Advent Adventures (Part 1)

Emily expressing her joy over "Yebus Loves Me" translation: Jesus!

I can't tell you how often I think about blogging; about sharing some tiny tidbit from the "peanut gallery", a picture, a story, a lesson learned, a verse that has been on my heart, or a day gone terribly wrong that I feel some of you might be able to identify with.  I guess in some ways, I long to reconnect and share, hear and learn from so many of you; and yet I know that my place is here and time simply doesn't allow for me to live in two places so fully.  That being said, I'd love to share these verses that have put a bounce in my step and given me an excitement and direction for this season.

"I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior-yes, the Messsiah, the Lord- has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!"

Luke 2:10,11

"You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others."
2 Corinthians 9:7,8

"Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God."
2 Corinthians 9:11

"God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another."
1 Peter 4:10

From these verses has come a lot of thought about advent. And so,  I'll share some of our advent adventures so far this December, and more importantly, the lessons God is teaching me- again. :)

So I tend to get these ideas and these plans, but for those of you who know me they always start out so big that I can't possibly follow through with them. Usually I end up somewhat disappointed with myself and feeling guilty about losing the heart and passion that the idea originally came from- God's heart. This Christmas season, like most, I started with a conviction that I would not make myself busy with things that shouldn't matter to me because they don't matter to God. I consistently struggle with putting down my to do lists and just allowing my God to be first love, my hubby to be second and my little loves to simply be little. Instead, I get bogged down with all the normal routine of being a mom- laundry, groceries, meal prep, clean up,  bathing, more clean up, trying to not get fed up, etc. The Christmas season tends to inevitably bulk up my to do list, to which I often find myself running from house to house, event to event, or chore to chore.  So, this year, I decided to be very intentional and plan for the business of the season while also planning days of just being together as a family celebrating the birth of our saviour. Planning to not be selfish and self absorbed  (because I so naturally fall into that) but instead focusing my days on serving and blessing others. Of course I have ideas for those simple days but, the "agenda" is loose. I'm intentionally trying to teach my children the true joy of this season, while recognizing that I have to practice that joy in all my circumstances. Whether I'm sick, tired, and with cranky kids, or whether my hopes for the day are squashed by long line ups, unsuccessful potty training or testy toddlers- I need to have JOY.


 So here are our Advent Adventures. A list, but one written in pencil,  and with the expectation that there will be days where it's best to just stay home and play Polly Pockets and wrestle with my girls.  For some of you who often ask, "What have you been up to?" Hopefully, this will give you a pretty good idea. Most importantly, this is my list that was created on my couch during some much needed down time and refocusing with my savior.  

Dec 1: Family Place with Rolanda and our kids.
Buy Hats and Snow Suits with the girls for "Coats for Kids" and Blanket Drive.

Janelle is a few months younger than Emily and I'm sure is going to be one of her dearest friends here in Chilliwack.

It was so easy to get these three sweet hearts to have a group hug.

Dec 2: Kristy and her girls over for a play-date.
Put up outdoor lights with Dave.
Pizza night with Farr's.

Dec 3: Sleep-in and just play play play because it's Saturday! (A motto I should really adopt).
Farr's over for Chili and Santa Claus Parade.
Late night hot chocolate and snacks by the fire with Kara and Emily.

Kara loves cooking with me and is getting quite good at Chili!

Enjoying the parade all snuggled up.

We watched the parade just a couple blocks from the hospital so Daddy was able to jog down the street and meet us for a bit.

Hot chocolate and treats by our pretty fire place with my pretty sleepy heads.

Dec 4: Church! (I've missed several services this month because of kids ministry stuff and sickness).
Cutting down a tree, hayride and hot dog roast with Farr's at Highland Tree Farm.
Craft making, tent making, and popcorn and movie night with Skye and Charis.

It doesn't get much more beautiful than this...

Dec 5: Jenilee and her gang over for play-date. Snuggles and NAPS!
Drop off snow stuff to Coats for Kids and Blanket Drive.
Hot Chocolate and Festival of Trees with Dave and the girls.
Tree decorating and turtles! (Pretty pictures to come, thanks to my phenomenal photographer-Dave).

So many sweet pics with Kara but sadly none with Emily because she was passed out!

Dec 6: Breakaway women's group. (My turn to share, eeek).
NAPS and Crafts.

Dec 7: Christmas cookie decorating and tea party with Kristy and the kids.
Shopping for school supplies for Children's Haven International in Mexico with Kara and Emily.
Watch Nativity movie and give the girls the Nativity toy.

Kara, was all about quantity and couldn't resist chomping a few cookies as she worked.

Proud decorator

Emily was so very careful putting each candy in its place and showed a lot of restraint from eating them!

Kara and Norah and their almost weekly tea party - chocolate tea!

My sweet super mom friend Kristy baked the cookies that we had fun decorating!

A beautiful moon before the sun had fully set. (Taken on my phone while driving, I wish it captured even half the beauty). 

The first nativity we own- a play set!

Cooperatively playing with their new nativity set- a miracle in itself.

A very sleepy Kara, fell asleep as I read to her.

Emily couldn't sleep because of hiccups so we rocked and sang.

These are the days I wish I could freeze time, or at least lock in my memories. Tonight I snuggled both my girls as they fell asleep and it was heaven. I just wish I could always remember the sounds of their voices as they said goodnight. The way Emily always flips her soother handle up so it's touching her nose. The way Kara's thumb slowly falls out of her mouth as she falls asleep. The way they both blink open their eyes and smile at me right before they enter dream land. These are the days when it's so easy to have joy.

To be continued..... (as we complete each day). For those of you who asked for my list for idea's,
I will just give it to you but most of it is not my own, it can be found in the news papers!