Funky Day Turned Lovely Night

It was just one of those days.

Some of my children were very, very tired all day. And their attitudes were less than stellar as a result. And my patience wore atrociously thin.

However.

Daniel returned home safely from a day at work-- I hope I never take such things for granted. We have shared a lovely dinner, stories from our days, and the training of children.

And then Mom stopped in. She brought a basket full of things-- much more than just the muffins she'd told me earlier she would be bringing.

When I emptied the basket just now, I found all sorts of goodies that made me smile and feel happy inside. I hope I'm like my mom when I grow up because she is simply one of best people I know.

Daniel cleaned up from dinner, including vacuuming. (I know, he's the greatest.)

We are all tucked inside our home that is warm and beautiful. The children are in bed. My daily To Do list has 7 out of 10 things crossed off it, which is altogether remarkable for me these days. My cupboards are full, including such frivolities as dairy-free chocolate and baked goodies for my sweeties.

It is indeed a lovely, lovely night.

A picture of the gifts from Mom:

holiday napkins, a "stocking" spoon rest, a little wooden basket with earrings inside it, crystallized ginger, and a little jar of red cinnamon candies-- all tucked in there along with the pumpkin muffins that will undoubtedly make a yummy breakfast for us in the morning

Decking the Halls

I never did post pictures of our trimmed tree Monday night like I'd planned.

That's because our tree wasn't up and trimmed Monday night like planned. But that's OK. It's up now.


From Monday's Tree-Getting:

Jackson with Aunt Liana and Nana (Well, I think that's Nana in Papa's coat...)


"We found it!"


Gabriel was too busy playing to take much notice of the tree



Fast-forward 24 hours to decorating:


Daddy affixes the star on top


"It has to be perfect."


"It's kind of prickly, huh Mama?"


Gabriel points out his favorite ornament in his growing collection


The tree is in our dining room again this year (it's too big to go any of the other places I had considered-- but that's a whole 'nother story of its own!), which works well since the dining room is the central room in our house. And it is wonderful to eat our dinner by its light.

Oh, I do love a beautiful Christmas tree!

Growing

Today was a Big Deal Weigh-In for Aubrey because it's been over 3 weeks since she was last plopped on our local doctor's scale. Last time we were there, she weighed 8lbs7oz.

This morning as I left the house to bring Aubrey to the appointment, I told Daniel that I was counting on her being up to at least 9lbs3oz, as that would mean she's continued gaining a minimum of 4oz/week.

Screaming, writhing and naked she laid on the scale and I felt my heart skip a very very happy beat when the nurse announced in an exceptionally pleased tone of voice, "I think we can get it to nine pounds, five ounces!"

The doctor was so happy. Really happy. In fact, she called the cardiologist right then just to tell him how wonderfully Aubrey's doing.

We're all pretty pleased with our littlest lady. She is growing and doing well.

Quiet

All 3 kids marched out the door in Daddy's footsteps, looking rather life stuffed sausages in their fat snow pants, heavy jackets, and too-big boots. It's only 27* right now (!), so this mama put extra socks on every foot and the hoods went over their hats.

I was supposed to be heading in my own direction this morning for a routine check-up for Miss Aubrey, but a woman going into labor and needing the doctor means a canceled appointment, and so I am home with just one babe in my care-- and she's sleeping. The only noise in the house is the hum of the dishwasher (we were given a very gently used portable dishwasher last week!) and the typing of these computer keys.

Amazing.

In an hour or so, a daddy and kids will return home hungry and proud of whatever tree it is they found to cut down and bring back to me. I will have cups of hot chocolate and PB&J sandwiches a giant puff oven pancake waiting; the table will be made special with some $-store Christmas napkins. After lunch and naps, we will decorate the tree before Daniel heads out for some evening work commitments.

But for now?

For now I savor the quiet. And because I savor the quiet, I will more fully savor the joyful chaos of a returning houseful!

Advent Celebrations

First we decorated cookies...

  


then we ate...



then the kids opened their new pajamas...



and then they opened their new books.
   


Don't you love our stockings on the stair railing? I do.
(It keeps getting cuter the more stockings we add, don't you think?!)

11 Weeks Old

Our Girl
    


The Progression of Tears
    

Advent

This year I wanted to make a big deal of December 1st. I'm not sure if we'll continue this as a tradition or if it is simply something I need to do this time.

Yesterday I planned a favorite dinner and baked the first batch of Christmas cookies in preparation. This evening we will share a table lit by red and green and white candles. We will read the first of our Advent Calendar books. After the meal, I have gifts planned for the children: new holiday pajamas and two new books for the holiday season.

This night will be for my children the firstfruits of what is to come in 25 days when there will be a bigger meal, more candles, and lots of gifts.

And it will be for me a tangible reminder that what we have is only a taste of what's to come. After all, for believers, this traditional Advent season represents far more than a simple countdown to Christmas Day. We celebrate that He came and we celebrate that He's coming again.

I don't know when His second coming will be. I can't count down the same way I can count down to Christmas because I don't know if it will be 25 days or 25 years or 250 years. But I know He's coming. And I know that the celebration then will make the firstfruits we are experiencing pale in comparison.

For now, we see dimly. For now, we wrestle through tragedies, sickness, sorrows, and frailties. But then... then we will know Him fully. Our joy will be complete.

This Advent, I am counting down in a new way and with a deeper groaning; with a renewed and heightened anticipation; and with a gladder heart. If what He has given me now is simply the firstfuits, I can only imagine what that Day will be like!