a few of my favorite moments as we lead up to Christmas....
1. reading this beautiful advent devotional every day.
The Greatest Gift by
Ann Voskamp (to read more about it click on one of those links...one takes you to amazon where you'll find a summary of it, and the other her blog.) I checked it out from the library. But this is one I will be getting to have for every Christmas. It is truly a special book and has really helped bring in the focus of what Christmas is all about! I wish I could explain what a truly beautiful book it is, but you'll just have to trust me on it :) Or go out and read it yourself to see what I mean!
2. 34 week baby bump.
Savoring these last few weeks with baby in my belly before he makes his appearance in January!
3. Taking the boys to see the Nutcracker with my mom and sister for the very first time. It was a treat and the boys loved it! I think this is one tradition we will continue doing each year.
They were excited about the wooden Nutcracker dolls (Lucas was trying hard to open that box it seems!)
4. Every year my bible study does a Happy Birthday Jesus party for the kids. The girls who organize it do an amazing job! The kids do a little nativity play and have pizza and cupcakes and sing to baby jesus.
Happy Birthday Jesus song found here. I get teary eyed every time! Such a sweet song especially to hear the kids singing it. The little ones also get to listen to the nativity story that goes along with a flannel board. Lucas was all excited to point out baby Jesus and Mary and Joseph. The sweet part happened when we got home. Since our Streets of Bethlehem night and Jesus birthday party there's been a lot of pretend play revolving around The Nativity Story.
here is one such moment...
Caleb "I'm Mary. I have baby Jesus in my belly, Lucas you can be Joseph, I have to ride the donkey. Joseph walks next to the donkey"
Lucas then runs over and grabs baby Jesus from the nativity set we have (thanks uncle craig and aunt mary!)
Then Caleb puts on his little head garb (see pic above) and tells me "I'm making the manger for baby Jesus to lay down in"
And then my heart just melted.
5. The Christmas singing.
Lucas is singing Jingle Bells here. Both boys know so many different Christmas songs. (Lucas' favorites being Jingle Bells and Frosty the Snowmen) It cracks me up every time. Have you heard the friendly beasts song? I hadn't before but we had the book and CD
song found here and Caleb just loved the two songs found in the story. He ended up memorizing most of the words since he wanted us to play it a lot! I tried hard to capture that on video but it didn't happen :) Anyway those are a couple Christmas song favorites for the boys this year. I love listening to their sweet voices as they sing.
We are ready now to hunker down for some family time.
Wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!
Love, us.
