Advent Conspiracy

Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is right around the corner. Black Friday has come and gone and a man was trampled to death for a meager 3% increase in sales. But it's okay, because that flat screen TV was worth it - only $499! Thank you, Jesus, for being born so that I could get that great deal on my plasma TV!

I'll be the first to admit, I was out bright and early Friday morning. I even went to Wal-mart - some movies I wanted were really cheap and I had to take a movie back to Redbox. I stood there and watched the people ready to pounce and listened to the countdown. 3. 2. 1. Go!!! There was a frenzy - over $10 blocks. Now, I really, really like a good deal, but it's not a life or death situation. Most things I buy are really cheap anyway since they've already been used. But, I was more than willing to get up at 4 in the morning to shop kid-free for a couple of hours; that kind of free time is very rare. I came home with a few good deals, mostly sewing notions, yarn and socks. However, the most useful thing I returned with was a realization that the long lines of people increasing their credit card debt was not what God had in mind when he sent his son to earth.

Black Friday was an eye-opener for me. Our idea of Christmas has become greatly distorted. I've heard the phrase many times, "Christmas just won't be very big this year." No, there just won't be very many gifts this year. There is a huge difference. Christmas itself is not about the number of presents under the tree. It's not about bonuses or work parties. It's about, you got it, Christ. The first five letters reveal it all, yet he seems to be completely forgotten in the chaos.

The other day Isaac asked me why we give presents for Christmas. "Well, it's Jesus' birthday so we give presents, um, to each other because...um, wise men. And...I'm not really sure buddy." Christmas does not equal consumerism. This year, try making gifts for each other. Give things that will be used, even if it's a package of underwear and a few pairs of socks. Offer your time or teach someone a valuable skill. Spend time with your family. Teach your kids how to give. Share your presence.

A few years ago some pastors realized this and began the Advent Conspiracy. Check it out. Make a new tradition.

Nelson family updates

My friend Karen does this and I love it! Here's a November '08 update on our family.

Ian:
He is one busy man. Right now he is working full-time (2 days on, 4 days off) at the Warm Springs fire dept. When he isn't working there he is either working 12-hr shifts in the St. Charles ER or attending paramedic classes at the college. We see each other occasionally:( We will be really happy when this school year is over. Afterward, we hope that he gets hired in Redmond or Bend so he doesn't have to work so much.

Nina:
With Ian gone so much, it's usually just me and the kiddos. If you're thinking that must be tiring, it is. I could definitely use some mommy time. When I'm not changing a diaper or nursing a baby, I'm usually working on a website or trading cloth diapers with other stay-at-home moms. I've opened a small natural parenting store (Ian says I've turned into a hippy) and thinking of branching out into some virtual assisting. Whatever I can do to help us get out of debt faster without having to work outside the home sounds good to me.

Isaac:
My little guy is turning 4 next month (and wants to have a birthday party at the park;) I can't believe it! Time has flown. He's very into Shrek right now and hasn't been too big on going outside since the weather has gotten colder. That's too bad, because he is still extremely active. He is a very good helper with the babies and loves to hold Ella. I'm going to gradually start integrating homeschool activities into our schedule soon, so hopefully he enjoys it.

Eva:
Eva's new nickname is "the Diva." The name suits her so well, especially with all of her teeth coming at once. She's still a little sweetheart, though, and loves just about everyone. She loves pointing at Ella and saying, "baby!" She's been walking for a few months now and loves to get into anything that hasn't been hidden properly. And I mean anything...

Ella:
Ella is my little companion. Since she's strictly breastfed, we spend a lot of time together. Thank goodness I have baby slings, otherwise I would get nothing done. She's almost sitting up without any assistance and has started rolling over. Pretty soon she'll be walking. (fingers crossed:)

A link to pics will be posted soon.

ISO/IHA

This stuff is for trade or cash/paypal. If you see anything on here that you need or that you have and want to get rid of, please let us know!!! If you don't see something, ask. We may just have/need it. Okay, so here's our big list, there will be much more added in the future:

ISO
hot tub cover
memory for the laptop
Wall-E
Ratatouille DVD
Cloth diapers
Large nursing tops for me
cloth wipes & wipe solution
stylish, comfy mama clothes - size L/11. My body is so disproportionate- tiny legs and butt and a nice muffin top. I love yoga pants, sweat-type stuff from old navy and target, elastic waist since pants just don't fit me quite right.


IHA
little pond inserts
old framed windows
lot of clothes!!!
miscellaneous dishes
books
original nintendo (not sure if it works)
xbox
NIP Earth Mama Angel Baby Stuff -booby tubes, teas, baby wash
blue soothies pacies NIP
assorted vhs - steel magnolias, playing by heart, and more
mary kay items
books - charlotte's web, the giver, the womanly art of breastfeeding 6th ed
websites you can advertise on
crib sheets
cars twin sheet set

Hello!

Hello all! Some of you know that I started a family website, but I didn't realize until afterward that you need to have a Google account in order to view it. GRR. You should all have Google anyway, it's the best, but that's beside the point;) So I've decided to start a family blog. That way you can keep up to date with the Nelson clan, view pics, see wish lists and upcoming events and see what's on our ever-growing ISO (in search of)/ IHA (I have available) list. Let's trade stuff!!! Feel free to comment here and maybe even start a family blog of your own. Be an Internet nerd like me!

nina