Making Christmas Memories

Brooke and I were talking the other day about the number of "messed up" people in the world. We weren't really trying to be mean or judgemental, but sometimes I have to wonder what makes certain people tick. And then I said to Brooke, "You know, I just don't think we realize how blessed we are to have come from good homes where we knew we were loved." The more I observe people, the more I realize how much "a rough childhood" can really mess people up. That same night we drove through a very well-to-do neighborhood in the high school district where Amanda will be going to high school if we do not move before then. All of this led us to talk about how Amanda would never grow up in a rich household, but we are determined she grow up in a home knowing she is loved, knowing her Mom and Dad are not going to divorce and where she can learn to grow up into the godly woman she was created to be.

Because we are committed to family at the Hurt household, we're planning lots of family time while Amanda is out of school for Christmas. On Friday, Brooke, Amanda and I went to see The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. We talked with Amanda about the movie before we went, about how it was an allegory, and about the Christian symbolism/story in the movie. She sat on my lap during the movie and we talked about the symbolism throughout the movie. She remembered what I had told her and understood what was going on during the movie. Afterwards, she asked if we could get the movie when it comes out on DVD. Yes, I told her, we will get it. (Very good movie). I then asked her if she would like to get the books, the Chronicles of Narnia, and read them (I read to Amanda at bedtime). When she said "yes", I was glad since she already had the one volume set under the Christmas tree.

Tonight we finished the book Last Flight of Noah's Ark and are excited to begin the Chronicles of Narnia tomorrow night. We read together at night for several reasons: because Amanda likes it and because it encourages her desire to read, but the main reason I take 20-30 minutes out of my evening is to make memories. I want Amanda to remember the times she and her Daddy spent together before she went to bed. I want her to remember the stories we shared, the secure feeling she had going to sleep knowing she is loved, and knowing that she is worth taking time for.

On Christmas Eve, we slept in a bit. We hung around the house until 3pm or so and then headed over to my parents. We played Pigs and Chickens (a dice game) which Amanda won. Mom made vegetable soup and chili for dinner, but the vegetable soup was so good that nobody got around to the chili! After that, we sat down read the Christmas story, opened Christmas presents and then watched It's a Wonderful Life .

We purposely did all of the stocking stuff and gift opening on Saturday we could focus on Jesus' birthday today. We slept in and then went to church at 10:30am. We had a good time of worship, special music and reading, a message from Pastor and family communion. We came home, Brooke and I slept while Amanda watched Madagascar twice and then we went to spend some time with Brooke's brother and his family. We came home this evening and Amanda played with her new computer game until bedtime when we finished reading our book and prayed before she fell asleep. Brooke is not on the couch reading/falling asleep while I sit here and blog. It has been a good day and a good few days of making Christmas memories.

- Rob