Santa Claus is real.

There once was a man named St Nicholas. St Nicholas lived to 343 ... He is known for miracles, secret gift giving and filling shoes (stockings) with coins for those who were good. In my last post I did say I grew up with the true meaning of Christmas both Christian and Commercial. Jesus even received gifts on the day he was born. As he was a gift to everyone. So I tell my children Santa Claus is very real. 

A year or two ago Skylar had some friends over so she was about 10 or 11 years old. Her friend Victoria who is just a year older and her friend Kara who is a few months older were playing out back and if Skylar's outside William must follow. So I sat outside with them to keep an eye on William so it wouldn't be their responsibility. I overhead Victoria tell them that Santa wasn't real. She didn't think Heaven or Hell was real either. My jaw dropped. I wouldn't have normally said anything TO the child but I do know this child's grandmother (who raises her) goes to church frequently so I said Victoria how can you go to church and listen to the preacher and not believe him when he talks about heaven or hell? She said my aunt never lies and she told me Santa is fake and heaven and hell isn't real either. Again I am just shocked. I said Santa is real look up St Nicholas. She's like yeah St Nicholas was alive but he's dead now. I just was dumb founded and decided it was time to drive her home. HAHA I just looked at Skylar and pointed at her and said REMEMBER THE POLAR EXPRESS (referencing the movie.) The movie has been a big deal in our house. Its one of our Christmas favorites along with Small One (which tells the story of Jesus's birth). So in theory Skylar could know more than she asks but in some ways some of her mind she is still so innocent. She could read this very blog at her age (she's 12 now). She still talks about our elves Barnaby and Merry (Elf on the Shelf). She hasn't let on but this year she didn't sit in Santa's lap but Rick nor I didn't really push it either. I am sure she is loosing magic slowly but I'd like for her to hang on to it as much as possible.. She did collect a down payment from the tooth fairy recently. Hopefully the tooth fairy will send the rest soon. I don't plan on stealing any of her magic away or telling her anything any time soon. We have had a lot of growing up recently and some things just need to stay the same. Maybe she does believe in St Nicholas magic. I hope so... aside from Jesus's birth I think the magic of St Nicholas is important too.

What I always wondered was... well let me tell you a story.. When Skylar was 4 or so we lived in an area that didn't have a mall. So my boyfriend's uncle drove us to the nearest city with a mall (Rome, GA) so Skylar could see Santa. She sat on Santa's lap and did the whole thing and then we had to travel to I believe was like a Santa breakfast type thing. Undoubtedly Santa had a wardrobe change in between the two events if you know what I mean. I thought to myself will she notice? From birth till the age of 4 she also had seen the same Santa at an Auction we used to attend every Thanksgiving night we would see Santa. I really miss that tradition. I always wonder what is going through the kids minds when they see Santa at one location then go to another location to see Santa? Skylar's never really been the kid to over think things or at least out loud. For years people were surprised that she hadn't asked about her biological father since I have been married since she was 4 to her step father. She just never asked so one day I did bring it up and we had a talk. So I wondered at the age of 4 did she notice Santa's wardrobe changes? Between breakfast, the mall, and the auction? What's the story? Do any of your kids have an explanation about Santa being everywhere? I have even spotted him driving down the road in a MINIVAN! (By the way the Tooth Fairy drives a pick up truck and her son is my my son's dentist of all things LOL) 
Tell me what you've told your kids about Santa? Have they noticed Santa is everywhere? What are some things that they've said? Any funny stories? 

Barnaby is our trouble maker and Merry is always trying to keep him straight and ends up getting in a mess herself!

Santa at the Redbud Auction in Calhoun, GA

Oh yes we went through a period where she was terrified of Santa. Santa would be at the front door of the auction and Skylar would be at the back door hiding under a table. Yes my boyfriend and I were one of those parents that made her sit in Santa's lap fear or not.. She's not scared for life she got over it after she wanted some Dora Ice cream and I told her she had to ask Santa for it since I couldn't find it on my own ;)

Have you seen my GoFundMe?

I know everyone and their brother either has a Gofundme or hates a Gofundme.. This one is VERY personal to me...

This one is for the person other than my kids that means the most to me in the world. I know she loves me totally unconditionally and she is my dearest and truest friend, Jennifer.

Jennifer and her husband Chris are totally like the siblings my parents never gave me. My heavenly parent was looking out for me though when he brought them into my life. I love them no different than my family. They mean the world to me and their kids are like my kids. Jennifer's father Frank has been like a father to me. I joke with Jennifer Frank couldn't have dealt with both of us growing up which is why we had to meet as adults. She says of course he would have loved us both. About two years ago something was off with "Dad"/ Frank. He was working at Kroger and he had been working at the Carpet mills in Calhoun and the surrounding area's for years... Jennifer kinda nudged him to go to the doctor and he was diagnosed with Gilosarcoma. Stage 4... very aggressive brain cancer. They gave him initially 6 months to live. God blessed us with a successful surgery to remove the tumor from his frontal lobe. They almost completely removed the tumor and he would be under aggressive Chemotherapy and Radiation to keep it under control and from growing any faster. His new prognosis was 12-18 months maybe..

Do you remember on the news like crazy a lady named Brittany Maynard who died on November 1st as part of the Die with Dignity thing. She could take a series of medications that were prescribed to her to die peacefully in her sleep whenever she was ready. She didn't have to wait to waste away in front of her new husband or parents. She didn't HAVE to struggle with the side effects of treatment or deal with the cancer. She did end up having some struggles no doubt but she wanted to die with dignity before it became too late. Brittany Maynard chose to die before it got too bad. She had the same or similar type of cancer that Dad has. Here is an article about Brittany Maynard
 http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/02/health/oregon-brittany-maynard/index.html

Back to Dad's story.. Dad's treatments were an hour and a half from their home. At first they were maintaining two homes. Chris works full time and has for the 10 years I have known him as often and as dependable as the mills are but his paycheck only stretches so far. Jennifer and Chris have four children (from 3-13) to provide for. Dad's treatments would vary depending on the growth of the tumor.. sometimes several times a week to once a week. Jennifer was a Stay at Home Mom often picking up customer service jobs she could do from home until caregiver of her father became a priority. In the past year Jennifer has had personal and medical challenges of her own. While under going an emergency procedure Jennifer also found out they were being evicted and Franks own father had passed away. If you could please pray for this wonderful family that has helped me through my own down and out times and there were times in my life when we gave each other the shirt off each others back and our last slice of bread. Its the way we've known each other. Unfortunately right now I am not in the position to help much. I run an online Yard Sale page and a lot of the funds I earn from that will go towards meeting these goals. I have tried all types of fundraisers for Franks treatment's before and only earned $5.

Jennifer's engine in her old beater of a minivan blew up and it was impossible for her to get Frank to Chattanooga for treatment and she has been living with this guilt. I tried to help navigate through the engine repair and ended up having to take a bigger loan out with the shark that sold her the van. His condition started to deteriorate 2 -3 surgeries and about 2 years later he had his routine cat scan and the tumor is far too progressed for treatment now the options are limited to hospice. So Frank has been on Hospice at home surrounded by Jennifer, Chris, their room mate, and their four children. In a very small apartment.

One month ago Dad was placed on hospice because he had a stroke, the tumor is back and large swelling and putting pressure on one side of his brain.

A week or so later Jennifer reported he was doing as well as expected but last night I got the message that she had been very ill again and unable to keep me updated and that he didn't have long left.

He doesn't have an active life insurance policy as he had to leave his job and stop paying on his life insurance policy when he became sick so all Gofundme funds will go to Funeral and Travel costs.. (I want to be able to be there for them!)

Please pray for my family <3 p="" thank="" you="">