Advent Calendar 2011

I am not a big believer in advent calendars that are about getting treats every day until Christmas. I want the run up to Christmas to be filled with giving, not getting. Don't get me wrong, I love giving my kids gifts. I love their faces and my own anticipation waiting for Christmas morning. But, I want them to feel that joy at giving too.

Last year, each day of advent, we opened up small boxes with tasks of giving or sharing with someone else. It was a joyful time each morning when we opened the box to see what we'd be doing for others that day. We will continue that spirit of giving this year, with each of us working on a list of holiday tasks that we'll accomplish before Dec. 25.

But this year our advent calendar will be different. Beginning Dec. 1, we will be tasked with taking a different photo each day. Each of the kids and I will take a photo of our interpretation of the day's theme. Then, we will share it with you...so this year we are sharing of ourselves. We might even learn something about each other that we don't know. I'm sure the photos will be interesting! 

Though we will draw themes from each pocket in our calendar, this project is our version of the December Photo Project over at View From The Prairie Box. Click on the button on the right to get all the details. Join us or join The December Photo Project! Feel free to post your own photos on your own blog and link back in the comments section there or here or both. We'd love it!

See you December 1!

Namaste

First Formal

Embree accompanied her dad to a black tie dinner the weekend before Thanksgiving.

It's a bittersweet mark of our time with her. Old enough to handle herself at an adult function...young enough to want to take her iPod to keep her busy during the presentations. Watching a beautiful woman/child grow is soul satisfying and gut wrenching. But...we are so thankful that we do get to share these years with her.

Namaste 

we are thankful

Some of our friends joined us yesterday for a Thanksgiving meal together.

It was a lovely day of chatting for the moms and free time for the kids.

For that, I am thankful (Which is day 19!)

Day 17: I am thankful for the pets that fill our home with wags and purrs 

and chirps and dust bunnies.

Day 18: I am thankful for the communion of our family meals

Namaste

Thanksgiving Days 10-16

I have been wondering, lately, if I can really keep this blog going. I don't like to do thinks half-way. Each time I try to put myself on a schedule something takes precedence. Homeschooling...directing...teaching...meals...daily errands...those things leave little time for anything else...I mean anything. I don't even have time to get out the camera most days. But, I like having a place to record our days, even if I only get to it periodically. I have no idea if we have readers, but it's at the very least a place to save memories. So, on that note...

Day 10: I am thankful for a place to come to without restrictions to record our family's swiftly flying time together.
Day 11: I am thankful for my sweet girl, who lives life in the most dramatic way possible and squeezes every emotion from her experiences. She's fearless in so many ways and my hero is so many more.
Day 12: I am thankful for the soft spoken boy who is always first to rise and always the first with a hug each morning. He has no idea of his tremendous capabilities or the depth of his loving heart.
Day 13: I am thankful for my youngest boy who commands attention every waking hour, but pays attention to those who need his special brand of comfort. He is a joy and a challenge...a most rewarding person to spend time with each day.
Day 14: For my love, I am thankful always...there are just no words large enough.
Day 15: I am thankful for the ability spend so much time with my children. This chance to learn with them is such a gift and I am fully aware of how lucky I am.
Day 16: I am thankful for friends who are welcome in my home anytime...clutter, dirty dishes, piles of unfolded laundry on the bed or not...they come for our company, not to judge. Better yet, I am able to give them the gift of welcoming them into my home as is...and that is rare. Thanks Girls!

Finally, because I may not get back here for a few days...
Photos of a recent nature study outing to a dear friend's lovely garden.

Namaste

Thanksgiving Days 6-8

Day 6 - Thankful for a day of rest.
Day 7 - Thankful that we live within our means
Day 8 - Thankful for the opportunity to learn from my students

Namaste

Wise words from unexpected sources...

Over heard from the kitchen:

Reeves: Embree, what do you think happens when you die? I believe when you die you come back to life as someone else. What do you believe?

Embree: I believe whatever is.

Now that's faith.

Thanksgiving Days 4 & 5

Day 4 - I am thankful for my mom...who just makes thinks almost possible around here sometimes.

Day 5 - For Embree's stage debut...her step from the shadows...past her stage fright...Her Daddy and I are thankful.

Namaste

Thanksgiving Day 3

Today, I am so thankful that I get to watch young people find their voice on stage.

Thanksgiving Days 1 & 2

Nov 1: Yesterday, we were thankful for the lives of those we have loved and lost. Granddaddy (Davis), PawPaw, Granddaddy (Deaton), Pop, Grandmother, Michael, Aunt Barbara, and Billy.

Nov 2:
I am thankful for our little schoolroom (where ever it may be) and the stories we tell gathered around its table.
Embree - I am thankful for school because it helps me learn new thinks
Reeves - I am glad I could be there the day before Granddaddy died  That's a thing to be thankful for.

Brice - Trains and dinosaurs!

Weekly updates...Nov 1

We are not gone or lost or off the map. We aren't even on a backroad adventure. We are hunkered down with lessons and rehearsals. We open a production on Saturday. This is Embree's first onstage appearance. I'm really proud of her. She's taken to it.

So, we'll be back next weekend with our regular updates.

Happy Dia de los Muertos...and All Saints Day. May your memories of your loved ones bring you peace tonight. Thinking of Granddaddy, Michael, PawPaw, Aunt Barbara, and Billy and all the love they shared.

Namaste.