So, over the last two days I’ve felt our baby kick through it’s momma’s tummy NUMEROUS times.

Can I just admit that this is probably the coolest thing EVER!?!

I usually “run for the tummy” when Jess starts making “the baby is kicking me” noises and try and find the best spot to feel these “love kicks”!

It’s absolutely amazing!

Jess didn’t have school today – snow delay and then cancelation. With the Warsaw cancelation, we didn’t have church tonight either – so we’ve already enjoyed lunch and dinner together and now we’re going to settle in for “Flight Plan” on DVD.

Well, well, well! Over the last few days there’s been QUITE the ongoing commentary in the comment-section about whether we should influence our children to believe in this Mr. Claus guy or not. Hopefully you’ve been keeping up – it’s been VERY exciting!

Stevan’s final thoughts:

Jess and I have briefly discussed the “what will WE do” scenario and we’re both pretty well settled that our child(ren) will grow up with the wonderment and awe of believing in the fat-man from the North Pole who somehow gets into our house and brings toys.

That said, I also emphasize that we will MOST DEFINITELY emphasize the TRUE meaning of Christmas being the day we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus. Maybe as a pastor’s family we’ll have MORE of an opportunity to emphasize that fact with the natural festivities that surround this Season, but it will truly be THE emphasis.

I’m excited to teach my impressionable child(ren) about Santa, the elves, those crazy reindeer, and other Christmastime folklore – like the giant albino yetti that lives in the hall closet!

Merry Christmas to you Santa-teachers and non-Santa-teachers alike!

Apparently some of you couldn’t wait for me to post my “negative” list about believing in Santa (see comments on the “positive list” post) but I told you it was coming:

01. Santa IS fake. If you’re 10 or older, chances are you already realize this fact. In defense of this “negative list” and those who choose NOT to teach their children that Santa is real, teaching about something that IS NOT REAL is “deception”. If Christians are to avoid even the “appearance of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22) – why would we consider telling a lie?

02. Santa IS fake, Jesus is real. If we teach about Santa being “real” and bringing gifts to children around the world on Christmas day and eventually our children realize the story is a myth, will they have a chance of wondering if another story we tell them again and again (about Jesus, the Son of God) is truthful? For that matter, depending on the “harshness” of realizing the “fakeness” of Santa for a child, will they trust ANYTHING their parents teach them?

03. Apparently, Satan is the devil. (thanks for the laughs, “Randy”!)

04. Your turn. Especially those who DIDN’T use the last post to post their “negative thoughts”.

It’s 2005 and I don’t believe in Santa Claus. There. I said it. I DON’T BELIEVE IN SANTA.

I can’t actually remember when I stopped “believing in Santa” and realized that it was Mom and Dad who placed the “from Santa” stickers on the presents. As per that last sentence, you can tell that my sisters and I were raised to believe the myth of Santa Claus – even believing that he “magically” fit through the mail-slot on the front door of the parsonage we grew up in Maryland!

As Jess and I await the birth of our first child, this Christmas season I am questioning a couple years-early where I stand in the whole “make-believe-in-Santa” debate that has been literally silenced in my own life for 20-ish years!

Will we make-believe that Santa is real in our family?

This post is the POSITIVE post – why it would be a GOOD idea, a BENEFIT to our child(ren) to believe in Santa Claus.

#1 – I believed in Santa Claus as a child and I’m fine. This may not be the BEST example of a “positive” reason here, especially if you know me and as you read this first point, you said, “Stevan is NOT fine.” But in all seriousness, I can’t point back to any disappointment when I we realized that Santa was a sham. I can’t remember crying my eyes out or being disgusted with my parents for “faking” this Santa guy all those years. There is also a bit of “American History” in believing in Santa – we see him EVERYWHERE (malls, advertisements, television, etc.) and even the Weatherman gives an update on Christmas Eve as to whether Santa has a clear night for traveling to our homes!

#2 – Most Children today believe in Santa. Again, this isn’t the BEST reason to impose Santa on my family, but it is true that most children that I know (under the age of 10-ish?) believe in Santa Claus. Someone would be able to argue that this is a NEGATIVE reason, but in positive-thinking, my child would be a part of the majority in their early-years both before school and during their first years of school possibly believing and NOT spoiling the “gimmick” to those who also woult be taught to believe in this Mr. Claus.

#3 – Your turn. What are the POSITIVE reasons for allowing your children to “believe in Santa Claus”?

Question #02 comes to us tonight after I’ve already polled my Bible Study guys that are fathers and am still in need of other opinions.

When I was a child (not too long ago, I know) we had specific names for the two forms of “toilet use”.

#1 was “tinkle”
#2 was “yucks”

(and you wonder why I have to grow a beard?)

My question is this – as a soon-to-be Father, what are the pro’s and con’s and OPTIONS therein of naming “toilet talk” certain nouns?

Everyone knows it’s pee or poop – so why the “polite” words?

Did you use “polite” words as a child? Did you teach YOUR children “polite words”?

Does it differ between boys and girls?

I’m very curious about this one – and can’t wait to read your responses.