The Advent Season

December began and we tried to keep it as low key and focused on Christ as we could but there are a lot of distractions for the kids and parents during the month, usually none which are bad just overpowering at some points. Below picture was from Levi's church class as they had a kid-friendly Advent candle set for the month. 

As we begin decorating the house each year, the girls always "kindly" remind us of Levi having a bigger stocking!

I am pretty sure every day we had a Christmas record playing. Thanks parents for the collection!

We also got our tree. Her name was Esther. The tree farm names them. The kids all enjoy looking through the ornaments that remind us of different interest, places we have visited, or experiences.

The dirt devil vacuum is the gift that keeps on giving. 

This was the first year the girls used their own money to gift shop for each other and Levi. Little women.

Rocky River park days with Baumgarderns and Mimi. 

The girls had a great time singing at their school's Christmas concert. And I tried to get a few photos before while they were dressed up. Mimi was in town so that was nice!

Rocky River had a nice holiday walk day through the businesses.

We had a lot of fun doing holiday cheer activities anticipating Christmas day. The weather was warm enough some days for a fire. 

 Friends like Aimee opened up her home for cookie decorating which the kids loved.

 As well as my coworker, Annie, opened up herh home for gingerbread house making. So grateful for them taking on these, so I didn't have to!

 We did a little ice skating excursion in downtown too. Levi skating was basically us carrying Levi while on skates. Always a better idea in theory!

 We did one snow in December.

 This called for a little snow play but mostly indoor activities.

 Sadie won hockey tickets to the Cleveland Monsters. She and Wes went and took friends, Shiloh and Matt. Sadie said her favorite part was when they fought and had to go the penalty box.

Mema sent some pecans from her pecan tree. We roasted and delivered to our neighbors! Thanks Mema. 

 All three kids got a nasty cold/cough/fever that lingered several days. Thankfully they were better by the week of Christmas.

We had a lot of fun doing holiday cheer activities anticipating Christmas day as always but they always fall up short to focus, worship, time spent as a family having family devotions at night to an advent book. This year we did "O Come Let Us Adore Him" by Paul Tripp. It is good. It was a little over our kids heads but they participated nonetheless. I would recommend it to old elementary/middle school age families. Toward the end of the month I especially needed to rest from the activities of the month, work stress, and underlying agony and worry for Levi I think that had built. A friend shared an article https://hopeandstay.com/2018/02/24/downpour-of-the-feline-and-canine-variety-on-being-clobbered-and-getting-back-up/   It is worth the read. She says so beautiful my thoughts, fears, and current state of faith. I hope it will be encouraging to someone else too! 

Toward the end of the month I especially needed to rest from the activities of the month, work stress, and underlying agony and worry for Levi I think that had built. A friend shared an article https://hopeandstay.com/2018/02/24/downpour-of-the-feline-and-canine-variety-on-being-clobbered-and-getting-back-up/   It is worth the read. She says so beautiful my thoughts, fears, and current state of faith. I hope it will be encouraging to someone else too!