Too Far Behind

Our week is flying by and I'm too far behind on these posts. I don't know if I'll be able to catch up but I do intend on finishing the December Daily album. I will try my best to post more pictures of that when I have a few extra minutes (we're watching Polar Express in a few minutes).

My husband's grandparents arrived on Monday afternoon. They surprised us by bringing his mom along. It was a good surprise. We unloaded Christmas gifts from their vehicles, chatted for a long time while the children played. Around 4:30 we all decided to go out to dinner at Bugaboo Creek.

The food was yummy and we came home stuffed! I didn't get much sleep that night because I was trying to finish up gift wrapping and printing pictures for frames that were gifts. I think I was in bed by 1 and up by 7:30 to do more printing. The frames we bought held 14 pictures but they were odd sizes. I had a hard time finding the right pictures and getting them sized just right to fit. This project turned into a 3 hour chore Tuesday morning. The end result was really nice and I believe his mom and grandparents will cherish them.

After they left on Tuesday, I was able to clean up and get some things ready for that evening. I helped host a middle school Christmas party for kids in our coop. There were about 35 middle school kids and about 10 or so siblings. They had a great time. We played some games, walked around and looked at Christmas lights on the property of the people who hosted the party at their house. Their light show was really neat. They decorated cookies and took part in a White Elephant gift exchange.

I didn't realize how tired I was until I got home and laid down on the couch. I was asleep in no time at all which is not like me at night. I'm usually wide awake and have to read to get my mind to slow down enough to fall asleep. I slept through the night and was awakened by my husband early the next morning. We have yet to slow down. I'm looking forward to a calm and peaceful week next week. I really need it.

We're still doing our Advent Jesse Tree. I really love the ornaments from this swap. Some of them are so beautiful and creative. And, Jotham's Journey has been a wonderful book! I highly recommend this book. Everyone I had talked to told me how wonderful it was and now I see why. My children are always asking me to "read just one more chapter...please". They love it.

It's time for the movie so I should sign off. I'll be back soon and hopefully with some pictures of my December Daily album.

Coming Soon

Sorry I've been away and haven't kept up with posting everyday. We've been gone all weekend and today I'm going to be cleaning and finishing up on decorating. My husband's grandparents will be here tomorrow to spend the night with us! Exciting! They're coming up from Florida and will be leaving on Tuesday morning. I hope to have some time to post more on Tuesday and catch up with all the pictures. I created the December Daily but as I'm adding information and pictures, I'm also tweaking the pages a bit. I do have some pictures of that that I'll post before I'm off here until Tuesday. I have to take more pictures of the updated pages. These are just of Day 1. You'll notice that I haven't figured out how I'm going to hold it all together. I may use rings but I haven't made up my mind.

December 7, 2008

Paper Snowflakes

We spent some time learning how to make snowflakes out of paper, today. I had trouble getting everyone interested at first. Well, I should say I had trouble getting 2 of my 3 children interested. As you can see, one was eager to get started. When I finally got everyone at the table, I realized that if I did all of the folds for my oldest and youngest, they could spend hours making snowflakes. The folds were frustrating for them. My middle child caught on quickly and had no trouble.

I handed him a sheet that I printed off which showed how and where to make certain cuts. Once he made his first snowflake, he was hooked! I couldn't get over how he seemed to have a natural knack for designing these snowflakes. Each one he finished was so pretty and detailed. He started experimenting with making the the center larger and smaller. Using different cuts for different shapes. He loved putting a star in the middle. After the first 3 snowflakes, he was no longer using the sheets but creating his own. They were all so beautiful!

Lauren had a great time making snowflakes and didn't use the templates at all at first. She did a great job, too. She had so much fun.

Another ornate snowflake from Davey. I just couldn't get over how well his snowflakes were turning out.

They figured out how to take the top part they cut off to make a smaller snowflake. They were so cute!

She's not my crafty one. I think she only made about 5 or 6 snowflakes and she wasn't happy with them. I thought they were fine and looked much like the very first snowflakes I attempted when I was in school. This often happens with her attempts at anything crafty. Once she spends time learning and perfecting, she does a great job. I love her scrapbooking pages, especially. It just doesn't come naturally to her like it does my middle child. And, I think the snowflake thing was a fluke for my youngest child. He normally doesn't do anything crafty but he loved making these.

We still need to set aside some time to make the snowflakes out of Borax . I was really surprised that they spent about 2 hours making the snowflakes out of paper. So, we ran out of time.

Comforts of Home at Christmastime.

I wanted to take pictures of some things that I find comfort in during the Christmas season. Some of these things are just pleasing to the senses. Like...

Smelly-good candles.

David found these candles for $5! They have the best smell and they last for a very long time. The name is Reflections Powdered Sugar Cookies and then on the side it says Soy (he thinks that finding the candles with soy may be a key ingredient to the long lasting and stronger smell. These candles smell so yummy; as if we're actually baking cookies. He found them at Wal-Mart and we bought several to last through the season. We keep these lit just about the whole time we're home.

I also enjoy the Glistening Snow candles made by Glade but I use these in my bathrooms and bedroom. Their odor is pretty strong as well.

Peace On Earth

I picked this CD up recently and LOVE it! I love Casting Crowns anyway. I'll put the CD in while reflecting during the day, cleaning or wrapping presents. I'll usually listen to a sermon while crafting but I think I'll plug this in next time. It's a great CD and helps me to focus on what this time of year is truly all about.

Celebrating Advent

These moments are so very precious to me.

I haven't taken pictures or written everything we've learned and done during Advent. I can say that this has been the first year that I've been so determined to dedicate the entire month to advent and I think we've been so blessed by it. God has shown each of something to take to heart. I have had them each take turns in reading scripture. It touches my heart to see them do this. I know that, little by little, they are hiding His Word in their hearts.

Jesse Tree Advent Day 7

Joseph's Coat of Many Colors

It's hard for us to understand how it is that God loves us and yet we have troubles that come our way. Joseph's story is one I love to share with my children (Genesis 37 & 50). Despite all that he went through, it was used for good in God's perfect timing.

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, for those who are the called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28

December 6, 2008

We were invited to A Place to Play for a birthday party.

A Place to Play is really neat. They have taken an old building and filled it with large blow up play areas and slides. They have separate rooms for parties and a smaller room for toddlers and babies not yet ready to play with the big kids. My children love going to A Place to Play! They always burn off lots of energy and have so much fun. I think this may be a great place to take them while I'm trying to get some lesson plans done in the very near future! Like, say, oh next month. They could easily spend a couple hours there provided there is a snack and lots of water to drink.

I'm not sure what they sprayed on these slides but they were so slick and it made for great sliding fun. I was tempted to slide down them myself. Maybe next time :P

After a few hours of playing we realized that it was getting late and time to leave. We grabbed Wendy's for dinner and headed home to do Advent and watch a good movie with Daddy.

Jesse Tree Advent Day 6

Jacob's Ladder

Jacob was Isaac's son. He was traveling to a distant country to find a wife. He felt alone and tired so he laid down to nap. He had a strange and wonderful dream. He dreamed that he saw a ladder and the angels were going up and down this ladder and God was at the top of the ladder. God told Jacob that he would be blessed because of God's love for him. When he awoke he knew that God was with him and his life would never be the same. To read more go to Genesis 27 & 28.

We talked about how God is always with us. If we're feeling alone or tired, we can call out to Him and He will be there as He showed Himself to Jacob in the dream. Sometimes God reveals Himself to us in our dreams. I know He has to me several times.

"Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places, whither thou goest." Genesis 28:15

Our Diesel boy chillin'; shades, magazine and all.

To wind down for the evening we all watched a Christmas movie together. I took this picture of them sprawled out on the floor. They usually call this camp out night which means they all get to watch a movie and fall asleep in the living room. This has always been a special time for us and so many memories we'll cherish. Sometimes it truly is the little things and traditions we do that mean the most to us. Even the dogs enjoy snuggling down. Notice Dixie under the blanket with her head on the pillow. Cute!

December 5, 2008

Beverly came to see us today. She recently came down to stay with her mom. She brought her 14 year old son and 8 year old daughter with her. I was so happy to see them. She is someone I hold very dear to my heart and have since we met in high school. She has always been an inspiration and encouragement to me. They are going through some really hard times but I know the Lord is with them. He will bring them through these tough times and to His glory! While she was here, I was determined to get a picture of us together. The last time we had our picture taken together was right after she got married. We were shocked when we realized that she and I had known each other for almost 20 years!



Jesse Tree Advent Day 5


Today's ornament is a lamb! My children thought this ornament looked rather peculiar. I though it was a very creative way of doing a lamb. The lamb represents the story of Abraham and his son Isaac. Abraham had only one son, Issac, and he loved him very much. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son to Him. This was a great opportunity for Abraham to show God how much he trusted and loved Him. The children immediately drew the parallel between Abraham and his son, Isaac and God and His Son, Jesus.

December 4, 2008

We have 2 trees sitting in our living room. We have our Christmas tree on one side and our Jesse tree on the other side. This is the first year we've done the Jesse tree so I wanted to take pictures of it. I found a little place beside the living room couch to keep it. It's close to the fireplace and books. I kind of enjoy seeing this little tree with it's Jesse Tree ornaments separate from the big tree. Initially I was going to put our Jesse Tree ornaments on the big tree. I'm glad I decided not to do that.

Jesse Tree Advent Day 4

A camel and a tent. This ornament represents Abraham and packing up his whole household to move to a different country in which he was not familiar with because of his obedience to God. We talked about his obedience to God and that he was to be blessed with a new land and many children. We also talked a little bit about how Jesus would be a descendent of Abraham (Abram).

Our Nativity Scene

This nativity scene has been a favorite for a couple years. Judie bought the individual pieces at the dollar store, of all places. I thought they were really pretty to be from the dollar store. Each year these have been placed somewhere low enough to be seen and played with. So far, they are holding up really well with no broken or cracked pieces.

December 3, 2008

As part of Advent we studied stained glass and we made stained glass cookies out of sugar cookie dough and crushed up life savers. I've attempted this once before with the same results; cookies that look pretty but are stuck to the cookie sheet. I guess using a lot of cooking spray is not the key to keeping these from sticking to the sheet. We had a really hard time getting these off and when it was all done, they didn't even resemble cookies anymore. We all enjoyed eating them anyway ;). Do you think we needed to use wax paper instead?

My middle child spent the afternoon creating these little creatures. She loves God's creatures...even the little creepy crawly ones.

She even made a little house for them! Not only is she crafty but she also loves to draw.

Jesse Tree Advent Day 3

We really liked this ornament. It's a rainbow for God's promise and an ark. My girls knew the story and the promise God had made but I was surprised that my son did not remember it. Advent was a little bit rushed today so there wasn't much discussion. We didn't have a chance to read the next chapter in Jotham's Journey either :( .

December 2, 2008 Jesse Tree

When she saw all of my scrapbooking supplies spread out on the table she ran and got her supplies. I was getting ready to clear the table because I had just finished working on the Advent Calender for them and I was hoping to start on the December Daily. It was so funny to see how she couldn't resist doing a little scrapbooking of her own. She's definitely the crafty one in the house.


This is her layout without any pictures. She cut some black paper into a rectangle to look like a cookie sheet. Then she laid the gingerbread people on it. The cookie cutters were set off to the side with the dough. I thought it was creative and cute.
















Jesse Tree Advent Day 2


I bet you can guess what this ornament is. If you guessed the forbidden fruit, you're right! An apple representing the fruit and jewels for the snake. I thought this ornament was so neat. We talked about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Their relationship with the Lord and the first sin. Then we talked about how that changed the way they were able to fellowship with God. I asked the kids what they thought sin was and then I gave them a definition that I hope they will always remember. Sin seperates us from our Heavenly Father. This is why we needed a Savior to come and through Him we shall have life. We prayed and talked a little bit more.


We also started reading Jotham's Journey this evening. The first chapter was everything I had hoped it would be and then some. My children wanted me to keep reading through the 2nd chapter but I told them we'd read it the next day. My son was so funny because he picked up the book and started reading the second chapter on his own. He read through the first page and started getting very tired. I thought it was cute to see him so excited about a story that he would read it aloud to all of us. I wish I had a picture of him sitting there with the book in his hands reading aloud.

Trying To Stay On Track

I'm feeling a bit better. We also had some unexpected company yesterday in which we had to spend most of the day before cleaning. I was kind of glad because our house was such a mess from bringing up all the Christmas boxes, working on Advent stuff, wrapping presents, finishing our shopping, maintaining laundry, squeezing school in and focusing on getting what I call our "monster tree" up. The rest of the house had been neglected for quite a few days. So, we cleaned and cleaned. They came yesterday. She's a friend of mine from high school. They're going through some hard times. She left her home in North Carolina and came to live with her mom for a short period of time. She brought her 14 year old son and 8 year old daughter over. They stayed for a while and we talked while the younger children played. It was nice spending time with her. When we started thinking about it, I realized that we had known each other for almost 20 years! I can't believe it has been that long.

I told you I had some posts and pictures in the works so I'm gonna get to putting them up. We have a birthday party at 1 but should be home by 3 or 4. I'll try posting one or two before we leave and get the rest later. Oh! And, I've been working on my December Daily but it's not quite finished. I'll have to get some pictures of that and post them later, too. I can already see the crazy rush of the season coming. I see now why Ali has her album done BEFORE December 1st. I only wish I knew about it long before November. That may have been plenty of time for a slow poke like me to get it finished. I am taking pictures and trying to journal but I feel that some may be lost in the rush of trying to focus on so many other things at once.

More to come!

Feeling Run Down

I have pictures and a few posts in the works but I'm too tired to put them on this evening. I will try to have them up tomorrow before we get too busy. Honestly, I hope I'm not getting sick again. I've had a headache all day and now I'm feeling run down. Maybe it will pass by morning.

Advent Calender

I had a chance to work some more on the Advent Calender I created for my children. I started this project last year but ended up too busy to finish it. I had about 10 more boxes to finish embellishing when it was set aside. I decided I was going to finish this calender and hang it up before dark today and that's what I did. I had some help from 9 yod whenever she figured out what I was doing in my room.
Of the 3 of them, she's the one who loves to craft the most.

The boxes were made out of patterned paper. The top half of the box can be pulled off to reveal a scripture and goodie for each child inside. Day 1 was a quarter for each child and we read Mark 12:41-44. We haven't opened box 2 for today. They're all watching a movie with Daddy because today is his only day off for a while. After the movie and we have dinner, we'll open our advent box and our Jesse Tree box.


I just noticed that some little somebody switched box 1 with box 2 before I took the picture.
These boxes were so much fun to make!
I used a variety of different Christmas items I had on hand.

If you would like to do something similar with your children, you can find more information here: Advent Calenders & Wreaths. You'll have to scroll half way down the page to see the items and scripture I used.

I didn't get around to putting together my December Daily. I was feeling ill last night and went to bed early. Maybe tonight :D

December 1, 2008

Before I begin this post, I would like to point out that we are doing 2 different things for Advent. The first one is from TeachingMom.com and the second one I talked about in a prior post which is the Jesse Tree Advent. Some things will mesh well together and some will seem totally seperate. Other than math, this will be our school for the month of December. We'll also be doing a whole lot of crafting, baking, making gifts and so much more.



We set up an area for our Jesse Tree and placed the wrapped boxes in a basket close to it. Opening our first ornament and reading through our Jesse Tree Advent book was so special. The children and I talked for a while about the meaning of prophecy and used examples from the Bible. We talked about God creating the earth and all that is on the earth. Our discussion then led to the sacrifice of God's only Son and how it was foretold in the Old Testament. We talked about waiting for Christ to come again and how God said there will be signs in the heavens. We ended in prayer and thanking our Father in heaven for all that He is and has done. I believe our discussion gave us all some things to think about.

All the ornaments were wrapped late last night while I listened to a very powerful sermon online by Paul Washer. I don't even think I was as focused on wrapping as I was on this sermon. The children thought the boxes were pretty so I guess that's what counts.

This is our basket of books that we read through each year. I also have some of my magazines to thumb through in the back of the pile. We do have a couple new books that we're excited about reading. Jotham's Journey is new, The Advent Jesse Tree and The ADVENTure of Christmas are also new.

I will be making a list of books we'll be reading in my sidebar. Some of the books are longer and we'll read them throughout the month like Jotham's Journey.

Jesse Tree Ornament from Day 1: The Earth

The first ornament we placed on the Jesse Tree was the earth. We discussed Gen. 1:1 (which my children have memorized already) and John 1:1-4. If you're looking for something simple and quick to do each of December, I recommed doing this. I have read through the book and I really think it will be a peaceful time of learning, thinking and prayer for us as a family to enjoy together.

November 30 2008

We finished our Chritmas tree tonight! Yay! Decorating the tree is always quite an accomplishment. We don't usually do a themed tree but more of a hodge podge of things that mean something to us. Every year the kids and I will make ornaments together too. I'm hoping they will have their own box of ornaments to take with them when they move out. That will be very special because I didn't have any from my youth. I also treasure this time spent enjoying the season with them. Making ornaments has become our tradition.

Following are some pictures that we took: