The Velveeta Box

I got one of the best presents ever last night.

From my best sister. Well, she's my only sister. But I bet if I had more than one, she'd still be the best.

This is what was wrapped up, under the tree, just for me!

You're probably wondering why a loaf of processed "cheese" product is one of the best Christmas presents ever. Actually, there wasn't even a loaf of Velveeta IN the box, so perhaps some of you would think I got stiffed. But no.

Our family, especially dad, is big into recycling. Here in Iowa, beverage cans and bottles are recyclable, and each comes with a 5 cent refund if you turn them in. For people like my dad, he just cannot contain himself. He doesn't see cans on the side of the road, he sees nickles! When I was about 8 or 9 years old, they began construction on new houses just behind our house, and so every night we'd take a walk with a bag and pick up the nickel cans and turn them in for cash. We took our first trip to Disney World on the funds we raised from picking up pop bottles & cans!

Sometimes it would get embarassing. As in, when my dad would actually pull the car over & make Jake, who was "new" to the family, jump out and pick up a bottle laying on the side of the road. But seriously, my dad just cannot pass that sort of thing up. He used to ride his bike and pick up more, and my mom takes a bag when she jogs or walks the dog. But, it's mostly just become a way of life. Those cans and bottles look like nickels now, and knowing that they add up quickly, it's easy to just reach down & pick it up.

In high school, my dad made donations to Show Choir kids' funds, so that they could be a part of the program and take the trips, too, and he's also funded numerous trips to the National Catholic Youth Conference as well. This past summer, some of the money went to my mom & sister making a pilgrimage to Medjugorjie. He puts a lot of work into his "labor of love" and I'm sure if he ever retires, he'll become a full-time recycler.

When the cans and bottles get turned in, the store gives you cash. That money usually goes toward whatever the next trip or project is at my parents' house, and for whatever reason, it's stored in a Velveeta box.

So this year, when I opened up my very own Velveeta box, I was touched. Inside there was no processed cheese product, but a starter kitty from my dear sister.

And I know JUST what we're going to save our pennies and nickels for....a new baby brother or sister for Asher! Thanks, Sissy!

Notice anything strange here?

If you answered, there's a large pink pig in the middle of the nativity, you would be incorrect.

The correct answer is: the drummer boy is missing.

Good Little Catholic Boy

Since Asher was just two weeks old, we began taking him to Mass. Often people comment on his good behavior when we attend weddings at different churches, but he's used to being a good boy in church, so we nod and say "mmmm hmmm!" as if to say "of course!"

At 22 months now, he will say "Father, Son, AMEN!" and do the sign of the cross. One of these days, I'm sure he'll recognize the importance of the Holy Spirit, too...for instance, whom I credit to him running headlong into tables only 1 out of 10 times. If only he wouldn't "feel the spirit" to do the sign of the cross when his fingers are covered in applesauce or yogurt!

He enjoys holding hands and praying before we eat, and he participates in the sign of peace during Mass by saying "Peace, mommy," "Peace, daddy," "Peace, grandma..."

There is a picture collage of our church in our office, made up of hundreds of smaller photos of the parishioners who are in the last church photo directory. Oftentimes adults will come into our office and not be able to recognize what the picture is of, or they are very intrigued by how the photo collage was made. One day Asher was in the office and looking at the picture, he pointed out to my colleague, "Church!" She was stunned that he could recognize our beautiful church!

When the priest was walking up the aisle one day on his way to the back of the church to begin Mass, I asked Asher "Who is that?" and he replied, "Father!"

He also recently began participating in the children's offertory of Time, Talent & Treasure as his gift to God. We will out his envelope weekly with "good deeds" such as "Helped pick up my toys" or "Was a good listener for Nana & Pop." He gets let out of the pew to approach the priest when he invites the children up to the altar, but I just can't get over it when every time he drops his envelope in the basket, he looks up at the priest, claps his hands & says "Yeah!" so proud of himself!

As we approach our church, Asher knows where we are, and he will say "Hi, Jesus!" And now that Christmas is approaching, he enjoys looking at and playing with our nativity scene. He especially loves the little drummer boy! He can point out Baby Jesus, and now identifies Mary & Joseph by name, too. However, since he can say Joseph, we tried to explain to him that his name is Asher Joseph Leo. Only problem is....now he identifies, "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Leo!"