a small aside

I love the holidays; the smells, the music, the magic. This season of joy has a sanctifying affect on the everyday, making each day special and something to look forward to. The holidays are something I feel, reminding me of what is most important. It's a window of time devoted to expressing those feelings to others. Eden's smiles and hugs are enough to melt any heart as she thinks about our upcoming celebratory time, sweetened even more by the presence of her daddy.

This year I'm focusing our Christmas celebration on the Advent . I love the idea of slowing down, focusing nightly on the Christ, and worshipping as a family, not to mention how much the kids will love lighting candles and singing songs. Each Sunday, because I'm a gift giver, we'll also have some small 'gift', probably a special book, or a treat mix that we'll make together, something meaningful, that does not cost money, but is wrap-able. It will sit on the table, next to our beautiful wreath, waiting. After prayers and songs, we'll unwrap it. Maybe on the gift tag will be a more 'traditional' advent activity.

Another idea that i love is the Jesse Tree, with subsequent Old Testament readings, introducing the prophets leading up to Christ. I think we will add the Jesse Tree, with its ornaments, when the children get a little older.

Traditions, and the memories associated with them, are really important to me. They are something I want our kids to go back to. I want our traditions to wrap themselves so tightly around our little ones that in times of insecurity, those memories bring warmth and hope.

We'll begin our festivities tomorrow, making a thankful tree , enjoying good food, and discussing things we are thankful for. It will lay the foundation for the rest of our holiday cheer, and act as the base for all we do this holiday season. We are excited to spend Thanksgiving with dear friends, enjoying good company and good food (that is all that is on Neal's list for the holiday season---what more could one need right?). I found this divine rosemary, honey, brie recipe, while Neal found a homemade cornbread stuffing recipe (Neal is not the only one that gets excited about food!).

Happy Thanks Giving Day. XOXO