St. Nicholas Day

Happy Feast of Saint Nicholas!

We had an enjoyable feast day full of fun! Last night, Felicity set out all our shoes to be filled with little gifts to represent St. Nicholas' generosity. This morning, she and Gabrielle got new Nalgene sippy cups, candy, chocolate coins, a Tome dePaola book each, and a Clementine cutie (so tasty!). Colette got some PJ's. :-) We went straight over to the FOCUS women's house and Campus Center (they are next door to each other) where I had breakfast with the ladies and Charlie took the girls to help decorate the Campus Center for Christmas with Father Rocco. Felicity really likes Fr. Rocco, she follows him around and talks to him non-stop! He is so sweet to her.

The afternoon was low key, I was more tired than usual today for some reason, so I spent some time knitting and then took a nap with Colette while the girls were napping.

This evening, we had a last minute dinner guest, another FOCUS missionary who was in town from Nebraska. Luckily I had made a huge batch of homemade chicken noodle soup, so we invited him over to join us and it was nice to catch up and hear how his program is going at UNL.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Last year for St. Nicholas' Feast Day, Felicity and Gabrielle got a Little People Nativity Scene. It's proven to be one of their favorite things to play with during this season, thought I was discouraged to pull it out the other day and find that Mary and Joseph are missing!!! They are key players, you know! lol I often find it set up with all the characters standing in a circle looking at baby Jesus, as Felicity has it in this picture. Just the way it should be!


Here is our Christmas tree! I have really enjoyed having it in a more prominent place in this house. Every year I ask Charlie if we can get a fake tree, and every year he tells me NO! So, a real tree it is, and this one is my favorite that we have ever had. Every time we set up our tree, I remember our humble beginnings when all we had was a little tree and glass ornaments. Not a good combo, since the tree fell at least 3-5 times that first Christmas season we were married!

I have always wanted to make a garland of popcorn and cranberries. I found myself all alone one night when Charlie was working late and the girls were in bed. I remembered the left over whole cranberries from Thanksgiving and happened to have a bowl of popcorn with a few pieces left after sharing with the girls for a bedtime snack. Thus, the cranberry/popcorn garland was created! It was a great peaceful moment for me to just do something creative.

The day after Thanksgiving, we got a HUGE box in the mail. We had been instructed to open the gifts, so I had no idea what to expect! Out came these 3 beautiful dresses for my girls, made by our dear friend Cindy! It was hard to keep my composure...it was such a lovely gift!


Here are the girls in their dresses. This picture is a Christmas card blooper. I love Gab's goofy face and that Colette is too busy looking up at the "O" to look at me!!

These are my favorite Christmas decoration. Red Christmas roses. Beautiful.

My desk is stacked with catalogs, magazines, books, and lists in pencil (because I keep changing my mind!) in preparation during this season. I also got my first Christmas card the other day! Love it!

Here is the Advent Wreath (another gift from the Mech's from a past year!). Tonight when we had the Team Dinner at our house with some students, Charlie lead the Advent Wreath blessing (from the Magnificat) before we ate. It was really beautiful.

I am loving preparing my heart, my home, and my family for Christmas during Advent!