"I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I'm not happy. I don't feel the way I am suppose to feel." -Charlie Brown
One of my favorite things to do around this time of year is to just remember the past. I have been consciously celebrating Advent for only about 4 years. We have done many variations with the help of Focus on the Family who publish a free guide and calendar every year so far and with the book Before and After Christmas. Unfortunately every year we are behind or don't even get to do half the activities because almost every night we are busy with choir practices, school performances, parties, and just plain anxiety from shopping (the last one is just me). But I am never going to give up trying to slow down and reflect and write about how Advent is going no matter how often it feels like a failure. Here are a list of past Advent/Christmas time woes and the humility it brought to the season:
2017- I was diagnosed with bronchitis and our washing machine smelled of burning rubber. I was literally forced by my health to slow down and rest. I was able to graciously ask for help and accept it from a friend who offered us a washing machine free of charge. I really clung to the word HOPE that things would get better. I never officially finished Advent that year.
2016- It snowed much more than normal. It tested my patience with the kids and the many school delays. Also this was the year the dryer was screeching like a banshee and I learned how to replace the wheels and belt by myself. I learned even more patience and confidence to do something I might never had attempted in the past.
2015- The first time I participated in Busted Halo's Advent Photo Challenge and became very distracted because Star Wars: The Force Awakens came out. I started off that season with a cold and over bought on presents. I learned to be a little less snarky and plan a little better (still ever working on that!)
A couple of other things during this season before I was very conscious about Advent were-the tornado in Aumsville the year we moved into the parsonage 2010, Lucy's birth story (shadowed by a horrible event that led to the arrest of someone our family had known personally for years) 2011, and the year the car died 2013 just to name a few.
So as not to end on such a downer note here a few favorite pictures from past Advents and general past Christmas time pictures in no particular order:
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| #TBT 2016 |
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| # TBT 2017 |
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| #TBT 2016 |
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