A few years ago, when I told Steve that I wanted to do some Advent activities with Gracie, he kind of gave me that look that said, "What zany thing  are you going to do now? “ and then said, “Advent?” Really, that question isn’t all that far in left field.  It’s not like asking “Is Europe a country?”  Because, honestly, a lot of people, even Christians, don’t know about  or celebrate Advent.  Really, I think they do, they just don't necessarily call it Advent.  Advent really is nothing more than the anticipation of Jesus’ birth – nothing more than getting excited about celebrating the birthday of our Savior.  Don’t we all get a little excited in the days and weeks before our birthdays (okay, maybe not so much once you reach 35, but remember those days when you couldn’t wait to have your cake and open your presents?)  Same concept here – it’s just taking a little time out of each day in the weeks leading up to Christmas to celebrate what we’re really celebrating - I realize that I'm way over-simplifying here, but consider the source - I'm a simple girl at heart.  So, when I tried to do this a couple of years ago with Gracie, I didn’t do so great – I think we lit one candle and I read one little Scripture to her and that was about the extent of it.  This year, I really want to do better about sharing the joy of the season with her and with Abigail, too, but I realize that I can’t really share the joy with them if I don’t feel it myself.  So, I’ve decided this year that I’m going to take some time each day and think about Christmas, time to reflect about the beauty and meaning of it, time to get excited about this time of year.  And then, I’m going to share it with my girls.  I guess this is the Advent form of airplane safety – you know on a plane they always say, attach your own oxygen mask first, then do your kids’ mask.  ‘Cause you won’t be much good trying to attach your kids’ masks if you’re oxygen deprived yourself.  So, how can I help to fill up my girls’ spirit this time of year, unless my own spirit is full?  So, my plan is to use my blog each day this month and share a little something about what this season means to me….I’m going to start with November 30th, which is actually two days before Advent, but we did something on the 30th of November and the 1st of December that filled my heart and my spirit and I want to make sure to journal about them.  So, with that introduction applied, here is my first Advent entry

A Season of Anticipation (November 30th)
On Friday night, we went to a Christmas Parade with Bronie, Craig, Ruby, and Emmie.  Gracie has been looking forward to this parade for well over 18 months!  We didn’t go to this parade last year because Abigail was still so very small and Steve had just started his new job, so travelling wasn’t on our agenda last December.  We’d hoped to attend one near home, but it was a much colder than normal in our home town and Steve was recovering from pneumonia and I was terrified that taking Abigail out among throngs of people on a bitterly cold night was sure to bring on a case of dreaded RSV.  This year, though, nothing was holding us back! When I told Gracie that we were going to the parade this year, she was so excited  “Mama, we’ll need to wear our coats, ‘cause last time it was chilly!  And get some hot chocolate!”  Her anticipation was contagious – I couldn’t wait to go either.  I wasn’t sure how Abigail would react to the lights and the sounds, but I shouldn’t have worried – she was excited as her sister was!  Watching Gracie's face light up as the marching bands passed, seeing Abigail clap, clap, clap her baby hands and wave at every float, and watching Ruby and Emmie jump and dance when they saw something they liked was simply amazing!  A perfect way to start off the holiday season and to remind me that there are things this year that I want to anticipate.  I want to look forward to Christmas this year, instead of worrying that it will come too quickly.  I'm excited that we'll be able to see both my family and Steve's family this Christmas - I'm eagerly anticipating the look on Gracie's face on Christmas morning and I'm looking forward to lighting each of the candles on my new Advent ring that my sister and her family gave to me as an early present.  There is so much to be excited about!  What are you anticipating this Christmas - what can't you wait for?

And because I've always been a multi-tasker, my daily Advent postings are going to be coupled with another challenge.  One of my cyber-friends, Kathy, is trying to post a picture a day for each day in the month of December, so in addition to listening to my sometimes mindless rambling, you'll get to look at way too many pictures this month!

So here's my first (okay first few, you know I couldn't post just one )  And here's a little side note about these pictures - they were all taken with my anniversary present - a 580EXII external flash for my Canon Rebel.  A man actually came up to me and said, "How do you get your flash to refresh so quickly?"  I told him I was spoiled and explained the present.  I told Steve, "See?  If you'd bought me jewelry, the odds are no one would have come up and commented on it!"  and my sister said, "Yep, it's a clear case of Flash Envy!" :

November 30th (Anticipation)