Our manger for baby Jesus

This year we are doing good deeds and filling a manger with straw under the tree while eagerly awaiting the arrival of baby Jesus on Christmas Day.  (each good deed from the kids=1 piece of straw) 

My son is enjoying this project a great deal this year.  He is so excited about baby Jesus arriving.  He is trying his hardest to fill the basket with good deed straws to make sure that baby Jesus is very comfortable when he arrives.

Every night before we pray, he goes through his list of what he thinks are his good deeds for the day.  It's so wonderful.  I'm so proud of him.  He is such a wonderful little boy.  Last night before bed he said the 10 commandments in order.  He wanted to know if he could put in a piece of straw for every commandment.  :)

May Jesus' manger be full from good deeds this year at the Boulds' household & yours!

God Bless!!

My boys and their toys

So, I'm watching my boys play my husband's Christmas present.  Yes, I said Christmas present.  I told my husband what I was getting him and after a few days of "Oh, I really don't need that,"  he and his son went and picked one up a few days early...lol.

Yes, we officially have a PS3 in our home now.  It's definitely not for me.  I have no desire to play the games at all, but it's really funny to watch the two of them playing. 

They are driving cars and crashing into things.  There is much laughing and wiggling around as they try to get their cars to do what they want them to do.  My son is also adding some extra car and crash noises when he does things....so cute.

I think this will give me some time to blog and crochet.  This could be a win-win.

God Bless!

I'm back and on the Road to??

Well, after a few days off for the holiday season there were many conclusions that I have drawn.  Here they are.

1.  I have an addictive personality.  Whether it be blogging, facebook, scrapbooking, eating, cooking, etc...I am there!!  Now, why oh why can't that translate into exercising, spiritual development, and other really wonderful and worthwhile things?

2.  My husband and I need to go on more dates.  I really enjoy when we have time out and away.  It's so easy to get caught up in everyday things and not enjoy each other.

3.  I worry so much that I am ill equipped to teach my children.  I am always concerned that I am not doing enough or that my children are not going to do well.  Over the break, we received my middle daughter's reading test results.  She did really, really well.  I was very happy.  She has been homeschooled since K and she's now  in 3rd grade.  This was her first state test.  Ahhhh.  I'm okay.  Whew--ha ha ha

4.  I'm scared of dying.  I had to go to the emergency room over the holidays.  No, I didn't cut my finger in the kitchen again.  Before I left the house, I found myself kissing my children and thinking what if this was the last kiss they got from me.  I was worried for them.  I was okay for me...but I was worried for them.

There are so many things that I could go on and list, but I won't right now.  Right now, I am reflecting on what I have written and hoping that I can make sense out of what I have discovered.  I think that is what is truly important with self discovery--what you do with the information.  Where do you go from here?

Good luck on your road of self discovery and God Bless!

The Holidays are Coming! The Holidays are Coming!

I'm trying to focus on the impending holiday; however, I find that most are looking towards the holiday that is a bit further away.  I really want to channel my energy on being thankful and celebrating every special moment with my family.

I know that there is a great deal to do as we move ahead, but I want to savor every day.  I want to cherish every holiday.  Planning for the coming holidays are important, but ensuring that we don't lose sight of what's directly in front of us is crucial!

Here's to happy planning and celebrating.  God Bless!

Advent is rapidly approaching!

So, I'm sitting here trying to think about what fun and crafty things I can do with my children for Advent.  I want to make sure they get all they can out of the season.  It's so important to help them get more than just the "Sunday fix" from Mass.  I want them to live and breathe their Catholic faith.

I like the idea of the straw in the cradle for baby Jesus.  You add one piece of straw during Advent for every good deed.  The plan is to have a nice bed for Jesus before Christmas.  I'm thinking we could do this before bed time prayers.

I also like the idea of making chains that you tear off every night or day that have something specific you are supposed to do for the day.  Oh, Oh, there's a Jesse tree and....

What should we do this year?  Hmmm 

Thoughts and ideas would be appreciated!

Thanks and God Bless.