Tag: Advent

The Day We Celebrated the Fourth Sunday of Advent

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The Christmas packages are arriving!

I woke up early this morning (6 a.m.) to another order of Christmas boxes on the front porch. It felt exciting to step out into the cold, crisp air and collect the packages.

I’m buzzing with excitement because Christmas is almost here! Just FOUR more days! 🎄🎅🏾✨️

Travis and I can’t wait for the children to open their gifts. It’s one of our favorite things about Christmas, watching the kids open their presents and seeing their faces light up with joy.

Sunday Breakfast: French Toast and Omelets

For our Sunday breakfast I made another batch of French toast and omelets. We had French toast for dinner last night, and everyone loved it so much that I thought I’d make more today.

Sweet scents of chocholate chai tea, vanilla, and cinnamon and nutmeg (my favorite Christmas spices) filled the house. 😊

Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love

Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent—Love. We celebrated the mass at church today. We were running about 10 minutes late, but we made it.

We’ve been trying so hard to get out the door in time for church. It’s challenging with a big family, but we’re doing our best!

All of the candles are now lit on the church Advent wreath! 💜✨️
I can feel the joyous energy at church, too. It’s such an exciting time!

Sunday Funday: Donuts, Hot Cocoa, and Uno

After mass, we enjoyed donuts and hot cocoa at church. Almost every Sunday, the church hosts coffee amd donuts for parishioners.

We like to bring our Uno cards to play a round while eating our donuts. It’s quickly become our regular Sunday activity.

If for some reason the church isn’t hosting coffee and donuts, then we buy a ½ dozen of donuts and play a game of Uno at home.

Zaya won Uno again! 😄
The kids were giggling that Zaya placed a #6 card next to the #7 card in the deck— 6 7. 😂

The Christmas Spirit is Buzzing Through the Air

All of the church decorations for Advent and Christmas are so beautiful! I love the angels and Christmas tree display the church had put up in the family life center.

You can tell the other children at the church are excited for Christmas, too. There were so many kids laughing and running in the social hall.

Their Christmas spirit is buzzing through the air, and it is very contagious! 🥰🎄✨️

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese for Lunch

Back at home, I cooked two pans of homemade macaroni and cheese with extra cheese. 😍🧀 One pan for lunch and the other for dinner.

I was not surprised we didn’t have any leftovers from lunch. 😄 Travis and the kids LOVE my homemade mac and cheese.

I made this macaroni and cheese recipe with four different types of cheese! It was delicious!

I made today’s macaroni and cheese recipe with four different types of cheese: mild cheddar, sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.

I also like to add a few dahses of smoked paprika and dry parsley to my macaroni.

I still have a few Christmas errands to take care of by Wednesday. One of those errands is going to the post office.

I’ve been trying to mail the grandparents’ gifts for a few days now. Hopefully, I can get it done soon!

P.S.— Happy First Day of Winter! ❄️💙

All images in this blog post are my own photography. If you’d like to use a photo, please contact me first for permission. Thank you!

Third Sunday of Advent

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Before church this morning, Zaya (5) and Zephaniah (8) helped me make homemade buttermilk pancakes.

Thanksgiving week I had bought the kids their own aprons and iron-on patches to customize their new aprons.

So now every time I’m in the kitchen cooking, they get excited to grab their aprons and help me cook. 🥹👩🏽‍🍳🧑🏽‍🍳

Zaya mixing the pancake batter. 🥞
Zephaniah wanted a dinosaur and American flag patches for his apron.

Joy—Third Sunday of Advent

We went to church this morning to celebrate the third Sunday of Advent —Joy.

I really enjoyed today’s homily. One part that resonated with me was the priest’s reflections on life’s unexpected changes and circumstances.

We may want our lives to follow a certain plan, but it doesn’t always work out that way.

It reminded me of motherhood and homemaking. Being a homemaker and mother of six children, my days are always shaped by change and unexpected moments.

A Visit to the Bakery

After church, we stopped by a local bakery for donuts— another little family tradition.

We got a ½ dozen of donuts. The kids chose chocolate donuts with custard filling, and Travis and I got apple fritters. 😋🍩

Checking out the yummy treats at the bakery.

Lunch and a Game of Uno

It was tempting to buy more delicious treats at the bakery, but I reminded myself we’re going to be making homemade chocolate chip cookies this week. 🍪

So, we headed home for lunch (homemade deli sandwiches!) and a family game of Uno.

Zaya won. 😄

For lunch, I had a corned beef sandwich with smoked Gouda cheese. 😋🥪🧀

Busy Week Ahead— Countdown to Christmas!

As joyful as the day felt, I’m also feeling a bit anxious and overwhelmed thinking about the week ahead.

There’s still so much Christmas shopping to do, along with routine dentist and doctor appointments for the kids.

It’s going to be a busy last week before Christmas.

For now, I’m holding onto the small joys and taking it one day at a time.

First Sunday of Advent

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Sunday, November 29th, kicked off Advent season— a time to slow down and make room for Him.

The holiday season gets so busy, and I have been trying my best to not get caught up in the busyness.

But it hasn’t been that easy with just the day to day busyness of our big family life. I often feel guilty when I slow down, or I feel as if I should be doing something. Always doing something.

I’m hoping and praying this Advent season will help me remember to take more time to reflect on my faith and slow everything down.

I recently read a post by another fellow homeschool mom, and she said their family’s holiday break starts around Thanksgiving and ends after the Ephiany (January 6th).

She said they spend the holiday season focusing on celebrating Advent and Christmas with family.

And slowing down.

We’ve been enjoying Advent activities and crafts, like this fun Advent sticker craft (above photo) the kids created. Next week, we’re going to make a Jesse Tree.

Her words reminded me that taking time to truly celebrate and reflect on Advent and Christmas and slow down this month is exactly what we need.

So, we’re doing just that— starting our holiday break a little earlier this year. That’s one of the blessings of homeschooling— finding your family’s rhythm so you can create your own schedule.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” — Roman’s 15:13