Hello my dear friends!
Well, all good things must come to an end. For two years, I have enjoyed sharing not only my journey as an Edmond Mom, but also a ton of resources available to parents in our community.
However, life shifts and weaves, and even as some amazing opportunities have opened up for me professionally as an author, blogger, and communication specialist, I must move on from this blog or become an overwhelmed crazy person. Tough options here, right? However, if you subscribe to the Edmond Sun, my monthly column will continue!
What I will do is leave this blog up as a continuing resource. Check out the resource page for specific topics (which I've recently updated), or just search to find what you're looking for. Chances are, if it's a hot parent topic...I've covered it here!
If you want to continue to follow my author career (exciting things ahead!), check me out at www.mmcoxbooks.com. I will continue to blog at Bookbub.com.
If you want to get in touch, write me at mmcoxbooks [at] live [dot] com.
Cheers and blessings!
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Lets's talk about - Speech therapy...Expectations and outcomes
In our third and final installment on speech therapy, it's time to buckle down and identify what parents might expect from this type of intervention, and what the outcomes might look like.
In the two previous posts, we've discussed signs that suggest your child might benefit from speech therapy, and what the next steps may look like for getting set up with a speech therapist.
Ashley Miller, Edmond mom of two and a nationally certified speech-language pathologist who works in several local school districts, has this to say about what parents can expect from speech therapy sessions:
In the two previous posts, we've discussed signs that suggest your child might benefit from speech therapy, and what the next steps may look like for getting set up with a speech therapist.
Ashley Miller, Edmond mom of two and a nationally certified speech-language pathologist who works in several local school districts, has this to say about what parents can expect from speech therapy sessions:
"Parent can expect to see their children having fun while
learning at the same time! A good therapist is able to integrate multiple
therapy targets while engaging the child." But parents aren't off the hook, because she adds, "Parents should be as much a part of
the initial evaluation and therapy process as they can. As a result, they are
more prepared to carry over those skills to the home environment and
encourage their children throughout their regular routine."
Furthermore, Miller says therapy sessions are individualized according to a child's needs and goals, with the ultimate goal being for the child to be able to independently use the skills he or she has been taught.
According to Edmond mom Julie Butler, the experience of speech therapy has been overwhelmingly beneficial, and her daughter has flourished with her speech therapist. "It has been a great relationship for her to have. The therapist helps reiterate things we teach at home, and it helps for my daughter to see someone else teaching her those things. She has learned to use more words to communicate her wants and needs and has learned to initiate play with other children and to interact with kids on a better level."
As for the future? Butler's daughter will be evaluated at the one year mark and her goals adjusted accordingly. "Once she has met all of her set
goals or anything else we want addressed, she will be discharged."
For Jessica Toman, a mother of two children who take speech therapy in Edmond at Can Do Kids, the greatest benefit of speech therapy has been being able to have a conversation with her kids. "It was so frustrating not being able to guess their needs or figure out their frustrations. As a mom you want to help." Now, she sees what the future may hold for them..."I can tell my son will be a chatter
box, and I look forward to all he has to say. My daughter has quite the sense of
humor. "
And just in case, as a parent, you're wondering what a speech pathologist gets out of it? "The thing I love the most about being a speech-language pathologist is that I am constantly blessed to be in a position to help others," says Miller. "Working with children and their families is what keeps me motivated to constantly improve my knowledge base and skills as a therapist."
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Let's talk about - Speech Therapy...Next steps
Speech therapy. It is a hot topic among today's parents, with both schools and pediatricians highlighting the need for early intervention of anything that interferes with a child's ability to learn and communicate.
In our last post, we discussed how you might discover whether you should be concerned about your child's speaking ability, as well as some stories from local parents who have addressed those concerns. In this post, we take on the next steps...how to get a proper diagnosis and what speech therapy will look like.
Ashley Miller, an Edmond mom and nationally certified speech-language pathologist who works with children in our area, emphasized, "Early intervention is the absolute key!" She said if you have any concerns about how your child is functioning in four areas - articulation, expressive and/or receptive language, fluency, or voice (see previous post for descriptions) - there are free resources to address concerns.
In our last post, we discussed how you might discover whether you should be concerned about your child's speaking ability, as well as some stories from local parents who have addressed those concerns. In this post, we take on the next steps...how to get a proper diagnosis and what speech therapy will look like.
Ashley Miller, an Edmond mom and nationally certified speech-language pathologist who works with children in our area, emphasized, "Early intervention is the absolute key!" She said if you have any concerns about how your child is functioning in four areas - articulation, expressive and/or receptive language, fluency, or voice (see previous post for descriptions) - there are free resources to address concerns.
"For children ages 0-3,
SoonerStart evaluations are available free of charge through state and federal
funding. SoonerStart evaluations include assessment across all areas of functioning.
For children ages 3-21, your local school district is responsible for assisting
families with concerns." Miller recommends that you contact your local school building or district’s ChildFind office to talk to someone about screenings and/or evaluations. She also says discussing these concerns with your
pediatrician is important. She encouraged those looking for more information regarding typical
development and identification of communication disorders to visit
identifythesigns.org.
For Edmond mom Julie Butler, the process was pretty straightforward. "Our pediatrician recommended the place where we are. I
called them and set up an evaluation. It lasted an hour and the therapist spoke
with me afterwards about the findings and her recommendations." At that point, the Butlers and the therapist set goals that are reviewed every 6 months and adjusted accordingly.
For Jessica Toman, a mom of two young children who take speech therapy at Can Do Kids in Edmond, the process was a little more complicated. "For my daughter we learned that the school system would test her, but not until she was 3. Three was the magic age where we could get a hearing test at the doctor also." She mentioned that some libraries set up testing dates during the summer, but they were out of town at the time. Toman did have her daughter tested that fall at the 3-year mark, and the doctor referred them to Can Do Kids. "We have had a wonderful experience there...my daughter and son were given an hour-long test to determine their needs, and next a request was made to the insurance company to say speech would benefit my child." A plan was set up and Toman's daughter went a year for two weekly appointments, which has since dropped down to once a week.
For both mothers, speech therapy has been an interesting experience, one that has challenged their expectations of the process. According to Butler--
"Since my
daughter's issues were not as much speech related as language related, I wasn't
sure what good 'speech' would do her.
But I have very been surprised at what they cover and work on. She is given gym
time to help her socialization skills and they incorporate technology and play
to help her achieve her set goals. The therapist always visits with me after a
session to tell me what they worked on and how my daughter did. I ask questions on
how we can work on things at home and tell her what issues we are seeing that
we would like addressed."
Toman has also been pleasantly surprised. "I went to speech a couple
years during grade school. It was a
little different than my experience. They [the kids] are younger and don’t just go over
flash cards. They utilize a small gym, play games, use the iPad, and other
activities to involve the kids in communication and pronunciation."
Stay tuned next week as we discuss speech therapy expectations and outcomes!
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Let's talk about - Speech Therapy: What are the signs?
One of the greatest things about being a mom is sharing my journey with other parents. Every family is so unique, with challenges all their own. One such issue I recently came across is the need for speech therapy.
When I first thought about speech therapy, my mind brought up images of flashcards and lisps, as well as the thought that it wouldn't be something for parents to pursue until their kids are in elementary school. How wrong I was! Through several acquaintances, I discovered that speech therapy is something parents become aware of the need for early on.
On that note, we will be covering these topics during the month of January...
January 8 - Signs your child might need speech therapy (keep reading below!).
January 15 - Next steps for speech therapy.
January 22 - Speech therapy expectations and outcomes.
I didn't think too much about my children starting to talk. They have what we call the "Volland" gene in my family, which means they talk often and more often. We are not a historically quiet family. But as I started interviewing moms who had started speech therapy for their children, it became apparent to me that only a parent knows his or her children well enough to know what they need.
However, trying to determine whether your child needs to start down this road can still be fraught with uncertainty. How happy was I to talk to Ashley Miller, an Edmond mom and nationally certified speech pathologist. She said children present with delays in one (or more) of the following areas:
1. Articulation - Can you understand what your child is saying?
2. Expressive and/or receptive language - Can the child expressively communicate and understand language? Can they express ideas and follow directions?
3. Fluency - Does the child stutter (or something of that nature)?
4. Voice - Does the child have a breathy or hoarse quality or nasal sounding voice?
"Also," she said, "don't underestimate the impact of hearing loss. Many pediatricians are able to screen your child's hearing in their office or will be able to refer you to a local audiologist for full evaluation. Other concerns parents may have include issues with swallowing and/or feeding skills as well as reading difficulties."
When I first thought about speech therapy, my mind brought up images of flashcards and lisps, as well as the thought that it wouldn't be something for parents to pursue until their kids are in elementary school. How wrong I was! Through several acquaintances, I discovered that speech therapy is something parents become aware of the need for early on.
On that note, we will be covering these topics during the month of January...
January 8 - Signs your child might need speech therapy (keep reading below!).
January 15 - Next steps for speech therapy.
January 22 - Speech therapy expectations and outcomes.
I didn't think too much about my children starting to talk. They have what we call the "Volland" gene in my family, which means they talk often and more often. We are not a historically quiet family. But as I started interviewing moms who had started speech therapy for their children, it became apparent to me that only a parent knows his or her children well enough to know what they need.
However, trying to determine whether your child needs to start down this road can still be fraught with uncertainty. How happy was I to talk to Ashley Miller, an Edmond mom and nationally certified speech pathologist. She said children present with delays in one (or more) of the following areas:
1. Articulation - Can you understand what your child is saying?
2. Expressive and/or receptive language - Can the child expressively communicate and understand language? Can they express ideas and follow directions?
3. Fluency - Does the child stutter (or something of that nature)?
4. Voice - Does the child have a breathy or hoarse quality or nasal sounding voice?
"Also," she said, "don't underestimate the impact of hearing loss. Many pediatricians are able to screen your child's hearing in their office or will be able to refer you to a local audiologist for full evaluation. Other concerns parents may have include issues with swallowing and/or feeding skills as well as reading difficulties."
Next I had the opportunity to speak with two different moms whose children take speech therapy here in Edmond. I asked them about their experience with making the decision to pursue this type of intervention. Julie Butler told me this about her daughter, who was age 3 at the time of diagnosis: "We felt that she was behind in the way she interacted with other kids and that her vocabulary/communication skills did not match her age."
A recommendation from the pediatrician put Butler's daughter at the office where she is now.
Mom Jessica Toman had a similar experience--both for her daughter and her son. "For my daughter--my oldest child in speech--it was harder to figure out. She knew how to identify many items and did so above others her age. But she is also shy. So it took me a bit to realize she wasn't really putting words together like other children her age, even when she was speaking to me. If she wanted a sandwich, she would just say 'sandwich.'" A doctor recommended Toman's daughter to Can Do Kids in Edmond. Following that, the process of diagnosing Toman's son was easier, especially when he wasn't saying much at 18 months. When Toman approached the doctor with her concerns, she was able to get an immediate referral and an early start on the process.
Moral of these stories? Don't hesitate to ask questions. Addressing concerns early can lead to greater benefits for your child and peace of mind. Every family's journey will be different, but if you have some of the same concerns for your child, it never hurts to gets some answers.
Stay tuned next week as we look at speech therapy--diagnosis and treatment!
Thursday, January 1, 2015
6 "parently" resolutions for the New Year
Happy 2015!
Yet again, another year has snuck up on me. Somehow, since I've had kids, the years are zipping past, and my birthday in February rolls by with a "Say what?"
Yep, I'm gettin' older. Fact of life. But I'm going to be a parent for years to come (God willing), and each day, I think there are definitely some things I could work on.
No, I'm not talking about becoming a Pinterest mom or volunteering for every little itty bitty thing. The six items on my list are just small everyday choices, but ones that may have lifelong benefits.
1. Play more...I will be the first to admit I am not especially creative when it comes to playing with little kids. It takes some energy to get into the idea of a "princess school" or "doggie tea party." But why am I so reluctant? In less than ten years, I'll be lucky to be included in any of my daughter or son's downtime, so that's what I need to remember when I'm sitting on the floor surrounded by stuffed animals.
2. "Electronic-cize" less...in line with my first resolution, one way to make sure we're all playing more together as a family is to limit time on computers, smartphones, and the television. Now, I've never been one to set exact limits, but one of my rules, which is not to turn the television on after school until I've started fixing dinner, has already caused my kids to play more together. Also, stowing the phone during family time--even when we're all sitting down to watch a show--is another way to keep myself "in the moment."
3. Lower my voice...I have a friend who once gave up "yelling" for Lent. It was very entertaining for those forty days. Now, as my kids get older, I find myself doing the whole raising my voice thing when I really need to get their attention and responsive behavior--quickly. But lately, both me and my vocal chords think maybe I'm relying on this more than implementing consequences (which are more time consuming than the yelling thing). But, to be effective, I need to make rules and follow through with penalties, so add "limit yelling" to my list.
4. Have more adventures...I am the daughter of parents who thought they'd try taking me to London with them when I was 18 months old. As they tell the story, it was one heck of a trip, and I'm not up for the same experience. But now that my kids are a little easier to control and reason with, it's time to hit the road and the skies. It doesn't have to be fancy, but we all need to get out of our comfort zone.
5. Perfect my picture keeping...I had this conversation just a few days ago with a friend. Is it possible that my last three years of pictures are really only on the computer? It's not that I can't show them to the kids there, but there's something special about being able to set out an album or box of pictures and go through them with your fingers. I vow to give Shutterfly some serious business and get all those prints ordered and organized!
6. Remember myself...Through all this, my greatest commitment is to my family, but it doesn't mean I--Megan Cox, writer, runner, former ice skater, journalist, mediocre piano player, soulful singer--has to disappear. There are times each day, week, and month that I take for myself, and that's okay. Valuing myself is a great model for my daughter and son, and it's important for kids to remember that their parents are people too--not just older folk meant to do their bidding.
Well, that's my list. What's yours? Don't just make a resolution this year...make a purpose.
Cheers.
Yet again, another year has snuck up on me. Somehow, since I've had kids, the years are zipping past, and my birthday in February rolls by with a "Say what?"
Yep, I'm gettin' older. Fact of life. But I'm going to be a parent for years to come (God willing), and each day, I think there are definitely some things I could work on.
No, I'm not talking about becoming a Pinterest mom or volunteering for every little itty bitty thing. The six items on my list are just small everyday choices, but ones that may have lifelong benefits.
 |
| 2015: more doggie tea parties, less smart phone. |
2. "Electronic-cize" less...in line with my first resolution, one way to make sure we're all playing more together as a family is to limit time on computers, smartphones, and the television. Now, I've never been one to set exact limits, but one of my rules, which is not to turn the television on after school until I've started fixing dinner, has already caused my kids to play more together. Also, stowing the phone during family time--even when we're all sitting down to watch a show--is another way to keep myself "in the moment."
3. Lower my voice...I have a friend who once gave up "yelling" for Lent. It was very entertaining for those forty days. Now, as my kids get older, I find myself doing the whole raising my voice thing when I really need to get their attention and responsive behavior--quickly. But lately, both me and my vocal chords think maybe I'm relying on this more than implementing consequences (which are more time consuming than the yelling thing). But, to be effective, I need to make rules and follow through with penalties, so add "limit yelling" to my list.
4. Have more adventures...I am the daughter of parents who thought they'd try taking me to London with them when I was 18 months old. As they tell the story, it was one heck of a trip, and I'm not up for the same experience. But now that my kids are a little easier to control and reason with, it's time to hit the road and the skies. It doesn't have to be fancy, but we all need to get out of our comfort zone.
5. Perfect my picture keeping...I had this conversation just a few days ago with a friend. Is it possible that my last three years of pictures are really only on the computer? It's not that I can't show them to the kids there, but there's something special about being able to set out an album or box of pictures and go through them with your fingers. I vow to give Shutterfly some serious business and get all those prints ordered and organized!
6. Remember myself...Through all this, my greatest commitment is to my family, but it doesn't mean I--Megan Cox, writer, runner, former ice skater, journalist, mediocre piano player, soulful singer--has to disappear. There are times each day, week, and month that I take for myself, and that's okay. Valuing myself is a great model for my daughter and son, and it's important for kids to remember that their parents are people too--not just older folk meant to do their bidding.
Well, that's my list. What's yours? Don't just make a resolution this year...make a purpose.
Cheers.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Let's make a tradition...surviving Christmas vacation with a few favorite things
Merry Christmas!
I am obviously writing this a few days before that fun day, because I'm not actually going to blog on Christmas! Hope you are enjoying bright happy faces and lots of yummy turkey right now. I know I am.
Now, next up...
Christmas break!
Oh how excited I used to be at those words! As a child, it meant two weeks off from school, and even though I was desperately missing my friends by the end of it, two weeks without homework was well worth the price. Besides, I had a younger brother who would play whatever I wanted (Barbies, etc.), so yeah, it was awesome.
Then I became a grownup and went to work. Christmas break got much shorter, but it was still the time of year my husband and I would make an effort to travel to see our families.
Then I had kids. And even though I still say, "Yay! Christmas break!" suddenly, there's much more pressure to fill those long winter days.
Well, I've got just the ticket for families of all ages, because, let's face it, I am a playdate guru at this point, and I've learned what a variety of ages like. So here's a few spots to hang on a cold winter's day that do not involve shopping (besides, you already know where to take yourself shopping after a month of heavy practice).
Let's go to the movies - Don't you dare groan at me. I am a movie buff. A fanatic! Unlike many parents who give up trips to the theater when they give up their car to carseats, my husband and I still make monthly trips to the big screen (courtesy of some very awesome in-laws). This is a time of year where film studios pull out the big guns, which means inspirational, exciting, and kid-friendly stuff is in abundance. Your kid might be old enough for inspiring movies like Unbroken, but if not, the Penguins of Madagascar and the new Annie are pretty entertaining fare as well.
Let's skate - I will admit, as a former competitive figure skater, that ice skating is high on my list of fun, simply because I know I'm not going to spend much time on my butt (you know, until I try some of my old tricks; oh, and my back will hurt for days after doing a layback spin!). Watching my kiddos start to get their own feet under them and the amazing way my husband never seems to struggle after spending years at a time off the ice (I despise those born athletes sometimes!) is a fun gig for our family. So get brave! Or get a little Frozen inspired. Then, after you hit the ice (hopefully not literally), go get cocoa or Mexican food or whatever makes you warm and cozy inside.
Let's get smart and have fun - Okay, I'm a sucker for history and science! A writer like me has to be, or we wouldn't get all inspired by the past and present and create articles and books about them (I am convinced that in my next life, I will either return as an archaeologist or geneticist--fascinating stuff!) My favorite spot in Edmond for history is obviously the Edmond Historical Society, which has the coolest mini "Old West" town for younger kids. Then, just down the way is the Science Museum of Oklahoma, with items and activities of interest for all ages (if you hurry, you can still do the Olympic display upstairs, where my husband and I have enjoyed racing our two-year-old in the 50-yard dash. BTW - no current or future track stars in this family).
So get a positive attitude, drag yourself out of the house, and have some more holiday fun. If you're inclined to get outside, remember that most of the local light displays will run through the New Year. And if it's just too darn cold and blizzardy, make a pot of chili, play a board game, and sit down for a relaxed family dinner.
At the end of the break, and even many years later, your kids will remember the family time.
Happy New Year!
I am obviously writing this a few days before that fun day, because I'm not actually going to blog on Christmas! Hope you are enjoying bright happy faces and lots of yummy turkey right now. I know I am.
Now, next up...
Christmas break!
Oh how excited I used to be at those words! As a child, it meant two weeks off from school, and even though I was desperately missing my friends by the end of it, two weeks without homework was well worth the price. Besides, I had a younger brother who would play whatever I wanted (Barbies, etc.), so yeah, it was awesome.
Then I became a grownup and went to work. Christmas break got much shorter, but it was still the time of year my husband and I would make an effort to travel to see our families.
Then I had kids. And even though I still say, "Yay! Christmas break!" suddenly, there's much more pressure to fill those long winter days.
Well, I've got just the ticket for families of all ages, because, let's face it, I am a playdate guru at this point, and I've learned what a variety of ages like. So here's a few spots to hang on a cold winter's day that do not involve shopping (besides, you already know where to take yourself shopping after a month of heavy practice).
 |
| The AMC at Quail Springs has 24 theaters! |
Let's go to the movies - Don't you dare groan at me. I am a movie buff. A fanatic! Unlike many parents who give up trips to the theater when they give up their car to carseats, my husband and I still make monthly trips to the big screen (courtesy of some very awesome in-laws). This is a time of year where film studios pull out the big guns, which means inspirational, exciting, and kid-friendly stuff is in abundance. Your kid might be old enough for inspiring movies like Unbroken, but if not, the Penguins of Madagascar and the new Annie are pretty entertaining fare as well.
 |
| Arctic Edge is the perfect skating destination. |
 |
Science Museum Oklahoma |
Let's get smart and have fun - Okay, I'm a sucker for history and science! A writer like me has to be, or we wouldn't get all inspired by the past and present and create articles and books about them (I am convinced that in my next life, I will either return as an archaeologist or geneticist--fascinating stuff!) My favorite spot in Edmond for history is obviously the Edmond Historical Society, which has the coolest mini "Old West" town for younger kids. Then, just down the way is the Science Museum of Oklahoma, with items and activities of interest for all ages (if you hurry, you can still do the Olympic display upstairs, where my husband and I have enjoyed racing our two-year-old in the 50-yard dash. BTW - no current or future track stars in this family).
So get a positive attitude, drag yourself out of the house, and have some more holiday fun. If you're inclined to get outside, remember that most of the local light displays will run through the New Year. And if it's just too darn cold and blizzardy, make a pot of chili, play a board game, and sit down for a relaxed family dinner.
At the end of the break, and even many years later, your kids will remember the family time.
Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Let's make a tradition...Christmas Eve candlelight services
I will admit that my favorite time of year is Christmas, despite the overall craziness of the season. However, you may be surprised to discover that Christmas is not my most favorite day.
Actually, my favorite day is Christmas Eve.
Why, you ask? Well, I could say that the anticipation of Christmas morning invigorates me, or that I love mingling with last minute shoppers. I could say that it's easier to get my kids to listen to the true story of Christmas that day, or that I enjoy serving my family's traditional, relaxed Christmas Eve buffet. And all of that would be true...but it may not be the reason.
I believe the reason is that I look forward to - all year long - the candlelight service. To me, there is nothing like a church filled with only candlelight, a congregation lifting their voices acapella, to sing "Silent Night."
I LOVE it. It reminds me of why this really is the most beautiful season, and it helps me recall many, many memories of attending similar services with my family since I can remember. Nothing says Christmas to me quite like it.
It is a tradition for sure, one that I hope my children will someday value as much as I do.
So, in the interest of perhaps getting you to start your own candlelight tradition, here's a list of local services for 2014. If you're non-religious, it's still a great way to share the beauty and wonder of Christmas with others, to perhaps take time to breathe and recall why the holidays are special to you. And, if for some reason going to a service just isn't feasible, grab a lighter and a candle (surely, you have a candle - they're not that old-fashioned!) and do your own version (safely, of course).
And have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday, or however you call it that brings meaning to you!
(All times listed are for December 24 unless otherwise specified. Also, please check sites to confirm a service is candlelight.)
Acts 2 United Methodist Church - 3:30, 5, & 7 pm
Coffee Creek Baptist Church - 7 pm (December 23 only)
Crossings Community Church - 12, 3, 4:30, 5, 6, 7, & 11 pm (check site for auditorium location) (6, 7, & 8 pm, December 23)
Edmond's First Baptist Church - 6 pm
First Presbyterian - 8 pm
First United Methodist - 4, 7, & 11 pm
Holy Trinity - 3 & 11 pm
Life Church (Edmond) - 2:30, 4, 5:30, & 7 pm (6 & 7:30, December 23)
Quail Springs Baptist Church - 3:30 & 5 pm
Quail Springs United Methodist Church - 6 & 11 pm
Santa Fe Presbyterian - 5 & 11 pm
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church - 4 pm
St. Monica Catholic Church - 4, 6, & 9 pm, and midnight
Please post more services in the comments section or send times and web addresses here.
Actually, my favorite day is Christmas Eve.
Why, you ask? Well, I could say that the anticipation of Christmas morning invigorates me, or that I love mingling with last minute shoppers. I could say that it's easier to get my kids to listen to the true story of Christmas that day, or that I enjoy serving my family's traditional, relaxed Christmas Eve buffet. And all of that would be true...but it may not be the reason.
I LOVE it. It reminds me of why this really is the most beautiful season, and it helps me recall many, many memories of attending similar services with my family since I can remember. Nothing says Christmas to me quite like it.
It is a tradition for sure, one that I hope my children will someday value as much as I do.
So, in the interest of perhaps getting you to start your own candlelight tradition, here's a list of local services for 2014. If you're non-religious, it's still a great way to share the beauty and wonder of Christmas with others, to perhaps take time to breathe and recall why the holidays are special to you. And, if for some reason going to a service just isn't feasible, grab a lighter and a candle (surely, you have a candle - they're not that old-fashioned!) and do your own version (safely, of course).
And have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday, or however you call it that brings meaning to you!
(All times listed are for December 24 unless otherwise specified. Also, please check sites to confirm a service is candlelight.)
Acts 2 United Methodist Church - 3:30, 5, & 7 pm
Coffee Creek Baptist Church - 7 pm (December 23 only)
Crossings Community Church - 12, 3, 4:30, 5, 6, 7, & 11 pm (check site for auditorium location) (6, 7, & 8 pm, December 23)
Edmond's First Baptist Church - 6 pm
First Presbyterian - 8 pm
First United Methodist - 4, 7, & 11 pm
Holy Trinity - 3 & 11 pm
Life Church (Edmond) - 2:30, 4, 5:30, & 7 pm (6 & 7:30, December 23)
Quail Springs Baptist Church - 3:30 & 5 pm
Quail Springs United Methodist Church - 6 & 11 pm
Santa Fe Presbyterian - 5 & 11 pm
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church - 4 pm
St. Monica Catholic Church - 4, 6, & 9 pm, and midnight
Please post more services in the comments section or send times and web addresses here.
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