tell us about your favorite gift
- Thread starter KG
- Start date
I got a new blue tooth thingy. I accidentally left my old one outside in the rain, so I've been without it for a few months. Happy to have a new one. 
I'm easy to please. :giggles:
I'm easy to please. :giggles:
I got lots of great things from everyone. A couple that stand out for me are:
My Mom got me this from Pier 1............we were shopping together and I loved it (among other things) and she remembered that and went back and bought it for me. I can do so many things with this. I can put in a candle, potpourri, a string of lights, filled with ornaments, etc. It's 27.5" I love that the glass part is fixed on it so it won't fall off.
My sister got me these guys.............they're my fav I think.
My MIL gave us lots of presents and a nice fat check.............fat checks are always a fav. :lol:
Another fav is a total of 8 foaming hand soaps from Bath & Body Works...........I love, love, love these, but I would never buy them for myself.
My Mom got me this from Pier 1............we were shopping together and I loved it (among other things) and she remembered that and went back and bought it for me. I can do so many things with this. I can put in a candle, potpourri, a string of lights, filled with ornaments, etc. It's 27.5" I love that the glass part is fixed on it so it won't fall off.
My sister got me these guys.............they're my fav I think.
My MIL gave us lots of presents and a nice fat check.............fat checks are always a fav. :lol:
Another fav is a total of 8 foaming hand soaps from Bath & Body Works...........I love, love, love these, but I would never buy them for myself.
The best gift I got was something intangible....bear with me the long post, but you need the backstory..........................and sorry for the rambling....
BACKSTORY: Three years ago when I was pregnant with my dd#2, our family was at church at the parish we belonged to. My DH and I were regular lectors at the 5pm mass on Saturday. This Saturday happened to be a day that my DH was reading the scriptures. So at the time, I was 8 months pregnant and was taking care of a 3 year old and a 16 month old. For those of you that have this age, you know how difficult this is. FOr those that don't or don't remember....kids are not the best behaved in church at this age. We would talk to them, correct them, or take them to the back if they got too loud. We never just let them run wild at church.
Typically the same people were always at this mass because we were all "regulars" and knew each other from seeing each other every week. The wife of a "regular"couple came up to me after mass when I was by myself with the kids, as my DH was busy putting away the Scriptures and other clean up duties. She proceeded to tell me that week after week my kids are always distruptive, loud, and interruptive. I was flabbergasted. I immediately apologized and said we don't like it either and we try to keep them quiet and before I can finish my DS sees his dad on the altar and makes a beeline for him. I called after him and then this lady turns around, sees my son made a beeline, and then rolled her eyes and walked away. SHe just left me there not being able to defend myself and feeling like a horrible failure as a mom. I just started to bawl! My DH comes up to me and asks what was wrong and I explained. From that day, I have always been hyper sensitive when I attend that mass and I see them there. We used to sit close to the front, because of being lectors and such, but after that, we both quit as lectors (not because of her, but because we figured it would not be fair to the other to control 3 kids while the other lectored). So we moved to the back so we would not be noticed by them. I always felt on edge whenever I went to that mass after that. We eventually joined another parish, again not because of her, but because we wanted our kids to attend a Catholic school, and our parish school had closed.
OK, flashforward to this Saturday. We go to the 5pm mass cause the time worked best for us and this couple wasn't there. After mass, 4 people came up to us and told us how beautiful our family is, how well behaved they were, congratulations on our new one, how they have missed us, etc. After the 4th person, I said to the lady, I just want to hug you. She said "go ahead". So I did and explained to her what a gift her comments were and explained to her what had happened over 3 years ago. She told me not to listen to that and this woman clearly doesn't remember what kids are like at that age.
The next day, I was at Jewel, and 2 ladies came up to me that were also at the same mass. They told me how beautiful my family was and how glad they were to see us. I was just left stunned as this series of comments was wonderful and was a gift of redemption to me. The skeptic in me was wondering “what is God preparing me for” as I was wondering if “the other shoe was gonna drop.” I know, I should just be thankful and relish in it, but as I said, I am a skeptic. Also, unfortunately, that woman’s comments really hurt and I have carried that baggage around for 3 years. I know I should have let it go, but I just couldn’t.
Well flash forward to Christmas Eve 4pm mass. As we are walking to the church from our car, it starts to snow. It was really magical and the kids were catching the snowflakes in their mouths. It was a really neat scene and feeling. Felt like a perfect movie scene. We got inside the church and it was crowded of course. I sent my DH to go up and look if there were any seats. As I was ready to flag him that we could go in the choir loft, he waves to me to come up as he found a place for all of us. I walk up to the seat he picked and it is the FRONT row. I see as I am about to sit down, that we are sitting in front of THAT COUPLE. I look at my DH and glare…..and he just had a look like “I am so sorry, I didn’t see them.” I could not believe of all the seats, he had to pick this one. I, of course, get in hyper panic mode of how are my kids gonna behave, what is she gonna say this time, etc. I could hardly relax and kept thinking, “how am I gonna shake their hands at “the sign of peace”?” My kids did pretty well and I kept complimenting them that they were doing well which helped to reinforce the behavior. I did have to go back once with my dd#2 because she was holding her mouth which made me think she might get sick. (flu had run through the house and the incense was extra fragrant haha). Anyway, she did not get sick thank goodness, but we stayed in the back for the readings.
Well, I had resolved that I would shake their hands and smile at them at “sign of peace” I knew I had to let go of the past. When it came time, I kissed my family and wished them peace and then turned around and smiled and wished them peace. After that was done, I looked at my DH and he had a stunned look on his face and I mouthed “what?” I leaned in to hear him and he said, “did you hear what she said to me?” I said “no, what?” He said that she said “You have a beautiful family, You should be so proud.” I got all choked up and started to cry. Three years of pain, anger, doubt, and helplessness.... gone in an instant. And that, was the best gift I received!
BACKSTORY: Three years ago when I was pregnant with my dd#2, our family was at church at the parish we belonged to. My DH and I were regular lectors at the 5pm mass on Saturday. This Saturday happened to be a day that my DH was reading the scriptures. So at the time, I was 8 months pregnant and was taking care of a 3 year old and a 16 month old. For those of you that have this age, you know how difficult this is. FOr those that don't or don't remember....kids are not the best behaved in church at this age. We would talk to them, correct them, or take them to the back if they got too loud. We never just let them run wild at church.
Typically the same people were always at this mass because we were all "regulars" and knew each other from seeing each other every week. The wife of a "regular"couple came up to me after mass when I was by myself with the kids, as my DH was busy putting away the Scriptures and other clean up duties. She proceeded to tell me that week after week my kids are always distruptive, loud, and interruptive. I was flabbergasted. I immediately apologized and said we don't like it either and we try to keep them quiet and before I can finish my DS sees his dad on the altar and makes a beeline for him. I called after him and then this lady turns around, sees my son made a beeline, and then rolled her eyes and walked away. SHe just left me there not being able to defend myself and feeling like a horrible failure as a mom. I just started to bawl! My DH comes up to me and asks what was wrong and I explained. From that day, I have always been hyper sensitive when I attend that mass and I see them there. We used to sit close to the front, because of being lectors and such, but after that, we both quit as lectors (not because of her, but because we figured it would not be fair to the other to control 3 kids while the other lectored). So we moved to the back so we would not be noticed by them. I always felt on edge whenever I went to that mass after that. We eventually joined another parish, again not because of her, but because we wanted our kids to attend a Catholic school, and our parish school had closed.
OK, flashforward to this Saturday. We go to the 5pm mass cause the time worked best for us and this couple wasn't there. After mass, 4 people came up to us and told us how beautiful our family is, how well behaved they were, congratulations on our new one, how they have missed us, etc. After the 4th person, I said to the lady, I just want to hug you. She said "go ahead". So I did and explained to her what a gift her comments were and explained to her what had happened over 3 years ago. She told me not to listen to that and this woman clearly doesn't remember what kids are like at that age.
The next day, I was at Jewel, and 2 ladies came up to me that were also at the same mass. They told me how beautiful my family was and how glad they were to see us. I was just left stunned as this series of comments was wonderful and was a gift of redemption to me. The skeptic in me was wondering “what is God preparing me for” as I was wondering if “the other shoe was gonna drop.” I know, I should just be thankful and relish in it, but as I said, I am a skeptic. Also, unfortunately, that woman’s comments really hurt and I have carried that baggage around for 3 years. I know I should have let it go, but I just couldn’t.
Well flash forward to Christmas Eve 4pm mass. As we are walking to the church from our car, it starts to snow. It was really magical and the kids were catching the snowflakes in their mouths. It was a really neat scene and feeling. Felt like a perfect movie scene. We got inside the church and it was crowded of course. I sent my DH to go up and look if there were any seats. As I was ready to flag him that we could go in the choir loft, he waves to me to come up as he found a place for all of us. I walk up to the seat he picked and it is the FRONT row. I see as I am about to sit down, that we are sitting in front of THAT COUPLE. I look at my DH and glare…..and he just had a look like “I am so sorry, I didn’t see them.” I could not believe of all the seats, he had to pick this one. I, of course, get in hyper panic mode of how are my kids gonna behave, what is she gonna say this time, etc. I could hardly relax and kept thinking, “how am I gonna shake their hands at “the sign of peace”?” My kids did pretty well and I kept complimenting them that they were doing well which helped to reinforce the behavior. I did have to go back once with my dd#2 because she was holding her mouth which made me think she might get sick. (flu had run through the house and the incense was extra fragrant haha). Anyway, she did not get sick thank goodness, but we stayed in the back for the readings.
Well, I had resolved that I would shake their hands and smile at them at “sign of peace” I knew I had to let go of the past. When it came time, I kissed my family and wished them peace and then turned around and smiled and wished them peace. After that was done, I looked at my DH and he had a stunned look on his face and I mouthed “what?” I leaned in to hear him and he said, “did you hear what she said to me?” I said “no, what?” He said that she said “You have a beautiful family, You should be so proud.” I got all choked up and started to cry. Three years of pain, anger, doubt, and helplessness.... gone in an instant. And that, was the best gift I received!
I got a Wii U
I am happy to finally have some games/system all to myself! Everyone leaves me to go play… you know what they say if you can't beat em join em! :lol:
I am happy to finally have some games/system all to myself! Everyone leaves me to go play… you know what they say if you can't beat em join em! :lol:
My DH got me a laptop... he wrapped it in homemade CW wrapping paper. To be honest, I can't figure out how to use darn windows 8! BUT it is all mine... and no one else can touch it!
Lisa, that is a beautiful story of your kids and church. Thank you for sharing. It is a good reminder to those of us without little kids, to take time to remember what it was like when they were little. My 2nd grader still doesn't like to sit through church, but we work with it. A long time ago, when I was little I remember people sitting in the front rows of church and thinking-why would anyone do that? I once asked a Mom and she said her kids were better behaved in the front row because there were no distractions for them--fast forward to when I have my own children--dh wants to sit in the back, he is super sensitive to kids and noises and doesnt want ours to be a distraction--I see lots of families with little kids in the front row--I ask them how they do it--and they give me the same explanation--that sitting in the front row gives less distraction to their kids and they feel they are better behaved then, and will listen to the sermon etc
SO--Good job--and I am so glad you were able to enjoy the service and got redemption. Yes, God is working in you and with you--who knows he might be telling you to go back to your old church, he might just have wanted you to share so you could encourage a lot of people that have little kids and have gone through the same thing. Once again, thanks for sharing! BTW_-the bracelet you received is beautiful and I love that the baby you lost is included in the bracelet!!
SO--Good job--and I am so glad you were able to enjoy the service and got redemption. Yes, God is working in you and with you--who knows he might be telling you to go back to your old church, he might just have wanted you to share so you could encourage a lot of people that have little kids and have gone through the same thing. Once again, thanks for sharing! BTW_-the bracelet you received is beautiful and I love that the baby you lost is included in the bracelet!!
You know, we pared back on the gift giving A LOT this year--the biggest gift I got this year was a new blender, which I love. I really love the gift giving thing and usually go a little overboard and when I realized we were going to have to dial it back so much I was really disappointed. But, I have to say I think it actually improved the whole season for us: we had a couple smaller gatherings with friends instead of the take-no-prisoners over-the-top ****tail party we usually throw, and we bought a few thoughtful gifts and we spent a lot of time together just enjoying the season instead of shopping. And now, since we couldn't afford to go away I have 6 days off with my baby--which is definitely my favorite gift.
best gift ever... having all 3 kids under the same roof singing , playing piano and
other instruments together.
My olderst wrote and recorded a song for me and posted it on utube. I cried
like a baby.
just figured out how to post the link. She recorded this on her phone outside her dorm room.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0F9YEaZmSc&feature=youtube_gdata_player
other instruments together.
My olderst wrote and recorded a song for me and posted it on utube. I cried
like a baby.
just figured out how to post the link. She recorded this on her phone outside her dorm room.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0F9YEaZmSc&feature=youtube_gdata_player
best gift, my whole family together for Christmas; best gift, my sister gave us a gift certificate to a night in the Marriott Lincolnshire hotel, dinner, a show and brunch the next morning.
H
hsmomof6
Guest
she is sweet, her roomate was her back- up singer and she was trying to add
a piano part but with finals she only had about 12 hrs to write it.
a piano part but with finals she only had about 12 hrs to write it.
That is just beautiful. Brought tears to my eyes!
