Here comes Santa Claus...oops, maybe not

Below is a cute email Gigi sent out this week recounting her memory of taking her grandkids to sit on Santa's knee.
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I know Christmas is over and the new year has begun. I was just thinking about how quickly that holiday feeling fades and want to share a story with you that may extend that feeling just a little bit longer. This Christmas was very special for us for lots of reasons. We were blessed to share this Christmas with our twin grandchildren. Jackson and Presley are 16 months old and this was the first Christmas they were aware something special was happening. In fact, the preparation for Christmas began several months ago when Jackson looked up while sitting in his Bumbo chair and pointed to a picture on the refrigerator and in his little quizzical manner innocently asked “whazzatt?” The picture he was point to just happen to be a picture of him and his sister being held by Santa from their first Christmas. (Yes, it had been on the refrigerator for almost a year. I just never found that perfect Christmas frame.) We explained that was Santa. “Zanta?” he repeated. It was just so darn cute. From that day forward, almost daily Jackson and Presley would lovingly point to that picture and say “Zanta!” In fact, it didn’t take long for them to be able to answer the question “What does Santa say?” Presley in her quiet tiny little voice would whisper, “ho, ho, ho.” Her brother would proudly answer in his gruff little boy voice, “HO, HO, HO.” They would toddle to the refrigerator door and raise their little hands wanting to be held high enough to see Santa eye to eye so they could give Santa sugar.

As the weeks passed and Christmas drew near, we would tell the kids that we were going to visit Santa. They would smile and Presley would point to the door as if to say “well let’s go.” The big day finally arrived. PapPap and I dressed the two little angels in matching outfits for the big event, loaded them in the truck and off we went. Mommy was going to meet us right after work so we all could see their reaction to the real live “Zanta.”

When we arrived Mommy hadn’t arrived at the mall yet so the kids waited anxiously. It was all very exciting. There were animated snow men and penguins, lighted Christmas trees and wrapped presents stacked all around. But best of all sitting right there in the middle of all of that was Santa. As we waited, Presley and Jackson both waved lovingly at Santa, and to their delight, Santa even waived back. Jackson was just totally amazed that “Zanta” was really there and no longer on the refrigerator.

Mommy finally arrived and we took our place at the end of the line. We slowly moved to the front of the line and the kids could barely stand it. They pointed excitedly and waved lovingly. When Santa’s helper finally told us it was our turn to go visit the big guy we put the children down and they instantly toddled up to Santa with smiles on their faces. Presley stood beside his left knee and Jackson stood slightly farther away on his right. As he spoke to them, they would point to him and look at us with amazement. We had a very nice little conversation with Santa while the family before us carefully picked out which picture package they wanted to purchase. Santa told Mommy how fortunate she was to have two such beautiful children. And he was even nice enough to give the kids a very jolly HO, HO, HO. They were thrilled. I watched with such love in my heart as these two innocent little children experienced one of the many joys of childhood.

The “picture taker” Santa’s helper, said she was ready so we gently picked up the kids and placed them on Santa’s knees so she could capture this moment in time, and I quietly vowed to purchase a picture frame so it wouldn’t have to remain on the refrigerator door. I thought I would share that moment with friends and family so you too can feel the joy of Christmas through the eyes of my grandchildren.






To finish this story, as we were paying for our Holiday Picture Package, the cheery little Santa’s helper who was selling pictures told us the address of the website where we could go to purchase additional pictures if we decided we needed more. Their Mom smiled and said “Thanks, but I think we will have more than enough.” The cheery little Santa’s helper glanced at the pictures and nodded her head and said ‘Oh, yeah, I see.” As we walked away form Santa’s winter wonderland with our Holiday Picture Package in hand, Presley peeked over PapPap’s shoulder and with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye sweetly waved bye bye to “Zanta.”

It may not have been picture perfect, but it was one of the best Christmases ever and I hope yours was too.



Brenda George

Epiphany- Leaving your comfort zone

I don't have a picture today, but I wanted to share my story from church on Sunday. As some of you, probably not as many as I'd hoped, know, yesterday was Epiphany or Three Kings' Day. It celebrates the day that the men we know as the Three Wise Men, arrived in Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus. It's also the day you're allowed to take down your Christmas decorations, but Gigi's always been ahead of the curve on that.

The George family always sits on the left side of the church two rows from the back. It's an inconspicuous little corner with easy access to the door if things get a little out of hand. Some days are good and some are a little tougher than others, and yesterday things started out great. Jackson sat on my lap and read a book during the readings and Presley sat on Gigi's lap. I'm not sure of what she was doing, because I was afraid if I made eye contact; things could fall apart.

When it was time for the homily, Deacon Peltier, the man who baptized the twins, began by asking us to move to another seat. If we sat on the right side, move to the left. If we sit in the back, move to the front. We all looked at each other in a panic. Crap!! One minute ago, I wouldn't look in the direction of my daughter for fear it would disrupt her, and now we have to change our seat completely?

We ended up on the right side, two rows from the front. The kids were more aware of their surroundings now, causing them to become more active. They could see the nativity scene on the alter, which they could not see before. There was a nice family behind us that wanted to play the whole time. We were now sitting by a little girl who was not sitting next to us before. Jackson took so much interest in her dress, she finally moved. I still wasn't sure what Presley was doing, but more because I had my hands full rather than the reasons before.

The homily was GREAT. It was reminding us to leave our comfort zones, just as the 3 kings did, and to follow the star that lead to Jesus. Wonderful lesson. Thank you, Deacon Peltier.

Another thing that Jackson never saw in church was everyone receiving communion. For those who have eaten in front of Jackson, you know that you must share. Whatever you're fixing for yourself, you better make 2, because he will insist on having some. If I'm holding him during communion, I usually slip in the Eucharist while he's being blessed, but he's getting heavier with every passing day, and I'm having a harder time managing him and the Eucharist. He noticed mommy putting something in his mouth, and he demanded some. He pryed my mouth open when we returned to our seat. I pasted it to the top of my mouth and showed him there was nothing there. He gave up on me and decided to hit up everyone who walked by on their way back to their seat. He leaned toward every passing person saying, "MMMmmm." This is his polite way of asking for a bite. No one shared, and he started to get pretty ticked off about the whole thing. Soon he was demanding a bite from everyone who passed, until I had to take him to our designated spot in the back. They leave an open spot there just for Jackson and me.

First communion isn't until second grade, right? It's going to be a long 6 and a half years.

We also went to see some friends this weekend. Congratulations to Cole Powers for being baptized this weekend in Spring. We went to watch the special moment, and found that he may be in love with Presley. It seemed the affection was returned too, so we'll have to see him again real soon. Thanks to the Powers family for having us at their home. Finally, we went somewhere and don't have to replace something we broke. Christian's mom made some delicious tamales that made the kids cry and their faces turn red. I'm starting to think they gave me the wrong babies in the hospital. It was Stephanie's birthday the next day, so we also wanted to give her some love. Happy B-Day, Steph.

We finished our trip to Houston with a stop at our cousin Summer Layne's apartment to see her and Aunt Tina. It's really nice there, and they played on the balcony. I wanted to shut the glass door, so I couldn't hear them when they fought with each other, but Summer said that was mean. She probably feels that way because that's what Aunt Tina did to her. We left on a pretty bad note with tantrums and peanut butter crackers in the carpet. Sorry, Summer. We hope your new job went well today, and we'll see you again really soon, if you'll have us back.

Some time this week, I promise to have a story of the kids' trip to see Santa, along with a picture.