Christmas: Old Traditions & New Traditions



Santa has arrived!  Luke & Joshua are eagerly awaiting
to see what Santa brought! 

Dearest Joshua and Luke,

Even though you were both sick the week before Christmas, we still managed to have an amazing time.  While you both had a viral infection with off and on fever, and missed your Christmas parties (which mom was in charge of both parties by the way :), you were still able to be  a part of many festivities. 






The Christmas season began with the end of our Thanksgiving break.  We were blessed to spend Thanksgiving with Aunt Amy, Uncle Ray, Isaac, and Levi.  Two weeks prior we spend several days with Uncle Luke, Aunt Lisa, Elsa, and Ethan so we felt doubly blessed for the holidays.  The cousins were able to spend time together, Eric, Aunt Amy, and Uncle Ray found some great Black Friday deals, and we made more memories together.  I know that you will remember the warm feeling of having family around and being with everyone in the Litteken family. 

Joshua & Luke on a break at the Shrine.

In addition, we celebrated the 30th anniversary at our church with old and new friends.  We were able to visit with St. Nicholas a few days before he brought you both some candy and a large punching ball.  We love our church and the inspiration it brings us each week. 

This year we welcomed back Herbie, our Elf on the Shelf.   This is his fifth year with us.  He moved around the house a lot, and kept us guessing each day where he would be.  It is true that Herbie reports to Santa Claus because Santa knew exactly what had been happening with both of you.  Along with many Christmas presents, Santa left a note that you should both work on getting along a little better for the next year.  The letter must have helped because things have been better!!!

Daddy is holding the pages in Joshua's music book
while Joshua plays on! 

For his second year, Joshua entertained the crowds with his beautiful Christmas music at Our Lady of the Snows Shrine.  Joshua played piano through four Christmas song books two different times.  Joshua's playlist included some of my favorite Christmas songs:  Do You Hear What I Hear?  Away In A Manger, Silent Night, and Go Tell It On the Mountain just to name a few.  Luke was cute as a button as well.  Dressed in holiday pajamas and a Santa hat, Luke delivered candy canes to all of the children in the audience throughout Joshua's musical numbers.  It is awesome to see you both bringing happiness and light to others.  There were so many smiles from the young and older alike.  (Not to mention, me, being the proud mommy, getting to tell the people who asked, how old you both were, how long Joshua had been playing piano, etc. )  The fact that you both enjoyed yourselves so much makes it all the better!

A new tradition this year was taking the boys to the Dollar Tree and giving them a list of people to buy for ~ mom, dad, each other, Grammy and Papa.  We also talked about how to pick out a present for each person.  Both boys picked out candy for their dad which was very thoughtful.  Daddy does love candy.  Even funnier is that the boys were not with each other when they picked out the candy.  They know their daddy well.  Joshua picked out a beautiful purple scarf and a gold bell ornament for the Christmas tree for me.  Luke picked out a vase and beautiful roses to go in it.  Luke said, "Mama you will have these forever because you never have to water them.  They will never die."   How thoughtful.  Luke chose a candle and sweet hand soap for Grandma while Joshua thought of a ceramic vase and horse.  Joshua got a night light for Grandpa and Luke bought him a long stick with a grip at the bottom to pick up things.  Wow!  Once again, very thoughtful!  This was an awesome new tradition.  While wrapping the gifts, Joshua said, "This is so much fun.  I can't wait to give these gifts!"  Cha ching!  That is what this was all about! 

Joshua also played Christmas music at the Assisted
Living Center where Grandma Nichols lives!  He also played
for the nursing home.

 

 

On Christmas Eve, Joshua sang proudly in the Children's Choir at church.   He sings every other week at the Sunday morning mass.  Luke attends Children's Church at this time.  This arrangement has worked out well because Luke has learned to go to Children's Church by himself, and Joshua is listening and learning so much from the scriptures and homily.   

Luke is showing Grandma how to farm on
the new Kindle Fire! 

You both were spoiled with so many presents this year ~ almost everything on your Christmas lists!  Joshua's highlights included a new DS with the condition that he gave his old one to Luke, a remote control helicopter, Ninjago Legos, and so much more.  Luke's highlights included a new/old DS from Joshua, a Power Ranger action figure, a stuffed Appa,  an Avatar game, and Legos.  Together they both opened a pirate club house, snow cone maker, cake popmaker, Dream Lite stuffies, and more! 



Christmas Day was spent playing with toys, toys, and more toys. Grandma Nichols, Aunt Tina, and Uncle John came over for a short visit.  It was so good to see them.  Eric also picked up Grandma Bonny and Papa Mort to come over for Christmas dinner and a visit.  I think about our family that has passed every day, but I especially missed them this Christmas.  I am not sure why, but I found myself explaining to the boys what we used to do at Christmas.  We had so many people with us at Christmas Eve mass that we had to go almost an hour early and save a pew and a half for the family.  Then, everyone would go to McDonalds with us, and then to our house to open presents.  I loved every second of it and being surrounded by family.  This year I really missed Grandpa Al and Papa Ed. We all love them and miss them very much!  I also miss seeing Nana and Aunt Lisa on Christmas.  Please keep them and all of our family in your prayers.  We pray for healing and better health for all of them. 


Luke was setting out and modeling his new
pajamas for Grandma!

This year we did not make our traditional sugar cookies for Santa, but we did buy some chocolate chip cookies for him since we heard they were his favorite.  We set out carrots for the reindeer as usual, too.   We knew that Santa understood that we were not able to make homemade cookies this year.  We did make Happy Birthday Jesus cupcakes to enjoy on Christmas Day. 

Yes, our Christmas was very blessed with family, friends, and a focus on Jesus.  We celebrated with old traditions and started new ones!  We are an extremely blessed family.  I love you both so much more today than I did yesterday.





Love,
Mama

First Reconciliation & More

Joshua is growing up!

Dearest Joshua and Luke,

     Joshua's first reconciliation snuck up on us in the last few weeks.  While we knew that second grade was the year, I guess we were thinking that it would not happen until closer to Christmas.  But here it was.  We received a letter from church saying there was a parent meeting coming up.  We scheduled a babysitter so that we could both attend. That is a big deal for us because we rarely get a sitter.  We both want to be a big part of your spiritual life so we both wanted to hear what Father Bill was going to say.  We really did not have any idea how to approach first reconciliation with you, so the meeting was a big help.  It was also nice to be with other parents of second grade children who were interested in the same outcome. 



Ho!  Ho!  Ho!

     Saturday morning, the day for your first reconciliation, came and Joshua was very excited.  We were very lucky that Uncle Luke's family was visiting us so Daddy and I both got to take Joshua and Luke stayed home with Luke.  Everyone in the family was giving Joshua some great last minute advice for hie first reconciliation.  Joshua did not seem nervous a bit.  

Luke is catching up!

     Joshua rushed into church and chose a front row seat.  (He is so much like his parents who like to sit in the front row.)  Father Bill talked to the parents and second graders on a second grade level.  It was a wonderful message about how God was always going to be there for them.  Father Bill used the analogy that when they make  a choice to sin or do something that God does not want them to do,  it is like they are pulling away from God.  But even though people choose to do that, God's hand is always there and ready for them.  It never pulls away from them.  God is always extending his hand inviting them back to him.  No matter what they do.  Since Joshua was in the front row, Father Bill asked him to come forward to help with the demonstration with God's hand.  Father Bill asked Joshua if he ever fought with Luke.  Thankfully, Joshua was honest and answered, "yes." By this time, Joshua looked a little nervous.  I think he was wondering how many other things Father Bill was going to ask him about in front of everyone there! 

     Once the audience was dismissed to do their reconciliation, Joshua ran up, in front of other children, to be first to see Father Bill.  Joshua sat down.  Both hands were in his pockets.  He nodded a lot to Father Bill, and quickly left.  When he came back to us, we got in our own line to do our reconciliation.  Joshua said that "everything went fine."  Father Bill told him to go back to the baptismal font, reflect on his baptism, and make the sign of the cross.  So he did.

Luke cracks himself up!

      Joshua commented several times that he felt so much better after talking to Father Bill, and that he wanted to go to confession every week.  He was a bit disappointed that he only got to tell Father Bill one of the three things that he had thought about ahead of time.  Joshua started thinking about the fact that he wanted to talk to Father Bill again.  I explained to Joshua that he did not have to tell Father Bill all of his sins.  I told him that he could talk to God anytime or while he prayed.  I wanted him to know that he did not have to go to confession every time he sinned.  But.....Joshua being the independent thinker that he is, decided to go back and see Father Bill for a second confession once everyone else had a turn.  Joshua said the second time was as good as the first, and that he did want to go back every week to "confess" to Father Bill.

Luke & Joshua by our high school tree.

     I know that reconciliation is not the most popular sacrament in our church.  I will admit to you that prior to this confession, it had been about five years since I had been.  Daddy and I used to go every year at Easter and Christmas, but since you both had been born, it happened much less frequently.  It was a little difficult to explain to you because I think you were really wondering how we possibly were not doing what we were supposed to do.    :)  But I really liked how Father Bill explained that we are often very hard on ourselves when we think about confession or go to confession.  He said that confession is helpful in the fact that he (Father Bill) can remind us to be gentle to ourselves.  That is very true.  I think we will go to confession this year for Christmas and Easter. :)

    I love you both more today than I did yesterday. 

Love,
Mama

  

    

Trick or Treat!!!!!

Luke - Avatar, the Last Airbender &
Joshua, a navy seal

Dear Joshua and Luke,

     Happy Halloween!  We had a lot of fun waiting for Halloween and trick-or-treating this year.  Joshua reminded Dad and I several times that we did not put up all of our decorations last year so this year had to be different.  We did our annual Halloween art and craft projects.  We made Halloween sun catchers and mosaic pumpkins.  There are so many fun Halloween art projects.  You two always enjoy making art projects, and I have to admit that the teacher in me loves preparing them and doing them with you.  Also, we decorated the front of our house with large pumpkins, small pumpkins, gourds of all kinds, a scarecrow, a huge yellow mum, and more.  We added some ghosts hanging in the front yard and some spider webs.  And we decorated inside the house, too.  We were definitely ready for Halloween this year!

Grammy with the trick-or-treaters
at Trunk-or-Treat

Joshua decided to be a navy seal this year.  He got the idea because his cousin, Ethan, was planning to be a navy seal.  Luke decided to be Aang, the Last Airbender or the Avatar.  Luke loves Avatar so his choice was not surprising at all.  Joshua's choice was not too surprising either.  I have to admit that I am a proud mama that both of you chose to be "good guys."  I believe that you both try very hard to make choices and there is definitely something I really like about you both being good guys at Halloween.  Our family was very lucky to have Grandma Bonny help us with hemming both of your costumes.  I tried so hard to get the right sizes, but they were still not accurate.  Thank goodness that Grammy could help us out.

   

 



Navy Seal Joshua

You both got to wear your costumes a few different times.  The first time was at the annual Trunk or Treat at church.  this year was even more special because Grammy came to church and trunk-or-treat with us and Joshua sang in the choir. This is not to mention that you were both so spoiled by everyone!  You both brought home so much candy, popcorn, and treats!  Luke even brought home a donut from his trunk-or-treating adventures.  The next day Grandma Nichols came over and you both walked in the annual Halloween parade in town.  It is lots of fun to see so many of your classmates dressed in costume.  Then, there is games, hot dogs, and prizes waiting for you at the Center in town.  It was great having Grandma Nichols with us.  Even though she did not sit at the parade with us, she watched from the van and enjoyed seeing all of the kids.  Our final trick-or-treating adventure for the season came the evening of Halloween.  This is the first year I opted to stay home and give out candy.  It was fun seeing all of the kids coming up for candy.  There were so many of them!  Daddy and I figured we had over 300 trick-or-treaters!  You were both so happy to go with one of our favorite families and friends.  It is always so much fun to do things with them. 

   


Daddy with the trick-or-treaters in the parade

Trick-or-treating was an extra special treat this year.  But then you both make just about anything so much fun!  I love you both more today than I did yesterday. 

Love,
Mama

Dear Joshua and Luke,

The school year has gotten into full swing and we are busy as ever.  But loving every single second of it.  It makes me so happy that you are both getting to do things you like to do.  Here is what a typical week looks like for us.  Although there is not too much typical about any week, but here we go...at least these are the constants and things you enjoy doing. 

Luke feeding hay to the calves.

Monday is usually an evening that we enjoy at home, but it flies by.  Tuesday night brings piano practice for both of you.  We usually eat out after piano.  Often times it is Craft Night at Denny's or pizza.  On Wednesday after school Joshua goes to choir practice at St. Nicholas.  Then, both boys attend the Atrium.  That is a great way to spend time after school.  You are both learning so many things at the Atrium.  I am proud of you both  Thursday evening brings gymnastics for both of you.  Friday night is usually Game Night or Movie Night.  Saturday and Sundays are often filled with so many activities, some organized, some not.  The weekend is often filled with a visit to the park, church, and whatever else is happening.  Currently you are both attending Kids Bible Study after school, too.  I do have to admit that even though I love watching you and participating in your many activities, my most favorite times are spent with you at home when  we are eating dinner together, reading books, making books, completing craft projects, and just playing.

Two big fans at the homecoming game!

Some of the highlights of this week include running out of the tunnel with the high school football players and cheering on our school football team.  This is the second year in a row for this kind of fun.  It was tons of fun cheering on the team as a family.  Saturday brought us a birthday party and watching movies at the Drive In.  Luke was so tired that he only watched about twenty minutes of the movie!  We were up early on Saturday to listen to a speaker at church about Strong Catholic Families.  Mommy and Daddy were wanting to learn more about how to strengthen our faith within our family.  It was a very good speaker and left us with some great ideas. 

On Sunday we attended a family reunion for Daddy's family.  It was great seeing our extended family members.  It had been several years since Daddy's family had gotten together officially at a reunion.  Daddy has such a large family......something like 50 first cousins, 250 second cousins, and the numbers go on and on.  Overall it is a strong, solid extended family.  We are proud to be a part of it.  Following a fun afternoon at the park and playing with many cousins, we had dinner with some other families from our church.  It is too bad that Luke was so tired, but it was great getting to know these other families. 

As always, I love you both more today than I did yesterday.

Love,
Mama

A Rekindling in the Heart

Aunt Jeannie & the Litteken's

Dearest Joshua and Luke,

     Aunt Jeannie has been on our mind a lot the last several days.  We were so lucky to get to visit with her for the last couple of days.  She is a very special person in our lives.  Aunt Jeannie also has an extraordinary way of knowing just how to say or explain something. 

    Aunt Jeannie explains:  When you see each other every few years or in some cases every several years, you are very much vividly reminded of the  love you have for each other in your hearts.  Even though the love is always in your heart, you are deeply reminded of the love you have for each other and your families.  But when you see each other again, your heart rekindles and remembers the special times and creates even more.  Your heart reminds you of the love!

Aunt Jeannie & the boys inside Litteken cave.

     I remember meeting Aunt Jeannie for the first time at the rehearsal dinner the night before Eric and I got married.  I heard so much about her before we got married and here she was coming all the way from Belgium during the time when she could be there for our wedding.  Your daddy talked so much about what how awesome Aunt Jeannie was. (In fact, he thinks very highly of all of his aunts.  Honestly.)  Aunt Jeannie was such a delight to meet.  She had me at hello when she gave me an official Belgian greeting with a kiss on each cheek.  I knew then what a special lady she was. 

Aunt Jeannie trying a persimmon.

     She visited a time or two in between, then we arranged to visit with Aunt Jeannie and Uncle Leo when we visited Europe for three weeks several years back.  Aunt Jeannie lived close to Aunt Amy and Uncle Ray so we were able to spend some special time visiting with her at her home.  Aunt Jeannie and Uncle Leo were waiting for us at the airport in Brussels when we arrived.  That was unexpected, and  what a treat! 





    We spent three days at Aunt Jeannie's house, and Aunt Jeannie and Uncle Leo visited at Aunt Amy's several times throughout our European vacation. Uncle Leo told us so many memorable stories about Belgium.  They showed us so many things off the beaten path and helped us to really feel what life was like in Belgium.  Each stop along the trip was carefully planned and thought out.  We have so many memories with them. 

Daddy & Aunt Jeannie

     Then, Aunt Jeannie blessed us with another visit when Joshua was baptized.  Joshua was about seven weeks old.  Once again, we were so happy to have Aunt Jeannie be here for such a special time in our lives.  I remember Aunt Jeannie holding Joshua and he would just laugh and smile at her.  I think he knew then what a special lady she was.

   We talked about Aunt Jeannie for several days before visiting with her.  Luke told us that he had butterflies in his stomach when he thought of meeting her for the first time.  We explained that she was Grammy's sister and we thought he would love her a lot like Grandma. It only took Luke about ten  minutes to warm up to Aunt Jeannie.  By the end of the day, he was walking and holding Aunt Jeannie's hand. 

Grandma Bonny & Aunt Jeannie

     One day we took a field trip to Pere Marquette State Park.  We walked around the trails, saw the Piasa Bird, rode Brussels Ferry, ate at the Whitman Hotel, and enjoyed laughing and sharing stories.  It was a great day for all of us.  It was another great day of memories.  Thank you Aunt Jeannie for so richly blessing our lives and sharing this special time with us.  I think Luke summed it up best by saying, "Mom, I really like her!"  But we do not just like her, we love her!




     I love you both more today than yesterday.

Love,
Mama

Goodbye Until We See You Next Time......

The guys making sand art together.

Dear Joshua and Luke,

This has been a difficult last couple of weeks as you have been preparing for your best friends to move.  We have known it was coming for the last few weeks, but today was the day I know that we are all feeling sad, but we have to keep in mind that this is not a goodbye forever, but a goodbye just until we see you again.  And we will see these friends again.  I am sure of that.  We will visit these friends and I am certain they will come here too.   I am sure that you will write letters, Skype, and I am sure that you will be friends for the rest of your lives.  








Best Buddies!

Joshua met his friend, Ashton, in kindergarten.  Ashton moved in a little after the year began.  But they were instantly buddies.  One major thing they had in common was that they were both allergic to peanuts!  So they sat together at lunch every day and played together most of the time during recess.  They have played at each other's houses so many times we have lost count.  It just so happened that Ashton had a little brother, Levi, who was perfect for Luke. All four boys played together most of the time.  My boys always wanted to go to their house or have them over here.  It was fun to do things with their parents, too. We all got along, and it was fun doing things together with them.









Levi and Luke watrching a movie together.


Tonight after they left, Luke said, "I wish we never would have met them.". In his mind, I am sure that seemed like a better option than to feel the pain of a friend moving away, but I explained to him.....if we had never met them, our life the last two years would have been really different.  Joshua was especially sad at school this week.  Eating lunch at the peanut-free table was not quite the same.   But each day is getting a little better, and we are hoping to Skype really soon!  Luke is having a little more difficult time.  He says he is going to walk to their new house, which is hundreds of miles away!  He misses them so  much, too.  I continue to explain them that I understand.  Their mommy, my friend, moved away, too. 
So yet another lesson in life.  Friends do come in and out of your life.  And you have different friends at different stages of your life.  But some friends are keepers!  And I hope that these are friends that we will have for the rest of our lives, whether they are near or far away.  With Facebook, Skype, road trips, email, and phones - I think we will have lifelong friendships here.  And I do think we will be able to visit them from time to time.




One of their favorite things - making crafts!

I do wish that I could take away your sadness right now.  But I also know that you will get through this, and you will be OK.  In fact, I think our life has been blessed by knowing them, and getting the opportunity to live near them, and getting to know them as long as we did.

I love you both way more today than I did yesterday.

Love,
Mama

Life Lesson #459 ~ Find A Charity and/or Volunteer

Luke, after a long morning of fishing, with his new
Spiderman fishing pole!

Dear Joshua and Luke,

     This weekend you both participated in your first fishing derby.  It was a beautiful sunny and crisp morning, and you were both ready for the fun of the fishing derby.  Daddy arrived early to set up as an official at this event.  You both were so good at casting and reeling in the line.  It was a blast!  While you both often catch fish at these two lakes, the fish were not very hungry this morning!  You still had tons of fun, and came home with two new fishing poles and lots of fishing thingies.

Joshua shooting his Red Ryder BB Gun.  He was closest
to the target than anyone else all day!

Daddy had so much fun helping to organize this event.  Daddy has become very involved with this club for your benefit as much s the fun he has belonging to it.  You both asked why daddy could not help you during the derby...even though I was there, ready and willing to do almost anything, but put bait on the hook.  Thank goodness there were lots of daddies and grandpas there to help you.

We had seats in the VIP tent at the Air Show.  We were
closest to the flight line!  What a wonderful, LOUD, experience!

Mommy and Daddy both feel like it is very important to volunteer and help organizations that you believe in.  For example, I used to volunteer as a candy striper at the hospital when I was in high school.  I was a Big Sister in the Big Brother/Big Sister program, volunteered as a PSR teacher, lector at church at several different churches, and on and on.  I have not done near the volunteering as I wish I could have/would have since you two have been born.  But now that you are getting a little older, I think is time to start volunteering as a family.  I believe that it is very important to volunteer your time to help others.  So more on that soon!

The boys after their ride in a hot air
balloon!  What fun!

I love you both more today than I did yesterday!

Love,
Mama