Outside My Window::

::dark. cold. three day-old snow on the ground.

I am Listening to::

::the hum of the computer.

I am wearing ::

:: my grey/blue/black swirled church top, plaid jammy pants, cold bare feet!

I am Thankful For::

::Finally getting the tree up! Getting some good shopping deals today, and almost finishing my shopping altogether.

I am Pondering::

::How very long it was that the world waited for the Messiah to come. Wow. That's patience, and faith. I seem to renew that awe every year this time when we study the old testament, and Christ's genealogy. I just love it.

I am Reading::

:: :( no time. I started A Mother's Rule for Life- which I just loved. Then I got sick and haven't picked it up since.

From the Kitchen::

::gingerbread cookies last week. Hopefully a week's worth of dinners this week with no eating out! I have no magnificent plans for holiday cooking. I'd rather craft, decorate and wrap presents!

I am Thinking::

::this week is going to be quite busy. I better plan it out.

I am Creating::

:: :( nothing. I think this is the first year in forever I haven't stepped foot in a Jo-Ann's or Hancock this season. I miss Christmas sewing and crafting. Darn flu.

Towards a Real Education::

::Hmmm...we're still doing math. Lots of Advent/Christmas reading. Feeling like we're still getting some schooling done, but feel even more like Jan. will show us behind somewhere.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty::

::Still longing for a rhythm. And beauty? Not here- yet. Trying to get out of my seemingly eternal slump of ineffectiveness around the house. I've done a few things the last couple days that have really boosted my energy and desire to organize and decorate for Christmas.

To Live the Liturgy::

::Oh, I love the Advent liturgy, but we are sadly not in the swing of things this year. We were sick with the flu for a week! Our Jesse tree is not half completed. Our Advent candles are still burning, which is so lovely and comforting. Tonight, for the first time in a long time, it felt right. We read our 'O Antiphon' for the day, and even sang many verses of Veni, Veni Emmanuel. Come Jesus, come.

I am Hoping and Praying::

::for a special intention.

That I don't go crazy this week, and just enjoy this time leading up to Christmas.

Around the House::

::lots of stuff...stuff needing cleaned up (we are so in need of a great toy round-up), stuff needing sent out (toys, food and clothes to donate), and stuff needing put up- decorations!

On Keeping Home::

::Oh, at this time of year, I long for a bigger home. Our tree takes up space, as do decorations. I know things will turn out just fine, but I still anticipate being in a larger home and totally enjoying having a home for the holidays.

One of My Favorite Things::

::flannel sheets!

Blaise this week::

::sick for the first time. Fever, sneezy, snotty, clingy. He's getting over it.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week::

::Ha! Few!

Christmas cards.

Cleaning every nook and cranny of this house.

Decorating for Christmas.

Figuring out what I'm making for Christmas dinners...and then making them!

Staying on top of my kitchen chore and laundry.

Finishing up some last minute shopping.

Wrapping gifts while watching White Christmas.

Midnight Mass @ our new old church!

A Picture Thought I'm sharing::

This Advent is flying by, like most. Particularly fast this year, though, since we were all sick for about a week. I mean fevers, achy sick. No fun. It really was hard for me to stay on top of things around the house when each day, all the kids wanted me to do was sit with them. I can do that for a day or two...but six!

I just wanted to briefly write about a new trend with Rose: calling me when I'm out. I went out to Sam's tonight to get and drop off things for church. I said before I left, she could do the dishes with Sam. I guess she chose to make dinner instead. She called me early on about something, and soon she was asking all about dinner.

Rose: What button do you push to make the phone talk by itself?

Me: the orange one.

Rose: Okay. I got it. Put the roast- r-o-s-t-e, in the oven at when? hello?

Me: I'm still here. 7:20

Rose: Okay. Seven, dot, dot, two, oh. And then when did you say to put the bread in?

Me: 7:40. Seven four oh.

Rose: Okay. (long dissertation of chatter). hello?

Me: yeah, I'm still here.

Rose: how do you get the phone back?

Me: Push the talk button.

It was so fun, and funny. I think she called me no fewer than 9 times while I was out. I was putting things away at church, and she called. Fr. was there and said something, and I was like 'oh, it's just Rose. She's making dinner tonight and is full of questions.' "Oh." Not five minutes later, it rang again and he just laughed when I said it was her again.

And then when I was eight minutes away from home, she called because she said she just liked talking to me. It was so funny! I know she feels so grown up to know how to dial my number and reach me. I have to admit, I didn't mind it (except when trying to load the groceries in the van..in the cold...while talking on the phone!). And the dinner she made was sooooo nice to come home to.