"The urgency of Advent longing increases as Christmas, the celebration of the birth of the great Morning Star, Jesus Christ the Lord, comes almost within sight. Let that urgency drown out the mounting urgency of commercial messages this week."
Magnificat, Mon. Dec. 15th, 08, Prayer for the Morning

Playing around

Who says cleaning your room can't be fun?
Peter was begging to clean the fish tank in his room, but I told him he would first need to complete all his school work and his regular chores He did so in record time, and earned the privilege of cleaning the tank.
Meanwhile Joseph practiced his guitar from atop his bunk.

Tonight the boys will be uniformed ushers/greeters at the local homeschool assn Christmas pageant. Joseph, with his friends Collin and Josh, is also performing tonight on stage. (3 Christmas songs)

Unfortunately, Zachary cannot participate since his Boy Scout troop meets tonight... and he's the Senior Patrol Leader!

These are super kids! Thank you, Lord!

Double beauty...
The morning light was fantastic, illuminating the Sacred Heart stained glass window above the sanctuary...and the double rainbow was visible in its entirety over the bay! Such a gift to be greeted by such awesome beauty.

Today is a holy day, so I shall close this post with a simple "God bless you!"

Old haunts...

Today we attended a memorial for our friend, Sean's dad. It was held at the high school Tim and Sean attended (and the Alma mater of Sean's dad) Seattle Prep. Tim was excited to show the boys around the grounds a bit, though things have changed dramatically since he's visited campus.

Another old haunt had to be visited while we were in the 'hood... Dick's Hamburger stand on Broadway. Now that's an education in and of itself!

Our evening together in Edmonds after the reception included 5PM Mass (witnessing 4 baptisms!) at Tim's grade school/parish church, Holy Rosary.

Taking a trip down memory lane today...

Tree falls at the tree farm...
The annual tradition of chopping down our tree continues, this time with Joseph as the primary woodsman. As in years' past, Zachary lamented the taking of a live tree... to be reminded again that the these particular trees are grown to be harvested. It is sweet to be reminded of the depth of his respect for life!

The tree is now up and decorated in our living room. More photos soon. Charlie's tail (or was it his head?) has only smashed one ornament to bits. Piglet, I believe. Poor, poor, Piglet~ meets his demise at the tail of a dog. Zac was not saddened at that loss.

The countdown is on...

Our family countdown calendar is hanging near the entrance to our kitchen, and each day the boys take a turn placing a new figure upon the tree to count the days to the celebration of our Savior's birth.

Grandma insisted....

Sawyer protested!

The oh-so-traumatic tradition of terrifying small children with a giant jolly red "saint" continues in fine form in our family!

I decided not to crop this snapshot (taken by my husband, as I had obligations preventing me from witnessing this holiday moment first-hand). I love the adult hands on either lower corner of the shot, one snapping a photo, and one attempting to soothe the distraught toddler with a toy.

Sawyer's big sister, Violet, was none-too-thrilled about the idea of visiting Santa either, but put on a brave face to be near her cousins for the photo op.

I think Zac is going to have to stand behind Santa next year~