Advent

I love Advent. The candles, the music, the preparations for Christmas. This week is the week of Hope. I am hoping, that as the children are getting older, that they understand there is so much more than the gimmes. It's hard when everyone and their brother is asking them, "What are you asking for from Santa?"

I have decided that each Sunday in Advent we will do something for someone else. These might be tasks I would have normally undertaken, but we will be more intentional in sharing the responsibility with our children this year. Plus, they see all of these activities as fun, which is wonderful.

I had three activities already planned: making goody bags for Justin's co-workers, baking for our neighbors, and Christmas caroling for some shut-ins, but I had one week open.

I asked Kate who she thought we should do something for. After the thoughtful, but prohibitive answer, "Do something for someone who is hurt in the hospital," (I don't happen to know anyone to visit, and with patient confidentiality an issue, I suspect we can't just call the hospital at random.) she came up with Yafrelis, the child we sponsor in The Dominican Republic.


We made a little folder out of some neat prismatic card stock weight paper I bought with the intention of using it for Yafrelis last month.


We made her a paper doll. I've been looking for some to send her for a few months, but didn't find any that are actually made of paper (instead of cardboard).


I sketched out the doll and then made a dress pattern, so we can make several dresses to fit her. Each of the girls decorated a pink construction paper dress.


We're also stocking the folder with a few odds and ends of paper goods (everything we send has to be flat and made of paper).

If you're interested in sponsoring a child through Compassion International, here is where you can get information.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I want so much for our children to be grateful for the abundance we have. We have food to eat, a warm place to live (and even more luxuriously a cool place in the summer), clothes, toys, and so much more.

It's so hard with all that our children are inundated with these days. We have eliminated commercials from our home, but there are still the displays in stores and the birthday/Christmas gimmes. The inborn sin of selfishness. We have a great task as parents to teach our children to be filled with joy and gratefulness.

I hope to model my thankfulness for my children, this Thanksgiving, and every day. I am thankful to GOD for

• my husband of more than 11 years
  
• my three little blessings, who were so worth the wait
  
• my family
• insulin that has allowed my husband to live the past year
  
• the chance to celebrate Thanksgiving with my extended family
• food to eat
• a home
• my husband's job
• having two vehicles
• having a college education
• having friends, even if we are distant in miles, we keep in touch
• my computer, which allows me to stay in touch with many people

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. - Psalm 100:4

Girl-isms

From the mind of our three year old:

Does an ambulance dress up like a King?

No, an ambulance doesn't dress up like a King.

Does an ambulance dress up like a princess?

No, an ambulance doesn't dress up like a princess.

Kate interjects: Ambulances are boys, silly.

What is that ambulance's last name?

Ambulances don't have last names.

That ambulance is a princess. giggle.

* * * * *

Kate, in discussing when we will put up our tree:

I think [our Christmas tree] will suffer damage from our little brother.

Turkey Crafts

I made these cute hair bows, based on this post.



We also made cute little Thanksgiving cards. The girls got to help make the cards, which they thought was a lot of fun. I cut out all the pieces and they had fun with their glue sticks!

Fetch

The other day I made a trip to the craft store. I really shouldn't be allowed there alone, by the way, too many wonderful projects are calling my name. I was pretty good, got some good sales on things I was actually intending to buy, and I'll have some fun Thanksgiving projects to post about soon.

Anyway, I did think far enough ahead to remember to use the stroller this time. That eliminates keeping Kate and Gabby close in to a cart while I'm navigating the aisles, since Gabriella can sit in the double with Nate. I was helping Gabby out of the stroller in the parking lot. One of her shoes popped off as it got caught under the tray. No big deal. I load the kiddos up and fetch it from the bottom of the stroller. Only it wasn't in the bottom of the stroller. It wasn't next to the van. I couldn't find it anywhere. Where could it be? Oh yes, under the van, in the very center.

Maybe I at least made someone laugh as they saw me laying on the ground to fetch a shoe, all in the name of turkey's made of paper and ribbon.

Clockwork

There are those days that everything goes like clockwork. I had one of those days last week. I felt so productive. Four loads of laundry, washed, dried, folded, and put away. Homeschooling, completed easily. Story time at the library, not problem. Dinner put together, even on the last day before grocery day.

I am very grateful for those days when they come, because more days are full of trying to keep up. There are grocery trips that you come home to find that something you needed didn't make it on your list, doctors visits (always exciting with three children) that require follow ups, and days that you just aren't at your best.

I try to keep our lives fairly simple, but I am still finding that life as a mother is often less than simple. There are all the daily tasks of mom and teacher. There are the special concerns that come up from time to time. There are the little bumps in the road that take your time and energy. It's busy, it keeps me challenged, but I am so grateful and blessed.

Christmas Cards from Shutterfly

I am so excited. I got the code for my free Shutterfly cards. There were so many different choices I couldn't pick! I made three different ones and let Justin pick, this was his favorite:

Harmonious Noir Christmas 5x7 folded card

Make a statement with Shutterfly Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

We took the kids to the park after church today and took pictures. Kate even took one of Justin and me. They had a lot of fun running around.

I'll have to let you know how they turn out when they come!

* I did get my cards for free and I may be eligible to get a $25 gift certificate for this review (maybe I'll get caught up on the baby book), but the opinion is mine. I've been using Shutterfly for several years already. *