7 Quick Takes - Advent

Advent Sweetness

This morning I was reflecting on Advent and feeling a little guilty that I have not taken the time to really prepare my heart.  But then I realized, Advent is not over yet!  There is still time!  Time to refill my lamp and/or get some more oil because the Bridegroom is not here yet.  So this morning, amidst the regular insanity of life here at "The Green Turtle Dojo" (our homeschool name) I sought out the "sweetness factors" of my life.

1. Miriam and Rebekah showering together in the morning.  Rebekah has started showering more, partly because she is getting older and mostly because she has long hair.  In any case, Miriam likes to be in the shower with her older siblings.  It makes my heart happy to see how joyfully Rebekah lets Miriam shower with her.  And it reaffirms my desire to homeschool as we would probably not have time for this if Rebekah had to be at school by 8am!  

2.  Paul's enthusiasm is really amazing.  He LOVES to talk. . . ALL - THE - TIME!!  But his enthusiasm really makes it adorable (except when I am grumpy or in a hurry, then I do not find it adorable because I am too busy being upset, but I digress. . . ) and I am often in awe of how he seems to have an endless river of excitement and enthusiasm.  It makes me think of how Jesus says we cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven unless we become like little children.  Perhaps we can take a lesson or two from Paul.

3.  I love that my children are growing to love Scripture.  This morning Rebekah was reading Sacred Scripture for our Jesse Tree.  At one point, she says, "That is all I'm supposed to read, but I'm going to read more because this is such a good story."  (It was David and Goliath.) 

4.  Zipporah is growing in her ability to interact with us.  We are now affectionately calling her "the little dinosaur," as she has started doing this little grunt/growl thing.  I will try to catch it on video, but trust me - it is really cute!

5.  This morning as the children, noticing that Baby Jesus' manger was still rather sparse, were tripping over each other looking for good deeds to do in order to put some more padding down for the little king.

6. Amidst the good deed search from the previous point, the children asked what Zipporah might do to participate.  I told them every time she smiles they could put in a piece of yarn for her.  And that brought on the smile-fest of the morning for sure as each child would kneel before her and cheerfully command, "Smile Zipporah!!" with their biggest smiles to show her how.  She complied, of course, and  I am sure Baby Jesus will find this "hay" to be the most soft and cozy!

7. Samuel received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time yesterday and we as a family (those of us old enough) also were able to receive this Sacrament.  No matter how often I receive the Sacrament or Reconciliation, it NEVER GETS OLD to me.  Such a blessing we have for the Sacrament of Healing and Forgiveness.

Samuel and Zipporah

Advent 2014

Happy New Church Year!!!  

Advent is here again, hooray!  Time to start over.  Time to prepare for Christ to come.  Time to be watchful and ready.  Such a great time of year - kinda like Lent, but a little less harsh.

If you are curious what we have done in the past, you can read all about our previous Advents here.

TRADITIONAL:  We are doing a lot of the same stuff as these past years, including: The Traditional Advent Wreath, The Story of Christmas Book (with an ornament and reading for each day in December),  and The Jesse Tree (a lot like the Story of Christmas book - ornaments for each day that have symbols from the Scripture stories they represent).  I'm short on time so I won't go into a lot of detail on things we have previously done.  We also have our outdoor Nativity scene up.  Unfortunately none of the characters (Mary, Jesus, and Joseph) work this year and I'm too lazy to check the bulbs and fuses, but I did put lights around them so you can see they are there.

NEW:  The one new item this year is a manger for baby Jesus.  We are going to soften the bed for baby Jesus (with cut up pieces of string) by our good deeds and sacrifices.  Then on Christmas we will put our "big" baby Jesus in his bed.  This is my first year for this because I just found a "big" baby Jesus and bed that I could afford this year.

The "manger" for Jesus is in the middle and I am going to keep the string in the blue bowel beside it, until we put it in piece by piece through our acts of charity and sacrifice.  On a side note, notice how sad my Advent wreath looks without candles :(  I did find ONE after this picture, so I guess that gives me exactly a week to get more!

PRAYER:  I'm thinking of possibly doing some Liturgy of the Hours with the older kids this year.  Night Prayer is nice and short, but kind of dark and dreary, so maybe we will try Morning Prayer or Daytime Prayer.

MUSIC:  Since my son Samuel has proven he REALLY likes singing and music can be quite holy I am also hoping to add more singing - at least a song or two (a "hymn" or two - not Old MacDonald or some such - hah) with the children each day of Advent.  Perhaps we can keep this up during the Christmas Season and on to Ordinary Time, and perhaps it can encourage me to get better at playing the piano!!  (Ok, let's not get crazy - hopeful, but not crazy :)

GIFT:  I was also going to wrap up 25 books and have the kids unwrap one for each day in December, but it is the night before December 1st and I have to wrap the books so. . . I'm guessing this probably won't happen this year.  But maybe next year.  (Note: Supposedly you are supposed to give your kids 25 NEW books for this, but I figure have a TON of books we have barely read - and some really good ones, too! - so why not just wrap up the ones we have?  I imagine it would be almost as special as the kids really care more about me reading them the story, I am sure, than the actual book itself being new or old.)

CRAFT:  We also have some crafts I picked up from Oriental Trading that I was thinking of giving a try.  Nothing too spectacular, just a sticker nativity and an Advent candle craft.  I know, why waste the money on something I could probably do better from scratch?  Well, I will tell you why - because this way I might ACTUALLY DO THEM!!  I often shy from crafts because of all the prep work involved.  The prep work is done for me and the crafts were CHEAP.  Plus since they come by the dozen we can do them this year and next!!

So, there ya have it.  Sorry I cannot take time to be more exciting about all this.  Well, let me rephrase that.  I AM EXCITED about ADVENT!!  But I am once again up against the wire (as Advent is HERE!!) and I'm exhausted from being sick for a long while and then just finishing up Thanksgiving celebrations today.  So I do not have a lot of time to put lots of fun links and pictures into this post.  But something is better than nothing.  So here is something.

More Advent

I have been meaning to post on this for some time, but. . . my time is not my own - and it seems if I want any to do anything other than is requried, lately I have to steal time from when I should be sleeping!! But I guess that teaches obedience, right?

In any case, the following is from the Office of Readings, Friday of the First Week of Advent. I just LOVE it and have it bookmarked and have read it over and over. I'm only going to type the first few paragraphs but that gives you a taste. I hope it moves you as much as it moves me.

From the Proslogion by Saint Anslem, bishop:

Insignificant man, escape from your everyday business for a short while, hide for a moment from your restless thoughts. Break off from your cares and troubles and be less concerned about your tasks and labors. Make a little time for God and rest a while in him.

Enter into your mind's inner chamber. Shut out everything but God and whatever helps you seek him; and when you have shut the door, look for him. Speak now to God and say with your whole heart: I seek your face; your face, Lord, I desire.

I have been trying to focus on Peace this Advent. But God has been asking me to surrender. I can peacefully surrender on the outside - not yelling at the kids, doing what I should, not throwing a fit or acting out. But on the inside. . . I am anything but peaceful. Sometimes I wonder as I sit peacefully waiting for something, if the person next to me can hear me yelling in my head. God is asking me to surrender. . . on the inside. . . I'll let you know if He wins or not :)

Oh and something a bit less reflective. . . here are a few of my favorite titles in our Advent/Christmas library:

The Story of Christmas

The Crippled Lamb

Room for a Little One

Preparing for Christ's coming

So, I feel like I have had my arm twisted now and must post about our Advent activities. First, my friend Monica had to make an amazing post with tons of creativity and general amazingness. Then my friend Karen posted about her Christmas preparations and even mentioned me, so now I feel I must comply and let you all know what is happening in our household.

I'll start with a few silly things that mean a lot to me and you might not have stopped to think about before. First, here is our tree, complete with presents. It was actually up before Thanksgiving (which I only recommend if you are not hosting). Yes, I had most of my presents bought long before we should be "thinking" about Christmas - since it just gets earlier and earlier each year. . . but wait, why should we not think about Christmas ALL YEAR?? What could be more important? Well I would venture to say only Easter would be more important (although I'm not sure that is theologically correct, or even that you could really say one is more important than the other - Easter proved Jesus is God, but if Jesus had never been born, Easter would never have happened). In any case, good planning - ahead of time is just that, good (in my humble opinion). Don't think I'm down on Thanksgiving or anything, but I feel there is room for more than just turkey, thankfulness, and remembering the Saints and our deceased loved ones during October and November. But to make my final point, why start early? This way I am able to prayerfully enjoy Advent. Our tree was up and our Advent wreath ready for the first Sunday of Advent. That makes me happy. I like to be prepared. And this is really a theme for Advent in general.

Be watchful and ready for you know not when the Son of Man is coming.

Secondly, as cheesey as it is, I find it important to put up an outdoor nativity scene. With all the pretty lights and such, I think it is important that we get reminding of WHY we do what we do and it all comes down to Jesus coming into the world. I do usually try to make it look nice with lights around it and such, but I have not gotten that far this year because sickness hit our house and we are still recovering. In any case, the main characters are out. Oh and my kids LOVE it. They always "say hello" to Jesus when we leave the house and then when we get back, while they are waiting for me to get the door unlocked, they "visit" with Jesus, Mary and Joseph. In fact, the other night, Rebekah wanted to go out on the porch and "see Jesus" again after dinner.

Now, on to the more traditional Advent activities. . .

Here is our advent wreath. We usually light it during dinner - although I have thought of possibly having it lit for lunch, as well, but I'm afraid my candles won't last if I do that. It is on a platter because it retires to the top of the bookshelf between meals.

Here is a book I just bought and am enjoying immensely. It has prayers in it. Not a lot, but they are simple prayers that the kids seem to understand and there are pictures. We have been saying one of these prayers when we light the advent wreath.

Here is our basic nativity scene. This one is all one piece so it is a little more durable. I often set it on the table or the top of our wood-burning stove - somewhere close, so the kids can enjoy it.

Here is our a-bit-more-fragile nativity scene. Notice the absence of Jesus :)

This is a book, calendar thingy that my Mom got for us this year.

It has 24 little books inside it that you can read and then hang on the tree. It seems promising, but so far I am not overly impressed as the books do not appear to be geared much for children (of course, so far we have only done one - we started it on December 1st as there are 24 so it will end on Christmas eve).

And finally, perhaps the most important advent preparation. . . I am not really adding extra specific prayers for myself. I'm just trying to be faithful to what I feel called to at this time: Morning Prayer & Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours (the office of readings if I can squeeze it in), a weekly adoration holy hour, and a few minutes in my bible every day, along with spiritual reading as I am able. But perhaps even more, in the midst of my every-day chores, I am trying to seek peace in each moment. Every time the baby cries or my kids wipe jelly on my freshly washed jeans or spill their milk (again). . .whatever, I am trying to stop from blowing up and instead seeking peace. I am especially trying to keep the sense of peace as I am out and about in the grocery store or at school. Everyone seems all hyper and excited at this time of year (with good reason, if it is excitement for Jesus coming :) but we need to prepare our hearts and I think mine is best prepared by seeking Jesus in the quiet - even if that quiet is only noticeable deep inside my soul.

Blessings to all this season!!

Being Thankful in Advent

I have decided that during Advent I am going to try to find something to be thankful for each day. As Advent started on Sunday and it is now Wednesday I guess I am a little slow to start, but better lat than never would be a fitting motto here so. . .

December 2 - I am thankful for my family. I have a wonderful husband and three amazing kids (with another on the way). I am so blessed - thank you God for my family :)

December 3 - Today I am thankful for my health. I have never been quite perfect (always been a bit heavy and my proportions would never get me a career as a model) but I have been blessed with a good strength of body with no major complaints (yet - heh). Thank you God for my health thus far.

December 4 - I am thankful for my home. It is not the newest house. It could use some minor repairs (or maybe some not-so-minor remodeling) but it has enough room for us to feel comfortable and we can afford it! I am so thankful for our home.

December 5 - I am thankful for my eyeglasses (and my contacts - but I don't wear them much). As I lay in bed the other night it dawned on me that I would not be able to do. . .well my abilities would be VERY limited without being able to see clearly (as my natural eyesight is rather poor). So thank you God for glasses!

December 6 - I am thankful that I have a husband who loves me so much! (More than I can comprehend I believe.)

December 7 - Today I am thankful for hot water!! I was thinking how grateful I am for it as I imagined climbing into a cold shower in this frigid weather. . .I don't think I could make myself do it. Wooohoo, hot water :)

December 8 - Today I am thankful that Mary said yes to God and conceived Jesus for us. In the Church today we celebrate Mary's Immaculate Conception (her being conceived without sin) so that she could be stainless for Jesus to come through.

December 9 - I am feeling grouchy today - not very thankful - so I asked Gordie to help me out. He said he is thankful for meat. Sounds good - Thank you God for meat we can eat!

December 10 - Today I am thankful for our car. It works well (even on ice and snow) and gets us all where we need to go.

December 11 - I am thankful for our work-out room and my exercise videos. If I had not found such amazing videos and some decent equipment - coupled with a space to use this stuff - I know I would be VERY frustrated right now as we do not have money for the local health club and it is too cold outside to go running (not to mention my body does not seem to like it much anymore anyhow). So thank you, God for our "home gym." :)

December 12 - Today I am thankful that I am not afraid of cooking. (Notice I did not label myself a "good" cook - I would not go so far.) I make a few good dishes and most of the others are edible. I am thankful that I have finally reached the point where I would rather eat my own cooking than eat out! (Not to say I don't like eating out for other reasons - mind you :)

December 13 - I am thankful for our basement. It is nice to have a place to go during "crazy" weather and I am convinced the kids take longer naps because it is quieter down there.

December 14 - Today I am thankful for our washer & dryer.

December 15 - Today I am thankful for indoor plumbing cause it just dawned on me that going outside to squat in the cold would be. . . unpleasant.

December 16 - I am thankful we live close enough to school that we can walk on nice days like today (it is almost 45 degrees and the sun is shining! - even if there is still 2 feet of snow on the ground).

December 17 - I am thankful for peanut butter and jelly toast for breakfast - yum yum :)

December 18 - Today I am thankful for the blessing of another boy in our family! Thank you God for this new baby to come.

December 19 - Ummm. . . I think I'm thankful that I got to sleep in today (till 8 am - but that is sleeping in when I normally get up before 6) - but it has come at quite the price! (Craziness all morning since I woke up - heh)

December 20 - I am thankful for an amazing day with the extended family - no one was injured and I don't think any even got mad or anything - hehe - it was a good day with delicious food and lots of little ones with gifts.

December 21 - Today I am thankful for being stubborn. I have a lot to do today and I want to go eat chocolate and watch tv all day but I am going to try and do it all, no matter how difficult, just because I am stubborn. Grrrr. . . here I come!

December 22 - I am thankful that my husband has gotten up two days in a row at 5AM to exercise in the mornings (with me :) before he goes to work. What a commitment to health he is making - and for those of you who know him this sounds absolutely crazy (him awake before noon), doesn't it?

December 23 - Today I am thankful for my stove. I remember a time when our stove did not work and that made cooking a whole lot more challenging. We may not have the nicest stove but it works and I am able to make yummy food with it. (Last night we had homemade pizza that was AMAZING - still licking my lips, mmmmmmm :)

December 24 - I am thankful for being able to stay home with the kids. We don't live like kings, but blessed are the poor, and the minor sacrifices we make are so worth it for the quality time and fun the kids and I have together.

December 25 - I am thankful for Jesus coming among us! Merry Christmas!

Advent!

Advent is here and it is such an amazing time. It is the beginning of the Church year and I really feel a fresh start as well. We do not have many established advent rituals yet but I enjoy giving them all a try and seeing what the kids think. So far they really enjoy having the advent wreath on the dinner table and they always greet the large outdoor holy family we have set up when coming and going from the car.

I think Advent is my favorite season because it is a lot like Lent but not quite so focused on suffering. I think it is still beneficial to say give something up or add extra prayer but it is in joyful anticipation - not sorrowful contemplation. Not that Lent is not GREAT, mind you - of course all the seasons are really wonderful as they are tailored to our needs as persons - and I find the more I try during Lent, the more amazing Easter becomes. In any case, I was talking about Advent. . .or trying to. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever be able to do anything fully again without an interuption ever few minutes (or seconds it seems) by questions or mini-crisises, etc. I definitely should have never prayed for patience - heh.

So, Advent. . . top 5 things I really like about it (no particular order at the moment)

1. Preparing for the coming of Jesus - the fact that He comes for us at all is so amazing and to think that He does not come grudgingly, but with love for all mankind!

2. Outdoor lights - I really like our Holy Family and even the strings of lights (although they can be a pain - the Holy Family you just put out and plug in). I love having a light burning all through the night.

3. Christmas tree - pretty much the same as the outdoor lights - I enjoy having the soft glow of the tree and a lamp and remember that just as it is always green (ours especially since it is fake - hah) Jesus is always wanting to come into our hearts

4. PRAYER - I love an excuse to add more prayer. If I had not gotten married I think I would be a contemplative nun - I could never get enough prayer in my life. (The trouble is that I live in reality where there are children and a husband whose needs must be met so I cannot always spend all my time praying as I choose.)

5. Birthdays! - mine, Samuel, my brother-in-law Jason, my Aunt Martha - it is just a good month to be born in :)

I would add food to this list but since that would make six and we really do not need this time of year as excuse to eat well (we are always enjoying good food and snacks in our house!) I might as well let that slide.