Outside My Window::

::There is a clear blue sky and the sun is shining! God has really blessed me since Nathaniel has been back to work. The weather has rarely gone below -5 (unheard of for this time of year) and it has snowed maybe 2 inches so I haven’t had to shovel at all! It is so much easier getting out of the house when it isn’t freezing cold outside!

I am Listening to::

:: Fred Penner! I borrowed a Fred Penner CD from the library for Mary and she loves it. We have been singing The Cat Came Back for days. I also got a toddler Christmas album from itunes and it has been requested often as well.

I am wearing ::

::A brown/tan skirt and a blue t-shirt. It seems I get so much more done at home when I wear a skirt… I’m not sure why.

I am Thankful For::

::DAYS OFF!! That’s right! Nathaniel is coming home much earlier than expected and I can’t wait!

I am Pondering:

::I don’t understand how you can call yourself a Christian and lead such an idle, useless life. Have you forgotten Christ’s life of toil? – St. Josemaria Escriva in The Way

I am Reading:

::The Way by St. Josemaria Escriva. It is a book full of short thoughts, I keep it by my chair and pick it up when I’m nursing. It’s a good little nudge when I’m feeling lazy.

::Books about St. Nicholas! I have pulled out our St. Nicholas posts and I’m preparing Mary for his feast day on the 6th. I can’t wait, it looks like Nathaniel might be home and we are going to have such a fun day!

From the Kitchen::

:: I made chicken spaghetti last night so we will have leftovers of that tonight. Maybe that persimmon jam I was talking about will happen soon! It is also almost time to start Christmas baking, I have been thinking about Christmas cookies for weeks… I hope my sister in law is making those yummy chocolate things rolled in icing sugar… YUM!

I am Thinking::

::that living the Liturgical year at home is going to get better and better as my kids get older. I have been having so much fun with Mary already!

I am Creating::

::presents for my niece and nephew, a felt Advent wreath, car seat blankets for my kids, felt fish, Christmas cards, and a clean and peaceful home! Phew… I better get off the computer and go get at it!

On my iPod::

:: The Doctor is In podcasts. Dr Ray is my friend.

Towards a Real Education:

:: We are focusing entirely on Advent right now. I’ll do a few crafts with Mary and we will keep working on letter sounds because she loves it but other than that lots and lots of Christmas books!

Towards Rhythm and Beauty:

::I’m spending extra time in prayer these days. I know the upcoming season is going to be hectic and I hope that firmly grounding myself in Jesus will help me. I want this to be a season of joy for my family and being stressed out won’t help that.

To Live the Liturgy:

::We are starting our Immaculate Conception Novena today. Advent has so many beautiful traditions that just beg to be lived, I am very much enjoying it.

I am Hoping and Praying:

::that news will be accepted jofully by who those will be affected by it (I’m NOT pregnant, good grief you guys!).

Around the House:

::Nativity sets everywhere! I will post about them later.

::I’m so glad I got rid of so much before Advent started, it is so easy to tidy up in here now and everything just feels clean.

On Keeping Home:

::Maybe for Advent I should give up not doing laundry… hmm.. wouldn’t that be a switch?

One of My Favorite Things:

::Luke in the morning. He is the happiest baby in the morning, all I have to do is smile at him and he laughs. It’s hard to be grumpy in the morning when you have such a sweet baby to wake up to!

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:

::Seeing my husband!!

::We have a couple play dates planned, and we’ll go to storytime at play group. Mary loves story time.

::A sleigh ride to look at Christmas lights! I have been waiting for Nathaniel to get home so we could go, I can’t wait!

::A St. Nicholas day party

A Picture Thought I’m Sharing:Mary was not impressed that our big nativity had an empty manger. She thought Mary looked sad because she wanted baby Jesus so she got him one “so now she can be happy baby Jesus is here!”