Christmas Fun with Cheryl Wyatt and a surprise : )

Hello everyone!
I am so sorry for not being around yesterday. Yes, there was supposed to be a post, no it did not get lost somewhere between me hitting post and it actually showing up. The weather has really been taking a lot out on me and I didn't get around to making the post. Then last night I got bad news at my doctors appointment. Never fear though, I've got some stuff up my sleeve for tomorrow ; ) Anyway, our guest today needs no introduction. She's an amazing person and author, mother, Seeker, and friend....it's CHERYL WYATT!!!!! Heehee....



H: Cheryl! Finally, I feel like you needed to be on my blog with me before this, ah well, can't complain at least you are now :P Anyway, what is your favorite part(s) of the Christmas season?

C: People being off work and able to get together. Spending time with family is my favorite part. I have in recent years come to really love the season more. The lights and nostalgia and being mindful of God sending to us the most grand gift of Jesus and thereby removing from Himself the ability to destroy mankind altogether. That we have a Savior at all is mindboggling to me. There is a God. Thankfully He's the kindest person in all of history. LOL.

H: I agree completely : ) Plus, don't we all need that break!? Are you a big celebrator of Christmas?

C: Yes. Although I hate putting up a tree and taking it down.
I like miniature trees. LOL!

H: Oh booooooo, Cheryl. Come on, how can you hate the tree?! Well does that mean you hate decorating it too or merely putting it up? Lol! What are some of your traditions? (i.e. food, gift giving, family traditions, etc).?

C: I use the season to teach my daughters the importance of reaching out to the world and giving. We give to needy children here in the U.S. as well as abroad, to orphans. I started this before they could walk and they look forward to shopping for orphans and less fortunate children each season. They are becoming givers at heart and I am so thankful for that. We play a lot of games around Christmas time. My husband and I are hosting Bunco parties. It's a great mixer and tons of fun. My face usually hurts the next day from laughing so hard the evening before. We love getting together with friends and family and just laughing & playing games during the holiday season.

H: Ohhhhhh goodness, we all know how you can laugh too. I can imagine it MUST hurt the next day ; ) And how good of you to be teaching your daughters those good life lessons. They'll always remember them too. Do you have a favorite Christmas themed book/recommendation? Movie?

C: I actually love Frosty the Snowman. LOL!

H: Good choice! If you had to pick one “symbol” of Christmas (i.e. ornaments, the tree, the lights, the nativity set, etc.), what would you pick as your favorite?

C: Definitely the nativity set.
It would be a toss up between that and the famed Kneeling Santa sculpture where Santa is kneeling before a tiny baby in a manger and worshipping the baby Jesus.

H: I've never heard of the Kneeling Santa sculpture before! I looked him up and look how cool it is : ) What did you ask Santa for this year? *wink*

C: A Keurig Coffee Maker and funny socks. I love getting new socks for Christmas.

H: Coffee, coffee, coffee! As your niece said to me, coffee makes everything better : ) We've got the SockLady socks, theyre purposefully mismatched socks.
You'd love 'em I bet!! What was one gift that you always wanted, but never got?

C: I can't think of a thing, honestly, other than asking my family to make their present to me be that they go to church with me for Christmas. That didn't happen...yet! LOL.

H: Erm....I don't think you could get me to go to church on Christmas Day either lol!! Sorry, but we've never had church on Christmas anyway. So I'm just not used to it, we have lots of plans on the actual day anyway lol.

These are some bests. Just fill them in with your favorite/the best.

Christmas present as a child? An eighteen speed bike that I rode ten miles every day, uphill (both ways) in the snow....

Favorite Christmas? When my Aunt Linda and her family made a surprise visit to Illinois.

Christmas song? The Little Drummer Boy and Breath of Heaven

Character in the Christmas Story (maybe you played them in a church pageant one year? Lol!)? Baby Jesus of course. LOL! I played Mary once in Kindergarden I think it was. Unfortunately the baby Jesus was a persnickety doll whose head came off and rolled off the stage. I was so stunned I went blank and froze, forgetting my lines. My cousin Wes was Joseph and he kept poking me in the ribs and whispering loudly the next script but I still stood frozen and freaked out by the head laying on the gym floor. I dropped the headless doll and almost cried until my teacher scurried out and knelt in front to help me refocus...and to fix Baby Jesus. LOL!

Place to spend Christmas day? With family playing games and watching kids open gifts.

Christmas food? Mom's no bake cookies.

In closing, I'd love to say that my most reminiscent Christmas season was spending time with orphans in India following the great tsunami. The children at one orphanage in particular had one toy to share between 347 kids. We came loaded with suitcases full of toys. I remember their faces as one by one they came into the realization that they EACH would get a toy for THEMSELVES. They could not comprehend having their own, personal toy.

I encourage everyone who can to take at least a short term mission trip. I went with Hopegivers International which can be found with Google. There are many great organizations out there that help orphans. Here in the U.S. too. I love encouraging people to give during the season. Toys for Tots. Angeltree. Soldier's Angels. Compassion International. World Vision. Hopegivers. Easter Seals. I could list a gazillion more good ones. Even twenty dollars can make a difference.

Hugs all and thank you Hannah, for a wonderful interview! This was great fun! Wish you all could join me for Bunco!

Cheryl, thank you so, so much for making this blogfest even more special and cheery! I loved getting to know more things about you, especially in your Christmas traditions! Now it's GIVEAWAY time!!! Cheryl has graciously offered up one of those Kneeling Santa statues for three lucky winners! Make sure to leave an email : )

Okay before the Mystery Song of the Day, I need to just give you THIS to watch for fun! It made me laugh soooo hard! Today's Song is very different lol! But I definitely associate it with Christmas : ) Can you imagine this happening to you!?

Today I have my last final and I will officially be done this semester for Christmas break!!! Woohoo!! Hope your Wednesday gives you the hope to finish this week : )
Hannah