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An Unexpected Surgery
Our week started with an unexpected text message from my parents that my Dad was going to the Emergency Room. Thankfully my husband is awesome and calm in these situations and he drove to the hospital to be there with my parents before he started his work shift. My dad ended up having to have surgery, but is now home and well on his way to recovery. The boys came with me to take cards to Grandpa before his surgery and say a prayer in the St. Luke's chapel at the hospital. Events like these really help remind me that each life and moment is precious!
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The Advent Wreath and O Antiphons
The boys were so excited to finally light the last candle on the Advent wreath and truly understand this year that it means we are getting closer to Christmas. We will listen to O Come, O Come Emmanuel and they love singing their song that they learned in Catechesis of the Good Shepard:
Light One Candle
Light one candle for hope, One bright candle for hope.
He brings hope to every heart, He comes, He comes!
Light one candle for love, One bright candle for love.
He brings love to every heart, He comes, He comes!
Light one candle for joy, One bright candle for joy.
He brings joy to every heart, He comes, He comes!
Light one candle for peace, One bright candle for peace.
He brings peace to every heart, He comes, He comes!
---3---
Enjoying Family Time and Games
We are having so much fun slowing down this season and finding more time to really appreciate being together as a family. We have started taking a lot more time to play games together and I am loving that the boys are getting old enough to truly understand and appreciate games. A new favorite has been No Stress Chess, which has really taught us all how to play the game!
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Baby Cuddles
Having a newborn is a fantastic "excuse" to sit and relax by the fire. A baby at Advent and Christmas is simply heavenly...ok maybe a baby at ANY time is heavenly!
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Christmas Lights and Music
I really think that there might be something truly magical in Christmas lights that can calm little ones for more than 10 minutes at a time! We have had many mornings just playing together, singing carols, playing the piano and relaxing!
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Christmas Traditions
When I was a little girl I always remember making Potecia at Christmas every year with my father. He has now started the tradition of making it with our children every year. Thankfully my Dad is home from the hospital and on the mend so we could still make this special treat this year. It is so much fun to carry on these little family traditions!
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Baking with Daddy
One of our favorite parts about homeschooling is that we can truly adjust our schedule to our family needs. Because my husband works shift work as an Emergency Physician we can take time when he is home, even if it is a weekday morning to have family time as a priority. We had a fun morning baking cookies together!
