Give.

Last night I decided to tell the children a Christmas story every night until Christmas. Not from a book, just stories that I remember from my childhood, and in my own words.

I started to tell the story of the Gift of the Magi. Telling it aloud, in words that a 3 and 4 year old could understand brought tears to my eyes. What is the story about really? Two people who love each other so much, they are willing to give up their most prized possessions to purchase gifts for the other. This is one of my favorite stories because it illustrates so clearly that gift giving is really only a symbol for pure need we all have of wanting to make someone happy. Some one we love. Someone we care about. And at this season: sometimes it's people we don't even know.

I was introduced to Benson and Claire just a couple weeks ago, and as a mother of 3 children right around the same ages, I can't even begin to imagine the daily struggle their parents have to keep their children alive.

I can't really explain the story in my own words very well, so this is what the parents have to say:

Benson and Claire were born with a rare genetic disease in which their liver produces too much oxalate--called primary hyperoxaluria. Claire's condition has progressed much faster than Benson's. She has been on dialysis since she was 3 months old and is on dialysis 3 hours a day, 6 days a week. She is now on the waiting list to receive a combined kidney / liver transplant. It is expected Benson will eventually need similar transplants. Over $500,000 is needed for the procedure.

Making it to the hospital every morning with a 2 year old keeping her happy in the hospital for 3 hours takes creativity beyond what I could ever try to do. I witnessed my close friend try this kind of lifestyle with her toddler for 7 months, and it is so hard. Claire has lived in the hospital basically her whole life (2 years) and the family it trying to raise money to give her a transplant. You can watch a video here of what is takes to go through the process day in and day out. I am amazed at this strong mother and her brave children.

There is a silent auction today (December 10-12) and I am auctioning off a$50 gift certificate to the shop. Come and offer what you can, and help this sweet family. I know there are so many people to help this Christmas season, so if anything, you can offer your prayers.

Click here to see more of their story.

Click here for the auction.

Sale.

Hello Friends!

Sorry for all of you who subscribe to my newsletter....this is the second time you'll be hearing this. But I had to let you know!

Prints are priced down now through Christmas! They will be on sale up until the holiday, but remember to check the shop for shipping dates to get there for the holidays.

Oh, and those popcorn balls turned out great. I wish I could fit them in your packages. I might just have to post the recipe soon.

Happy shopping!

xo

sarah jane

PS: PLEASE come visit the silent auction with a gift certificate to the shop here.

For you and you and you....

It has been snowing here. A lot. And I love it! The entry way (our kitchen) is muddy from snow boots, getting out the door with 3 kids and all the gear is going to take some major skills that I don't have yet, and I almost got stuck in my driveway just trying to get the mail. But hazzah! This winter wonderland is really getting me in the mood for christmas.

And keeping in line with the Christmas Spirit, here is the LAST promotional for the year in online Sarah Jane land:

20% off all prints through Christmas (prices are already marked down)

and a yummy giveaway on Bloesem Kids

I'm off now to make some carmel popcorn balls. Here's to hoping they actually get out to the neighbors like I planned...homemade-gooey-warm-and-soft carmel popcorn is on my top 10 "I would be happy dying from this" list. Happy Christmas!

Advent Calendar.

Christmas on a shoe-string: we're on a budget this Christmas, as I am sure many people are. We are desperately trying to get into a house and I can't think of a better reason to be "tight." But we are still decorating and making Christmas things. Last week, we made this banner for oh, about .25 cents. But besides how easy it was to make, it is super functional and fun to double as an advent calendar. I cut out 25 triangles , strung them together with yarn, and stuck a sticky label on the back with a christmas task. Tonight, the task is "make wassail." Tomorrow, it's "Dance like snowflakes." This is a wonderful month. And the ceiling is looking festive: and the simplicity is inspiring me to be even more frugal and grateful for what we do have this year. What are you doing for DIY decor?

Gerber Baby.

Ella started eating rice cereal (which is comedy at it's best) and on the box, I saw her twin. Little Baby Gerber. If I were a die-hard, I would have tried a bit harder to get Ella's mouth to open a bit more. But this is basically why I can't get enough of her cuteness. It's too much sometimes...we all go a little nuts over her. This morning it was her coos, yesterday it was her cheeks, and the day before, it was her awesome thighs. The loving never ends. And truthfully, I am just glad we already have a portrait of Ella...completely free of artist fees:) Ya, Ya. It's on a cardboard box, but we're on a budget these days.

My wild thing.

{pic from my sister's phone}

So I got to thinking: my posts have been rather gentle and warm and fuzzy lately. I haven't been getting you behind the scenes that much...which is probably a good thing. Life with 3 under 4 has been a rather big adjustment for us. Well for me, at least. Things really do have rough edges around these parts though....on many levels. Let's start with Ella's do: a good metaphor for my life at the moment...wild but fun.  I got my hair cut the other night, and my hair dresser insisted getting the flat iron onto her mohawk (Ella has naturally curly hair + mohawk. We love it.)  Ironically, my hairdresser was sporting a "messy" mohawk too. (Please don't bring that hairstyle back!) But oh...she looks so cool. Rad even.  She is a rather darling Rock Star, I must say.

I'm going to make this her official 5 month picture.

This morning's top 5 reasons why I love being a mom:

1. Waking up this morning to bed full of children who love snuggling me and the baby....and manage to make it a pleasure to get up for the day.

2. Listening to my 4 yr old sing "One short day in the Emerald City" from Wicked last night over and over again until she finally fell asleep.

3. Having the excuse to not do laundry yesterday because I visited a friend with just as much newborn sleep deprivation as I have.

4.  Watching my kids make what toys they don't have out of paper and scotch tape.

5. Eating Ella's cheeks all day yesterday, and waking up to see that she still has just as much cheekage today. Yummy.

I love my job. I love my kids. The little moments of beauty far out weigh the chaos, and I just love observing these little people learn about their world. And I love their world. I love to be in their world.

My goal for today: to crouch down a little lower, and view the universe with a bigger heart and bigger eyes. And maybe, if I'm lucky, trick all the kids into taking a nap!

Happy December everyone!