Advent Presentation

At the end of our Advent/Christmas season of homeschooling, we put together a little presentation to show Daddy. The kids chose their own "fancy clothes" and were quite pleased to show Daddy what they had learned.

On the program:

Memory Verse: Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

Poem: "The Christ-Child" by G.K. Chesterton

Songs: "Away in a Manger" & "Joy to the World"

After their little recitations, we got our all the instruments and had a family carol sing together. The kids had a fun time singing, making noise on the drums, harmonicas and whistles, and dancing around. It was a great way to finish off the season!

Christmas Preparations

Here is a little peek at some of our Christmas preparations. . . 

Making felt stars

Arden sewing her star

She was very patient and did a great job!

Christmas tree hunting with friends

The biggest Christmas tree field we've ever been in!

The hunt is on...

Scouting out the perfect tree

Helping drag the tree out of the field

Make room for the tree!

An angel at the top

Getting the train set up

The children's ministry at Calvary Church

Singing "Glory and Honour"

The whole little crew

Making clove oranges

We had our first Christmas tree sleepover this year! The kids were quite excited. We all went carolling with the church that evening, so it was quite late by the time they got all tucked in. After a few Christmas stories, they were soon fast asleep! 

~lg

{pretty, happy, funny, real} Abraham's Advent Edition

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Joining in with Like Mother, Like Daughter

Advent is approaching! First off, I have to say that Auntie Leila is still up at the top of my all time favourite bloggers. :) I'm excited for her new series about preparing for Advent!

I've been doing my own Advent preparations around here, but with something a bit different this year.

{pretty}

This is the cover of my new ebook, Abraham's Advent: A Stranger's Journey to Bethlehem and Beyond! It's a four week devotional that follows the footsteps of Abraham as he learned to live within the hope and promises of God. I've launched it over on my writing blog, The Red Letters Blog, and it is now available to download (as PDF or EPUB file) for $2.99 (Cdn). It's also a fundraiser for Preemptive Love Coalition, one of my favourite organizations on the ground in the Middle East.

Advent is a time to pause, reflect, and savour the expectation that is unique to the season. If you are interested in journeying along with Abraham this Advent, please consider having a look. :)

{happy}

Along the same lines, I am happy to announce a giveaway as part of the book launch! I am giving away a copy of Preemptive Love: Pursuing Peace One Heart at a Time, by the founder of Preemptive Love Coalition, Jeremy Courtney.

Click on over to Red Letters and enter for a chance to win!

I don't know about you, but when I look around at our hurting world, I sometimes feel so helpless. There is always prayer, and we can never leave it behind, no matter what action we take. But this is my small offering, my something that my head, heart and hands can get on board with. If it resonates with you too, I would love your support in this project.

Happy Advent preparations to all!


~lg

Preparations...

We marked Advent in our quiet way,  every Sunday lighting a new candle and teaching the kids another verse of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." Gradually the decorations came out, and there was much excitement to be had when we finally got our tree the Saturday before Christmas.

Gathered foliage from a mostly green Advent season

"When can we light the pink candle?"

Those are some funny looking elves...

The conquest

The helpers

Homeward bound

This way!

The Christmas Train - as beloved as the tree itself

Smiles

Sillies!

~lg

{pretty, happy, funny, real} Second Week of Advent

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Brought to you by Like Mother, Like Daughter

This morning Arden asked me to open the Book of Common Prayer to where we were reading this week. I opened up to the appropriate page, and she promptly began marching around the house, book in hand, singing, "On the second week of Advent, my true love gave to me. . . " which soon morphed into Jingle Bells. I just love how their little minds process things!

{pretty}

Winter has really arrived! The snow was even crunchy today. :)

I've got a few decorations out, this wooden star included, but we haven't really decked the halls yet. All in good time. (And maybe after a coat of paint in the living room?? We'll see…)

Prettier than a star by far:

Arden and Cinders are becoming fast friends.

And here is a joint colouring project by Arden and moi, the angel Gabriel. Arden is really taken by the angels in the story this year.

Gabriel is sitting on one of our old pump organs, moved recently from the living room into the dining room. We are hoping to pass it along to someone else, but until then, it will have a home here.

Also gracing the organ, a pair of lamps I picked up second hand. I love the bases, but the shades are a little fussy for me, so I think I will end up switching them out for something more modern.

{happy}

This room is a happy place in the morning, especially with the sun shining in!

We now have three rocking chairs by fire. The smallest was a gift from Micah's Dad, a true heirloom that has been in the family for years. We are very happy to make it part of our home!

A few bits of family life this season - small and simple joys.

{funny}

Of course, Jack loves Cinders too, but he really needs to learn how to show his love in an appropriate way! (I.e. Not by chasing, holding by the neck, puling by the tail, etc.)

I think she managed to escape this time.

She is still small, but getting bigger!

{real}

Trying to capture pictures of children in motion and moods.

"Intent on feline capture"

"Just warming up to the day"

~lg

{pretty, happy, funny, real} December 5

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Brought to you by Like Mother, Like Daughter 

It's been awhile! I have a lot of lovely fall photos, but I think I'll just jump in where we are right now in this first week of Advent. It's all a bit random over here. . .

{pretty}

Here is our Advent wreath! This year I finally purchased the brass candle holder and some "real" Advent candles. Arden and I went for a walk on Tuesday and cut spruce branches and ferns from our little woods and picked up pinecones from the spruce hedge for the greenery.

There are also a few little red berries and bits of birch bark hidden in the green. Arden helped me to "arrange" it all, and the results are quite pretty, I think!

{happy}

Our dear black and white kitten, Pickwick, met with an unfortunate end this fall. We decided we liked being a home with two cats, so we brought home this little barn kitten when farmer friends of ours had an excess! Meet Cinders.

Arden is smitten. (And the kitten is tolerant!) Cinders is so named because she has not a speck of white on her, and spent the first few days hiding out (from our other cat Milly) behind our fireplace!

And here is Jack, growing by the day. He is a happy little thing.

It's hard to get him to sit still for a picture!

{funny}

Creating our own indoor fun!

These days there is almost always some sort of "tent" or "house" made in the living room.

{real}

Morning chicken run in pajamas. (And Jack in Arden's old pink boots!)





~lg