Day 2 of Advent

 Tonight the Newtons joined us for our Advent discussion. Martie read Genesis 1:24-31. This is the account of creation. We had to close our eyes and ears and imagine nothingness everywhere. Amazingly the children were all quiet for those few seconds. We read on how the Trinity (God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit), all full of affection, knelt down and kissed warm life into us with the breath of His love. Prov. 8:31 says, "But it was the affection of God that made all of His children."

 Ethan had the privilege of hanging the ornament tonight.

The ornament was a picture of the Earth. A simple reminder of how the Creator of all things, loved and created us. We were challenged to discuss things we could create out of love. Of course we received all kinds of silly answers. Like when Andrew said he could create a Christmas tree for Tabitha's room. (which she thought was super cool) There were a few serious ideas that encouraged and challenged me. It was a perfect night for the Newton's to join us. They also blessed us with dinner and gifts for the baby. We were able to make the connection that Mrs. Newton made us dinner out of her love.

Day 1 of Advent

 We are decorating a "Jesse Tree" for Advent this year. We started tonight. I got the idea from a blog that a friend recommended. This is the link: http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/11/free-jesse-tree-advent-family-devotional/
Since deciding on this Advent project, I've discovered that many of my friends are doing the same one! I will try to blog what we're doing each day, but I can't promise consistency. ;-)

This is the notebook that I put together with each day. Our ornaments are to the left. We'll cut one out a day to hang on our "Jesse Tree." Tonight's devotional was:

Isaiah 11:1-2

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;

from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him

the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and might,

the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord.

 The commentary on that verse tells us that one bite from the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden and our "tree of life" fell. We've lived our whole lives like stumps, cut off from God. Out of our fallenness, springs our only hope, a fragile shoot. Out of the last forgotten son of Jesse, comes this branch. He is the one that will wear the crown of thorns and die on a cross and become that ladder for us back to God. Jesus will go to impossible lengths to rescue us. So today we started Advent, the season of waiting. But, we know "new life is stirring."

 Our project was to plant wheat or grass seeds, later to be used as Jesus' manger. Each child put in some grass seeds and talked about things they did today that showed acts of kindness and love. We are excited to see new things grow as we anticipate Love and New Life coming in the form of a baby.

 Andrew putting his seed in. He said that he helped mommy today at the grocery store. (boy did he) ;)

 Tabitha said she cleaned up the house. (I would say more like under the homeschool table and picked up her shoes) BUT she did show love by obeying.

 Carissa prayed today, that's how she showed love. :-)

 Ethan put the laundry in the laundry room and helped clean the table after dinner.

 Taylor helped with the little kids at swim practice and she took treats to one of her coaches.

 I know it looks like a pie, but it is a bowl of dirt with our children's grass seeds.

 Taylor hanging the first ornament.

 A stump with a branch growing from it.

 Our "Jesse Tree."

Watering the seeds before evening chores and bedtime.

Updating the blog

Well, you all know now that I'm not a great blogger. Actually I pretty much stink at it. I have hopes though. One day I'll be an awesome blogger, a talented photographer, an efficient couponer, I'll sew all my children's costumes, bows, dresses... one day.... one day.... I do look up to the mom's out there who seem to "do it all." I just have to be real and say out loud, "I can't." So, that's why you might get a blog post from me at random times during the year.

I'll start by giving you bullet point things that have happened since my last post. (which was August)

• We bought a house. A much bigger house where we can fill our rooms with "blessings." (children not stuff) ;-)
• We are still in the same place with the adoption process, which is waiting on Social Services.
• Taylor turned 14! I can't believe I will have a child in high school next year. I really can't believe we've been homeschooling Taylor for 6 years now! I am excited but nervous about homeschooling during the high school years.
• School is going great for all the children. We've had some adjustments in the new house. Carissa dropped her morning naps right before the move. So I've had to reorganize schedules a bit.
• Pregnancy is going well. I have truly been blessed with all my pregnancies. So far all "normal" checkups.
• I will be having this new baby boy sometime the first of January. I'm pretty sure my hubby will be a much better blogger about this exciting time.
• Church is going well. We had some bumps in the road, but we have pressed on through the trials and God has been very gracious to us. We are at a pivotal time in the ministry at PBC. Martie and some other faithful men of the church have rewritten the constitution and bylaws. I am excited to see how the Lord is going to use the new structure of the body for His glory.
• We served our neighbors on Halloween night. Martie set out a tent and we gave away tracks, coffee, cider, and lots and lots of candy. We're hoping to continue to serve and get to know the people living around us. I'm excited about the opportunities.

That's all I can think of right now. We are excited about the upcoming holidays. I am looking for different ideas and ways to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. We are currently reading Pilgrim Voices and I plan on starting Thanksgiving on Thursday (Magic Treehouse) this week. Every year I search out neat ways to celebrate Advent, but in that too I fail. Maybe this will be the year. We shall see. I do see lot's of baking, decorating, reading, and teaching in our future.

Well, until the next blog.....Grace and Peace to you!