Advent has been upon us now for 22 days. It began the last Sunday of November. I've been preoccupied, to say the least, but have made a point to still celebrate our many liturgical feasts in the most simple way that I can...
Beginning with St. Nicholas!This year we watched The Boy Who Became Santa and our Veggie Tale DVD and had Gingerbread pop tarts and hot cocoa!
The boys understood a little better that it is someone who else who places these little gifts in their shoes as saints are in heaven and cannot just appear down here...
they were still quite thankful to get chocolates in their shoes and a group gift (see first photo)!
That same week we celebrated the feast of the Immaculate Conception. At the children's Mass, I was overjoyed to hear Gabriel answer Fr's question about who this great feast was really about... he said it was Mary who was conceived in her mother, free from the sin (well, he said it in his words). {sigh} They were listening as we spoke about it the night before (and every year prior)!!
Max and I had a special date that night to see A Musical Christmas Carol in downtown Pittsburgh. It was lovely- so well done- but a very late night for Max!
Our tree trek this year involved 2 tree stops- the first being a farm not too far from us at all and their selection was very, very sad. Our boys were not very cooperative and Mum and Dad left that place with a great deal of angst at trying to "create this special memory" and having them run amuck and not listen to their parents. {sigh again}
Daddy redeemed the day with a trip to Simmons Farm, where we found just the right tree from NC hanging in the greenhouse ;)
It was truly a Gaudete Sunday (Joyful Sunday) for us as I was eagerly anticipating the arrival of the tree in our living room- there have been very few decorations placed around our home as of yet and the tree usually jump starts the decorating process!
keep trimming... our tree stand is quite unique!
Speaking of decorations....I haven't been able to get to those decorations due to my round state and have been waiting, eagerly, to send Mr. Crafty to the storage unit to procure them for me! They have now arrived in our garage and today, Sunday, the 18th, is the day the tree will don it's merry lights! Hooray!
My Dad even got roped into helping this year. I forgot I couldn't carry the tree up from the garage, so he helped Mr. Crafty get it JUST RIGHT!
So now we are in crunch time.... time for wrapping, singing Christmas Carols, making cookies and readying our hearts for Christmas- it is ONE GLORIOUS WEEK AWAY!
Max is in that picture- right behind the boy in front who has the red sweater on... see him?
I sure hope I can snap many more pictures this week- 7 total for December is an all time low for me! But I know that I've been present to the moments at hand and there is quite a bit on my plate (pregnancy, moving, holidays, regular everyday life)- so I'm taking it all in stride and cutting myself a break.
I pray that you're having a blessed Advent and that if you've not really been present or readied your heart- all is not lost! Now is the time! Let us prepare to welcome Our King Jesus on Christmas morn!
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her. - Luke 1
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her. - Luke 1
7 pictures ...that is better than I have done this year and last. I feel 8 have my good excuses. You do what you can do. Speaking of pictures, I was hoping to glimpse a peek at a "the round state" of crafty p. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a very Merry Christmas! Love you and miss you all.