Christmas Blessings

Girls who smile obediently.

Boys who don't.

Four Generationsof Family

Together for the Holidays

The great grandparents, the grandparents, the parents, the grandbaby:

Dan, me, and all ten children:

Paul, Nicole and baby Gavin:

And Gavin, himself,

the baby whose butt need never touch a solid surface...

with special buddy, Jon:

\

with my mom:

with Anna:

with Theresa:

with Dan's mom:

with Dominic:

with Cathy:

with his godparents, Michelle and Kevvy:

with his Dandad:

Missing:  a picture pairing of Gavin with Uncles Gabe and William.  As soon as we

get them weaned off the Christmas candy and able to sit still for five minutes...  we'll try for that.  Stay tuned...

Merry Sixth Day of Christmas!

Wordless Wednesday

Takes Ten

Top to bottom, L-R:
 William (5),
Gabe (6), Anna (8),
Theresa (12), Michelle (15), Cathy (10),
Dominic (17),  Paul (23),  Kevin (21), Jon (19

Christmas Eve Eve

Signing on for a quick minute to report that we are all alive and well and meeting ourselves around corners, we're running around so much.  Paul and I arrived safely from Virginia Wednesday afternoon after picking up Dominic and cramming him in the backseat with all our luggage and Nicole's bird.  We got home just in time to see the school children's Christmas play Wednesday evening which was, of course, delightful and charming, most particularly because of the little glitches and pecadillos of the evening.  The production was "The Small One."  Remember the story about the donkey that St. Joseph found to take the Blessed Mother to Bethlehem?  Anna was a "crowd member," Gabe was an "extra donkey," and Theresa was "his wife" -- more commonly known as "the fat lady." 

Yesterday we spent working on the Nativity scene, visiting with Paul, Nicole and Gavin, and finishing up the last of the Christmas shopping.  Today we prepare for the gathering after the Baptism tomorrow, as well as the last minute preparations for Christmas.  I have laid my finger aside my nose -- but not given the nod yet, in other words.

Of the children, so far we have home: Paul and his family, Dominic, and the five "regulars," Theresa, Cathy, Anna, Gabe, and William.  Sometime tonight Jon and Michelle should arrive, as well as Kevin  and his girl, Emily.  My parents and sister, Nina should also roll in some time today, and Dan's parents are flying in tomorrow.  Except for the grandparents and Paul's gang everyone is staying here.  Where I am not sure yet, but the universal opinion is that  we'll slip 'em all in somewhere.  Teenagers have an amazing ability to sleep on the floor and be no worse for it in the morning.

So...  I have this great plan to try get back on here later and download some pictures, but...  well, seeing as there has not been a Christmas cookie made that was not eaten while I was gone, and seeing as I still have no clue what the Littles are wearing for Midnight Mass, and seeing as I still have to go to North Pole and finish up some elving, and hang the rest of the ornaments on the tree, and decorate the front porch, and make Friday's spinach dip and guacamole and chowder, etc, etc, and so forth...  Well, I might or might not get back on here to wish everyone a very Blessed and Happy Christmas!

 I hope everyone's days are cozy and warm and that your hearts are singing with thoughts of our newborn King! 

TTFN!

Blessings of The Season

On Gaudete Sunday!

"Gaudete" from the first word of today's introit:

 "Gaudete in Domino semper"

(Philippians 4:4,5)

Rejoice in the Lord!

We've got the Christmas tree up -- and half decorated.

The little felt village is in place, but the new little people we have planned aren't finished.

And the Nativity Scene is about half way to completion!

I guess that must mean we're about half way to Christmas!


Until Christmas we won't turn on the lights on the big tree or in the forest around the Nativity.  And, until Christmas eve, nothing out of the ordinary appears around the stable.  A cow waits patiently for it knows-not-what in a pen within the structure.   There is a bunny hopping around the rocks outside and two little mice scamper about, moving to a different spot every night.  There's a turkey hiding in the bushes.   The Blessed Mother and St. Joseph are on their way from Nazareth (on top of the piano), the Wise Men have just seen the star and are heading their way west from the Orient (on the dresser in our bedroom), and Little Baby Jesus is awaiting His humble/glorious arrival from Heaven (hidden noone-knows-where).  The birds and flowers and other  decorations that will spring up on the trees surrounding the rustic stable (now in a bin  under the table upon which the scene is erected) have not even occured to the imaginations of the shepherds watching their grazing sheep in a meadow in the hills below the stable (on a table nearby).


And everything will probably stay right where it is (if I know how things work) until I get back with Paul from Virginia around the 21st.   Just in time for the children's Christmas play. Just in time to finish the decorating.  Just in time to squeeze in some baking.  Just in time to fill in some corners in some stockings.  And read the Christmas I Spy with the little boys.  And put together Midnight Mass outfits for the girls.  And clean my house for the party after the Baptism of our little grandson and Godson on the 23rd.  Andjust in time to meditate on the beauty of innocence and grace in the world -- in the perfect beauty of baby Gavin's shining Christian soul, in the shining eyes of my littlest children as they watch the Nativity Scene come together, in the warmth and hugs of family home for the holidays, in the hush and stillness of that rarest of moments when Christ comes down to earth again at the Consecration at Midnight Mass and we remember with awe how the Word Made Flesh condescended to join us here on our earth, a sweet little Babe -- pure Innocence, the Author of Grace.


Isn't Christmas wonderful?


Happiest Gaudete Sunday, Friends!


* I'm off Sunday morning to Virginia to see Paul and Nicole and baby Gavin and to see how I can help out before we drive back to Colorado next week.  In your kindness, will you please pray for our safe travels? 

*  And -- My dear brother, Greg, will be typing in the rest of the  Spiritual Steps to Christmas for me, since I never did have the time to stock-pile all of them ahead.  (Go figure that.)  But, hooray for Greg!  Thanks, brotha! (He really is the best)  That's a big worry off my mind!

Just Call us Mommom and Dandad!

The best I can do right now for a picture -- I don't have a cord to download to the computer....

But here he is!  Isn't he a cutie pie?  Gavin James, born 8:something Eastern Time;
 7 lbs, 13 oz; 19" long.
Paul and Nicole say he's looking around, calm and alert.
And, it looks like he has Nicole's dark hair and Paul's ears and feet...

I'll let ya know more as I know more!



And William tells us he will not be called Uncle Bill.

I'm Gonna Be A Grandma!

Our oldest son, Paul -- this guy here ----->









just called to say that

his beautiful and charming wife, Nicole --- this girl here ----->











had a change of plans with her doctors
(just a matter of timing is all)
and is scheduled to be induced tomorrow,
the Feast of the Immaculate Conception!

So, these people here ---->
are gonna be grandparents...
(Don't look anywhere near old
enough to be grandparents,
do we?)

and these kids here ----->
(except for Paul)
are gonna be aunts and uncles...

and these two awesome people here --->
are gonna be parents...


TOMORROW!

WOOHOO!

Will you kindly join us in praying that it's a quick and safe labor and delivery and that everyone is OK?

Thanks so much! 

* We'll update when Gavin James gets here. *:0)

Happy Feast of St. Nicholas!

(Repost from December 6, 2007)

From Advent Customs by Sr. Mary Laetitia, R.S.M.
Nihil Obstat: J. Gerald Kealy, D.D.
Imprimatur: Samuel Cardinal Stritch
Chicago, November 22, 1955

If we want to "Put Christ Back Into Christmas" we must return to the traditional ideas of the Church. Christmas, if it is to be primarily a holy day, and not a commercial holiday, must be essentially a religious feast. All the festivities of the season accent it spiritually and our Advent celebration must not smother its spiritual flavor.

Early in Advent on December 6th, the Church rejoices on the feast of St. Nicholas. This day is always a favorite with children. Gifts are in place, and their giving offers parents an opportunity to tell the little ones about the charity of the saint. Such small gifts as candy, nuts, or a bright toy, will remind them of the Gift Christ gives us each Christmas.

So, now,

"I can't disagree with what she said, but awwww, geeeee..."

I think it's an automatic reaction for some to see those words "must be essentially a religious feast" and start to feel like they're being smothered. Don't those words "religious feast" mean we must be serious and formal and prim? We feel deprived. Like a kid whose pea shooter's been taken away at recess time. Everyone else gets to play! It's not fair! Not letting us have any fun...

But, is it really not supposed to be fun?

Don't let the devil and the saecular world put their mud-colored haze over the truth. The wisdom of the Church always provides. God knows we're a bunch of kids at heart! Didn't He tell us He wanted us to become as little children? Now, of course that doesn't mean we're supposed to be irresponsible whining little brats. But, we should have a spirit of joy, and be carefree in His love and care for us! Isn't that what hope is? What faith is? What charity is?

The Church doesn't expect us to behave in Advent as if it's Lent. I like to explain it to my children this way:

When you are pregnant with a child (and, boy, do I know about this!), you are filled with anticipation of the joy of bringing a new child into the world. Anticipation of the joy. Which is a very, very close relative to the joy itself.

But, mostly, you are just getting ready. These last four weeks before the birth of The Baby, our dear Blessed Mother was preparing the best she could. She was anticipating. She was so looking forward to meeting her very, very special little Son. But, she was not opening the champaigne yet (so to speak).

When the baby is here safely, THEN you party.

I don't know if you know this, but in the Jewish culture, it was the custom (to this day even in orthodox Jewish families) to not speak the child's name, or even really speak of the child, until after it was born! I wonder if it was so with the Mother of God? She knew His name, but may never have spoken it until it was officially given to Him on the Circumcision! (Oh, what a blessed day in the universe, the day His Name was first spoken!)

So, we're not sad during Advent. We're spending our time preparing our homes and hearts and holding on to our best JOY for the big day. The day of His birth
.

When a great feast comes along, like the Feast of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, of course we celebrate! But, we celebrate with an understanding of who St. Nicholas was, and how his example can help us find our way to Heaven, too! We put candy and presents in the children's shoes, have special cakes and cookies, sing songs, and decorate for the day, all the while keeping in mind that it is "essentially a religious feast."

Tomorrow morning the kids 'll have their goodies in their shoes to commemorate the generosity of St. Nicholas, and I will personally be having some rum of Christian generosity in my eggnog tomorrow night. How about you?

(For everything in the world about St. Nicholas, from history to recipes and coloring pages, go here.)

* Note From 2010:  Thanks to a late-night run to W-mart tonight, St. Nicholas was able to make his appointed rounds at our house.  The children were warned at bedtime that they might as well not bother about putting out their shoes -- beause Mommy  St. Nick has been pretty distracted lately with this and that  and the other and may not be able to be by with goodies....  So they'll be in for a big surprise in the morning!  :)   (It's so much fun messing with them!)

Just Thee Coolest

This choir is amazing!  Though they seem to have performed this Messiah without a director, they pull it off perfectly.  We'd love to see a little documentary telling how they made this happen!

Lisa's Pre-New-Year's-Resolution Guide to Looking Skinny Even When You're Not

1.  Stand very tall.  Think skinny and long, and in the Mind Over Matter philosophy, you will be thin and tall. Mind over matter. If you believe it hard enough, it just may happen.  (No, really!)   Picture the top of your head moving upward to the sky, pulling and thinning the body beneath it, like a little round piece of chewing gum being stretched.  Or like taffy.  Or a tootsie roll.  Or a strand of spaghetti pulled off a plate -- No, forget the spaghetti; that's just weird.  Go back to taffy.

2.  Think Vertical. As per #1, vertical means "skinny."  You've never seen a fat-looking zebra, have you?  Well, then.  Wear vertical stripes somewhere on every outfit.  Drape long winter scarves over your shoulders.   Wear gaudy sweaters over white shirts, but leave the sweater unbuttoned so it will look like you're only as wide as the white shirt that shows in the middle.
  
Conversely, never, ever, ever wear round-about stripes!  Don't even let your children wrap their arms around you in public.

3. On the other hand, do use your children and husband as props. One child in front of each hip does wonders to hide the chocolate coffee creamer you've been drinking all Advent. And tucking half yourself behind your husband makes it look like you're one of those schmaltzy, cozy couples; nobody needs to know that you're using your honey for camouflage.

Illustration: If she had just pulled her son around to the other hip, this woman could have lost another twenty to thirty pounds visually.

4. If you can't hide, however, Distract.  Wear jingle bell earrings -- or snowmen, or candy canes, or six-inch long sparkly earrings -- anything to draw attention from your midsection and up to your ear lobes.  Everyone has skinny earlobes.

5.  Give off the illusion that you are completely comfortable with your weight.  A confident, happy woman with a healthy self-image overcomes any weight issues.  Make it seem as if dieting is the last thing on your mind; you have more important things to take care of, certainly, and the world should not think that vanity is more important to you than happiness, right?  Be the jolly party-goer!  Chocolate Fudge?  Why not?  Hot Buttered Rum?  Go for it! The New Year will be here before we know it.  Then everyone can be miserable, dieting together.  But, it's the Christmas season now!  Hide those pounds behind your Christmas Spirit!

* I toast my fellow plump revelers with eggnog in my coffee this morning!  Cheers!  Today we justify, tomorrow we die-t.

Three Amazing Things: The Advent Edition

I actually have four amazing and wonderful Advent traditions to list, though the fourth is not so much a tradition per se' as a fact of life. 

1.  The Advent Wreath

When I'm really on the ball, I actually have our wreath up and ready to go before the first Sunday of Advent.  When I'm really behind, I'll get it up before Advent is half-way through.  This year, I'm not quite on the ball, but not completely off it, either;  I actually found the wreath, got the candles and put  the whole thing together this morning with the candle holders (that I had to buy at Michael's last night because I couldn't find the ones we usually use...). So now we're ready to roll.  We'll light the candle/s for each week at dinner time, and pray these prayers each Sunday of Advent

 2.  The St. Andrew Novena

Every November 30th begins the 26 day Nativity Novena.  Every day, we repeat the following prayer fifteen times.  We do five with our morning prayers, five with our prayers before meals at both lunch and dinner.  The words are lovely, I think, and it keeps us perpetually in mind of "the reason for the season." 

Blessed be the hour and the moment in which the Son of God was born of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold  At that hour, vouchsafe, O my God, to hear my prayers and grant my petitions, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.  Amen

 
3.  The Advent Calendar

This is not the Advent calendar I had in mind for this year, but it was left over, unused from last year and turned up in our Christmas bins just when we needed it, so I guess it's the one we'll be using.  It has nice, traditional paintings for each daily window, and a corresponding Bible verse, which is nice.  It will suffice.  (Here's the one I really wanted, but it was a little pricey and we already have one, so... =sigh= we'll do without it this time around.) We also have a Victorian Christmas village, where you add a stick-on house or building for each day of the month.  That one hasn't turned up yet, though...  (See #4 to see why...)

4.  The Mess of Preparation

We have a barn full of bins -- and cows and dust...  Our bins are not arranged as systematically and efficiently as I would wish, but are, how shall we say --  a big, humongous jumble of disorder...  So, it is with satisfaction that I can announce that we have, indeed, found the Nativity Set and most of our other decorations.  But, I have yet to be able to go through them and make sense of any of it.  I only have two weeks to get it all together, though --  (Agh!) -- because I'm going to Virginia on the 12th to stay with Paul and Nicole and my new grandbaby (Gavin James!) for a week before I drive back to Colorado with Paul, arriving home only three days before Christmas!  So, folks, I have to have Christmas completely done and organized in 11 days.  Can I do it??  (I really don't know, but I'm gonna try!)

** More Notes on another important Advent activity -- our Nativity Scene -- when I get a chance...  But you can see by the above picture that it might be a couple days until I can get to it.  Please have patience with me as I may be scarce over here for a bit.  I will continue to post the Spiritual Steps to Christmas, though!  I've committed to that one, and have every intention of finishing it through.  (Pray for me!)

Blessed First Wednesday of Advent, Friends!