Comments for The Sprague Family http://spragues.wordpress.com The life and times of the Spragues Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:13:41 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Reflecting by spragues http://spragues.wordpress.com/2009/09/18/reflecting/#comment-1574 spragues Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:13:41 +0000 http://spragues.wordpress.com/?p=796#comment-1574 I don't even want to think about what the repercussions would be if we showed up with NO gifts in hand. We don't expect to get any, from anyone, but since the kids drew names and someone has Matthew's and someone has Emily's there is the assumption they will be getting something only because we know someone is supposed to be giving them gifts, if they don't then we don't care. Matthew will not be told he's getting anything. We take him shopping with us to pick out the gifts we give and talk about why we're giving, etc but always remind him that he doesn't always have to get something. At 3 it's hard for him to understand, but that doesn't mean we're going to miss out on our teachable moment and just let him go in expecting he's going to get something. I know not attending won't get our message across, but it's hard to WANT to be around people with the attitude that we better be coming with gifts or if we don't say thank-you how they expect (even if the expectations aren't realistic) WE'RE the ones with the problem. It's hard to WANT to spend time with people who always have something to complain about.....that's why I'm not sure spending time together is really what I want to do, either. I don’t even want to think about what the repercussions would be if we showed up with NO gifts in hand. We don’t expect to get any, from anyone, but since the kids drew names and someone has Matthew’s and someone has Emily’s there is the assumption they will be getting something only because we know someone is supposed to be giving them gifts, if they don’t then we don’t care. Matthew will not be told he’s getting anything. We take him shopping with us to pick out the gifts we give and talk about why we’re giving, etc but always remind him that he doesn’t always have to get something. At 3 it’s hard for him to understand, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to miss out on our teachable moment and just let him go in expecting he’s going to get something. I know not attending won’t get our message across, but it’s hard to WANT to be around people with the attitude that we better be coming with gifts or if we don’t say thank-you how they expect (even if the expectations aren’t realistic) WE’RE the ones with the problem. It’s hard to WANT to spend time with people who always have something to complain about…..that’s why I’m not sure spending time together is really what I want to do, either.

]]> Comment on Reflecting by denise http://spragues.wordpress.com/2009/09/18/reflecting/#comment-1573 denise Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:14:21 +0000 http://spragues.wordpress.com/?p=796#comment-1573 it is an extremly tough situation. THESE ARE MY thoughts and my THOUGHTS ONLY! Christmas should be more about spending time with family than it should be about gifts. I feel that if you WANT to give a gift then do so, but don't EXPECT one in return! Gifts should small and meaningful not big and expensive! I think that LESS IS MORE. Christmas should be fun and happy not stressful. I have come to the conclusion that spending quality time together is WHAT the kids remember. Thats why instead of Shane and I getting the girls gifts at christmas..we take them overnight at a waterpark for their "gift" and trust me they remember that all year long and still talk about the years past adventures...They get gifts from grandparents and santa so they get enough. I am so sorry that you have to go through this, but trust me you are NOT ALONE christmas is stressful for many many people..avoiding it won't change the situation you go and hold your head high..we are all entitled to our opinions (which not all will agree with,but there needs to be some sort of aggreement) Good luck. it is an extremly tough situation. THESE ARE MY thoughts and my THOUGHTS ONLY! Christmas should be more about spending time with family than it should be about gifts. I feel that if you WANT to give a gift then do so, but don’t EXPECT one in return! Gifts should small and meaningful not big and expensive! I think that LESS IS MORE. Christmas should be fun and happy not stressful. I have come to the conclusion that spending quality time together is WHAT the kids remember. Thats why instead of Shane and I getting the girls gifts at christmas..we take them overnight at a waterpark for their “gift” and trust me they remember that all year long and still talk about the years past adventures…They get gifts from grandparents and santa so they get enough. I am so sorry that you have to go through this, but trust me you are NOT ALONE christmas is stressful for many many people..avoiding it won’t change the situation you go and hold your head high..we are all entitled to our opinions (which not all will agree with,but there needs to be some sort of aggreement) Good luck.

]]> Comment on Getting on my soapbox by spragues http://spragues.wordpress.com/2009/09/08/getting-on-my-soapbox/#comment-1572 spragues Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:38:15 +0000 http://spragues.wordpress.com/?p=784#comment-1572 Thanks for the idea Katie. In our situation it's pretty clear that each family has their own idea on how things should be done. Unfortunately there are some who don't want to budge to reach an agreement. It's the kind of thing where if you get a gift card, you don't care but if you got a gift, it may not be what was wanted and the parents' attitude towards it has been reflected by the children. I do like the idea to make something, either as a large family, or just our family but even that won't please everyone. We are going to do what we feel led to do. Pleasing God is more important to us than pleasing man and if our family can't see it that way then that's too bad. P.S. I think it's sad we're already so involved in the political garbage that goes in with Christmas in September....in the past when everyone exchanged gifts, we were asked for our wishlists as early as Sept! Kind of rediculous! Thanks for the idea Katie. In our situation it’s pretty clear that each family has their own idea on how things should be done. Unfortunately there are some who don’t want to budge to reach an agreement. It’s the kind of thing where if you get a gift card, you don’t care but if you got a gift, it may not be what was wanted and the parents’ attitude towards it has been reflected by the children. I do like the idea to make something, either as a large family, or just our family but even that won’t please everyone. We are going to do what we feel led to do. Pleasing God is more important to us than pleasing man and if our family can’t see it that way then that’s too bad.

P.S. I think it’s sad we’re already so involved in the political garbage that goes in with Christmas in September….in the past when everyone exchanged gifts, we were asked for our wishlists as early as Sept! Kind of rediculous!

]]> Comment on Getting on my soapbox by Katie http://spragues.wordpress.com/2009/09/08/getting-on-my-soapbox/#comment-1571 Katie Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:41:15 +0000 http://spragues.wordpress.com/?p=784#comment-1571 So now that you are off your soapbox, I hope it's okay to offer a little feedback. I agree with you that Christmas has gotten too material, and it sounds like it is more of a chore than anything. I also agree that this ISN'T the point. I think a cute idea for young families is not to get together and make ordiments, but maybe you could help your son make ordiments for all of his aunt and uncles, and maybe even cousins. Even if it isn't something that your family "expects" it is something that he took time to MAKE for them. Plus it can be very affordable. If they don't like the idea, maybe they will at least act like they do when he passes them out to them. You shouldn't have to shop for soemthing off the wishlist either. That is the parent's and santa's job. Since they've been ungrateful in the past, maybe you could set up a savings bond so they can have the chance to be grateful when they are mature enough. It may get tossed aside now, but in the future it will be useful when the material things are tossed away. Since you clearly have the RIGHT idea about what the holiday is about, try to remember it when dealing with difficult people. The only person's attitude we can control is our own. :) P.S. I can't believe I just read a blog about CHRISTMAS... it's only September! So now that you are off your soapbox, I hope it’s okay to offer a little feedback.

I agree with you that Christmas has gotten too material, and it sounds like it is more of a chore than anything. I also agree that this ISN’T the point.

I think a cute idea for young families is not to get together and make ordiments, but maybe you could help your son make ordiments for all of his aunt and uncles, and maybe even cousins. Even if it isn’t something that your family “expects” it is something that he took time to MAKE for them. Plus it can be very affordable. If they don’t like the idea, maybe they will at least act like they do when he passes them out to them.

You shouldn’t have to shop for soemthing off the wishlist either. That is the parent’s and santa’s job. Since they’ve been ungrateful in the past, maybe you could set up a savings bond so they can have the chance to be grateful when they are mature enough. It may get tossed aside now, but in the future it will be useful when the material things are tossed away.

Since you clearly have the RIGHT idea about what the holiday is about, try to remember it when dealing with difficult people. The only person’s attitude we can control is our own. :)

P.S. I can’t believe I just read a blog about CHRISTMAS… it’s only September!

]]> Comment on 26 days without a post… by Denise http://spragues.wordpress.com/2009/08/27/26-days-without-a-post/#comment-1569 Denise Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:01:08 +0000 http://spragues.wordpress.com/?p=780#comment-1569 awww thanks that was a very nice post! You know that you are always welcome at our house! And it is true at our house you are to make yourself at home and to feel free to help youself. awww thanks that was a very nice post! You know that you are always welcome at our house! And it is true at our house you are to make yourself at home and to feel free to help youself.

]]> Comment on pics by Grandma Jane http://spragues.wordpress.com/2009/07/14/pics/#comment-1566 Grandma Jane Fri, 17 Jul 2009 04:32:20 +0000 http://spragues.wordpress.com/?p=752#comment-1566 My favorite of the 3 is the first one with Emily holding the wedding rings. She does look so cute in pink! My favorite of the 3 is the first one with Emily holding the wedding rings. She does look so cute in pink!

]]> Comment on Matthew’s birthday by spragues http://spragues.wordpress.com/2009/07/07/matthews-birthday/#comment-1565 spragues Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:45:49 +0000 http://spragues.wordpress.com/?p=744#comment-1565 I know not everyone has a party. We don't intend to continue with parties for a long time, I think it's just fun to be able to celebrate with family and friends while they're still this young. It's unfortunate that Matthew has to miss out celebrating with extended family because people have to be so focused on knowing someone else there or have other stipulations in order to attend. We dealt with it last year and it started again this year so we decided we're done dealing with the garbage. Thankfully Matthew isn't old enough to know any better to feel that he's missing out. Obviously we understand scheduling conflicts/needing to get summer projects done when the weather is nice but not coming simply because there aren't enough people from that side of the family is unacceptable. I know not everyone has a party. We don’t intend to continue with parties for a long time, I think it’s just fun to be able to celebrate with family and friends while they’re still this young. It’s unfortunate that Matthew has to miss out celebrating with extended family because people have to be so focused on knowing someone else there or have other stipulations in order to attend. We dealt with it last year and it started again this year so we decided we’re done dealing with the garbage. Thankfully Matthew isn’t old enough to know any better to feel that he’s missing out. Obviously we understand scheduling conflicts/needing to get summer projects done when the weather is nice but not coming simply because there aren’t enough people from that side of the family is unacceptable.

]]> Comment on Matthew’s birthday by Denise http://spragues.wordpress.com/2009/07/07/matthews-birthday/#comment-1564 Denise Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:42:43 +0000 http://spragues.wordpress.com/?p=744#comment-1564 We don't go all out for the girls birthdays! We just have cake and ice cream and make it "their day" and they usually get to pick where they want to go out to eat! We like to keep it simple. We don’t go all out for the girls birthdays! We just have cake and ice cream and make it “their day” and they usually get to pick where they want to go out to eat! We like to keep it simple.

]]> Comment on Matthew’s birthday by Grandma Jane http://spragues.wordpress.com/2009/07/07/matthews-birthday/#comment-1563 Grandma Jane Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:44:51 +0000 http://spragues.wordpress.com/?p=744#comment-1563 I didn't give my opinion yet.....I think that Matthew will have a VERY happy 3rd birthday with his family and Thomas of course! Any ideas of a present from grandma and grandpa? How about something for his new bedroom? Um...an easel for drawing on? I didn’t give my opinion yet…..I think that Matthew will have a VERY happy 3rd birthday with his family and Thomas of course! Any ideas of a present from grandma and grandpa? How about something for his new bedroom? Um…an easel for drawing on?

]]> Comment on Birthdays, a dedication, and t-ball by Grandma Jane http://spragues.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/birthdays-a-dedication-and-t-ball/#comment-1562 Grandma Jane Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:18:52 +0000 http://spragues.wordpress.com/?p=736#comment-1562 Too bad I had my eyes closed in the picture that Matthew was in. Bad grandma! I'm glad he likes his T ball. Who chases after the balls? Glad you were able to visit Brian at work with the kids and treats. You had your hands full! Too bad I had my eyes closed in the picture that Matthew was in. Bad grandma! I’m glad he likes his T ball. Who chases after the balls? Glad you were able to visit Brian at work with the kids and treats. You had your hands full!

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