Lights

In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God and the Word was God.

He was with God in the beginning.

Through Him all things came into being.  Not one thing came into being except through him

What has come into being in him was life, life that was the light of men.

And light shines in the darkness and darkness could not overpower it

John 1: 1-5

I snapped this picture early this morning as Ben was leaving for work.  I have no idea why the streetlights ended up looking like candy canes.  They don't really look like that.  Maybe they it's really UFO's?

Ever since I heard a Franciscan Friar preach about the first chapter of John at a Youth2000 retreat, I've loved those first few verses.  It was first thing that popped into my mind with the theme of Light.   This is the season of lights.. Advent candles, Hanukkah, Christmas lights, as the days get shorter and darker, we are reminded that the light of Christ shines strong.  No matter what happens in this world..the darkness can not overpower the light. 

Linking up with Cari for Theme Thursday. 

Five Favorites for Babies, Toddlers, and Advent/Christmas

I haven't posted a Five Favorites in awhile, but with Christmas coming up, I though y'all might want some suggestions.  Or not...but humor me anyway.

All these links are affiliate links, which means if you buy from Amazon, click on the link and at NO COST to YOU, *I* earn like a penny.   Or, if you want to buy ANYTHING from Amazon, you can click on my link on the right (the one that says "Buy From Amazon") and if you buy something big, I might even earn two pennies I could rub together.  In fact if you do any shopping at all on Amazon, if you click that link, I earn a few pennies...and it doesn't cost YOU anything.

So, without further blah, blah, blah...here are my 5 Favorites.

1.

Peekaru Baby Wearing Vest

I LOVE taking walks and hiking and we go on walks fairly often, and I'm not about to let a little thing like 35 degree weather slow me down.   When the weather is warmer, I prefer to use the jogging stroller, but in cold weather I don't feel comfortable sticking a baby or toddler in the stroller, no matter how bundled up they are.  We are walking and moving so staying plenty warm, but the baby/toddler is just sitting/lying there and it can get pretty cold just sitting/lying there when it's cold outside.   So, I usually babywear when it's really cold, because then the baby/toddler shares in my body heat and stays warm.

Enter the babywearing vest...which is basically like a big vest that goes over both of us.  As a bonus, it covers up baby/toddler's feet and hands (since in my experience, zero toddlers or babies happily keep mittens on their hands) and from feeling her hands and feet she stays plenty warm and snug in there. 

I can wear her in front.

Or put the vest on backwards and wear the baby on my back.

Love it.

2.

Phillips Avent BPA free Natural Drinking Cup

I love this because it's NOT a sippy cup and is a good transition to teaching kids how to drink out of a regular cup.  The toddler can drink anywhere along the rim and when their upper lip touches the rim, the liquid drips out.  Now...it's not totally spill-proof, if it's thrown on the ground, or dropped or anything touches the inner rim (as is likely to happen in a diaper bag) it will leak slightly...but that is why it comes with that green top,...for traveling in diaper bags. 

It did take Elsa a little bit to learn how to drink out of it without dribbling water all down her front.   Unlike a sippy cup or bottle or breastfeeding which involves sucking action and the liquid being drawn straight into the back of the mouth for the easy swallowing, the child has to learn how to move the liquid to the back of the mouth for swallowing.  But they have to learn someday...and this cups makes it easier.  And, I like to get my kids drinking out of regular cups as soon as possible because I hate sippy cups.  We always lose them and they have a million parts that get lost or dirty and I just find keeping track of them to be super annoying.  I'd rather they learn how to drink out of a regular cup without spilling or making a mess that much earlier. 

3.

Nativity Fabric Advent Calendar

This is a fun calendar to keep track of the days in Advent.  I like that it is cloth and velcro and the kids can play with it and move the pieces around and still keep everything together.
4.

The Nativity Play Set

So all the other bloggers are posting about how they love the Little People Nativity Play Set.  We don't have that one...we have this one, which I like a lot.

We don't do any fun stuff where the wise men travel around the house and get lost or anything.  That's too complicated for me...we just set it up and play with it.

5.

Advent Sacrifices

I'm not super strict on this, but we've been trying to limit sugar/desserts/sweets during Advent.  Normally, we don't eat a lot of desserts anyway, but things always tend to slide in the fall starting with Greta's Birthday in October, closely followed by Halloween/All Saint's Day, then my birthday and then Thanksgiving.  So, I feel like Advent is a good way to get us back on track with limiting sugar/sweets.  We still eat them if we are out at a party and for special feast days (like St. Nicholas Day), but overall we're going to stay away from any cookie baking or sweet eating until Christmas.

Go see Hallie for more 5 Favorites. 

Bentrup Babblings

1.

Me:  Come on Elsa, time to go take a nap.  Nappy time is a happy time.

Heidi:  Yeah, nappy time is a happy time FOR US

Much as everyone loves their little sister, there is a big collective sigh of relief when the toddler wrecking ball goes to sleep.

2.

Me: (as I'm sorting laundry and Elsa is undoing my piles and  putting the clean clothes back into the basket)  Elsa, don't put that in there, that's not where it goes.

Greta:  Mom,  don't be mean. She's just trying to help. Say "thank you".

Guess she told me.

3.

Greta: Mom,  here is a math problem for you.  Alice had 87 dollars.  She bough a pie for 15 dollars, a house for 2 dollars, a dress for 20 dollars and milk for 12 dollars.  How many dollars does she have left?

Wow...talk about inflation and the housing crash.  A house is only 2 dollars but milk costs 12 dollars. 

4.

While discussing my little brother's upcoming wedding.

Greta:  So, everyone in our family is going to be in the wedding.  Mom will be a bridesmaid, Heidi and I will be flower girls and John will be a ring bearer.  What will dad be?  Will he be a bridesmaid?

Everyone else:  laughing hysterically. 

5.

Diaster Preparations R Us

John (totally out of the blue): I know what you should do if you don't have a key to your house.  You should sleep in the car.

Greta (totally out of the blue) : Mom, what would you do if a volcano suddently errupted in the yard? Would you would run inside as fast as you can, or would you run in the car and drive away as fast as you can?

John: What would you do if this bridge collasped?  Would you have to open to the doors super fast and swim to shore?  Or would you just float and wait for a boat?


6.

John: I put a jar of peanut butter on my head and got peanut butter in my hair.  Is it fine?

Me: No that is not fine.

7.

Ben: Hey Greta, who's your favorite author?
Greta: {Thinking}
Ben: C'mon, Greta, you love to read.
Greta: I'm trying real hard not to say myself.

Go see Rosie for more funny kids sayings.

WIWS and An Advent Miracle and 3 Reasons I love Advent

So, while all the other cooler, better, more Catholic bloggers are blogging about all their cool advent activities and devotions and all that, I'm here all uh...Advent, yeah...4 weeks before Christmas...got it...light an Advent wreath...oh wait, we don't have one.  Do Jesse tree ornaments.....wait that's a lot of work and we're not crafty. Oh that's right, I was just going to print out a picture every day....well maybe I can do that. Maybe..but that's a lot of ink and paper and I'll probably forget.  Okay, maybe we can do the straw for baby Jesus in the manger thing....except straw is messy and we don't have any.  I wonder if we could use leaves?  We have lots of leaves because we don't rake our yard.  And, Greta doesn't want to let us use her Jesus doll, so we'll have to use another one...and man..this is getting to be a lot of work.   And, now Greta and John are fighting over their good deeds.  Sigh. 

And then, Simcha posted this link to a simple advent chain and I was all Ah ha...even I, the non-crafty can do THAT.     Then, I remembered that our stapler looks like this.

See that broken coil.  Yeah.

But, miracle of miracles  it STILL works.  You just have to pull that metal thingy back every time...but whatever.  It works.  So that's our Advent miracle, a working, broken stapler.  It's the little things people.  I have a tendency to be penny wise and pound foolish.  Like I have no problem buying a new computer if I need one, but things like buying a new stapler are beyond me??

Update:  Since I wrote that our stapler is broken again.  So, it was pretty short-lived miracle.  Now, we're using tape.  And not regular scotch tape either (because of course we don't have any of that).  We're using clear, packing tape...because that's how we roll. 

Anyway, Micaela is hosting a link-up about 3 Reasons I love Advent.   Which is sorta hard for me to get into, because I really don't love Advent.   Advent is supposed to be a time of preparation and waiting and almost penitential. Except for the fact that we already have 3 Christmas parties on the calendar and have already received and opened Christmas presents.  I'm sorta a scrooge and not a huge fan of the whole Christmas season.  At least not the way America does Christmas, which involves lots of spending money and making cookies.    Not that I have anything against gift or cookies...except that gifts are bad for the budget and cookies are bad for my waistline.   And I am not crafty all, so really homemade presents are difficult.  There are only so many years where you can give someone homemade fudge before it starts to get a bit redundant.  Although I did JUST (as I was writing this) have a fantastic idea for a homemade gift for kids.  I'll post more on it later, if it actually works out. 

But, I did manage to come up with 3 Reasons I love Advent.

1.

Advent Music

Specifically Advent at Ephesus

from the Benedictines of Mary and produced by DeMontfort Music which is run by friends of ours. 

Irregardless it is a beautiful CD and you should buy it (through the link up there) and listen and meditate on it throughout this Advent season because it really is very beautiful, uplifting music.

2.

Anticipation

It's nice to have something to look foreword to.  I like the anticipation of things.  I'm one of those people who actually enjoys pregnancy because I have easy pregnancies and the anticipation is fun and I've always given birth at least 10 days early so I didn't have to wait as long.  So, looking forward to the Birth of Our Savior is a great thing and not something we should rush into and start celebrating too soon.  But then, there are those Christmas parties everyone plans in December, so, what's a person to do?  We still go to Christmas parties...we just try not to celebrate at home (no Christmas music, no Christmas movies, no decorating and no baking (except for other people's parties to which we are invited). 

3. 

Not Advent specifically, but December has lots of great saint Feast Days.  St. John of the Cross (who my John is named for). St Lucy, St. Nicholas, Our Lady of Guadalupe, The Immaculate Conception.  So that is cool.  Not that I do much to celebrate them, but it's cool anyway.  And, I'm hoping to do St. Nicholas shoes (but of course, I fogot to buy candy or gold coins at the store). 

And, since it's Sunday, I'll just link up with FLAP to show you all what I wore today. 

So, the shirt is from Newport News, the skirt is thrifted and the boots are from Wal-Mart. 

And, yes, Elsa is being super unfashionable and wearing white after Labor Day...tsk, tsk.   At least she was good at Mass today...slept through the whole thing, so she gets an A+

7 Quick Takes Friday with a Pink Full Body Suit

1.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We had lots of great food, but amazingly don't have too many leftovers (other than turkey...we have tons of turkey).  I made 3 different pies (pumpkin, apple and chocolate) and today they are all gone.  And it was just us.  Pie yesterday for dessert, pie with dinner and pie for breakfast will do that. 

2.

I saw a friend's family pictures on Facebook yesterday and suddenly remembered, Oh...I need to do our family pictures before Christmas to send out with our Christmas letter  blog post. Last year, I think I did them like Dec. 22nd or something.   Last year we lived in FL, so taking pictures outside in late December was not a problem.   It suddenly occurred to me that family picture taking will be much more miserable when it's 35 degrees outside, and I don't really want to take pictures with everyone bundled up in heavy coats.  And, outside is so much better than inside...especially our inside.  So...I ordered a cheap ($9) tripod on Amazon (last year I did them without a tripod), but a tripod would have made it so much easier for my do-it-yourself family portraits using the self-timer.  So, I'm hoping we will have a nicer, warmer weekend day coming up.  I'll let you know how it goes...or not (if it doesn't go). 

3.

I also spent a bit of time perusing family pictures on Pinterest to get ideas of poses, outfits, etc.  I stumbled across a blog  from an Australian photographer which featured a family I actually know through a church group.  It was weird. 

4.

I have an eye doctor appointment this morning. I haven't been in oh...5 years...so yeah..it's time.  The office texted me this morning as a reminder and then I had to text back to confirm.  Which I find totally annoying..because 1) I hate texting and 2) if I make an appointment, unless I call you, I'm going. I shouldn't have to call back or text it to confirm.  

5.

So what are you doing for Advent?  I am a total advent slacker.  We don't even have an advent wreath. I keep thinking I should buy one, but then I never do.  I think I'll just print out a picture and let the kids color a new candle each week.   All the other cool bloggers are blogging about their great Jesse tree ornaments and homemade advent calendars and all the other cool stuff we do.  And, we do nothing.  I'm thinking about doing a slight Jesse tree thing and just printing out a picture each day and reading the reading.   But, that will probably last like 2 days before I forget.   So..we'll see.   And, I'm terrible at remembering to buy stuff...like candy to put in shoes for St. Nicholas Day.  

And, I have done ZERO Christmas shopping so far. ZERO.  Slackers R Me.

Anyone have any good links for Jesse tree devotion and simple coloring pictures to print? 

6.

And Ben has already started job searching for lawyer jobs once this school year is over.  I feel like our life is one big perpetual job search.    So, please for that please.  Thanks!

7.

So..my little brother is getting married in May!  We are beyond excited about it.  And, my family (except for Elsa who would not cooperate) gets to be in the wedding party, which we are beyond honored about.   Ben is the best man (because he IS the best man) and we decided that he's going to wear this 

with this underneath.

Actually, I'm going to put one of those pink full body suits on my Christmas wish list as well.  Cause..who wouldn't want one of those?

Now, go see Jen for more quick takes!

Thankful

Today I am thankful for:

A sinkful of dirty dishes because it means we have plenty of food.

Books all over the floor because it means we have the freedom to educate our children the way we want.

Cute kids

Pretty (and silly) girls

A husband that works hard, is an awesome daddy and always makes me laugh. Plus he sports a sexy beard. 

Grandmas

Grandpas

Uncles

Aunts

The fact that even though it's cold outside and we live in enough of a wooded area to see deer, we haven't seen any mice or evidence of mice in our house (I live in fear of mice).

All my friends...both near and fair.

And all of YOU dear readers.  Yes, I'm thankful for YOU...for taking the time to read my writing, for your comments...and for all the friends and new people I've met through the bloggy world.

Happy Thanksgiving!  May you all have a Blessed and Happy and Food-Filled Day!

(Linking up with Cari and FLAP)

A Lonely Thanksgiving with Recipes

The title is a bit melodramatic, but we're alone this Thanksgiving.  Just us.  In years past, we've always gotten together with either family or friends....(except for that first year we were in Florida, and we went to the beach..because ya know, it was 80 degrees).   But, down here in Virginia, we're too far from family and haven't really made any good friends  (although I did invite another family over, unfortunately they can't come).  C'est la vie.   

So, it's slightly depressing being alone, but we're still going to have a Thanksgiving feast, and, at least I don't have the pressure of having to have a clean house.  Plus, we get to eat all the pie ourselves. 

This is what we're having,

1. 

Turkey

Of course.  I love snatching up turkeys super cheap when they go on sale.

This year, I'm hoping  to get the perfectly moist and juicy turkey.

To achieve this, I'm going to roast the bird in an oven bag and shove melted butter, garlic, salt and spices under the skin.  You just melt butter and mix it with some minced garlic, sea salt, and whatever other spices you like (I tend to go all Simon and Garfunkel like with parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme).  Lift the skin of the turkey and shoved that yummy butter mix underneath it and then roast as you normally would.

2.

Stuffing

Since we are all gluten-free and healthy down here, I'm going to try Cam's Gluten-Free Stuffing Recipe.  With a few modifications.   Instead of ground pork, I'm using sausage and I probably won't use all those spices.  I am using mushrooms though, which means that I might be the only one eating it, but hey..more for me!

3. 

Cranberry Sauce

It's wicked easy to make your own cranberry sauce.  Just mix sugar with fresh cranberries and water.  Boil it all together and mash.  Super yummy and super easy.

4.

Sweet Potatoes

I just slice sweet potatoes, place in a backing dish and dot with ample butter.  Sprinkle with sea salt, brown sugar and cinnamon.  Bake at 400 degrees or so until the  potatoes get soft.  

Super yummy!

5. 

Mashed Potatoes

I boil several potatoes (skins and all) along with a peeled onion and a few cloves of garlic.  Once the potatoes are cooked, mash all that up with butter and some sea salt.  Mix in milk to make that creamy consistency.  These are so good!  The onions and garlic really adds a delicious flavor.

6.

Roasted Green Beans

Toss green beans with olive oil, salt, and garlic powder, Spread out on a baking dish and roast in the oven until they are well...roasted.  Soft on the inside and bit crispy on the outside.  

7.

Bread

I'm not 100% sure, I'll be making this, but I do love a good loaf of artisan bread.   So, I think I'm going to make the Gluten-Free Crusty Boule.

8. 

Crust-less Pumpkin Pie

It's super easy and super tasty.  One could maybe even make the claim that it's sorta healthy. 

9.

Swedish Apple Pie.

I saw this recipe on Colleen's blog and KNEW I had to make it. 

I'm pretty sure I can just sub in gluten-free flour and it will be fine.

10.

Chocolate Pie

Because my other desserts contain fruit or vegetables so they don't count as dessert (right?). 

I'm going to make it crustless, because with an inside like that..who needs crust?  I've never made this recipe before, but it looks easy and delicious.  And hey...it contains tofu, which makes it sorta healthy as well, right?

And, because I have to link-up, I'm linking up with Cari for T-Day recipes.