Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas!

This week have you been inundated enough on Facebook, Instagram, and blogs with pictures of cute, matching children, donned in red and black sitting in front of a Christmas tree? Of snow and fires and poinsettias and lights? No? You want more “Christmas re-caps”?

I shall oblige.

We were far from “perfect” about it [who is?], but Ryan and I reeaaaallly tried to observe Advent this year. Okay, so that devotional book was only read the first week, and maybe I didn’t get the wreath out until almost the second week, but we did slow down and tried to embrace the liturgical season for what it is. By the fourth week, Philomena would point to the Advent candles and exclaim, “Ree-jeece! Ree-jeece! Man-u-el!” So, we consider that a win. [Okay, okay…she would also intermittently point at the wreath and say, “Happy Bir-day to youuuu!” The candle situation is confusing.] 

Anyway, I am all about creating these new family traditions, that “we will do every year for the rest of our lives!” [Over-reaching much?] This year I declared that every Christmas Eve morning we would indulge in a special breakfast, then listen to Christmas music for the first time for the year while decorating the tree.

I really had this morning built up in my head. For many days leading up to the 24th, poor Ryan had to hear my commentary about choosing the perfect breakfast treat, the perfect Pandora station for non-obnoxious Christmas music…you get the picture. Basically, I was just setting myself up for a let-down.

And yet, the converse happened. Christmas Eve morning was probably one of the best times I’ve had in months.

First, I went against every instinct of my domestic-self and didn’t make my tried-and-true Pioneer Woman’s cinnamon rolls. Instead, I took Ana‘s advice and paired PW’s icing [nothing could EVER top it] with this cinnamon roll recipe. Dang. It was a simpler process, and the dough was infinitely easier to manipulate. And the finished product even tasted better. I feel blasphemous saying that, but it is true. Forgive me, Ree.

Also, we had a fantastic time decorating the tree. Philomena knew the day was “special.” She was completely wired- in a good way- and felt like such a big girl handing us ornaments.

There was this moment as we were just sitting on the couch watching her toddle around the tree that I said to Ryan, “I just feel so full right now…so blessed.” Blah, it sounds so corny now, but in that moment it was incredibly sincere. This past year has had some low moments, so it was beautiful to be in a place of such thankfulness.

Christmas Eve is always a special celebration on my side of the family. We went to Christmas Eve Mass, and then went over to my parents’ for dinner and presents. I look forward to this evening all year, and this one did not disappoint.

Christmas morning was beautiful too. We had some quiet time with just our little family. We gave Philomena quite a few Christmas books that we have been enjoying this past week. It was also technically her 2nd birthday [!!!I], so even though we weren’t celebrating for a few more days, we still let her blow out some candles on a leftover cinnamon roll.

Then, we went back to my parents’ for a brunch, then back to our house to relax and nap.

Finally, we went to Ryan’s parents’ house Christmas night. We had a delightful time- lots of good food, even better company…you get the picture.

“Let us pause before the Child of Bethlehem. Let us allow our hearts to be touched, let us not fear this. Let us not fear that our hearts be moved. We need this! Let us allow ourselves to be warmed by the tenderness of God; we need his caress. God’s caresses do not harm us. They give us peace and strength. We need his caresses. God is full of love: to him be praise and glory forever! God is peace: let us ask him to help us to be peacemakers each day, in our life, in our families, in our cities and nations, in the whole world. Let us allow ourselves to be moved by God’s goodness.” Pope Francis’ Christmas Address

Advent Unplugged

[Taps microphone.] Hello? Anyone out there? Anyone?

I didn’t think so.

I apologize for being absent from my little corner of the Internet. As always, life has been, well…life. Beautiful, busy, overwhelming, joyful, a drudgery. You get it.

A few weeks ago Philomena and I flew to Atlanta for a wedding of a very dear friend. It was a seriously jam-packed few days of visiting old friends and seeing the haunts of my “former” life as a singleton. It made me really, really miss that life, but even more it made me grateful for the life God has given me in the present. Maybe I’ll post some pictures at some point…maybe.

Then, we had a little bout of sickness, which ran right into our trip to Missouri to see Ryan’s extended family. It was a blessing to see relatives we haven’t visited since Mena was 6 months old. However, she and I were both a little sick [translation: we were both pretty cranky], and on the way home Ryan contracted food poisoning. Poor guy. It was awful.

Anyway, I wanted to join Haley in her Advent Unplugged. I think that is exactly what I need. I’m getting off of Facebook and Instagram, and my other Internet time will be greatly limited. I might post here a couple times. We will see. Meanwhile, we will be waiting in joyful hope for the coming of the Savior.

7 Quick Takes … yet again

Once again, thank you Jen for encouraging my non-themed randomness of today.

1. One day. I want just one day that I don’t have to pull paper out of the baby’s mouth. Is this too much to ask?

2. I meant to share this last week, but I forgot. And that is pictures from the day-before-Thanksgiving tradition in my family, in which we make homemade cranberry sauce from scratch, and listen to the cranberries “pop!” I think the tradition started even before I was born, and my mom has countless pictures of my sister and me stirring the pot. We have continued the festivities with my nieces and nephews; this was Philomena’s first time doing cranberries, so of course we had to record it for posterity.

Attempting to capture five children looking happy while stirring a pot of cranberries is obviously an easy endeavor, as you can see below:

And the winner…

3. As I have mentioned previously, Ryan and I are slowly trying to develop our own family traditions. We knew we wanted to celebrate St. Nicholas Day, of course. A friend of mine mentioned that in her family everyone gets new pajamas on St. Nick Day; and these will be the p.j.s they wear Christmas morning. I loved the idea, so Mena got new footsie jammies, and I even got Ryan a nice pair of pajama pants.

4. For the feast day I also made dark chocolate mint brownies with peppermint whipped cream. Oh. My. Oh. My. I can’t stop thinking about them. Maybe I’ll share the recipe on a Tasty Thursday.

5. So, we’ve kept the Advent decorations fairly simple, but I’m happy with them.

The mantle had greenery and lights, with a nativity set. I added some purple trim that I’ll change out for gold on Christmas Eve:

And the table just has a simple Advent wreath with a purple and pink table runner:

6. What’s that you ask? Is that a chalkboard on your mantle? Did you make that yourself? Why, yes I did. I’ll admit I’m rather proud of myself:

7. I know you can find directions anywhere on the internets on how to make one, but in case you care, it’s basically:

old picture frame + clean the glass well + spray primer + two coats spray chalkboard paint = trendy Pinterestness (make sure to allow ample dry time between each coat)