Advent Day 14- Hustle and Bustle and My Birthday

"Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy." -Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Buddhist Monk

Eugene Holiday Market

For my 35th birthday and our 11th year anniversary we spent the day down at Eugene.  We saw the new Star Wars movie The Last Jedi and then went to one of my favorite Christmas places ever- the Eugene Holiday market.  My husband use to sell his dad's wooden mirrors and pill boxes and hair sticks etc. here while we were dating and for about a year or two after we were married so I have fond memories.  Our girls haven't been down there since they have been grown- they were a little groggy from the movie (it was way too long IMO) but I wanted to go and it was my birthday so they had to humor me.  I bought some super cute owl earrings and ended the night with taco salad and made my own cake.  Thank goodness I am flexible and love the holidays or I might have felt a little let down, but I got my very own Harry Potter coloring book and magnet book markers AND a little Christmas owl necklace.  Also very thankful for my husband who said we didn't have to do anniversary presents or make it a big deal this year- I wouldn't have felt very up for it any way since I was almost sure I was never going to be well again (that was an exaggeration).  I will still say there is always next year even if I say it A LOT.    

Advent Day 13- Invitation (to the Manager and to Star Wars- apparently)

"I find your lack of faith disturbing." -Darth Vader

So this Star Wars thing is a big deal?  Okay, okay, I KNOW it is a big deal especially with my husband.  It is fun times.  We went to see the movie on my birthday (12/16) so I am bit behind on the pictures. I do like Star Wars just wasn't feeling it as much as 2 years ago probably because of all the illness at home (it wasn't just me who was coughing).  Also I think other moms and bloggers or just creative types who don't have a whole lot of resources might have these grand ideas of how things will play out and their imagination does not end up fitting the reality- totally me.  I wanted to maybe write a review, do my hair all Princess Leia like, and maybe make some Star Wars cookies or give some Star Wars related gifts to my kids and husband.  Nope!  Woke up at 5 am to my 8 year old crying and saying she hadn't been able to fall asleep since 1am because the pressure of her cold had spread to her ears.  It was a little panicky for me as we had already had plans but we happened to have the right medicine and she was able to get a little more sleep before we had to leave around 9:30 or 10:00.  I didn't even remember to wear my Death Star earrings or my Tie Fighter ring.  I will party on and my faith will be strong even when expectations don't get met- not even the tiny ones.  

 

Advent Day 12-Cozy

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime." -Laura Ingalls Wilder, author

 I have finally recovered from the bronchitis and school has been out for a couple days now I have some time to write and think.  Also washing machine smells like burning rubber now so that is fun- NOT.  What a season!  I haven't gone completely crazy or stressed- praise God!- but it is still annoying.  I haven't been proud about anything I have written this Advent.  I was truly trying to find time in the morning to write so I could spend more time with my husband in the evenings.  But I have to face reality for the millionth time- I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON!  At least not a thinking morning person.  Mornings are for three things for me- coffee, reading, and MAYBE a BIG MAYBE some exercise to get the blood flowing.  Three things it is NOT for- writing, rushing, and clarity of thought.  So as I take my time this afternoon while my husband is out I will say thank God he loves shopping and thank God the stressful part of Christmas is pretty much done.  I had a cozy time with my girls watching Elf.  I don't feel like cleaning any more today so I took a break from that as well- at least for one day. 

Advent Day 11- Waiting and Welcoming

"Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there's room for Jesus." -Neal Maxwell, scholar and religious leader

We are now more than half way to Christmas!  It hasn't been great because of the bronchitis in fact it was kind of a mess.  It reminds me of the dryer fiasco of last year's Advent and the season about 3 or 4 years ago when the car broke down..  I guess it is so I can always have something to write about and a reminder of who to truly rely on.  As I was just telling a friend, "Of course something like this has to happen around the holidays!"  I guess one can expect the unexpected during Advent just like Mary who probably hadn't planned to be the Holy Mother of God so I will welcome the crazy even when it doesn't look the way I personally want it to be.  

Advent Day 10- Favorite Carols

"This is the power of gathering: it inspires us, delightfully, to be more hopeful, more joyful, more thoughtful: in a word, more alive." -Alice Waters

The gathering of singing together is amazing but especially beautiful during Christmas.  My favorite carol will always be "O Holy Night"  but I also love- "What Child is This?", "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day", "O Come, O Come Emmanuel", "Joy to the World" and "The Carol of the Bells".  I do love Christmas music, but I like variety too.  I am sure I could list many more Christmas songs I love that are not "carols".  I have even written a similar posts HERE and HERE.

Advent Day 9- The Gift of Light

"Oh, Penny.  I know you think you are being generous, but the foundation of gift giving is reciprocity.  You haven't given me a gift.  You've given me an obligation." -Sheldon Cooper, "The Big Bang Theory"

 HAPPY ST. LUCY'S DAY!

Although this prompt was not originally on St. Lucy's Day I am posting it today especially since I am only one day from finishing my regiment of antibiotics.  I am feeling so so so much better.  I even spent the day wrapping presents and cleaning a little bit.  I don't have too much to say except for how grateful I am for feeling better, for a warm home full of light and love, and for all the wrapping I got done today.  I feel as if I have been given an amazing gift of renewed health.  

Advent Day 8- Church and Vulnerability

"So God throws open the door of this world- and enters as a baby.  As the most vulnerable imaginable.  Because He wants unimaginable intimacy with you." -Ann Voskamp, author

During this Advent Season I have become the vulnerable one as well.  I couldn't get to church because of my bronchitis.  I was so exhausted from the coughing I couldn't even make it to watch my girls in the Christmas pageant and hear them singing.  I was even too tired to feel guilty about it.  My coughing was so rough that my husband took me to urgent care.  I got some medicine and now I am finally feeling relief and slept just about all through the night.  Sometimes we need to be the ones accepting the help.  A great lesson to learn during this Advent.