The wait is nearly over! Today we will light all four candles before packing away advent and bringing out the Christmas treasures.
We were blessed with a quiet week - no ballet, one music lesson, completion of one more week of school, a first cello recital, and plenty of time to enjoy our endlessly entertaining kittens.
The shutter speed of our little Canon Power Shot cannot keep up with these two. Low light, quick kittens, and a suddenly gummy zoom lever are all leaving me feeling like I am milking this little camera for all it's worth!
After days of antsy anticipation, we decorated the tree Saturday morning. First, the kids enjoyed a scavenger hunt for ornaments I bought on sale last year. The ornament tubs came up and every branch sported a decoration by 9 am.
The Solstice was observed with picture books (to understand the event, not to celebrate in a pagan way, of course), sun cupcakes, music, and our first fire. I scavenged the last three logs from the garage and set it to light after sunset.
Saturday I spent the morning cleaning our closet in order to asses Joe's wardrobe. I found my old high school letter jacket, it's vinyl sleeves oozing under the plastic cover. I took a few pics, rescued the pins, and said goodbye to the tangible evidence of my high school career. {sigh} One must release the things of youth.
Gifts arrived via UPS and were wrapped during the 10:00 - 12:00 pm hours. We don't usually put them under the tree until after the kids go to bed Christmas Eve, and are having a great time watching the kids examine, shake, and venture guesses. It's almost as fun as watching the Too Cute Kittens.
We sent a contribution of snowflakes to Sandy Hook, for the school building they are making ready. Joe and I have fielded many inquiries about homeschooling this week - have you? Most involve some serious joking about sending their kids to our house. People feel a niggling, and question their educational options, but few are prepared to take it on themselves.
A team from the school district made a visit to our home to asses the Little Prince for speech therapy, given that he has less than ten words at age 2.9 years. The very nice lady, sensing threads of love, peace, and order (as much as we could muster at 8am), complimented the feel of our home and learning environment. "You make it look so easy," she observed, "but it must be more difficult than it looks." Very perceptive!
The world did not end this week, though plenty of souls are eager for Christ's return and restoration of this fallen world. I pray that more souls would welcome Christ into their hearts this Christmas. As a Catholic, I believe that salvation is a grace-filled process, not a once-saved-always-saved offer. Maybe that's a little less intimidating for some?
Come, Lord Jesus, come and be born in our hearts!
