Advent 2024

I thought maybe we would be moving on from our Advent Blocks this year, but the kids were definitely still asking for them this year when we were unpacking our Christmas decorations. So we will use them to countdown to Christmas again, along with the other things I had planned.

For school, we will be walking through the All Creation Waits book. It's less a Jesus-centered book, and more a creation-centered book. Each day walks through a different animal and how it prepares for winter. While it's not a typical Advent guide, it reminds us that every good thing that God gives is worth waiting for.

For our family Advent time at dinner, we will use our Advent Wreath again. We will use An Advent Journey from Focus on a Family, which is what our church is walking through. We will also watch the Bible Project's Word Study Advent Series each Sunday.

For my own personal study, I will be reading through this book that I received as a gift from our women's ministry director. 

I have most of my Christmas shopping done, but still have quite a bit on the Christmas "to-do" list. It's definitely going to be a busy season. But I am hopeful that we can keep our hearts and minds focused more on the joy of the season, as we anticipate the coming of our King. I'm thankful for Advent, and the chance to quiet our hearts in the midst of the busy holiday season.

{iPhone Rewind} :: November

I sure do love this tree. I don't love how many leaves it drops in the fall, but I love how beautiful it is when it changes colors...

Maddie was so excited to build her little bunny garden night light

Got to attend the DTS Centennial Celebration dinner at the Museum of the Bible with some CBC people

Maddie's cute little poem

We have had a couple of squirrels who enjoyed the pumpkins we put out on the front porch. It's a good thing they were free, and we were not hoping to keep them for the season!

I got a fun surprise in the mail from Laura! She sent a box full of fun goodies, a "Survival Kit for Ministry Wives." It was a sweet and thoughtful gift that came right at the perfect time.

Playing chess with Daddy :)

A quick lunch trip to McDonald's

Second grade phonetic spelling is the best :)

Hit my deductible {plan year started Nov 1}. And this medication is actually more expensive, I just have already had a couple of doctor appointments this month that ate up part of my deductible. I am so thankful for insurance, but this is criminal. This is ONE dose. I need one dose every 4 weeks.

We celebrated Mike's birthday with homemade cards, enchiladas, salsa, and chocolate cake!

The day after Thanksgiving, we got all the Christmas decorations up!

Thanksgiving 2024

This year for Thanksgiving, it was just the 5 of us. I almost didn't do a turkey; it seemed like too much work for "just us," but the kids asked if we were going to do one. And I knew that the whole point of starting the traditions last year was so that we could continue them, and so the kids could have an anchor for their childhood memories. So a turkey it would be! :)

I decided to try a simpler {and smaller} turkey this year. I used this recipe, which allowed for less prep time. It was SO much easier to work with a smaller bird haha. While it was good, and I learned a little bit more about turkey prep and timing, admittedly...the Pioneer Woman's recipe was better! Turns out, the brining ahead of time makes a difference. Live and learn ;)

Mike made his grandma's homemade rolls again, and the kids were excited to help! It's fun to watch them jump in to help in the kitchen and grow in their culinary skills. And I love that Mike gets to pass down a family recipe and tradition. 

Somehow, we ended up making more food this year haha. It started with just turkey, rolls, and roasted green beans/carrots. But then I just started adding things for varying reasons: deviled eggs {because I don't really eat the traditional Thanksgiving things and I decided I wanted some}, cranberries {just the can, but I remembered that the kids loved them last year, and why not?}, mashed potatoes {I bought potatoes for the roll recipe, but ended up not needing them, so I didn't want to waste them}, and corn on the cob {because as we were finishing up the meal, Aiden goes, "Mommy, is there any corn?" and I remembered that we had some in the freezer that I could make that sweet boy who wasn't going to eat the roasted veggies haha}.

As Mike and I were finishing up dinner, the kids decided they wanted to "surprise" us by setting the table and decorating it. We have recently been learning in our manners book about table etiquette, and they wanted to put their knowledge to use! They're pretty cute, and it's good to know they're actually listening haha :)

Of course, we wrapped up the meal with some pumpkin pie. I'm thankful for this sweet day with my family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Double the Grandparents

This past week was full of activity: trick or treating, Eli and Maddie's birthday, and Mike's official installation service at the church. It was all made more special because both sets of our parents made the trip out to be here for all the activities! 

As if there were not enough festivities already, we packed in the rest of the grandparent visit with other fun things. And it made for a really full, amazing week :)

My parents arrived on Wednesday, and we made a trip to Target so that Eli and Maddie could shop for their birthday. It was an adventure in itself {aisles of toys to choose from?!?!}, and somehow Aiden walked away with a gift too {because his birthday gift from August wasn't big enough haha}. 

That night, the kids had a bonfire at the church for Pioneer Girls and the Father/Son program, so my parents came with me to help prep and serve the s'mores! 

On Thursday, we made a trip out to Great Falls. The weather was perfect, and it was not crowded at all. I am always amazed at the natural beauty that we have so close to home, and it was fun to share it with my parents. The kids loved showing Grandma and Papa the falls, and how Maryland was on the other side of the Potomac, and where the flood lines are marked.

Granny and Grumpz arrived later that afternoon, and the excitement levels were complete! :)  On Friday we went to the Museum of the Bible. We were generously gifted tickets to tour the museum through a connection at DTS, and we had a wonderful time! They really have some wonderful exhibits, and we had a great afternoon.

After a weekend of birthday and church celebrations, we went to Cox Farms on Monday. Going to the Fall Festival has become a tradition, and it's always fun to share it with grandparents! Hay rides, slides, corn maze, tractors, apple cider donuts, farm animals, and pumpkins. I'm pretty sure everyone left happy :)

We are so thankful for both sets of our parents and their willingness to make the trip to see us. We had a great week, full of fun and laughter, and we made some great memories. We already miss them, and can't wait until the next trip!

Painting nails

Light boards from Grumpz

Sewing projects

On a walk with Papa

<3