These Are A Few of my Favorite Things...

 My husband purchased this Precious Moments miniature set for me way, way, way back when our big girls were little ones.
I just love it.

 This one I have to confess came from coveting Tiffany's goods.
I saw it on her blog and just really really wanted to find it! (drove all over SJ!)

 I was told that my mom's dad gave this to her. Isn't she sweet? I almost hate to have her out, but then I feel like what's the point if I don't.

This was a gift for my husband, who tears up every time he sees this scene in the movie. As soon as we saw it, we knew he had to have it. The ornament actually has the whole speech!

 A gift from a dear friend. I babysat her children or some other such small act of kindness, and she gifted me this gorgeous Avon nativity set that I had had my eye on. Pretty sweet.

 Torn and slightly tattered, this Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus have been loved by more than one child. Baby Jesus even went missing for a season or two, but returned home! ;)

I took a few more pictures of these, so I'll try to come back and post them.
My daughter started this set for me a few years ago-
one ornament for each child or couple.

And now grandchildren too- rumor has it that she will be adding a few more to the set for me this Christmas as I am missing 3 grandbabies. This picture does not do them justice! They are up hanging from the window and look magical!!! 

This Year::Advent

This year, I am trying to not regret what we aren't doing and enjoy the blessings that have come our way.

Warning: This is more of a photo album than a blog post! Can you put this many pictures in one post- we'll soon find out. ;)

The blessings of having grandma live right next door- it is easy to just walk right over and help decorate her tree! 

This is happiness. After a few paper work mishaps (Erin says it was from God, so all is well), Erin finally got her test date! And she PASSED!! Wahoo! She is now a "cosmetologist". We are all so happy and bursting with pride. 

I know I may be prejudice, but come on! Could ya just pinch those checks?! And then kiss that face. Grandbabies are the best. 

Grandpa shirking babysitting duty to conk out snuggle on the couch.

Little visitors enjoying tortoise feeding time. It's good to have your own zoo to entertain the kiddos. 

 After church on Sunday, we decided we didn't feel like going home. 

 The Japanese Friendship Gardens made a nice outing. Pictures don't do my husband justice- he really is a smiley guy! 

 It is so peaceful. 

 And a quick stop at the zoo to enjoy the animals... 

 and some serious silliness. 

 SERIOUS silliness! 

 And hanging out together... 

 and being... 

 silly!! 

Except us- we're being romantical. ;) 

We enjoyed our Spanish class Christmas party! 

Putting up some lights. 

Visiting our local Cathedral as sort of a confirmation preparation outing. This will get its own post later!

 The most special happening of all this advent was mass said today (Friday) by Father Mark C. at our local parish for our homeschool group.

 I just really love this picture!!!!

 A bit far away, but that is James standing in front of Father.

 That's my big boy!

Two of my boys with Father. 

In the interest of privacy, I try not to post other's children- there were other servers, singers, offertory collectors, and gift bearers (all the homeschool children). There were 18 families all together. I think about 75-100 people. 

 Three of my grandbabies after mass. This reminds me of the title of that book, "Please Don't Drink the Holy Water". Although, I don't think they planned on drinking it, maybe just taking a swim.

After we had pizza, play time and a cookie exchange in the hall. It was too wet outside to hang the pinata from a tree- like our alternative? :)

 And finally, I participated in the above mentioned cookie exchange. My first ever! Mark, of course, wanted to help make the cookies.

 Which convinced James that he should help with the frosting.

Ta-da! Thank you once again, Patty.

Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a BLESSED NEW YEAR! 

Advent::Week 2

I have been catching up on blog reading- I find it interesting that the holiday blogging theme varies right now between "slow down" and "I'm overwhelmed". (I think I am in the slow down, yet slightly overwhelmed mode!;))

To the moms who are overwhelmed, I want to put my arms around them and tell them it is okay. You don't have to do it all. Your kids will be happy with what you do and what they get. In the years with less, I often find my children appreciate what we do even more. To the moms who are telling us that it is okay to slow down, I say "amen!". But I also know  I say the same thing sometimes yet don't always listen to my own advice. LISTEN!!! :)

I think the key is to choose things that are important to you. One of the things that we do as a family is to make a list. I was so surprised a few years ago when one son said that his most favorite advent tradition ever was going to his sister's house to decorated a gingerbread house. He had only gone once! I never would have known the significance that held had I not asked. Once I gather all the data (input from each family member), I fill out a calendar with the events/tasks we are going to attempt along with our holiday obligations and feast days.

We were off to a slow start, but here is advent in our home so far (and a few other things too...)- 

We have candles! We finally tracked some down at a Catholic gift shop that is a not too far away and Erin happened to be going there anyway. Our little wreath doesn't look so bare anymore. 

December feast day table in progress. St. Nicholas day was a little haphazard. We just happened to have a few monster truck toys (top on Mark and James' wish lists) on hand. I ran out on the 5th picked up some chocolate gold coins and printed some St. Nicholas coin covers from the "Shower of Roses" blog. Whew! 

One of our favorite outings at this time of year is the annual Creche exhibit a few towns away. There are just no words to describe it (no pictures allowed). It was stunning as always. This time we were serenaded with harp music as we wandered the halls looking at nativities from all of the world made from every conceivable material (banana fiber for one). I am always amazed how even my crazy boys just calm down for this event. I wish they had one corner that pictures could be taken, but overall I enjoy the peacefulness of not having everyone vying for camera position. 

In the children's room after, there were crafts and dress up. That's my granddaughter in the middle picture as Mary, and James' big sister (mom of granddaughter) showing him how to make an angel ornament to the right. 

We ended our outing here!! With our new "eat this, not that" mentality, we were able to keep it under control yet still enjoy ourselves.

And finally this last week- our travelers arrived home after almost two weeks (!), Marky had a chance to show me the "kitty condos" where he takes his class at the humane society, and James has taken to drawing elves of all kinds. Many people in our family have received personalized pictures including one of Elf Sandoval for his Giants loving brother-in-law. 

Feast Day of St. Nicholas

We never started any traditions around this wonderful saint when my older children were at home- I think occasionally they left their shoes out for some treats to be placed in them. We still don't have a regular tradition that we have stuck to, but we take time out on this special day to honor this special saint and have some fun. 

 Our feast day table from 2010. 

We also spent some time that same year learning more about this saint. Cousins joined us for a whole day of St. Nicholas fun. 

And here is our table and treats from last year, 2011. 

This year... well, I can't set it yet! The kids aren't even home from their evening with their sister and brother-in-law. I just hope I can stay awake! 

Happy Feast of St. Nicholas!!! 

Advent::Day 1

We live in a teeny tiny house (by today's standards). And, it was quite a fixer upper.

For years, in little bits of spare time, our family worked to shore up the building (it literally leaked!), scrape the paint, level the yards, pave the driveway- It took more than 10 years to complete the task.

In the meantime, it led to some humbling situations when we had people over. Too many people, too much stuff, construction constantly going on around us...

Somewhere along the way, I started offering this little prayer up when I knew someone was coming over- or, worse yet, stopped by for a surprise visit.

"God, let my house bless this person in some way." 

My thought was it might, at the very least, allow them to give themselves a nice pat on the back that at least their house wasn't THAT BAD!! (I have a cool story about this that I'll share another time)

Well, this blog is not my home, but I pray the same for the little things I share. I, of course, would prefer to share some grand accomplishment with you.

But this is what I have:

In this time of preparation, I thought I could wing it for our first day of advent.  I brought out the box that I knew had the extra advent candles that I knew I purchased-  they are no where to be seen. We have not gotten out to pick up some greenery for our wreath either.

So, while dad did the blessing, our little candle-less wreath sat on the table with a ring of plastic greenery around it.

Our Jesse Tree devotional book has gone AWOL.

Plus!!- James came down with a fever/possible sinus infection today and Mark did not feel well, so neither boy served at mass this morning.

Can I have a redo? 

I don't share this to be a discouragement.

I know that happy scenes of advent would bless you as they do me, but I hope knowing that not every year begins that way (and some years begin that way, yet get derailed) might bless someone out there.

The point is to just do your best (with God's grace) each day.

Advent past... with candles and all!! It will happen. 

I hope to come back and share what is going to be an amazing advent "recovery"! :)