Stop saying, "I didn't make time"

Over a spontaneous Christmas Break Breakfast our family of five was blessed with the presence of both sets of Grandparents.  All the grandfathers had to do was say the grandkids would be there and the sleeping beauties were dressed and ready to go! One day the boys will realize how fortunate they are to have the gift of awesome grandparents who actually are fun nice people to be around.

While enjoying breakfast at Grid Iron, where kids eat free with an adult purchase (could be why we like the food so much) we were discussing Christmas break and how great it is that we are all together..."Couldn't every day be Christmas Day"  my dad responded with telling us that 'Christmas Time' is so amazing because we all slow down, have a break from our normal routine and we focus on being generous and giving to others.  So true!  If you're ever stuck in a rut, feeling sorry for yourself the best remedy is to give or serve someone else.  Too often in the routines of life we say, "I don't have time to grab lunch with you, when is there time to have a 30 min phone call, Theres Not Enough time in my day, I'm too busy..." the truth is we have all been given the same amount of hours in everyday and we need to own our choices.  So, for me, no more "I didn't have time to send Christmas Cards, or invite someone over for dinner, or get ice cream..." Im going to own my choices, and re phrase to "I didn't make time"  Ouch, Im sure this is going to hurt me the next time someone says, "man, we really need to get the kids together or we need to grab lunch sometime?" I'll have to respond with, "yes I'm sorry I didn't make time for that, for you"

I almost didn't make time for my favorite part of Christmas morning.

We were asked to shop for my Aunt Jackie this year so all of us could have gifts, no problem, its super fun to spend someone else money :) So we were on the ball and finished all of our Christmas shopping early this year!

SO when Mason sprung the idea that he wanted to use his own money to buy Christmas gifts for his brothers and Chris and I three days before Christmas when we already had those days filled with other activities and plans I was at first annoyed and bothered that he didn't plan earlier, that now I was going to have to try to figure out when in the world I could arrange childcare for his bothers and take him shopping with all the other last min shoppers who didn't make time earlier to shop for their loved ones.

Pause. Stop.

Mason is ten...TEN!  What ten year old asks to spend his own money to buy surprise Christmas gifts for his brothers, knowing that they may not have enough money to buy him anything in return. What ten year old sits at his desk and draws up a spread sheet with rows and columns filled with our names and gifts he wants to purchase and how much he can spend? (Beside mine and Chris' names was an * for an additional gift or sappy note/card) What mother in her right mind is initially bothered by this self motivated act of generousity from her son who's growing into an amazing young man?

Of all of the things I am thankful I made time for this Christmas it was for him to be able to act on his desire and thought to be generous.

SO, on the way to meet the cousins at Papa and Grandmaw's to bake Christmas treats to deliver to our neighbors, I let Mason run into the house grab his spread sheet and the $20 he had budgeted to spend on gifts and we stopped by 5 Below.

On pulling up we had decided that me and the younger two would go into the store and stand in a corner so Mason could seceretly shop and all the while the younger two were grumbling in their carseat and booster that they were going to have to go into a store (UGGH...Hes trying to buy a gift for YOU, and you're complaining). Mason asked if he could go in alone.

ALONE?  Your 10!!!!...TEN, ...your ten, responsible, you know exactly what your looking for, you've planned, this is something you really want to do...we pulled up and there was a parking spot close to the door.  I gave my speech, "Okay, you're right, your ten.  Don't look at anyone, don't talk to anyone, keep your money in your pocket, if you at any point feel awkward or uncomfortable leave your goods and come out the front door."  He grinned rolled his eyes, and said, "thanks mom, I got this"

I watched the clock and had decided that if he was in there longer than 12 minutes I was going to unbuckle the others and rescue Mason.

After nine minuets he was leaving the store with the biggest smile, full heart and I forever have this memory etched in my mind.

He sat down and said, "I asked them to double bag my purchase so you guys couldn't see what I got, I was worried for a min because all I had was a twenty dollar bill and I knew I'd be close, but the total was $19.86!"

Mason led the way, Micah then decided he wanted to buy something for Mason and Ethan with his money as well.

Christmas morning, my favorite part was watching them present the gifts they had saved for, picked out and wrapped (with a little help from me) to each other...and I may have also loved the "sappy note/card" that Mason presented to Chris and I.

During this new year approaching I hope I continue to MAKE TIME for what really matters.