December 18th Daybook

Outside my window... its nice and cold. Its not always cold here for Christmas but it looks like thankfully this year it will be. I love being able to wear sweaters everywhere...especially now when I am outgrowing most other things.

I am thinking...about having a lazy Sunday morning with my boys. We have been having mostly lazy days lately. We went to mass last night with my family so this morning we are going to stay in our warm jammies and read lots of Christmas books. Maybe I will even get out some hot chocolate...yummy!

I am thankful...For help from my parents yesterday. Jacob has been out of town since Wednesday and I was thankful to have some help with my sweet and energetic boys. I went out to a super long lunch with Father Drew. It was a wonderful lunch full of fruitful discussion and valued advice from a dear and holy friend! He definitely left me with lots to ponder!

In the kitchen...not too much cooking going on here. I took the kids on a date Thursday night. Friday night we had movie and pizza night (read...mommy was super sick and trying to survive until bedtime :) ) Saturday night we had fuzzys tacos with my family. Tonight we are having dinner at my parents for Aunt Kristy's birthday. And my amazing friend Kesa dropped off a meal unannounced yesterday...I am so very thankful to have dinner ready for another "Mommy's super sick and trying to survive until bedtime" day! I absolutely realize how very blessed I am to have friends like her! What a giving heart she has!

I am wearing...warm and comfy PJ's and am unashamed that I will most likely be in them the majority of the day :) that's pretty much the usual around here until I get back to feeling human again.

I am creating...gingerbread houses this week with my boys. With graham crackers of course...really who likes gingerbread anyhow?!

I am wondering...if we are having a boy or a girl. Also wondering what we will name this sweet baby. We usually have names set by now but we are far from that this time. We will definitely decide between now and our next appointment on January 10th as we may find out the sex of the baby that day. Any ideas?? We are trying to decide between Catherine or Emily for a girl and have no clue for a boy...

I am reading...my Magnificat and thats it. I bought Jacob a Kindle Touch for Christmas so I am hoping to get a book for myself on it in the next few weeks. I would really like to read the book that Elizabeth Foss is recommending: Grace for the Good Girl.

Towards living the liturgy: Jacob has been calling every night at eight so he can read us our Jesse Tree scripture for the day and say an advent prayer for us. Its so hard to have him gone and especially during this wonderful tradition. I'm thankful that we have the ability to pray as a family still though.

I am looking forward to...lots of fun Christmas activities this week! The nutcracker ballet with Curtis and my mom tomorrow, making gingerbread houses, going to the Alvin Christmas Train, looking at Christmas lights, Schwartz family Christmas at Uncle Denny's, and of course Jacob coming home on Thursday!

One of my favorite things...snuggling under a warm blanket with my boys next to our Christmas tree and reading a classic Christmas book.

Here is picture thought worth sharing...