Rich, Heather and Alana’s Blog

New Family Member Profile:

Name: Aslan Smith (yes, we are C.S. Lewis fans)
Date of Birth: July, 2005
Species: Bunny rabbit (Lionhead bunny, to be exact)
Hair Color: Tan, brown, and white
Eye Color: Dark brown
Nickname: Azzi
Disposition: Sweet, friendly, hyper, and curious (with an occasional anti-social mood swing)

Well, shortly after I returned from my early morning shopping trip on Friday, Rich and I spent the day bunny rabbit shopping. We had already decided that, in lieu of typical Christmas presents for each other this year, we would buy a bunny or two (we are still looking for a cuddly companion for Aslan).

I have always adored bunnies. I grew up with them. When I lived in Southern California (from ages 8-14) my family managed to accumulate 16 Holland Lops. We bought a few from Pet Stores, had some babies born, and maybe we were even given a couple. I really don’t remember how we came across all 16. And so Holland Lops have always been my favorite type of bunny; they stay pretty small (about 3-4 pounds) and have the cutest faces and loppy ears. But lately, at the prompting of Rich, I have considered another kind, the Netherland Dwarf. They are also adorable and small, but they have short ears that stick straight up.

So you’d think we got one of those two kinds of bunnies. But no, we actually found a third type that we love, called the Lionhead. They are a newer breed, and have longer hair around their neck. I spent about a half hour laughing hysterically today after going to a website, www.lionheadrabbit.net which has award-winnning Lionhead Bunnies pictured. Some of them are the funniest, strangest-looking things I have ever seen. Check out the site if you have a few spare minutes and are in need of some entertainment. But Aslan doesn’t look weird or crazy. . . just really, really cute.

And so, with our first pet and a great cage, we are now proud parents. And you know how proud parents are: they talk about their children, show you pictures of their children, and think that their children (despite what other parents think), are the cutest, best, and most wonderful. And so now you know how we feel about our little Aslan.

Ain’t he cute!?

I feel like an unfaithful friend. I’ve neglected blogging for a few weeks and it feels good to be back again. There’s one simple reason I’ve been delinquent: Rich has monopolized use of our laptop lately since he is deep into his design of the church website. I am patiently waiting for the time (spent on the church website) to lessen so that I, too, can again share in the joys of having a laptop.

On that topic, the site looks soooooo good. He is one talented man. I keep telling him I can’t wait for him to “go live” with the website so that everyone else can see and enjoy it, too! When it is up, check it out at http://www.calvarychatt.com. Right now, it’s just a temp site for basic info while he designs the permanent site. I’m so proud of him.

Well, I think we are officially in the “holiday season”. I guess it all begins with Thanksgiving Day (which is tomorrow!) and continues on through Christmas and ends with New Years Day. I always thoroughly enjoy this time of year, as many others do, but I always have that sinking feeling when it’s all over. When I have to take down the decorations I put up just a month or so earlier, when the food isn’t quite so elaborate or delicious, when the radio stations cease their incessant playing of Christmas tunes, when the tree comes down, and (sniff, sniff) when my family and I have to say goodbye.

It’s a bit funny to think about, really. Growing up, we all have expectations about marriage, based on what traditions our family always had. And inevitably, some of those things are our “ideal”. For example, a real Christmas Tree. Ya, you know, the kind that has to be cut down from a tree farm and needs water to live, and the pine needles smell wonderful. Going shopping to pick out the “perfect one” with fun-loving dad was always an exciting adventure in itself. Getting the tree home to decorate was the other half of the fun. Well, I was unaware when I got married that my husband has a different (slightly more pragmatic) perspective on the whole Christmas tree issue. He doesn’t see the need for a real tree. In fact, he prefers a fake one since it only costs money once, it doesn’t shed pine needles everywhere, and it is easy to put up and take down. Ha.

My family has (as long as I can remember) a tradition in which, on Christmas Eve, we all open one gift. It must be chosen by mom, as there are certain gifts she wouldn’t want to be opened until Christmas Day. I don’t know why that got started, and it doesn’t have any real significance. But that doesn’t matter. It is a fun, family-bonding tradition. Rich and I haven’t started any of our own traditions yet. I wonder what ones we will eventually establish, what our kids will always remember about growing up in our home. It’s fun to think about. Leave me comments about your most memorable traditions. I love to hear about friends’ experiences. I’d love to have both fun and meaningful traditions in our home, you know?

One thing that we want to emphasize when we have kids (Lord willing) is to serve the needy at Christmastime. Whether it’s serving food at the Community Kitchen, taking meals to poor families, or visiting orphans with Christmas gifts, Rich and I deeply desire for our kids to have a solid foundation of gratitude and of servanthood.

Anyway, those are my random thoughts on the holidays.

May God bless you this holiday season, and make His face to shine upon you. May each of you know Him more intimately because of the holidays and pondering God’s gift to us in His Son!!!