No Gifts, No Guilt

Photo is from one of those Facebook Christmas Pages. 

One of my favorite "Marketing Mentor", Seth Godin, said that his favorite holiday is Thanksgiving because it's a "no gifts, no guilt" holiday.  I perceive it as him saying that Christmas is a holiday where there is so much pressure about gift giving, that it creates guilt when you don't give.  This kind of thinking, in my opinion, is sad, but not uncommon. I myself is guilty of feeling guilty when I couldn't give gifts to the people I'd love to give gifts to, and people who gives me gifts.  People gets stressed on Christmas Season.  While it's supposed to be a holiday filled with love and laughter, it's become a holiday filled with stress, anxiety and guilt.

It is up to us to make our own Christmas celebration right and true to what we think and believe it is about.

Last night I started listening to Christmas music on Youtube while I am folding laundry, and I found myself singing out loud and dancing. It was hilarious. But no one saw and it doesn't matter. I was singing and dancing because I loved it.  It gave me so much joy.  Singing Christmas songs gives me so much joy!

So I think I'd be doing that again tonight. Sing and dance  Christmas.

The gift has already been given. It's the gift of  "John 3:16". The guilt has already been taken away.

In this world where there is so much sadness, sorrows, anxiety and stress,  Christmas is the time of the year when we can pause, and feel peace, love and pure joy.  Not feeling it yet? Sing along with me. Let's start with Moriah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" That always gets me going.  Just sayin'.

No gifts, no guilt. Just singin' and dancin'.  Bring back the Christmas JOY.

The Other Letter - A Great Insight ...

This video brings a wonderful insight into what our kids are thinking. It also brings a powerful message to parents and family.  I watched it several times and got teary eyed as parents were reading "the other letter".

Gingerbread House Making Through The Years

 

Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes For Mom

Visiting My Family In The Philippines

I am going back to the Philippines!  Ok, don't panic.  It's not permanent.  I am actually going back there for an emergency visit. Only one week - Dec 15 to 22.  My uncle who we are very close with, suddenly died from a stroke while visiting the Philippines (from New Jersey).  That was the incident that made us decide I really need to go back to the Philippines for a visit. The other day my oldest brother who are taking care of my parents told me that my mom's dementia is getting worse.  I wanted to visit her before she forgets who I am ...

It's been nine (9) years since I last visited the Philippines.  I am soo excited that I am going back there at this time.  I know one week is very short, but that's all we can afford and am very thankful for it. I know I won't have much time to visit friends, as I would like to spend much time to be with my mom and dad ( yep, one week is short!).  

Seeking your prayers for safe travels, and for my family here on Maui while I am gone. Hubby with be with the kids. I'm sure they'd have lots of fun.

I will be blogging about my travel here. I will also post a lot about "Christmas In The Philippines".  

Mahalo and aloha,

Liza

The Making of the Gingerbread House 2009

Happy Birthday Jesus

Happy Birthday To You
happy Birthday To You
happy Birthday Dear Jesus
happy Birthday To You.

Happy Birthday Jesus
I'm So Glad Its Christmas
all The Tinsel And Lights
and The Presents Are Nice
but The Real Gift Is You.

Happy Birthday Jesus
i'm So Glad Its Christmas
all The Carols And Bells
make The Holiday Swell
and it's All About You
happy Birthday Jesus
jesus I Love You!

Thank you Lord for coming into this world Lord Jesus. Thank you for your gift of Eternal Life. Thank you for the big and little things you do in our lives throughout the year. Thank you for loving us. Thank you.

For more thankful hearts this Christmas day, jump to Grace Alone.

Breath of Heaven - Video and Lyrics - Sung by Amy Grant

I have traveled many moonless nights,
Cold and weary with a babe inside,
And I wonder what I've done.
Holy father you have come,
And chosen me now to carry your son.

I am waiting in a silent prayer.
I am frightened by the load I bear.
In a world as cold as stone,
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now.
Be with me now.

Breath of heaven,
Hold me together,
Be forever near me,
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven,
Lighten my darkness,
Pour over me your holiness,
For you are holy.
Breath of heaven.

Do you wonder as you watch my face,
If a wiser one should have had my place,
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan.
Help me be strong.
Help me be.
Help me.

Breath of heaven,
Hold me together,
Be forever near me,
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven,
Lighten my darkness,
Pour over me your holiness,
For you are holy.

Breath of heaven,
Hold me together,
Be forever near me,
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven,
Lighten my darkness,
Pour over me your holiness,
For you are holy.
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven.

I Need A Silent Night by Amy Grant

I've made the same mistake before
Too many malls, too many stores
December traffic, Christmas rush
It breaks me till I push and shove

Children are crying while mothers are trying
To photograph Santa and sleigh
The shopping and buying and standing forever in line
What can I say?

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

December comes then disappears
Faster and faster every year
Did my own mother keep this pace
Or was the world a different place?

Where people stayed home wishing for snow
Watching three channels on their TV
Look at us now rushing around
Trying to buy Christmas peace

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

What was it like back there in Bethlehem
With peace on earth, good will toward men?

Every shepherd's out in the field
Keeping watch over their clock by night
And the glory of the Lord shone around them
And they were so afraid

And the angels said fear not for behold
I bring you good news of a great joy that shall be for all people
For unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord
And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night
To end this crazy day with a silent night

Christmas Photo Memories

And this is why I love taking family photos on Christmastime:

Christmas 1998

Christmas 2001

Christmas 2005

Christmas 2007

It document how fast our kids grow!
Oh, they grow so fast!

And one more fun memory photos here - don't miss it :)

To see more nostalgic photos,
go to "Sincerely Fro Me To You"

Works For Me Wednesday: Christmas Letter and Blogging

Every year we are faced with a dilemma on whether we should write a Christmas letter or not. We love getting them, but it's hard to write because we are always careful not to make it a "brag letter" but we also want to highlight our "joys" and share it with our loved ones.

Every year we would start with saying, no - let's not do a Christmas letter this year. But on the last minute we always do. And guess what, every year when I pull out our old letters from the box (or the computer file) I am always thankful that we do write Christmas letter because it is becoming our family chronicle. It's great to look back and see how different each year was. It's interesting to read our ups and downs. It's great to read the letters and look at the photos that go with it. Oh how our kids have grown!

And so this year, hubby wrote the letter. He is a better write than I am because he writes funny letters as opposed to my serious letter. Our family and friends appreciate his humor, I keep telling him he should blog :)

Speaking of blog, that is what my dear hubby talked about, about me. Here's the excerpt for you dear bloggy friends to enjoy. Merry Christmas! :

Liza is a blogging fiend! I’m talking all times of the day and night she’s just typing away… We should have a single bed to save space. She’s got a few blogs going and just recently got into twittering. I must admit that I don’t read her stuff but I understand it’s good from those who know. People come up to me and comment on things that are going on in our relationship and I have no idea who they are and how they know about my marriage… She says just read her blog and I will know how she feels and what’s she thinking. (All I want for Christmas is a conversation)… Liza’s job will be ending this January, or soon after. This will be a new “opportunity” for her to blog more (is that possible?) and maybe actually make money while doing it (Google: A Maui Blog)… I must have prayed and accidentally asked God for more faith and greater trust… See what I get? God has a sense of humor when it comes to me. (I feel a second job in my future.)

So yes ... that worked for me this year! For more Works For Me Wednesdays, visit Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer.

O Christmas Tree.. O Christmas Tree..

I know I had been posting a lot about Christmas Trees (the Aluminum Tree, the Plumeria Tree, etc.) but when "We Are That Family" announced a Carnival on Christmas Trees, I couldn't help but join!

Kristen spoke about tradition. When I was growing up, it was tradition in our family to put up and decorate the Christmas Tree on December 1. It's my parents' wedding anniversary and it's a very special day. We usually go out to eat on a special restaurant (we only do that once a year, we don't usually eat out). So, December 1st was the traditional Christmas Tree day.

Now in my family here on Maui, we changed a little bit. It started 3 year ago. we put up our Christmas Tree on the weekend after Thanksgiving. Actually, it's a tradition that on Thanksgiving Day, our friend Kenny helps my hubby take the tree out of the storage (yes, we use the plastic tree. And so well see if this tradition sticks - 3 years in a row so far :)

For a gala of Christmas Trees, go to We Are That Family's "O Share Your Christmas Tree"

Childhood Christmas Memory - How About The Aluminum Christmas Tree?! :)

I have so many childhood Christmas memories. I was planning to put them all in one post but that would be too long! So let's do it one at a time. Let me start with a Christmas tree.

For I think I was in Grade 4 when we had our first artificial Christmas Tree. Prior to that, my family used to create Christmas Trees from strings, papers, etc. because a Christmas tree was so expensive.

One "a week after Christmas" morning, my mom saw one of our "well to do" neighbor about to put their old Christmas Tree in a trash. My mom asked if we can have it, and she said "yes"! And so the next year, we had a Christmas Tree. Oh, I held off on telling you what kind of tree is was - but you probably already have guessed (the title said it, duh!) - Yes it was an Aluminum Christmas Tree. Oh we loved that tree. We had it for many years! It was just a 4 ft tree but we always put it on top of a dresser to make it taller. One year we placed cotton around it so that it will look like snow :). Oh there are so many memories associated with that old Aluminum Christmas Tree!

When I Googled the word "Aluminum Christmas Tree" a lot of interesting articles came out. !ere's a few good one:

1) There is actually a Museum for the preservation of the Aluminum Christmas Tree. Check it out here.

2) Beyond 50 has an interesting article. It mentioned Charlie Brown and I found that amusing because last night when we were watching the Charlie Brown Christmas, I remembered chuckling when the aluminum Christmas tree was mentioned.

3) And here's another article from Kansas Museum :)

This post is participating on the carnival "Sincerely fro me To You" at We Are That Family Blog :)

Gingerbreadhouse Making - The Costco Pre-Assembled Houses Worked For Us!

This is another Wordless edition of Works For me Wednesday. For more Works for us Wednesday Posts, visit Rocks In My Dryer. For more Wordless Wednesday posts, visit 5 Minutes For Moms.

Mele Kalikimaka Song and Video

A bit hectic, but that's ok - written post will come soon. In the meantime, enjoy this Mele Kalikimaka video especially for you :)



Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say on a
bright Hawaiian Christmas day
That's the island greeting that we send to you
From the land where palm trees sway
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun will shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way to say
Merry Christmas to you

(take it girls)
Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say on a
bright Hawaiian Christmas day
That's the island greeting that we send to you
From the land where palm trees sway

Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun will shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way to say
Merry Christmas to you

Instrumental bridge

Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun will shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way to say
Merry Christmas to you

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say on a
bright Hawaiian Christmas day
That's the island greeting that we send to you
From the land where palm trees sway
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun will shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele Lalikimaka is Hawaii's way to say Merry Christmas,
Merry merry Christmas to you,
Merry merry Christmas to you

I'll Be Home For Christmas by Josh Groban

This song is a re-post from last year, but I really want to share this on THEN SINGS MY SOUL meme, so here it is:

Warning: get a box of tissue because this will bring tears in your eyes....

To all the soldiers and military personnel who can't be with their families this Christmas. You're in my thoughts and prayers, including your families....



I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and misltetoe
And presents on the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
With a love like me
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

Choir Sings: I'll be home for Christmas
There'll be snow and mistletoe

Martina Sings: Christmas Eve will find me
With a love like me
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
If only in my dreams

If you want to see the actual news video footage of the little boy who was surprised by his Dad, click here. After watching this, come back here and watch this video of the song again. Pass the tissue please...

If you love this song, I am sure you like the "Does Christmas Makes You Cry" too. Check it out here.

How Many More Days Before Christmas?

Note: I know I posted this last Friday but today I realized this would be a good Works For Me Wednesday post because the GINGERBREAD HOUSE KIT available at Costco works for me! For more Works For Me Wednesday posts, visit Rocks In My Dryer :)

What can I say? I love Christmas! If it's too early for you to think about it, please pardon my blog. Just to let you know, the best Gingerbread House Kit is already available at Costco - and yes I already purchased two! One is not enough for us! We make cute Ginger Bread houses in our house - it's a tradition you know. So don't procrastinate, because these Ginger Bread house kits go fast. Run to Costco and buy one. It'll be gone before you know it!

Logan, The Sky Angel Cowboy (A Fresh View of What Christmas and Easter Is All About)

Logan is a 13 year-old boy who lives on a ranch in a very small town in Nebraska. Logan listens to Christian Radio station 89.3FM KSBJ which broadcasts from Houston, TX. Logan called the radio station distraught because he had to take down a calf . His words have wisdom beyond his years.

Since airing the audio of the phone call and now the making of the video clip, it has taken on a life of its own. People are forwarding it all over the world. We encourage you to share the love of Christ with anyone you can.



(**Sky Angel is a family safe broadcasting service that is offered on satellite. KSBJ is a local Houston Christian music radio station. Video clip produced with love by www.FrankLozano.com Hear the entire message at www.ValenciaHills.com)

Christmas Worship Hula - "Silent Night"

Sleep in heavenly peace....

Sleep in heavenly peace.

This post is entered in the Weekly Winners carnival at Sarcastic Mom Blog. Go there to check out beautiful photo entires.

Silent Night (by Josh Groban)

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin, mother and Child
Holy infant, so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin, mother and Child
Holy infant, so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Two of My Husband's Favorite Christmas Songs

My Rhapsody Playlist