church) food bank
9. make cookies for a neighbor
technically we made chex muddy buddy mix and brownies instead.... because I'm not a pro cookie maker ;-)
10. Simple, yet a big deal to the kids: donating at the Salvation Army's red kettle
11. Invite people to the Christmas program at church-- R.J. came with us along with the usual people I take every Sunday-- Joyce and her three kidlets.
12. Gave the garbage men a large container of fudge
Jayna was quite excited to hand it to the driver. Bummer I didn't get a picture. Amusingly they waved and thanked us today :-D Small gesture still brings Joy a week later!
Marriage Equality--- how about Adoption and Race and Family Equality?!
So I hop onto MSNBC's Facebook page after seeing an OUTRAGEOUS fb post I was hoping was wrong.
Here is the first Post on their fb page at 5pm 12/31/13
What a year! As 2013 draws to a close, 10 additional states have opened the door to marriage equality.
Whether I agree or disagree with this topic seems insignificant. Remember just 2 weeks ago this guys reality tv career was nearly ruined by having an opinion on that above life style. He wasn't making fun of the lifestyle. He was stating his biblical stance--- not far from what you'd here many pastors say really, so why it was such a "shock", I don't know.
I have yet to watch a single episode of this show, but disagree with him getting in trouble for stating his opinion.
I am not shocked to hear Christians with Christian based beliefs nor am I shocked to hear non-Christians with non Christian beliefs and I'm also not shocked to hear there is a huge mix of people in the middle, each with and entitled to their own beliefs. Hopefully all can say and think their beliefs in a non-confrontational non hate-filled way, after all I am very much a fan of having my own set of opinions and beliefs, and am ok with you having different ones too.
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And all that to create a platform... MSNBC believes in Equality for MARRIAGE--- but is TOTALLY ok with bashing a family with an adopted child:
Insert this picture of Presidential Canidate 2012 Mitt Romney with his wife and their 22 grandchildren
MSNBC, specifically the Melissa Harris-Perry Show (gag sorry sis you are forced to share a first name with this woman) thought there was humor in playing a sesame street song "Which of these things is not like the others".
One of the panelists, actress Pia Glenn, started singing "one of these things is not like the others," while Harris-Perry laughed. “And that little baby, front and center, would be the one,” Glenn said.
ARE YOU SERIOUS?!
They went on to kid about baby Kiernan who was adopted by Romney's son and daughter in law-- things such as Baby Kiernan and baby North West wedding, jokes about this displaying the republican party's diversity,
"Can you imagine Mitt Romney and Kanye West as in-laws?” Harris-Perry said.
“I think this picture is great,” said comedian Dean Obeidallah. “It really sums up the diversity of the Republican Party, the RNC. At the convention, they find the one black person.”
Let me be clear- whether this baby was adopted, whether Romney's son married a Kenyan and the baby was multi-race-- neither option make me any less outraged.
I asked my 9 year old what was different in the photo above. His first answer was "they almost all have on the same checkered shirt". I tried to probe him further and he said " the girl in the back is the only one wearing a white shirt." He is right. I love even at 9 years old the innocence and truth in his answer!
Here is my family--- or as much of it as we have successfully gotten into one picture.
Wriston Family Summer 2011, before my oldest brother and his wife were stationed in Guam. We have not gotten to see them since the day after this picture was taken 2.5 years ago now. We are certainly missing many family members out of this photo, but we traveled from Virginia to Georgia to get this taken, so not everyone could get off work, or make travel plans.
I again asked Anthony what was different in this photo ... as opposed to the Romney family photo he answered "Everyone has on a different shirt"
Wriston Family Summer 2013-- as previously mentioned my oldest brother and his wife aren't in the USA so obviously not in the photo--- oh you just wait for family photo 2014... I;m hopeful for a more accurate and full family photo.
Anthony's answer for what is different in this photo is "My belt is the only one showing" Again he is correct, and somewhat funny too without being offensive, racist, anti-adoption or any other combination of wording and feelings.
I am the MOST proud individual in the most diverse and full family I could have ever imagined. I am one of 26 siblings. I share my parents with 25 others. I have siblings who are Indian, Caucasian, African american. I have redheads, blondies, curly hair and straight, tall and short, heavier builds and thinner.. I have a foster sister who has a wife and I don't care about them any differently, I love each and every member. My family is unique. My family is created on love and acceptance and commitment to one another. Some of my foster siblings I haven't seen in over 15 years, but once that bond is formed there is no turning back, I certainly will always consider them my family. We now stretch across the USA Nevada, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia and even into Guam. Life isn't always kind or easy to these kids who have grown up in often multiple families and have faced numerous hardships, so why add in national mockery to adoption to just make it even less pleasant! Sure times have changed over the decades and the races over all are more accepted and it isn't a giant shock to see different races in one family now, but that is only one small piece of the puzzle for many of the kids in blended families.
To say I was offended by the MSNBC statements isn't enough. This is the mockery of so many families although only one is pictured. So many families are built and formed using adoption both abroad and in the US or fostering. This displayed a non-acceptance of us all, of that entire community. It also showed the continued non-acceptance of multi-race families and families that are made stronger off of differences. If they don't look like the "typical" American family from 10 or 20 years ago
who looked picture perfect and shared similar features it is like there is something odd or funny or deserving to be made a mockery of. Welcome to America land of the free and diverse and changing and growing and transforming and still amazing American family. You don't have to look like your parents. You may have two moms or dad or just one mom or one dad and that's it, you may have an adopted sibling or you may have a parent from (or heritage from) a different country. Welcome to the new american family- multi race, biracial, blended, step, unique family.
WELCOME TO THE NEW AMERICAN FAMILY, LIKE IT OR NOT. Accept the beliefs these families have or not, still accept these families for who they are without the mockery and hate. It is NOT funny.
And with that, Happy New Years Eve and may you remember Equality of all people, in all families, Even if it isn't in your belief system, leave the judging to God. And perhaps Melissa Harris-Perry you should make a new years resolution too.... think before you talk on national tv, don't pass the blame around ("I didn't produce this show"), and choose a better panel next time! This wasn't the best way to build a fan base.
And if you have made it this far, how about you enjoy the feel good story about this family of 22. Ten happy minutes, you won't regret! This is my vision of a truly happy American family.
Elbert came back while the kids were in school. He decorated the tree and got out the Christmas decor.
Elbert left us a letter again. It said
"Hi! You did great yesterday choosing clothes to donate. Today's task will be sending Christmas cards to older people in a nursing home. It will brighten their day and bring them joy. Also, here's a bow for each of you to put on the tree to remind you of today's tproject.
Love,
Elbert"
The cards are in the star basket below the tree
A way "cool" Anthony and pretty Jayna with their cards
It's true-- my kids have never believed in Santa, although I wanted to do the whole Santa thing, it just wasn't happening.... So that means I could join in the fun and craziness of Elf on the Shelf. I continually got more jealous as I would see all the crazy antics of some elves and the excitement of kids via the facebook world. Then last week I saw Kindness Elves. That concept would totally work, We erase all Santa and imagination aspects, add some treats from our Elf and treats for others and the fact the Dollar Tree sold me a stuffed Elf for $1 (yes I admit I am a proud cheapskate!). Each day our Elf will bring the kids an ornament to put on the tree and leave us any needed props to do a community service project of some variety. We are doing 12 days of Christmas. That means it will end Dec 23rd for us. After all we have plenty to do the 24th and 25th without an elf. Technically I wanted to start it tomorrow, but Anthony's class had the perfect kick off to it today at school. Our elf doesn't do mornings so he magfically appears while the kids are at school :-)
The 3rd and 4th grade had a bake sale and everyone was excited with money in hand
Dylan was a great cashier
Mackenzie, Anthony, Aubrey, DJ, Dylan and Mrs. Kelly are on duty-- they had multiple shifts and this was their shift.
In Mrs. Kelly's class they have been reading the book Yuki. It's the story of an Inuit boy who learns about God and the adventures he has in the Land of the Midnight Sun. They had the bake sale to raise money to send to missionaries in Alaska for their mission work in bringing salvation to the people in N. Alaska. Many people there haven't heard about Jesus. One of their current mission projects there is to put radio stations in these remote Alaskan villages. Each one costs $5000. Plus the villages need basic funds to do things like vacation bible school for the children there.
Mrs. Kelly's class started off on Tuesday by icing cookies. They asked parents to help provide additional goodies. We took in 50 chocolate chip cookies. Their class ate lunch early so they could run the bake sale during everyone else's lunch time. Then after school the kids sold the remainder of the goodies at pick up time.
The 1st and 2nd graders, Mikey, Michael and Jett hug-attacking Anthony
Our elf arrived just before I headed to crossing guard in the afternoon. He came baring a special pencil and Santa hat for each kidlet, a nativity activity set and a letter to introduce himself all hiding in the tree.... that magically got put up 5 mins before I walked out the door--- yes again for our 2nd year, placed on top of the brand new never yet installed toilet the hubs "needed".... note top wise women- never allow your spouse to go to the home improvement store alone!
Very quickly rigged tree, with our new friend and his gifts
Meet our ELF:
Elbert
Lancelot
Flake
Oyr letter from Elbert said:
"Hi! I'm so glad to meet you! My name is Elbert Lancelot Flake. Get it? E.L.F.! I've come to teach you the real meaning of Christmas over the next 12 days. Mrs. Kelly helped you start today at the bake sale to raise money for others!
Today your task is to sort your clothes and donate what doesn't fit or you don't want to others who need more clothes. Everyday we will do something to bring true Joy by putting
Jesus 1st
Others 2nd
Yourself last.
Much Love,
Elbert"
After some initial complaining, the kids sorted all their clothes and we ended up with a large full laundry basket to donate to some friends who have trouble affording new clothes.
Last week all week the kids at the school learned and practiced songs to perform for the Saturday Sabbath service at church (Nov 9th).
The Kindy-2nd graders learned
played bells and sang a song... which of course my child "can't remember" because "It was a long weekend after Saturday I just forgot it"
The 3rd-8th graders learned
Come now is the time to worship
I will sing of your love forever
I want Jesus lifted high
Their principal also did a puppet show which was cute and the a few of
the girls did special music too! After that, the congregation invited
us to share a pot luck meal with them. Very kind of them and very tasty
too!
We got home near 2pm-- time enough for a 3ish hour nap before getting up for the Fall Festival at the kids school. Those newly installed gym lights were put to very good use for a festive and fun night with new school friends!
The kids were quick to discover the corn filled kiddie pool.... as were countless others.
They were entertained by the non-games until my volunteer time was over at 7pm. Then we played all the games, and all their favorite games multiple times!
Gee-Whiz, toilet paper toss
Coca-Cola Bottle Ring Toss with shower curtain hooks was much harder than it appeared
Jayna with her "water pistol" water bottle knocking down her targets
The ping pong balls were held up by golf tees
Ant ended up knocking down 4 of them
Pumpkin Lolly Pop pick: the end of the lolly pops were colored and that determined your prize. Both kids got small candy first. Then Ant played two more times and won mini footballs.
This was easily their favorite game, and Jayna came back to it more times than we shall mention, while Anthony replayed other games-- especially the pumpkin and hayride
I can't believe I failed to take some rather important photos--- but I was trying to keep up with two excited kidlets and not spend too terribly much... so with that said I missed the impressive Chilli display, a picture of my heavenly brownie-- no ordinary brownie and Mr. Billy auctioning off the baked goods, which was amusing with his fine culinary art descriptions- haha. All that to say Jayna in true loyal Jayna form ONLY wanted her Grandma and Poppy's chilli and so out of 20 options that was hers. Anthony and I true to our insane picky nature chose none. The brownie I got was well worth the admittance fee OF $5. YES I do think it was that good! And we all had lemonade. During the auction we ate and enjoyed the petting farm area.... ok well Anthony couldn't have cared less about the animals but Jayna and I liked them, especially Hannah!
Then it was back to the festival fun after the auction ended. We headed for the hayride.
It was soooo stinkin' cold but quite fun to go on a hayride around the neighborhood
Jayna and I gave it two thumbs up-- even if we could no longer feel those thumbs, especially for certain children who won't wear coats... Crazy! Anthony had fun with the boys joking around, throwing hay and singing that fox song that annoys possibly everyone but me... because some people like me haven't heard their kid sing before this past year when he started... so yes I approve of annoying songs too :-)
Near the end of our ride a high schooler was goofing off with an older teen rider. He went to wail a mini football at him... Anthony's head got hit instead. It left a nice wely on his eye and bruising for a day and a half... yet no tears, instead a tad stunned for sure and then a giggle... Boys!
swollen eye, and still cute
We came inside to get more tickets. Ant wanted to play the pumpkin game again but all the lolly pops had been picked. Luckily we were allowed to buy one of these coveted punching balloons. Note to Beth-- stocking stuffer requirement....
Anthony chose to go on a second hayride with his boy buddies. I am far too freezified to do that twice. Jayna and I found more games instead!
a very rosy cheeked Jayna with her amazing teacher Ms. Jeanie
Jayna warmed up by the "campfire"
The dessert stand was quite cute
Jasmine escaping the fence to help "clean up" the scattered corn from the pool
Then we found out there was more fun outside! So Jayna took her nachos and cheese to wait in (a very long) line for Mr. Doss's haunted classroom maze! It was during that wait Anthony returned quite unhappy from his hayride. His coveted balloon was popped... for the record a certain mother HAD warned him about taking the balloon on the ride! Unfortunately there were no more balloons for sale, but he survived and got in line for the haunted classroom too. Afterwards Jayna wanted to do the maze again while Anthony chose to bounce and flip solo in the bounce house.
We had a great time! Hopefully it was a successful fund raiser as well. It was now a tad after nine so we headed to mom and dad's house to visit with Uncle Alden who had come to see the Appomattox historical sites. The kiddos spent the night there while I headed to work the third shift 11-8am.
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