The Music of Christmas

The moment when all the candles are lit and raised during "Silent Night"

Guitar and lessons for Christmas

Voice and piano with Miss Kate and dreams of moving to Hollywood

 

 

Becoming brave, doing solo recital work in PCA concert

 

Brennan has spent the fall Muy Thai fighting, training, and playing the cello.

Am I the only one who thinks this is an intriguing combination?

 

RNE Orchestra Winter Concert carpool buddies (and "competitors" since birth)

HOPE Assembly

 

An amazing Regional Orchestra concert

 

Keeping Christmas: Parties

 

Blessed by the gathering of my heathy family and friends

Mocking my brother's ugly sweater festive attire

Requiring dinner guests to "sing for your supper" and enjoying the sound of united voices singing grace

Bolstered by the loving support of my Soul Sisters

Old friends

New friends

Rocking a friend's hand-me-down footie pajamas

We went to see Star Wars for the kids' birthdays.

It was more of a trip down memory lane for us than them, I think.

One of our young guests declared that going to hang out with us was one of her holidays traditions. This made me smile. A girl after my memory capturing heart.

Playing a board game around the kitchen table on New Year's is all the nightlife we need.

 

 

 

Keeping Christmas December 8-14

 

A home full of family and friends. Happiness that it's warm enough for my summer gardenias to serve as Christmas color. (They didn't look so good in August.)

December 8: Hosting a Christmas tea for Biblestudy ladies. Enjoying their company and sharing opinions.

Favorite eggnog, rationed in tiny portions

Mom taught the girls how to sew an apron on a sleepover. They put them to good use baking and sharing.

Enjoying watching my junior chefs make their own Christmas goodies to take to the many holiday gatherings

Reminding myself again to pull my expectations way down when my advent station isn't received as I intended. The kids just eat all the chocolates ahead of time and don't read the devotionals on their rush out the door to school.

Shaking my head when one hides and hoards her calendar with my quiet time things behind a chair so her siblings won't pillage hers too.

A moment of deep gratitude and joy when people unexpectedly give me a gift, such as members of my Pilates class.

Mystery objects under the tree. Can you guess what this is?

Making ornaments together. Mom and I made these pasta angels when I was a kid, and I wanted to make a batch with our kids too. Having a creative moment is one of my favorite things about the holidays. Decorating our home or for a party. Making something together. Making memories.

 

(Answer: It was a music stand to go along with Mary Jayne's Christmas guitar.)

 

 

Keeping Christmas 2015: December 1-7

For Ally and Ashley and the other two family members who read this blog:

Now that the dust has settled, an update or two.

 

Creating a little Advent-station for the kids to join me in preparing my mind and soul for Christmas. Devotional, Jesse tree, and chocolate calendars.

December 1: Taking a quiet moment early in the morning for the simple pleasure of worship. Reading the words to Christmas carols by our tree, coffee, journal, "Leaves"-scented candles, Pandora soundtracks, fluffy bathrobe before the flurry of December activities begin. Enjoying contemplative Advent devotionals and moments of reflection.

December 2: The family's excitement about getting a puppy. Andy draws up a contract for all the kids to sign concerning her care. We place bets for how long before they start arguing over whose turn it is to take her out on cold winter mornings!

 

December 3: Introducing Della, our Christmas puppy, named for the little triangle (delta) on her head. Andy drove to Tennessee to bring her home to us. Watching The Wiz while we waited for their late-night arrival. Wagging tails (and in her case, entire back sides) of happiness.

December 4: She adores company and gives this plaintive face when I need to wrap presents, cook, or do anything else but play when the kids are in school. I feel puppy guilt.

Puppy bling

December 5: The kids took turns camping out in the garage with her when she began crate training so that she wouldn't be lonely.

 

December 6: Our neighbors and relatives have brought her sweaters, stockings, and gifts...a new concept to us as new pet owners. Frogs and hamsters didn't create quite the stir. The girl across the street acknowledges us now that we are dog people.

 

 

December 7: A moment of "count it all joy anyway" when the real Christmas tree topples and pine sap oozes all over the hardwoods. The sweetness of God that our ornaments didn't get broken in the mess.