In December, we use an advent calendar to help us look forward to and prepare for Christmas.  I have previously tucked in sweets, or “King’s Treats” – but then the children had to take turns. Let’s admit that although taking turns may be a good character builder, it’s just not quite as fun. So this year, I tuck in a slip of paper cut around the edges, all cute like, and list a treat – which can be an activity or vittles.  And I decide the night before or that morning, so that on a busy (or bad) day, I am not committed to doing something completely outside of my capabilities – meaning I have to have the time and be able to be cheerful – otherwise, what’s the point?!?

 I must readily admit that this fourth child has thrown me for a loop. I do not know if it was because of how it started, because the two babies are closer in age than I have ever had them, because I am older, or just because there are four, but I find myself needing more help. Thankfully, I have (mostly) willing helpers, and it actually forces me to delegate some responsibilities to the children that I probably should have already done. But with more responsibilities, is it not proper to enjoy more blessings? I think so, too. So this year, although the Advent/Christmas decorating will go slower, it will be mostly done together, and hopefully make some cherished memories, and perhaps even traditions.

We also started last year or the year before the tradition of giving the children little Advent gifts each Sunday at our Sabbath Supper. This year, as we usually do, we celebrated the First Sunday in Advent in Texas with Andre’s parent. We gave the children ceramic Christmas decorations with Bluebonnets on them. We hope those ornaments will be a fun reminder to each child of Thanksgiving with Emmy and Granddad in Texas on the lake, the beginning of Advent and our excursions to see bluebonnets. 

On Monday, well, I honestly just did not have it together enough from our trip, so we simply started Advent Family Worship (or devotions). It is a little bit of a change-up from our normal form, but really good. If you are interested in such things, this is the packet of Bible readings, prayers and devotions we use during Advent, Christmas and Epiphany.  Andre also gives a blessing and catechizes the children with seasonal questions concerning the church calendar (and here is a good one for children, if you are interested).  We love singing Advent hymns – although time is never sufficient for all we want to sing! I just love hearing Sophie sing  -- you’d think she knew all the words by heart! Jacqueline is great at the singing, too. Poor Gabriel is stuck at that point where he is reading, but not to the point of reading the unusual/larger words in hymns, or at the speed or rhythm of the hymns. Good thing he memorizes pretty well. Baby Boy just loves it when we sing. So I love that.

On Tuesday, we checked the treat before school, so that the children could look forward to it all day (and I can get everything ready for after school!). The treat was, “Decorate Jars with Christmas Candy and have some King’s Treats.”  I asked them who their King was and they beautifully replied, “Jesus!” I truly believe that if you can use decorations made from things you can use (and do not have to store), it is a better investment. We always have candy on Friday for our Family Date Night (pizza and a movie) and we can put the candy in a crystal bowl and use it as a centerpiece – and as dessert when we have guests. It’s festive, fun and yum. While we were filling the jars, Jacqueline said, “Mom! This is the best Christmas ever. This is so fun! It’s better than Halloween!” Love that!

On Wednesday, the treat was: “Watch ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas.’” It was received thankfully enough, but I thought that they would be ecstatic to watch a movie on a school night! Oh, well.

I am excited about the rest of the week and hope I can maintain consistency with all the things I really need to do (There is so much to do in so many different areas of my life that I feel as though I am making no progress anywhere. Unfortunately, I think I feel like that because it is accurate. Good thing I have such a good hubby. He is a constant, physical reminder of Christ’s mercy, sacrifice and faithfulness. And the children! How merry they make my heart!).

Enjoy all of God’s material gifts this season as we celebrate the incarnation!

*Virtually every family tradition we have and every "idea" I have was inspired by or gotten from friends and/or blogs I read -- Thanks!

Then it dawned on me that I am almost a 40-year old woman! HA!

My baby boy still has blue eyes and I so much hope he keeps them!

He's rather strong, I think. He can lift his head and chest up off the floor while on his tummy. He has been rolling over for a month and a half now (latter part of January), which seems odd to me. But I have the worse memory of how things should be...

He smiled in response to me on February 15 – made my Sabbath even sweeter. He smiles at one of his puppy toys regularly. He is kind of stingy with smiles to me – I hope he's just trying to make me work for them!

He was baptised on February 22^nd.

He is just the cutest little baby ever. I mean he is so handsome! I really can't look at him too long for fear I will devour him!

The Boy, when he prays, especially after a challenging day, bows his head and prays, “Please God forgive me for disobeying, and please help me to obey, and *banging his fist on his leg with each word* Not. To. Disobey!” His contrite heart is precious to me!

Baby girl often carries her Bible around, and, as strange as it may sound, often retrieves it after I have corrected her for something. The other day she was running around the living room with her Bible raised in the air, singing, “Holy, Holy, Holy!” This young and simple love of God and His Word makes my heart rejoice.

And Baby Boy cries. I am in awe of the strength of this young one! (Psalm 8:2).

He also asks to be chucked (rather than tucked) into bed. I think it is so cute that I tell him, “I'll be right in to chuck you in!”

And when something annoys him, he says that it gives him the grumps. It reminds me of when Sissy was about that age and she would say, when she was sad, that she was down in the dumpster.

And speaking of Sis, she has chapel at school every Tuesday morning. On Monday nights she goes on and on about how she loves chapel and cannot wait. After school on Tuesday last week, she went on about how she loves chapel. I asked her why, and she replied that it was because it was like church.

Well, Tuesday night she went on at the dinner table about loving chapel, and I, wanting her daddy to hear her response straight from her, again asked why she she liked chapel. Her response: “Because Mr. Voelkel teaches about God and I want to learn more about God.”

One noon time, the chirren and I were sitting at the table enjoying our lunch and conversation. Then, Sissy volunteers, “Mom, I think I will die before Gabriel.” Before I had a chance to respond, The Boy piped in and said, “No, no, no, Sis! You have a soul that can never die!” What sage words from a 4-year old!

"There is no charge for awesomeness... or attractiveness." Name that film. 

Going to his first birthday party sans siblings -- where he rode and/or sat upon a horse and a bull. And brought home some souvenirs of same on the bottom of his shoes.

Yesterday, Sis and I were lying in bed and talking. Baby Girl came up in the conversation and Sissy said, “Sophie is so pretty, and so cute, and her laugh is so funny and makes us all happy, but she is so mischievous!” Quite observant, she is...

Quintessential Sophie

Yummy candy necklace she made, with help. After wearing and eating the necklace for a while, she sported a pink beard. And rather well, I would say.

And today, in all of Sissy's pondering, she has determined that 22 is the perfect age for marrying. Now I ask you, what man is ever going to be good enough for this angel:

I am not sure what man will convince her father AND win her heart, but I have been praying for him for years now!

And in all the craziness of a baby being born early, the holidays, vacay from school and work, a husband being sick, being up all hours of the night, and on and on, I think it is safe to say that in our home, jammies are the new day clothes.