It’s that time of year again which means Collin (now 19 and a freshman in college) is deciding where baby Jesus should be placed in the nativity scene.
This year, the Christ Child is getting a birds eye view of the nativity!
Here is a look back at past years: Baby Jesus Through The Years
It’s August 21, 2015 and we just dropped off Collin, our youngest at college.
From the moment Kim told me in 1993 that she was pregnant to about 30 minutes ago, our lives have been intensely focused on trying to raise our boys into good human beings and guide them toward independence.
With tears in our eyes, I grabbed Kim and said, “We did good Honey!”
And it’s true.
I know that parenting is never completely done and that you move from parenting babies … to toddlers … through the black hole of “the anything-can-happen early teen years” … to young adults and then finally (a few decades later) you become the parent of an adult (which by the way, is a whole new ball game).
Let’s be honest, I don’t know of any parent who wouldn’t say there are times when the parenting journey feels like a grind. Just like getting older, parenting is not for sissies. But, right here, right now, the time does seem to have flown by. My mind can’t seem to find many of the challenges or rough patches, it just settles in on good memories and the intense love for my kids that hit me like a freight train when they were born and has never let up. If you don’t have kids yet, just wait.
As Collin dives into adulthood and the adventure of college, Kim and I move into the next phase of our lives as empty nesters. Will being an empty nester come as natural to me as being a parent? Guess we’ll find out.
Wait, the nest isn’t completely empty. My dog has not left me yet!!!
Seriously though, Collin is where he should be and that makes my heart happy. We left him in good hands and surrounded with close friends which makes it easier I suppose.
I think what’s surprised me the most is the weirdness of the emotions during this time. It’s a complicated mix of deep-down-in-the-gut sadness, relief, excitement, gratefulness and celebration of one of our proudest parenting achievements. Throw all that into a bag and shake it up!
So, in the short term, if you ask me how I’m doing, expect something like “It’s complicated” or “I have no idea”.
I could write a short novel about the experiences of raising and launching our boys. Maybe I will venture into that someday. I really have no idea if I’m prepared for a house without them every day. If I get around to writing about it, I have a feeling it would be similar to some of what Rob Lowe wrote about his relationship with his boys and how his reaction to them moving on surprised him.
I remember the first time I laid eyes on him in the delivery room … I remember what I whispered to him when his eyes opened for the first time in his life as he peered in my face, and (I am convinced) into my soul. “Hello, I’m your daddy. And I will always be there for you.”
One of the great gifts of my life has been having my two boys and, through them, exploring the mysterious, complicated and charged relationship between fathers and sons…and how that bond is so powerful.” (Full Article Here)
But, on a lighter and much more humorous note, let me go down memory lane a bit ok?
I’m a crazy list maker.
This means I have a list of “Collinisms” — things Collin has said over the years that I didn’t want to forget. Here are several of my favorites:
“I didn’t like the new car. But then I saw the trunk!”
“Dad, I want a rabbit. They’re cheap and I can cuddle with them. If they die, you can just throw them back in the woods.”
Age 12, walking past the Victoria’s Secret at the mall, he glances in and says, “Wow Dad, apparently it’s no longer a secret.”
“Grammy’s toilet paper is like a blanket.”
“Dad, is parenting hard? I’m trying to make it as easy as possible!”
“I have to pee so bad my teeth hurt.”
In his Blues Clues costume for Halloween, he walks outside and declares “Look at the clouds. They’re squishee!” (we have this on video and it’s cuteness will make you knees buckle)
During an age 14 growth spurt: “I just feel like I’m wide awake and super tired all at the same time.”
“Mommy, why did you marry Daddy? Because he knows his alphabet?”
While doing an arts and crafts project for school and after tearing some panty hose apart: “Look Mom! It’s a panty ho!!!”
And today while picking up some final things for him at Target, he gave me the gift of reenacting one of my favorite memories.
He was about 9 or 10 and he wandered off from me at the grocery store. After a few minutes of not being able to find him, I decided to just yell, “COLLIN WHERE ARE YOU???” and I hear his little boy voice yell back from the next row:
“I’M OVER HERE SMELLING THE SHAMPOOS!!!”
To say parenting isn’t easy would be putting it lightly. I think it’s normal to have times of doubt about how you’re doing as a parent. Just like our kids, parenting is also a work in progress.
I had my Dad through my difficult teen years. I realize that was a blessing when I hear a song like My Father’s Chair about a boy that perhaps never fully recovered from losing his Dad when he was young. At first he avoids his Dad’s chair, but over the years he starts to draw comfort in it.
I want to be the kind of Dad that, if I was taken away, my kids would find a reassurance and comfort in knowing I’m still with them.
My Father’s Chair still standing there
All alone since the long night
Now it’s three years on and I still feel
He’ll come home, we’ll be alright
So where’s this healing time brings?
I was told the pain would ease
But it still hurts like the first night
That night my brother, my mother and I
We’re looking up at a distant star
And wishing we could reach that far
And back in the house
And alone for the first time
We told each other we cared
We avoided My Father’s Chair
I watch my family, we hold on
We are strong and we’ll be alright
The clock continues counting down, all the while
And every child will share the long night
But do the spirits meet again
Why am I still so filled with doubt
Is my soul everlasting?
And the far distant future
When I knew you’d be gone
Came too fast and stays too long
Why do they leave the weak of spirit
And take the strong?
When the world turns sour
And I get sick from the smell
And I can’t find no comfort there
I climb into My Father’s Chair
(R. Springfield)
Looks like I’ve settled into my ANNUAL blog post schedule. Sigh. Well, it’s been a busy year. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.
It’s time for our 7th annual Where’s Baby Jesus? — a Christmas tradition at our house. Here are links to some past years: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013.
We have quite a doozie for you this year. Collin has gone to new heights, placing the Savior high above the manger scene as Jesus sits calmly in the wreath above.
Everyone else finally got off Facebook long enough to find their places and they don’t seem to even notice the swaddling clothed infant is missing from his bed. Perhaps they overdid the egg nog? Hey, wake up guys!!!
Merry Christmas Everyone!!!
Wow, it’s December 21st already! Well, you know what it’s time for….yes…..time for our 6th annual Where’s Baby Jesus? — an annual tradition at our house. Here are links to past years: 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
So this year, Collin decided it was time for Baby Jesus to ride donkey back again just like he did in 2008.
Notice this year how the Christ Child and his furry friend (we call him Ashton) have stopped for a little siesta and are just chillin’. Some Wise Guy says, “Hey, let’s get a picture!” and they both look right into the camera. Ah…..Christmastime…….
Merry Christmas All!!!
When you’re the parent of a teenager who is dropping your child off at a friend’s house, you wait until they are in the door.
This is what you do. You are a good parent.
The teenage boy is absolutely horrified by this, especially if the friend’s house belongs to a girl. This is when the child flails their arms wildly trying to get you to leave before the door opens.
We call this the “OMG Dad You’re Annoying” wave off.
Thank you Collin for recently refraining from such wave. You are growing up so fast.
I’m reading a book that’s main focus is about a “hole” in the Gospel. The author’s main point is that the Gospel of Christ is more than just believing, it’s also about living it out through tangible expressions of our faith.
I had a bit of an epiphany recently. I was walking around totally engulfed in myself when suddenly a question popped into my head. It was actually kind of simple yet profound. The question was: “What have I done today that isn’t about ME?” Ouch, right?
That question hasn’t left me. The more I think about it, the more simple it becomes. And I wonder what 2012 might be like if we asked ourselves this every day and had an answer other than “wow, not much”. Could this take us a small step away from our self absorbed mentality and move us toward intentionally and tangibly acting out God’s love like He intends us to do?
Jesus tells a story about a rich man who isn’t willing to forsake everything for Him. That’s a little bit hard to relate to, the idea of forsaking EVERYthing. It really makes you wonder what kind of disciple am I really willing to be. But what if we start by just forsaking SOMEthing? What if we asked ourselves “what did I do today that wasn’t about me?” so often that it really got ingrained into who we are and we see what God does with it? Then, I think we get closer to the Gospel overflowing from our head and our heart to our hands and our feet.
The Ausbury family will be looking for ways we can really act out our faith this year both individually and together as a family. We’re setting up a bulletin board so we can routinely see what this looks like.
An interesting point made in the book I’m reading refers to Matthew 25 where Jesus gives a glimpse at the final judgement where the goats and sheep are divided. The author’s point is not about making sure you are a believer so that you fall into the right group (the sheep), he points out that if you look further into Matthew 25 you’ll see that the goats and sheep are separated based not on their confession of Christ, but on how they acted out their faith to the poor, the sick, etc. I never saw this verse that way, but I think it’s a good point.
I wrote a 2012 version of Matthew 25:35-36 to consider:
For I was hungry while you enjoy all you can eat buffets.
I was a stranger and you went out of your way to avoid me.
I was thirsty while you actually threw away bottles of water.
I needed clothes while you have 3 of the same turtleneck.
I was sick and you acted like I had it coming.
I was in prison and you said I was getting what I deserved.
Anyone up for giving more than you’ve ever given in 2012? I hope to be blogging about these things this year.
It’s time for the 4th annual Where’s Baby Jesus annual tradition at our house. Here are links to the last three years: 2008, 2009 and 2010 (amazing to see how Collin has grown the last 4 years!)
So this year, Collin didn’t hesitate to let Baby Jesus take a camel carriage ride all by himself. As you can see from this picture, Baby Jesus looks quite content and like he’s digging this ride! The camel has that look on his face that says, “Uh huh, that’s right…Son of God right here!”
As I blogged in 2008 and 2009, it’s that time of year again at our house. Time for the annual Christmas tradition of Collin placing Baby Jesus in our nativity scene.
It is no secret that our Baby Jesus is not afraid of heights. Last year He was hoisted on Joseph’s shoulders. Not to be outdone by last year’s placement, in 2010 Baby Jesus is perched high atop the shoulders of our festive flute player.
I wonder if Baby Jesus will ever make it to the manger?
