This Advent

This Advent...

We are not just getting ready for baby Jesus (as if that weren't enough)but also for our baby boy that is due to be born at the beginning of January.  I wish I could write some kind  of deep reflection about expecting a baby at this time of year but nothing of interest really comes to mind.  Mary was about to give birth at this time of year and so am I.  I have a lot that I would  like to do to get ready for Christmas but I also have a lot to do to get ready for a baby.  There should be some kind of spiritual lesson to learn here, shouldn't there?  Alas, I am not able to articulate it. 

Hubs has been doing a great job of making sure we gather around the Advent wreath every night. This used to be my job but I am happy to have him take the lead.  We light the candle, say the Advent prayer and read from the days Gospel.  We then sing Advent songs like Maria walks amid the Thorn, and Gabriel's Message ( I think it is called), and a Christmas Carols so the kids can learn some before Christmas.  He calls Advent "ours" because neither he nor I grew up with any Advent traditions to speak of but we have developed our own with the help of Catholic websites and bloggers.  

We have some Jesse Tree ornaments that we made together as a family when my oldest was an only child.  We tape those to the fireplace mantle after I tell the kids a little bit about each one.  We also have an Advent Calendar with little books for each day that tells a bible story in Jesse Tree style or has a Christmas Carol to sing or a little prayer to say. 

These are some really very simple things that we have been doing as we have built a little bit of an Advent repertoire over the past few years with the help of websites like CatholicCulture.org.  The best part is that we have been praying as a family every night this week.  I'm grateful and hope that we continue at least throughout this season of Advent. 

Small Successes Vol. 3

1.  I think after four years I have finally found contentment (although imperfect)and have come to see the dignity inherent in being a wife and mother and how it is a truly great things to be able to stay home and take care of your own children.  This waxes and wanes, of course, but it it is gradually becoming more consistent.  I am starting to believe that this is really the place I am supposed to be.

2.  I went to see my three nephews who are visiting their dad (my brother).  There is a good chance they will be here next week too.  I was hoping to see them twice this week but don't think we'll make it.  I am hopeful that I wll be seeing them more this summer.

3.  I made it to a play group that was started by someone from our homeschool group and I was glad that I did.  It ended up being a lot of fun.  I thought about bringing my nephews but decided we would see how it went with just us first.  Maybe next time.

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Small Successes Vol. 2

1.  I finally called about having a sump pump put in our window well.  I found out I need to send them the contract signed along with ten percent of the payment first but at least I know what I need to do now. 

2.  I have been eating healthier.  I have been following the guidelines from a brochure I have for pregnant women from the March of Dimes.  It gives recommended amounts from each of the five food groups (grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, and proteins) for each day.  It really helps me not to over-do it with portion sizes and it helps me to make sure I get enough dairy and vegetables.  Getting enough vegetables is probably the most challenging thing.  I am not pregnant but I am nursing so its probably about right.  Now I just need to stick with this if I should become pregnant as this is when I really over do my eating.

3.  I have been drinking only one 12 oz. cup of coffee per day as opposed to the two 12 oz. cups that I normally drink.

Small Successes Vol. 1

1.  We drove the 60 mile drive to visit my dad in the nursing home where he lives.  We had a very good visit.  His mind was better than it was when we saw him last.  I am very grateful for this.

2.  I got some prints made of some of my digital photos.  This mostly because my son needed some pictures our family for his project in Spanish Class.  I framed one to give to my mother-in-law too. 

3.  I made all the meals that I had planned on my menu so far this week.  The meals that I planned this week were some of my simpler dishes such as pizza and frozen burritos which I spruced up with some salads, like: mandarin beet salad with the pizza and Greek sald with the frozen burritos.  Lots of veggies served in a more interesting way!