Cherished Hearts At Home

A Mothers Charter!

2012-01-30T22:04:00.000+11:00

Here is a beautiful poem, whose Author I cannot find that describes the type of Mother I desire to be.....perhaps unattainable but this is something to strive for.

God made mothers more special than anyone else.
He made them the bearers of life and in so doing,
knew they had to be more exceptional than the rest of us.
He made them the cornerstone of the home, the foundation of the family,
the backbone of society, the ideal of all that is best with the human race.
They are the guardians of decency,
the preservers of peace,
the upholders of truth,
the protectors of morality,
the symbol of virtue,
an inspiration to all that is noble and good in life,
and love knows no greater representative than that of a mother’s love.
Upon our earth, no title is more revered and no sound more beautiful or sweeter heard than the tender loving word - mother.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Arwen's Third Birthday

2012-01-24T00:31:00.000+11:00

The day has finally come!!!
Arwen had been anticipating her birthday since before Christmas, in fact at the start of Advent when we told her Christmas was Jesus's birthday.

For many days she has been counting down the days and the build up for her and the other smaller children over the last three days has been amazing. They were all sooooo excited for Arwen and kept helping her count down the days until she was three.

So this morning she was up and wanted her brothers to 'get up' so she could open her presents. She waited so patiently and had the most wonderful time and delighted us all with her enthusiasm for each special gift.

The birthday girl really enjoyed licking the bowl ALL to herself and she is really our little princess.

A butterfly cake was an easy cake and she had planned this for some time too. Don't you love sweet little girl cakes for sweet little girls?

She finally put on the crown I made her when it was time for the cake but no way was she wearing it at any other time today. She is such a sweetie!

Waitning, waiting for the cake to come to the table.

Oh the excitement as we sing to our little precious girl

I said to her today 'Happy Birthday' and she said as she is hugging and kissing me back "Happy Birthday Mummy" and then quite unasked "thank you for my presents' in that sweet, soft little voice.My heart just melted.....again

Of course she had to cut the cake up herself, thank you very much.

After this very exciting bed we had a little girl all tucked up and asleep in no time.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Happy Birthday Arwen ♥

2012-01-23T00:30:00.000+11:00

Sweet, sweet little Arwen!
You are growing up so fast. We celebrate your 3rd birthday today and I know you will have a very happy day.
It will be a special day for you as you have your big brothers home for it and we have many surprised planned for you.

How hard it is for your Mummy though. Three is such a grown up big girl stage and I see the little toddler in you disappearing each day. You can clearly communicate with us and those precious 'baby words' you have used have almost entirely disappeared from your vocabulary.

You are becoming so independent and love being a big sister to Trahaearn. The way you help him and love him just shows how grown up you are becoming.

What a blessing it is to have you in our family our smiley little angel. Your happy disposition and caring loving ways are qualities we enjoy so much. Your willingness to give those special hugs and kisses is a constant joy.

Have a very happy birthday sweet sweet Arwen!

The Snuggly Duckling

2012-01-22T01:30:00.000+11:00

A few weeks ago ago Braedon bought two little duckling for the younger children to have. As he gave us about 30mins notice that the ducklings arrive we had to find somewhere for them to live very quickly.

For quite a few weeks they lived in our old rabbit hutch that has had a few uses over time and Rogan who seems to be our official 'animal handler' would move it each day so they would have plenty of grass to eat.
This was actually quite a challenge each day as he had to hammer into the ground metal pegs to stop the dogs from trying to push the hutch over and get to the ducks.

Imagine my surprise one afternoon, as I came home from shopping, to actually find this new duck enclosure in place with the ducks securely within. Well I guess you have to know how often it usually takes these things to happen I guess.
As soon as the duck enclosure was made Rogan was so keen to give it a name and of course The Snuggly Duckling was his choice as Tangled has an Inn named that in it and Tangled is a favourite movie.

So now our ducks Kronk and Yzma also named after another movie we like- The Emperors New Groove.
are happily settled in their new home.

Yes I know we watch too many Animated films BUT we love them and we quote them all the time. It is a major part of our family culture, that we all quote back and forward in any and all situations.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Yarn Along- 19th January

2012-01-19T01:19:00.000+11:00

I have finally made it back to a Yarn Along with Ginny, hooray!!

It has been ages since I have done much Yarn work, in fact I have spent most of my time reading.
One of the books I am reading at the moment is Dragon Slippers, which is a book I previewed for Vellvin. In fact most of the books I have been reading are ones I am previewing for our Vellvin or ones she has found in the past.

My Yarn Along is one of the finished Dishcloths I have completed. This was the second one I did and I like the fact that it is in 4ply cotton with size 4 needles. It is just the right size and weight for washing up with. I like it so much better than the 8ply one I did that was a larger square too.

Anyway I hope to be contributing more this year with the Yarn Along. Looking forward to seeing what everyone has been up to lately over at Ginny's.

Blessings to you and your homes,

A Day in the Life or A Beautiful Day

2012-01-16T15:50:00.000+11:00

Watching the Caterpillar

I am always interested to observe how our family environment responds when we have different situations come up in our home.
Last week our four oldest children went to Hobart for a day trip. They left early in the morning and returned home after midnight. They had a very enjoyable day even though it consisted of over 7 hours of travel.

The Caterpillar Corbyn found

With our oldest at home for the day being Saxon at 15, I was interested to observe was how different it was all day. In fact it really felt like a day that I remember when we did not have all these young adults and we had a much simpler life style. Yes that is right I am convinced we had a much simpler lifestyle when our children were all much younger.

As we are on Summer Holidays the flow of the day is different as well, but I really enjoyed the simplicity of the time spent with the children at home. Saxon, Vellvin and Rogan all got up early and started some of the chores, because even though the older kids were gone (even for the day) we still have the same amount of work to get through with washing etc.

I do think this is a wonderful opportunity for the 'middle children' to become more aware of their opportunity to be 'the big kids'. Not that they are not helpful on a regular basis but the fact that they are in a 'new heirachy' that happens as the family circle changes. I really saw this as a trial run to the coming year as we have both Kynan and Braedon 'leaving home' with their work this year. The difference for us with Kynan is he will be going soooooo much further away and so not be able to come home as often as he won't have holidays till the end of the year. Braedon although closer to home will be doing full time work and study together and so his he wont have a lot of free time either.

What did we do on this momentous day?
Not much really!
We spent time outside together, we read books, played games and watched a movie or two.

Moran and Myffwyn were very keen to build a bike jump. This of course reminded me of the first bike jumps we had in our yard made by a very keen bike enthusiast- Kynan. In fact most of his free time as a little boy was spent on his bike and at one stage we had a huge variety of jumps in our back yard for him and Braedon that they spent hours on.

Of course with the girls getting out their bikes Corbyn wanted me to help him with his bike. He still can't ride it without help as he really struggles with being on it and feeling secure. I did notice he was more confident when we ended our little session and so feel with a little more concentrated effort he will improve. Miss Arwen wanted her bike too and so scooted along on hers for a while together.

One of the delightful parts of the day was when Corbyn found his caterpillar and we spent along time observing it, once we got the dogs our of the way. In a way this was an eye opener for me as I realised I have not spend nearly enough time outside with these younger children doing nature study that I had done with our older children. So guess what is going on the lesson schedule for these little people this year?

I am such a very keen rose person. When we built our home we put in quite a few rose bushes in red and white. White and pink are my favourites but we have had a few casualties care of Autumn's dog who still seems to be in her 'puppy' stage.

While I was out with the little ones Vellvin started to read her book on the trampoline. Every child should have a special spot and it we can't find Vellvin this is where she will be - on the trampoline with a good book or two.

After the bikes Arwen was very keen for me to see her on the slide. Frankly I dont' think they make these as strong as they used to either. I think this is our third one and each time they seem to take less time to break or the more heavy (slightly older) children can't go down them with out a big bend in the middle. Rogan managed to bend it further even after the re-enforcing Stephen did a while ago and he is a very slightly built boy. How I long for a big old slide from our childhood for our children to use!!

OK, yes this one is a little bizarre! this is Rogan's welcome home sign for the older kids on their return home. Sadly, for him, it was too dark to see it.

Our little Trahaearn had a most playful day and I was able to spend quite a lot of time just loving him and spending time with him. He is

He is getting so big and strong now and weighs in at a bout 7 kilo's. He is sitting up really well and enjoys playing with his toys. He has two teeth and still isn't looking like crawling. However he has a very sunny personality and is a joy and blessing to us all.

This day was his first in the high chair. I had been giving him his solids on my lap but he kept getting me quite dirty in the process. This high chair was one we bought second hand when Eden was a baby and took all the white paint off. I also took the tray off too as we like to have our babies sit right up to the table with us r of in their own little spot separate from the table. After all a family meal at the table in my mind means ALL the family!

Our little girls also made one of their shops and homes on the back veranda. It was a fabric shop and they had a home attached where Arwen and Corbyn came to visit.

Although this is a great imaginative play for them and I really encourage this in our children the most frustrating time of day can be tidy up time when they leave all these play cloths out and

They then dressed each other up for the event.

I can't believe how long these three played this game for. I think this one took three days and then was followed by two days of Risk.

Making earrings for their princess dresses

To end of here I have just remembered what I kept saying to the children at home and the older ones the next day - It was so quiet!!
I was astounded at how quiet it was and still can't comprehend it really. I would have thought that if the little ones were gone it would be quiet but with the older ones I thought it would not make much difference.
The whole day was so peaceful and quiet, a sense of stillness permeated our home.

When I mentioned this to Kynan he said he was not surprised as the older ones have the computers on and use their I-phones. I am contemplating this and wondering is it this electronic media that causes not so much 'noise' as I thought it was but a sense of dislocation within the family circle.

When our all our children were little the role of the computer and screens was even less than it is now. Even though we monitor this we still are more screen dependent in our home than before.
We have blogs, Facebook, the ability to look up things on the computer and I wonder if this is the 'loudness or busyness' I sense missing in our home with the more screen dependent children gone.

Something I need to ponder as we look forward to a new routine as we are nearing the end of these Summer holidays and look at starting our 'school year!'

Blessings to you and your homes,

What's going on...............

2012-01-13T22:53:00.000+11:00

What has been happening here?
Where are all my blog posts?

Well I have been drawn to other interests and desires at the moment.

We are on holidays here still and won't be returning to lessons until the end of the month. So at the moment I am just enjoying the 'lazy days of Summer, well sort of Summer/Autumn weather for us.

I have been just relaxing with the days, spending time with the children and spending a great deal of time READING! Yes reading has been my major interest for the moment. I have read so many books lately and I know Erin is just waiting for me to list and review them. I promise to soon Erin!

Not much crafting at all and I only today picked up my crocheting for the first time in months it seems when Autumn asked me to help her learn to crochet!

I am finally over my guilt about not making presents for Christmas and am sorting through some of my ideas for 2012 and our lessons for our children for this new School Year.

So having said all that I really must get back to the really great book I am reading!

Blessings to you and your homes,

The Family Rosary!!

2012-01-10T22:27:00.000+11:00

I wrote this post for our Australian Catholic Families Blog recently and my friend Erin suggested I post it here as well!
So I hope you enjoy~

The children come quietly into the family room carrying their Rosaries in hand and the booklets they have to help them meditate on the Mysteries. Each child goes to the place in the room that they feel most comfortable to pray. They kneel look over to me as I finish feeding the baby and start to take this sweet dumpling up to his bed.
While I am gone Daddy reads a short bible story from our picture bible, mainly for our little children.
As I come back down stairs again I glance at the clock and see that it is 7:30pm, it is perfect timing as usual.

I come back into the room cuddle our next little one who has her Rosary beads all ready. She looks at mine and asks sweetly if we can trade tonight. I let her and we look at Daddy as the signal to begin.

At this everyone except me with the sweet snugly one kneel to pray and we being the nightly process -
'In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit........"

During the Rosary our little ones curl up next to an older child and nearly drop off to sleep. Each child know when it it their child to lead a decade and we have a most meditative and rewarding prayer time.

Twenty minutes later the younger children say good night to everyone with hugs and kisses and softly start up to bed, being very quiet so as not to wake the baby. The older children take up their reflective reading and spend some more quiet time together.

I know you all have families who pray the Rosary like this!

Sadly this is not how our family does either. As I was typing this our I wondered would there ever be a time in our lives when we would pray the Rosary like this.
Perhaps! When we do not have little ones to participate in our prayer time. However that in itself will be a sad time for me I am sure.

Our Family Rosary is ~~a little~~ very much different form the perfect scenario I described.

Let me give you a little sneak peak~
The time, well the time can be anything from 7:00pm onwards and sometimes way past our little peoples bedtime. Oh and read carefully, sometimes we do not say the Rosary AT ALL - GASP. SHOCK, HORROR.

Yes you did read that right. We are a Rosary loving family but we go through stages where we just don't pray it together every night. Our goal is to pray daily as a family, but that family goes through well, 'stuff' that means we fall of the 'Rosary Wagon' every so often.

So on those nights when we pray our Rosary as a Family it more likely resembles this~
Mum calling all the children from all over the house. We have a large house and some children will be finishing up the Dinner clean up. Others will be helping to get our little ones ready for bed; teeth cleaned, toilet stops etc.
I usually am feeding our little dumpling (that part is true from the ideal picture above) and sometimes he even goes to sleep.
Some of the children come when called but experience has shown that there are always stragglers to the family room and no one wants to just hang around waiting for the stragglers. So it becomes a situation of calling for the stragglers while keeping those who came after leaving their own individual pursuits to remain in the room waiting for said stragglers.

Of course then there is the ~~battle~~ choosing of spots ready to pray. I would love to say we all knelled down for the Rosary, and there was a time when we did, but I find it difficult when holding a little one or too far pregnant and I do believe the children got out of the habit as I came to full term.

We usually then have more than one child want to 'sit next to mummy' or 'I was just about to sit in that spot' issues to deal with which lead to more waiting time.
I suppose this could be avoided if we started without some of the children or adults BUT I do believe that if we are praying together as a family then we show respect and courtesy by waiting for ALL family members to be present. Sure we might get finished quicker but I think it effectively diminishes the value of family prayer and devalues the weight of an individual if we start without them. In effect it says you are not really very important to this family activity and your prayers are not valued either.

On with the story ~
During the Rosary we usually have the baby babbling, the special needs boy fidgeting a bit (or a lot) depending on how his day has gone. Our other special girl, 99 our of 100 times falls asleep during this time and has to be carried up to bed. Sometimes we have even had a race to see who can lead the decade first! We have had older people fall asleep and only a few end up praying. I am sure I could think of a few more examples to shock you with but I wont go on.

Why not......you were enjoying how lacking in piety we are!

Well believe it or not we really do have a devotion to praying the Rosary as I am sure a lot lot of other families do. I do believe we are doing this to the best of our ability.....not perfect but as best we can for OUR FAMILY, RIGHT NOW AS WE ARE NOW.

Change will come upon our family you can be sure. In fact I see a change again for us in the coming year, and yet we will continue to pray the Rosary as best we can - and perhaps if we are truly blessed we will become that perfect Rosary praying family!!

However I do believe that God reads our hearts and intentions and I can say that our intentions are pure, even if our 'follow through' is not up to standard. I do think it important that we lead our little ones in prayer and that it is a VERY important part of our training our children.

However I also believe that prayer is a conversation with God and how we show our love and respect to the children in our families as they 'interupt ' our perfect Rosary/prayer time, can be a great example of having a servants heart and drawing our children toward God.

And is that not what we are called to do..........to lead our children to their Heavenly Father!

Blessings to you and your homes,

Hearts For Home - Saying Goodbye

2012-01-09T16:39:00.000+11:00

In today’s busy and aggressive society mothers at home are not given much encouragement to be committed to their role in being home.

In my weekly 'Hearts for Home' post I am encouraging myself and others to commit to thinking about what 4-6 things we can do each week to bring our thoughts, prayers and actions to keeping our 'Hearts for Home'.

I am praying that a spirit of gentleness, generosity in thoughts and time along with loveliness and grace would lead us to be all that God wants us to be.

I pray also that each person involved in 'Hearts for Home' would also pray for any others involved as well.

May you be blessed by this initiative. I pray it brings you and your family many blessings.

So each week list 4-6 things you will commit to that will keep your "Hearts for Home'.
Please leave a you name and a link to your blog (if you don't have one just leave your list in the comment box) and perhaps a comment so we can all see and encourage each other.

If you would like, add the 'Hearts for Home' logo to your side bar as a reminder of your goals.
May God Bless you this week.

♥ Please leave a link to your Hearts for Home Edition on the Linky at the end of the post, so we can all come and visit.
I would also appreciate you linking back here too.☺ ♥ ♥

Saying Goodbye-
Good afternoon dear friends,
Yes this will be my last week for Hosting Hearts for Home!
For how long? I really don't know. Perhaps I will never return and then again perhaps I will.

At this season in my life I am finding that I just am not committing in my heart to the weekly meme.

Yes, my heart is still focused at home and I still hold dear all that I profess at the start of the post each week, but posting specifically is becoming less focused in my thoughts and so I think it is time to move on.

I also have a feeling that I am supposed to do something different with this and so who know where that will lead. I believe God was calling me in Hearts For Home but now that calling is leading elsewhere.
Where, again I do not know but I am open to the possibilities.

The most regrettable loss over leaving this stage behind is the friends who have contributed and would still be interested in doing so. I will miss peeking into the hearts of your homes each week and for the love, acceptance and encouragement I have found there and yet I am convicted it is time.

I will leave the linky for this post open indefinitely for anyone who may feel they would like to contribute something over time and I will definitely be wanting to keep up contact with my Hearts for Home sisters.

I would like to thank you so much for being a part of Hearts for Home over the last few years, I have been encouraged and blessed by all who have joined in and made some very dear and treasured friends.

May God continue to bless you in your vocations as home-makers committed to creating a Heart for your Home and all who dwell within.

The Odd Sock!!

2012-01-09T01:33:00.000+11:00

Have you ever heard a more inappropriate term than 'an odd sock?'

Seriously, I have never seen such a peculiarity!
There is never AN odd sock - there is always an 'odd sock basket or an odd sock bag' isn't there?

And to prove a point we had both!

Over the Christmas break we had a major clean out of clothes. Of course this meant that we found some of those mischievous items that had been lost for a very ling time - odd socks.

So due to the fact that we sorted out our clothes felt that it was only fair that we needed to cut back on the odd socks that seem to keep 'jumping' into our odd sock bag/basket.

I decided to 'bite the bullet' and finally throw out all those odd socks that had been hibernating in our odd sock bag for over 3 years. You know 'those ones you are sure are still around some where and if your throw it out now the other one is bound to turn up' type.

So I started on a new hobby....I became THE EXTERMINATOR.......Yes I was ruthless and if you do not believe I had it in me - here is the result of my ruthlessness.~

Yes that is all that is left of our Odd Socks (see it is a plural term).

Now all I need to do is stop it from multiplying again.
Do you have any good ideas to share?

Blessings to you and your homes,

Epiphany Celebrations 2012

2012-01-07T01:54:00.000+11:00

Today I would like to share with you some scenes from our Epiphany celebration in our home.
The celebration starts our the night before with the placing of our shoes ready for the Epiphany gifts.

Each year these are basically the same:

Gold = Gold Coins
Frankincense = Tea
Myrrh = Cloves or I have used a small stone
Jelly beans = The reason for the Jelly Beans is to show all of the blessings we have in Christ
The symbols for this are:
Red is for the blood He gave,
Green is for the grass He made,
Yellow is for the sun so bright,
Orange is for the edge of night.
Black, white, brown, yellow and red is for the children He made
All of these colors receive the grace He gave,
Purple is for the hour of sorrow,
Pink is for the new tomorrow.

I do so love to see the current baby's little shoes filled for the first time - it is a memory I treasure each year, a blessing I am thankful for.

Morning arrives and after another waiting game for Corbyn the opening of the symbolic gifts can commence

Trahaearn with his first Epiphany gifts

His first taste of chocolate, just a little one mind you

The wise men had arrived at the manger after traveling from ~~one side of the lounge room~~ the East

We then transform the Christmas Crib to a Throne for the Child King on Epiphany.
This will be our 'stage' for the presentation of the gifts by the 'Three Kings' who find the beans in the Epiphany cake after dinner.

The capes and crowns for the lucky Kings

Jesus sits Enthroned

The Gifts ready - Gold Frankincense and Myrrh

Our chalkboard summery of the day- courtesy of Anna-Lisa this year.

The cake made by Rogan with the beans inside....just waiting to be chosen

Corbyn for once wasn't interested in the cake. He kept running his hands through it scrunching it up saying "I hope I get to be a King", sadly there was no been in his cake though.

Here are our Three Kings, Oh yes there are four this year. As it turned out two of our older children graciously gave the thrill of acting as the kings to Corbyn and Myffwyn. When it was obvious that ALL the younger children would be doing this, Arwen decided she wanted to be a king too.
This was not a problem. We quickly found another cape and crown and a small glass jar for a gift and we have ready.....The Four Wise Men

So each of the Kings proceeded forward to present their gifts to the Child Jesus. Moran was first and is always so sure of herself in this area.

Arwen was so cute

Corbyn was so excited

Myffy was a little embarrassed and so proceeded quickly

"Thank you for being here tonight"

Arwen kept giving Jesus a kiss 'cause she loves Him'

Jesus with all His gifts arrayed around Him

Afterwards while older children finished cleaning up each of the younger children help Jesus and then proceeded to dance around to the music that was playing

Very loved Child

Reflux baby Jesus - you can tell when a family has a reflux baby in the family as this is the way you hold them

More cuddles for Baby Jesus

Tonight we used this blessing for our home after the cleaning up and and the Presentation of Gifts~

Blessing of the Home on the Feast of the Epiphany

Priest:	Peace be to this house.
All:	And to all who dwell herein
Priest:	From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial.
During the Magnificat below, the room is sprinkled with holy water and incensed:
All:	My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For He hath regarded the humility of His handmaiden. For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done great things to me, and holy is His Name. And His Mercy is from generation unto generations upon them that fear Him. He hath shewed might in His arm, He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel, His servant, being mindful of His mercy. As He spoke to our Fathers, Abraham and His seed forever.
All:	From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial.
Priest:	Our Father Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead and lead us not into temptation,
All:	But deliver us from evil.
Priest:	All they from Saba shall come
All:	Bringing gold and frankincense.
Priest:	O Lord, hear my prayer.
All:	And let my cry come unto Thee.
Priest:	Let us pray. O God, who by the guidance of a star didst on this day manifest Thine only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we who know Thee by faith may also attain the vision of Thy glorious majesty. Through Christ our Lord.
All:	Amen
Priest:	Be enlightened, be enlightened, O Jerusalem, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee-- Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary.
All:	And the Gentiles shall walk in thy light and kings in the splendor of thy rising, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee.
Priest:	Let us pray. Bless, O Lord God almighty, this home, that in it there may be health, purity, the strength of victory, humility, goodness and mercy, the fulfillment of Thy law, the thanksgiving to God the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. And may this blessing remain upon this home and upon all who dwell herein. Through Christ our Lord.
Bless each room with incense and Epiphany Water. Write the Magi’s initials, connected by Crosses, and the year’s numbers over the front door with the blessed chalk, like this: 20 G+M+B 04

Information on the Gifts

I pray you enjoyed this glimpse into our celebration this year.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Feast of the Epiphany

2012-01-05T23:49:00.033+11:00

Tomorrow we celebrate the first of the major feasts of our family circle - Epiphany.
Tonight we have set out the shoes we do each year for the gifts to be placed in.
Nothing huge or expensive but items that hopefully represent the celebration of Epiphany or Three Kings Day.

We will mostly follow what we have done in past years as described in these posts and I am resolved to spend a lot of the day reading with the children and preparing for the Three Kings Play

Apart from this the major excitement for the children is the finding of the three beans in the King Cake, Oh yes I had better cook this as well as doing those special snuggling and reading too.

We will be taking our Christmas decorations down, boo hoo, and the tree, sigh. It actually becomes a very deserted looking home as we take away the trappings that have helped us remember this special season.

So from our home to yours have amost blessed Feast day as we come to the end of this Christmas Season!!

"In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another path." Matthew 2: 1-12

An Epiphany Prayer~
Father, we thank you for revealing yourself to us in Jesus the Christ, we who once were not your people but whom you chose to adopt as your people. As ancient Israel confessed long ago, we realize that it was not because of our own righteousness, or our own superior wisdom, or strength, or power, or numbers. It was simply because you loved us, and chose to show us that love in Jesus.
As you have accepted us when we did not deserve your love, will you help us to accept those whom we find it hard to love? Forgive us, O Lord, for any attitude that we harbor that on any level sees ourselves as better or more righteous than others. Will you help us to remove the barriers of prejudice and to tear down the walls of bigotry, religious or social? O Lord, help us realize that the walls that we erect for others only form our own prisons!
Will you fill us so full of your love that there is no more room for intolerance. As you have forgiven us much, will you enable us with your strength to forgive others even more? Will you enable us through your abiding Presence among us, communally and individually, to live our lives in a manner worthy of the Name we bear?
May we, through your guidance and our faithful obedience, find new avenues in ways that we have not imagined of holding the Light of your love so that it may be a Light of revelation for all people.
We thank you for your love, praise you for your Gift, ask for your continued Presence with us, and bring these petitions in the name of your Son, who has truly revealed your heart. Amen.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Jesse Tree Pressure!!

2012-01-05T01:32:00.000+11:00

The Jesse Tree!!
In some ways I am sad about what I am about to divulge but frankly I wonder how many more families struggle with this beautiful, but for me pressure filled tradition. In fact I have struggled with the concept of sharing what I see as my own failure in this area of Liturgical living within our family.

Each Advent I start with renewed expectations and hopes about the advantages of the Jesse Tree Tradition.
We get out both our Jesse Tree countdowns and start the readings for each day placing the appropriate ornament on each tree and then we come into the reality of our life.

I am not sure why it happens this way but perhaps it is our family circle at the moment and the fact we have so many feast days during Advent that take our attention of the Jesse Tree BUT we seem to constantly find that we miss a day - or two, or (shamefully) more and start the 'catch up game' of reading more than one reading at a time.

Sadly I then lose the inspiration and over the last few years we have not completed all the readings.

In fact if you look at both our Jesse Trees in this post you will see we did not finish again this year.

Granted we had some additional guests arrive, even though they were welcome and we enjoyed their company, the preparation for this consumed us also. I have also seem a pattern when looking back on past calendars that for what ever reason we seem to have significantly more appointments and outside activities than for other times of the year. In addition it is Summer here in Australia and this in itself adds new and different dimensions to our daily life as opposed to Advent and Christmas being in Winter like in the Northern Hemisphere.

Now this may seem to be just finding excuses and perhaps it is, which brings me to the conclusion that perhaps I feel the need to justify WHY we have not completed the Jesse Tree each year because I feel pressure to do so.
You know, obviously that is what all good Christian parents do with their children in the lead up to Christmas. It is a worthwhile and educationally rewarding activity to share with our children and so in my mind I do want to give our children the best we can offer. Yet each year I find myself sadly lacking and feeling guilty over this lack of apparent education.

I wonder to myself -
Do other families experience this obligation to do the Jesse Tree or is it just me?
Does anyone feel the pressure to attempt this each year?
Do other families finish it and feel great joy and fulfilment in learning more in preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus?
Are we missing so much in our inability to do this?
Or is it just us and our family that have some difficulty with this very worthwhile Advent activity?

So I am looking forward to some input on your own experiences with the Jesse Tree in your own homes during the Advent season, either positive or negative.

I really would like to know!!

Blessings to you and your homes,

New Year Celebrations 2012

2012-01-04T01:18:00.000+11:00

New Year celebrations nearly always include a bonfire for us these days. We have had these for so long that it is an implied tradition for the children.

Imagine our disappointment when Stephen said we needed a fire permit this year. What? Since when do we need one of those we asked? Um, the fact that we have hot dry weather at the moment. So we finally go the fire guy to come by and approve our fire 'for burn off purposes'

We spent some time after dinner getting ready, while waiting for it to be dark enough. Our little children were so very excited and kept wanting to know when we could light the fire. It was after 9:30pm before we got to it and we had tried some of Anna-Lisa's 'Apple Flappers' - Apple Fritters.

We spent a lovely evening outside just relaxing around the fire.

Taking photos of fire.......I love fire photos

Enjoying each others company

Playing with glowsticks

Asking for food

Being together

Playing with glow stick masks

I love this one of Moran. It is so cool how it turned out, very Darth Vader looking.

This is the same photo with the flash.

Daddy was vigilant in keeping the fire contained.

Myffwyn spent ages trying to get her glow sticks to look good.

Not nearly as cool with the flash on....

Just hanging out together

Acting the fool

Sisterly bonds

Beautiful girl

Is it time for the sparklers and party poppers yet. this was a constant question for Corbyn, as well as is their any food?

Great friends

Oldest and youngest (very tired baby)

Making shadow puppets

Waiting , talking about the old year and the special memories we had. I took Trahaearn and Arwen to sleep but just made it outside to welcome in the New Year with everyone else.

Our Yule Chocolate Log we make to welcome the New Year based on old tradition of having a Yule Log.

Once again family orientated memories to keep our family close while we Enjoy the Journey Together.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Hearts For Home - New Year Edition

2012-01-03T17:21:00.000+11:00

In today’s busy and aggressive society mothers at home are not given much encouragement to be committed to their role in being home.

In my weekly 'Hearts for Home' post I am encouraging myself and others to commit to thinking about what 4-6 things we can do each week to bring our thoughts, prayers and actions to keeping our 'Hearts for Home'.

I am praying that a spirit of gentleness, generosity in thoughts and time along with loveliness and grace would lead us to be all that God wants us to be.

I pray also that each person involved in 'Hearts for Home' would also pray for any others involved as well.

May you be blessed by this initiative. I pray it brings you and your family many blessings.

So each week list 4-6 things you will commit to that will keep your "Hearts for Home'.
Please leave a you name and a link to your blog (if you don't have one just leave your list in the comment box) and perhaps a comment so we can all see and encourage each other.

If you would like, add the 'Hearts for Home' logo to your side bar as a reminder of your goals.
May God Bless you this week.

♥ Please leave a link to your Hearts for Home Edition on the Linky at the end of the post, so we can all come and visit.
I would also appreciate you linking back here too.☺ ♥ ♥

Enjoying our lives in the New Year by doing ♥ ♥

Unlike so many bloggers out there I am still trying to get my heart and head around the goals and achievements I want for 2012. Mostly I have a few general idea but am trying to get my thoughts together soon.

As it is high Summer here I am trying to get the children to play games with water and outside for cooling and for the fun of too!!

We really are enjoying the holidays as we won't start lessons again until February when our boys start back to work.

I am thinking of lessons for next year though and contemplating our approach for this. Likewise I am thinking about how we do things differently with a mixed age family and how to achieve some of the 'essentials' that seem to be not as easy to do in this family mix and how to do them with the little ones again.

Just today I finished piecing Corbyn's top part of his quilt together and I really want to finish it before the cooler weather sets in. Not to mention I am behind in this as I still have to make one for Trahaearn as well as our three younger girls, OUCH!

Seriously I really just want to get my head around my life and the way forward for us and how I respond to challenges and changes in my life - spiritually, emotionally, physically and practically.

May you all have a blessed week and thank you for being a part of Hearts for Home,

January - Month of The Holy Name of Jesus

2012-01-03T00:25:00.000+11:00

One of my Goals this year is to post some information on each month and the Liturgical devotion for that month. Each month try to keep a little picture on the sidebar to remind myself of what the focus of the month is but I wanted to do more this year and so this is part one of achieving that.

January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. "In the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth and under the earth" (Phil 2:10). Christ's name is chosen in heaven, and the Angel Gabriel announces it when he informs the Blessed Virgin of the incarnation: "Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus". It is a name that has marvelous implications, for it means "savior." The very name bespeaks the magnitude of His mission, His infinite love, a love that will cause Him to offer Himself up for us.

The name of Jesus is the sweetest of all names, and He who bears it is most worthy of all love. He who calls Jesus his friend can be assured that this friend is the most devoted and unselfish of all friends.

Jesus is our all. In His name we may pray to the Father with assurance of being heard. In His name the Church administers all her sacraments. In His name she offers all her prayers and blesses homes, the fields, and the sick. In the name of Jesus she casts out evil spirits, and at the hour of our death bids us, "Go forth, Christian soul." She assures us that whoever shall call upon this name will be saved. When our soul has departed this life to seek its eternal home, the Church asks in the name of Jesus, "Eternal rest give unto him, O Lord."

According to the ancient mind, a person's name was the expression of his nature, work, or mission. Early Christians accordingly used our Savior's Name to bring to mind His adorable Person; and in their art they gave it the following shortened or symbolic forms:

a) The Chi-Rho Symbol. The oldest monuments bearing this symbol date to the third century, the first being found on a burial inscription of a consul from the year 369. From the third century we have the following authentic forms: (1) the separate letters; (2) the superimposed letters; (3) the monogram cross.

After the triumph of Christianity, the Chi-Rho monogram spread into all countries and found manifold use. It no longer served as a mere abbreviation of the sacred Name, but stood as a symbol for Christ the King. Artists often surrounded it with a laurel wreath or a circle. This signified Christ's dominion over the world, or His triumph over all enemies of His kingdom.

b) The IHS Symbol. The familiar abbreviation IHS is a symbol of the Name Jesus which has retained its popularity down through the centuries. It owes its spread to St. Bernardine of Siena, who had it placed on his banner, surrounded with twelve rays of the sun and surmounted by a cross. It soon became the most popular monogram for the holy Name of Jesus. By his fervent words St. Bernardine persuaded many priests to place the letters on altars or on the interior and exterior walls of churches. Many Italian cities responded to his efforts and put the monogram in large letters on the outer walls of their town halls, as may still be seen in Siena.

What is its derivation? IHC is the abbreviation of the Greek ΙΗΣΟUΣ, i.e., Jesus (the first three letters of the word). The older form for the Greek sigma, S, resembled our capital C. In Christian antiquity this monogram does not occur too frequently and may not be older than the fifth century. In recent centuries the IHS has been falsely interpreted as Jesus Hominum Salvator, or even Jesu humilis societas (and regarded as a colophon for the Society of Jesus). Another interpretation that is sometimes made is In Hoc Signo (vinces), and out of the added v (for vinces) three nails are formed.

c) Ichthys. The early Church loved another monogram for our Savior's name, the widely-used ICHTHYS. Christ's full title was (in Greek): Iesous Christos Theou Yos Soter, Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. The initial letters of these five words form the Greek word ICHTHYS, which means fish. For this reason Christ is often pictured as a fish. Thus both the abbreviation and the picture became for the early Christians a secret symbol for the Redeemer. Yes, they even call our Lord "the great and pure Fish" (Aberkios tomb inscription, about 180). Tertullian presupposed popular familiarity with the fish symbol when he wrote about 200: "We (Christians) are born as little fishes in water after the model of our Ichthys Jesus Christ" (On Baptism, ch. 1).

d) The Cross as a Symbol for the Divine Name. The similarity between the Chi-Rho symbol and the Cross is so apparent that it was not long before the two became related artistically. The Cross and the divine Name serve as symbols of redemption, and as a means of protection against the attacks of the demons. Thus it became customary to put the cruciform monogram on doors and houses. One of the more common methods for the cruciform arrangement involved the use of the two words Φως and ξωη (light and life), terms which Christ applied to Himself in John 8:12; 11:25. Jesus is our Light and Life, for He gives us divine faith and grace. The liturgy desires, prays for, and obtains light and life for the living and the dead. Here we have the reason why the combination of the two concepts, light and life, in the form of a cross became such a popular word symbol in the early Church and is frequently found on doors of houses (Syria), on tombs, and also on ampullas, terracotta lamps, and other articles. From Catholic Culture

For some easy fun use the colouring pages from Charlotte

Holy Name of Jesus colouring page 1

Holy Name of Jesus colouring page

Blessings to you and your homes,

Christmas Day 2011

2012-01-01T18:49:00.001+11:00

Christmas morning came around bright and early this year. Oh, that's right we were still up at 5:30am!!
Well due to this fact our family tends to celebrate a little differently on Christmas morning.
We have a 'do not wake Mum and Dad before........ this year it was 9am but our very obliging children waited until 10 am before coming in to wake us up (officially that is, as I had heard them up way before then).

We also do not go into the lounge room to look in the bags until everyone is assembled, with coffee in hand for mummy, and the little music box is played.

We then open each persons Christmas bag one at a time to give everyone an opportunity to show and share with the rest of the family what they have been gifted. This of course means that it takes quite some time to go through every one and I admit some of the little people get a little grumpy and frustrated with the whole process. However I think it shows courtesy and love to give everyone a turn to enjoy the gifts together.

Corbyn was the first to start and may I say he actually started without waiting for everyone as his bag was in his wheel barrow and so I think he thought that meant he could start as it was already started. Does that make sense?

Arwen was next as we did try to go up from the youngest then. She was so excited as she was finally old enough to understand the concept of opening Christmas presents.

Myffwyn next and she enjoyed getting out her presents and showing them off.

This year both Moran and Myffwyn got the same things so she kind of worked it out after the first couple of gifts.

Rogan was so excited to get the little black dog as well as the art supplies he had so desperately wanted.

Vellvin was most excited about her Thor DVD - everything else was good but she was thrilled to get her most wanted gift.

Saxon was so easy to buy gifts for this year, he has some quirky ways that I was able to indulge in this year.

Our younger three girls are keen dress up fans and they LOVE Disney princesses, so this year we indulged and bought dress ups for them.

We all loved Arwen's Rapunzel outfit but she was not so keen on the day.....it becomes more liked as they all dress up together.

Eden has wanted some wedge shoes for soooooooo long and so these were so appreciated, along with her other gifts.

Anna-Lisa was her for Christmas with us and I loved getting her a Picnic Basket and making her table cloth and napkins to go with the other eating utensils I found to fill it with.

Autumn had been telling me for weeks that she wanted this plush bear as her most 'bestest' gift. She has been rarely out of his company since!

Older boys are so hard. However it is so easy to spend their allotted amount easily. Braedon needed some new good clothes to add to his wardrobe.

Kynan also need clothes for his work placement part of his Uni studies and so that was what he was gifted with.

Trahaearn is quite difficult too as he has so many things we have passed down to him and have been made for him, as we just can't resist. So a few sensory toys were on the list for him and he has played with them so much already.

This year my dear husband actually asked me for a list to go shopping with. This meant I did not have to buy my own gifts. So Eden went with him and I was very pleased with my special gifts.

Stephen is hard as well. He never really wants anything but he does complain about the lack of music he likes being played so I bought him some new Cd's and Christian books for him as well as a game for the family to play.

Playing with the bubbles and dress ups on Christmas day.

After we had opened all the Christmas bags we then went to the Christmas tree where we place all our home made gifts to each other. This year we had even more as both Kynan and Braedon along with their special girls had bought gifts for all.
This took so very long to get through as well, so we had not only tired adults but little ones too.

Our Christmas lunch, afternoon tea, was started by those very early risers who put our vegetables on to start cooking while we opened the gifts.
Thank you so much children!!!!

We had cooked out pork and chicken on Christmas Eve and cut it and put it in the fridge to make life easier on Christmas Day. It really does take a lot of work to cook a baked lunch for us on Christmas Day as we are so late to bed from our Christmas Eve celebrations.

With our extra guests we had the little children on these little tables to make for more room.

After all the gift exchanging and lunch it is on to a very relaxing afternoon with naps and eating and playing with gifts.

Once again we had a very family orientated celebration as we welcomed into our hearts and home the birth of Jesus.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Happy New Year 2012

2012-01-01T01:57:00.000+11:00

So soon has a new year arrived once more. I cannot believe time has moved so quickly. It seems that each year seems to pass in record time.
We have had many joys, changes and challenges over the last year and it seems we will see many changes for the new year as well - so far.

This year I do expect great things for our family and I will be hoping to be part of helping our family circle stay close together even as we start the chain of 'family dispersal.'

Life moves on and our choice is to embrace the opportunities we are blessed with or to be fixated on the past and difficult circumstances. I certainly hope to embrace all that is placed within my grasp this year, even looking for the joy in all circumstances whether joyful or a little more confronting.

I am still contemplating my goals,,desires and ambitions for the coming year. I helped some of our children with their own list this evening and so was unable to give mine the thoughts I wanted but I have thought about tow things: relationships and gentleness. So I think these will feature in my immediate future as a major part of my 2012 lifestyle.

Once again we had a beautiful New Year Bonfire with family memories and these are treasured moments that I know will become fond memories.

May this year be filled with many opportunities to grow in love for Our Lord and in His service too. May blessings be upon each one of you and your families as we walk this road together ♥

Thank you for your encouragement, prayers and friendship over the last year. I have been blessed by so many of you and give thanks for the opportunity to share my heart and home with you.

Prayers for the New Year ~

God, thank you for a new year. May everyone in our family be willing to begin anew with a clean slate. We know that you are always ready to forgive us. Help us to be willing to forgive ourselves and to forgive one another.

As we begin a new year, remind us of our truest values and our deepest desires. Help us to live in the goodness that comes from doing what you want us to do. Help us to put aside anxiety about the future and the past, so that we might live in peace with you now, one day at a time.

A New Year’s Prayer~
Another year is dawning
With the chance to start anew.
May I be kinder, wiser, Lord,
In all I say and do.
Not so caught up in selfish gain
That I would fail to see
The things in life that mean the most
Cost not a fancy fee.
The warm, kind word that I can give,
The outstretched hand to help,
The prayers I pray for those in need–
More precious these than wealth.
I know not what may lie ahead
Of laughter or of tears;
I only need to know each day
That You are walking near.
I’m thankful for this brand new year
As now I humbly pray,
My hand secure in Yours, dear Lord,
Each step along the way.
by Kay Hoffman

Blessings to you and your homes,

Gingerbread House Making

2011-12-30T00:19:00.000+11:00

For the last several years we have made a Gingerbread House as part of our Pre-Christmas Baking.
sometimes this can be a stressful time as we tend to do things together and this can mean little children getting over whelmed with the numbers of participants and everyone wanting a turn.

This year we decided, well Autumn suggested and I agreed with her great idea. that the little children would have this opportunity to have this whole experience for themselves.

So after Autumn made the mixture and cut out the house pattern and baked them we placed the lollies on a plate for each of the children involved - Moran, Myffwyn, Corbyn and Arwen.

Autumn then helped (supervised) the little children as they decorated the Gingerbread House.

Arwen had the first opportunity to decorate while there was still a lot of room for her to put the lollies on.

She had a lovely time putting them on one side of the Gingerbread house and was very content with her work. Arwen must have been the only child who did not eat any lollies off her plateful.

Corbyn was hanging around just waiting for his time to have a turn at decorating. He did the other side of the roof.

Corbyn was more excited about eating the lollies and had very few left at the end of his time at decorating.

Myffwyn was very precise with her work on the house

While the girls were decorating the house I kept Arwen and Corbyn busy decorating our Yo Yo cookies. We iced them and put on some little candy coated chocolate drops. This was my third packet of these as ~~Autumn~~ someone kept nibbling on them.

Myffwyn was very happy with her work too

Moran was so patient and waited till last. The icing was starting to harden by then though and was finding it hard to keep her lollies on the house.

She found it hard after a while and so gave up after when they kept falling off

Let me just say that our Gingerbread house was not a standard looking house. There was nothing remotely looking like windows and door really

But I must say our little children had the most fun decorating it. They were very happy to have this activity all to them selves

Of course we had to let little Trahaearn to have a little touch of this impressive structure and he was most interested in getting the little colourful parts of it.

All in all I think we will do our Gingerbread house like this again - a special part of our baking for the little children. However I am contemplating putting it to together on the feast of Our Lady of Loretto, Dec 10, as I read on a FB update, can't quite remember who. So if anyone else does please remind me.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Christmas Eve 2011

2011-12-28T20:03:00.000+11:00

Christmas Eve came upon us very suddenly. We had been preparing for this for so many weeks and the last week of Advent was full of shopping, baking and preparing for this special evening.

Christmas Eve is a very exciting time but still very busy. As we have our Midnight Feast after Mass in the early hours of Christmas morning there still is quite a lot to prepare before Mass, including all the ironing of good clothes that are essential for this particular Mass.

We are celebrating the birth of Our Saviour and Lord, we want to go in our very best clothes, hence the suits that are mandatory for our older boys and beautiful dresses for our girls. M,e well I don't have anything too fancy to wear but I did manage to make myself a new skirt the day before. This is amazing for me as it wasn't done in the last dying breaths of getting ready.

Just before we leave for Mass we set the table for our feast in preparation of our return.

Eggnog is a once a year treat, one which the children especially Vellvin look forward to.

Fresh berries are also a great treat on this most special celebration.

Stone fruit is the other major treat, however we missed buying cherries even though the orchard is just up the road!

Did I mention before we have this feast and getting out of Church clothes that it is essential to have the traditional Family photo (see first picture). Poor little Arwen actually had her photo while asleep as she fell asleep on the way home (she refused to go to bed before Mass) and so missed all the goodies too. We did save her some. Really there is so much and more in the freezer too.

Our baby Jesus was placed in the manger after coming down the Star Ladder in the arms of a an angel. Mary and Joseph had ridden along the star path and were now in the Bethlehem stable.

She had a long way to go and sometimes (well often ) we forgot to help her reach her destination but finally achieved the goal on Christmas morning.

The last thing before going to bed in the early hours of Christmas morning, after 2am in the morning for the children.

Was to put the bags around the lounge room to be filled by

very ~~enthusiastic~~ tired parents who did not go to bed until 5:30 am as our little Trahaearn would not settle quickly. He was obviously very excited by his first Christmas.

The very last thing I do is to swaddle a baby doll in a red cloth and place in the manger of straw the children have been filling with good deeds and sacrifices. Well, the manger was a little bare this year. I actually think this was my fault as my focus was else where and I did not encourage them enough so helped soften the bed for Jesus.

Next year I think I will make a baby especially for the manger. In fact like Ginny I thought of it earlier in the season but did not do it either. I know I have plans always greater than what I can achieve for Advent but hopefully will fix that next year.
In fact I will share my own struggle with a particular 'tradition' we have that I will attempt to change next year. So I look forward to 'baring all' so to speak about this soon.

Thank you for allowing us to share our excitement over the joy we have on Christmas Eve!!

Blessings to you and your homes,

Merry Christmas ♥

2011-12-26T10:04:00.000+11:00

A Merry and Blessed Christmas to your homes from ours.

May this blessed season with all the joy and love that abound be yours all year round as we look to Jesus as our guide and Saviour ♥

Blessings to you and your homes,

Not Long Now.....................

2011-12-24T19:19:00.000+11:00

Well the countdown is nearly over!!

It seems we have whizzed through Advent this year and I can honestly say I am ready for Christmas.
Not only for the purpose of the celebration of the Birth of Jesus, Our Saviour but I am so ready for the sense of relaxation and accomplishment that comes after the preparations that needed to be done for this most spectacular fest day to be actually here and rejoice in the joy of Christmas!!

We have come to the end of this Advent with much baking, present making and feast days celebrated. we have had some extra guests this year as well and have enjoyed sharing our family traditions with them.
Our children are especially excited this year and it is so beautiful to see the joy on the younger children's faces as they anticipate the 'specialness' of this day.

Younger children really do bring home the little things that are important and I am thankful that we have these blessings to remind me of the beauty in everyday life.

So as we come to this last evening, Christmas Eve, we are preparing our hearts and home for the coming of the Christ Child.

The highlight of Christmas for most of our children is actually not the morning of Christmas Day with the presents (although this is a very big event) but the Midnight Mass we attend and the Midnight Feast we celebrate after we come home and before everyone goes to bed, after putting out the Christmas Bags, in the early hours of the morning.

Our children are always keen to take up the offering and this year Vellvin, Moran and Corbyn will be having this honour. Saxon and Rogan will serve and Stephen is doing one of the readings. We feel it a privilege and honour to be part of the Mass in these ways.

So as I go off to attend to these final preparations I pray you find the Christ Child in your own homes this night and share this love with all whom you love.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Mid Summers Day or Summer Solstice

2011-12-23T01:04:00.000+11:00

Today was Mid Summers day here in the Southern Hemisphere and I confess that every year I wish I could do more with this day but as it is but 2 days before Christmas it really does get lost in the pre-Christmas rush.

Each year I think how wonderful it would be to have a Mid Summers Eve party and make some Fairy houses and have a big party theme.

Here is a brief summary of this day ~
The summer solstice marks the opposite point in the year as the winter solstice. It is the point when the day is the longest and the night the shortest, and has traditionally been a time for celebration and revelry. While the winter solstice celebrates hope and rebirth, the summer solstice is a time when people could revel in the warm weather, the fresh crops and the life that was all around them.

Here are a few Ideas I would do for a some quick activities ~

- A bonfire with dressing up and throwing of glitter has been a popular theme for us
- Rhythm of the Home
- Cupcake filled cones
- make giant tissue paper flowers
- make a sundial
- make Sunshine Tea (put 6-8 teabags—and some honey if you like— into about 4 litres of cold water in a covered glass container and leave in the sun for 4 or so hours, or until it’s strong enough. Take out the teabags and chill. Shake—to mix the honey—and serve over ice.) Have a Sunshine Tea Party
Summer Short Stories
Summer Poems
Colouring Pages

Here is a short Mid Summer Nights Dream BBC Animated film - there are so many you can google for the fun of it!

Blessings to you and your homes,

The Hobbit Trailer is here!!!

2011-12-22T08:45:00.002+11:00

A break from the Advent Christmas theme I have going at the moment with this exciting preview of The Hobbit Movie.
We watched this together and needless to say it will be on everyone's Christmas list next year!!!

Blessings to you and your homes,

St Lucia - Festival of Light

2011-12-21T23:37:00.000+11:00

It has been that kind of Advent for us here.
The running behind trying to get everything accomplished from behind the starting gate.

So here I am a week late sharing the beautiful evening we had in celebration of St Lucia.
We had a special time introducing this celebration to two very special girls in our older son's lives.
This year we did not even wear our St Lucy crowns (see last year too) or make any little favours like in past years.

WE made St Lucia bread (recipe here) early in the day ready to have after our 'Festival of Light Celebration'

Seriously this is one of the favourite parts of this day for our children - making the coloured custard to look like blood.

You do know you have to have 'blood custard' with the eyeballs we make each year. This was the children's own creation thought up quite a few years ago.
Of course you want to know how to make them don't you?
Take a packet of marshmallows and dip them in melted chocolate then place a choc melt on top and freeze to set the chocolate.
And there you have it chocolate eye balls......

After dinner we have our Festival of Light were we turn out the lights throughout the house and have a single candle or lantern lit and start our procession around our home lighting candles in each room and singing "Walk in the Light". This is explained more clearly in my post from last year.

These last photos are (partly) of our journey through out the home as we light our candles........please enjoy!!

Blessings to you and your homes,

Hearts For Home - 20th December

2011-12-20T14:27:00.000+11:00

In today’s busy and aggressive society mothers at home are not given much encouragement to be committed to their role in being home.

In my weekly 'Hearts for Home' post I am encouraging myself and others to commit to thinking about what 4-6 things we can do each week to bring our thoughts, prayers and actions to keeping our 'Hearts for Home'.

I am praying that a spirit of gentleness, generosity in thoughts and time along with loveliness and grace would lead us to be all that God wants us to be.

I pray also that each person involved in 'Hearts for Home' would also pray for any others involved as well.

May you be blessed by this initiative. I pray it brings you and your family many blessings.

So each week list 4-6 things you will commit to that will keep your "Hearts for Home'.
Please leave a you name and a link to your blog (if you don't have one just leave your list in the comment box) and perhaps a comment so we can all see and encourage each other.

If you would like, add the 'Hearts for Home' logo to your side bar as a reminder of your goals.
May God Bless you this week.

♥ Please leave a link to your Hearts for Home Edition on the Linky at the end of the post, so we can all come and visit.
I would also appreciate you linking back here too.☺ ♥ ♥

Enjoying our lives on the 20th December by doing ♥ ♥

I am trying to be thankful for all the blessings that I have each day as well as to look for them in more difficult circumstances, as I seem to be affected more than usual by the tensions and stress of others. I am contemplating the use of a Blessings book, but am worried I will not use it daily as I want and then feel pressured by not doing this.

Finish our Christmas shopping for gifts. I am so behind and have only started yesterday.

Bake our Christmas cookies together and to let the little children enjoy them by not trying to do too much at a time.

Prepare my heart this week for the joyous occasion of the birth of Our Saviour on Christmas. Focus my thoughts on those I love and be willing to put myself out to serve them in this special time.

I am reading Lessons at Blackberry Inn: Adventures with the Gentle Art of Learning (again) and find myself refreshed and encouraged by the thoughts contained within. There is nothing like a good 'mother culture story' to help me strive to be all I would like to be in my vocation.

May I also say that I wish you and your families a most blessed and joy filled Christmas this week, may you find the love of Christ to be overflowing in your celebrations and in your time together.

May you all have a blessed week and thank you for being a part of Hearts for Home,

Look to Mary... Fourth Sunday in Advent

2011-12-19T02:06:00.000+11:00

As we come to this last week of Advent I am praying that I will be able to keep my focus on the coming of our Lord. I know that I have a very busy week ahead of me, with much Christmas shopping for gifts (all of them in fact) and all our Christmas Cooking yet to do, but I am going to make a very determined effort to try to be more like Our Lady and truly immerse myself in the mystery of Christ himself and the life I am called to live.

It may not be a very interesting or exciting life to outsiders but this home where I am blessed to be each day is an opportunity to live a humble life of devotion to those closest to me....if only I take my eyes of myself and say 'YES' to the opportunities placed before me as Mary did.

Like Mary, who lived a very quiet life, and said " Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word" I think we can grow in the virtues of love and grace as we welcome and grab hold of the gifts God has given to us.

So my thought for this final week are to - look to Mary as she leads us to Jesus.

This is a beautiful hymn we sang at Mass today. I love the melody of this ( I couldn't find an online tune for it, sorry) and the thoughts compel me to think of Mary and the love she had for her Son and thus the life she lived in service to Him

THE VISIT~
She walked in the summer through the heat on the hill.
She hurried as one who went with a will.
She danced in the sunlight when the day was done.
Her heart knew no evening Who carried the Son.

Fresh as a flower at the first ray of dawn,
She came to Her cousin whose morning was gone.
But there leapt a little child in the ancient womb
And there leapt a little hope in every ancient tomb.

Hail, little sister, who heralds the spring.
Hail, brave Mother, who carries the King.
Hail to the moment beneath Your breast.
May all generations call You blessed.

When you walk in the summer through the heat on the hill,
When your wound with the wind and one with His will -be brave
with the burdens you are blessed to bear, for it's Christ that you carry
everywhere, everywhere, everywhere.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast 2011

2011-12-16T02:11:00.000+11:00

This year we are behid the times with our celebration of this feast day and sadly I really was only able to mange the food side of the celebraion at that.
All my ideas for creating a hand painted t-shirt or wall hanging are simply that still ideas and not creations.

As we had our guests arrive this week we have been busy creating a welcoming environment for them to come to, you know cleaning and tidying. So we were very behind and then Anna-Lisa wnated to share this particular feast day with us so here are a few pictures from the wonderful food.

We actually put this together in fairly quick time. I had many helpers and it was very sweet to see the younger children remember things from past years now and want to help prepare the menu items.

A plate full of all the goodies to be eaten along with the heavenly punch.

A close up of the food items that represent parts of the 'story' of this feast day~
Heavely Roses Punch
Juan Diego's Sombrero
Tepayac Hill
A Mantle of Stars
Crescent Moons
Supporting Angels
Praying Hands
The Tilma of Roses
Bishop Zumarraga's Miter
Crushed Serpents

For desert we had our "Build me a Church" and some "Aztec Hot Chocolate"
For more information on this special tea visit Alice's blog for full details

I love the fact that Moran and Myffwyn when finishing cutting up the strawberries and stars both had to take a photo of them, too cute.

So there you have it our very brief tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Las Posadas

2011-12-15T17:02:00.021+11:00

I have been waiting to share this beautiful tradition with you.
I have thought what a wonderful thing it would be if we could experience this with a group of homeschool families or other like minded people.
I believe this would truly bring home the importance of the fact that Our Lord was born in a stable and in very humble circumstances and that we are called to be like Him.

During these nine days before Christmas, Mexicans and Mexican Americans have a wonderful custom called "Las Posadas," a nightly procession that brings to life Joseph and Mary's search for an inn. On each night, a house in the parish is chosen as the destination house, and the people of the parish gather to process to it. One young person is chosen to act as Mary (who sometimes rides a real donkey), and another to act as St. Joseph (sometimes a third is chosen to act as an angel, and others as shepherds); they are often all dressed in beautiful costumes.

Behind the "holy family," the people of the parish walk, carrying candles and blowing whistles, until they reach that night's chosen home. There, the group knocks and sings a song that begs repeatedly and pitifully for shelter. They are refused in song over and over again, until the "innkeepers" relent and finally open the door (or, in other places, they knock on the doors of houses whose "innkeepers" refuse them, and then process to another house and another, etc., until they reach the house chosen for the night's festivities). Once allowed entry each night, all go inside and pray (usually the Christmas Novena or the Rosary), and a party follows, with wonderful tamales, churros, and other Mexican foods, and a pinata filled with hard candy, tangerines, and peanuts.

On the last night (Christmas Eve), two children chosen to play Christ's godparents are added to the procession, which is more elaborate and colorful than the first nights. The godparents carry His likeness to the last destination, where a "nacimiento" (nativity scene) has been set up, and lay Him in the manger. Fireworks, food, piñatas, and Mass all follow.

(Note: Italians have a similar but much less elaborate, 1-day "posadas" custom -- called "Tupa Tupa" -- on St. Joseph's Day, 19 March).

HOME STYLE CELEBRATION~
Los Posados is one of the cherished traditions of Christmas in Mexico. It commemorates the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and their search for lodging.

Here is how the celebration works:

Children gather at homes. Each child is given a lit candle. The children form a lin and then begin walking down the street. The first two children in line carry small figures of the Holy Family (Mary and Joseph).

As they approach each house they are turned away until they arrive at a replica of the stable in Bethlehem. Once the children arrive at the “stable,” they arrange the figures of the Holy Family. They do all this to coincide with midnight.

Then they say prayers. After prayers there is a party. There is usually a piñata and fireworks.

Traditionally, Christmas gifts are not exchanged on December 25th. Gift are exchanged on January 6th on a day called “Day of the Wise Men.” Instead of hanging up stockings, Mexican children put their shoes out for the wise men (not Santa Claus) to fill with toys.

Mexican Version of the Night Before Christmas

Here are some traditional Mexican Christmas recipes for you to try.

Ponche Navideño: Punch

12 quarts water
10 oz tejocotes
6 oz walnuts
5 oranges juiced
8 guavas
4 sugar canes
10 oz prunes 3 sticks cinnamon
2 lb. Sugar

Wash fruit. Cut the sugar cane into strips. Cut guava. Boil everything together, except the sugar. When cooked add the sugar and brandy.

Atole

4 servings

5 oz. tortilla- masa dough
2 tbsp. Cornstarch
3 cups milk
3 cups water
7 oz sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp vanilla extract

Dissolve the dough in the water. Strain the mixture, add the cinnamon sticks, and heat. When boiling add the milk, sugar, cornstarch. and vanilla. Let it boil, stirring constantly until it thickens. If too thick, add milk to achieve preferred consistency. Remove cinnamon stick and serve.

Chocolate Caliente

6 servings
6 cups of milk
6 oz sweet chocolate
6 oz semi sweet chocolate
1/2 tsp vanilla
dash of cinnamon

Heat the milk over medium flame. Break the chocolate into pieces. When the milk is hot, dissolve in it the chocolate pieces, moving constantly until everything is dissolved. Increase heat and let the mixture slowly boil. Add the vanilla and the cinnamon. Continue beating until frothy. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Buñuelos de Navidad -Christmas Sweet Fritters

10 servings

2 cups water
1 lb. Flour
2 whole eggs
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp anisette
9 oz. Lard
9 oz. piloncillo -raw sugar

Boil one tablespoon anisette in a cup of water and leave to cool. Mix and sift the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix in the eggs, the yolk and the anisette in water, as required, and knead until the dough stiffens. Form into small balls and roll out on a floured board until very thin. Continue flattening by hand on a napkin and place on a floured table. Heat the lard .Fry one by one in the lard. Heat the piloncillo in one cup of water with the remaining tablespoon of anisette. This mixture will thicken to a light syrup. remove from heat and strain. Serve the fritters, broken into pieces, in bowls and pour the syrup over them.

Ensalada de Navidad - Christmas Salad

2 small cooked beats, peeled and diced
1 large cooked carrot diced
1 orange, peeled and chopped
1 apple, peeled and diced
1/4 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and diced
1 large banana, diced
1/2 cup unsalted nuts, almonds or peanuts
seeds of 1/2 small pomegranate
1 tbsp lime or lemon juice
3 tbsp salad oil
1/2 teaspoon sugar
dash of salt

Mix all the fruits. Put lime or lemon juice, salad oil, sugar and salt into a screw top jar. Shake until blended and sugar has dissolved. Pour the dressing over the fruit salad and toss well. Pile the salad into a salad bowl and garnish with the nuts and pomegranate seeds. Let it stand in the refrigerator until chilled. Serve chilled.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Hearts For Home - 13th December

2011-12-13T17:12:00.000+11:00

In today’s busy and aggressive society mothers at home are not given much encouragement to be committed to their role in being home.

In my weekly 'Hearts for Home' post I am encouraging myself and others to commit to thinking about what 4-6 things we can do each week to bring our thoughts, prayers and actions to keeping our 'Hearts for Home'.

I am praying that a spirit of gentleness, generosity in thoughts and time along with loveliness and grace would lead us to be all that God wants us to be.

I pray also that each person involved in 'Hearts for Home' would also pray for any others involved as well.

May you be blessed by this initiative. I pray it brings you and your family many blessings.

So each week list 4-6 things you will commit to that will keep your "Hearts for Home'.
Please leave a you name and a link to your blog (if you don't have one just leave your list in the comment box) and perhaps a comment so we can all see and encourage each other.

If you would like, add the 'Hearts for Home' logo to your side bar as a reminder of your goals.
May God Bless you this week.

♥ Please leave a link to your Hearts for Home Edition on the Linky at the end of the post, so we can all come and visit.
I would also appreciate you linking back here too.☺ ♥ ♥

Enjoying our lives on the 13th December by doing ♥ ♥

I am contemplating how much we need to keep up conversation with our older children and be close enough that they continue to share their thoughts with us. As our older children become more independent we need to remember they are not clones but persons with their own thoughts, dreams and asperations and they need to be encouraged in this and not told to 'be like us' and do only as we tell them to.

Well, as we have been preparing for two special guests these last ~~weeks~~ days we have not celebrated our two feasts days on the paticular days. So over the next two days we will be celebrating the feasts of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St Lucia. It will be exciting to share them with these special guests.

Um, seriously I need to organise Christmas gifts for, well, everybody.

Keep my heart and mind open to any 'disturbances' within our children, as with the excitement building the younger children especially need to have planned days and allowances for ways to deal with all this abundant excitment and energy.

I am thankful o be sharing this life with my dear husband and wonderful children and I treasure this gift that has been given to me. Each day brings much joy and laughter as we share this journey together.

May you all have a blessed week and thank you for being a part of Hearts for Home,

Our Patron Saints for 2012

2011-12-13T11:43:00.000+11:00

Each Year we are involved in the process of asking for Patron Saints for the new Year. We believe that these saints choose us for a reason each year and we try to learn about them and have a particular devotion to them during the year, asking for their prayers to guide and help us in the year ahead.

These are the saints who we have for the year~

Family Patron Saint -- Our Lady of Good Remedy
Home Schooling Saint -- St. Joseph Calasanz

Stephen -- St. Benedict
Gae -- St. Monica
Kynan -- St. Ambrose of Milan
Braedon -- St. Thomas Aquinas
Autumn -- St. Catherine of Alexandria
Eden -- St. Francis Xavier
Saxon -- St. Andrew Kim Taegon
Vellvin -- St. Clare of Assisi
Rogan -- Bl. Pedro Calungsod
Moran -- St. Joachim
Myffwyn -- St. Rita
Corbin -- St. John Chrysostom
Arwen -- St. Brighid
Trahaearn -- St. Patrick

Blessings to you and your homes,

Our St Nicholas Play 2011 by Saxon

2011-12-10T10:31:00.002+11:00

Greeting everyone and welcome to a guest post from Saxon on our Saint Nicholas play.

We (Me, Eden,Vellvin, Rogan, and Moran) being the awesome people we are didn't start planing the play till noon ON the day. So we had a mere six hours to cast, design the set, actually get a curtain up, rehearse and have costumes ready.

Its amazing how much spare energy you find you have when you need it.
I was unofficially the Director and all of us were the actors.
We all decided Rogan was an awesome Saint Nick and Vellvin was dying to play Constantine, Rogan and Vellvin were cast as Saint Nicholas and Constantine respectively.
Mum was the narrator and was given the title only minutes before the main event.

Preparing the stage was a mammoth task with erection of this stage curtain. This was a feat of some note and engineering as Dad has a strict policy of not putting holes in the wall for 'extras'

Whilst overseeing the set design and costumes I managed to write the start of the narrative that was to take place between scenes, and I finished the rest 15 minutes before the curtain was pulled back. Quickly I found an awesome narrator, tossed the papers in her arms and continued with the final preparations.

And now on with the play~~~

Many years ago, in a land far away in a country which is now know as Turkey.

There was a boy: Nicholas

A saintly boy he prayed for many hours each day. Though small he was very mature, always giving to the poor and hungry.

But alas Nicholas soon lost his parents to the plague inheriting large wealth from his parents; he made it his life’s mission to give to the poor and to glorify God.

In Patara where Nicholas lived he heard of a man who had lost his fortune and was near to being broke. The man had three young daughters whom he had to supply dowries for.

Eden, Vellvin and Moran played various roles , one of which was the three daughters.

But sadly, he could no due to his lack of cash; the future for the small family looked very bleak indeed. Upon hearing this, Nicholas was determined to help; though not the usual way......

A quickly constructed chimney, a young Nicholas with gold and the show was on!

A few years later in a parish whose bishop had recently died a priest heard the voice of God in his sleep

A priest with a fellow brother in the wee hours of the morning. After hearing a voice in his sleep he awakens.

And tells the brother what he had been told.

saying “Awaken soon my son, and be at the doorway, ask the first person who enters their name, if he answers to the name of Nicholas make him the new bishop.”

Upon hearing the boys name is Nicholas the father is delighted!

He shoves the mitre on Nicholas's head, ties a red robe around his neck and thrusts a staff in his arms, and proclaims him Bishop. Nicholas's friend Peter is happy for him and willingly congratulates him

After being made bishop,

Nicholas’s fame grew even more, he was easily recognized by his white and red garments and also by the dark-skinned man who was his constant follower and companion known as Black Peter.

A cast photo of Nicholas, Black Peter, and the Priest.

But alas, not all were pro for Nicholas and Christianity and it was not long until an Emperor by the name of Constantine summoned him to speak with him……

The Emperor tells Nicholas what he thinks of Christianity, only to be Baptised soon after.

Stoping in mid sentence, the emperor was awestruck when he saw a vision of Jesus and Our Lady in the sky. Instantly he had a change of heart and then continued to Nicholas:

Bishop Nicholas’s fame grew more then ever and some considered him a living saint. One day when a group of sailors were caught in a storm they called to the famous bishop for to help them though he was not present among them; they were answered.

The Emperor has a strange habit of laughing in his sleep- THAT I can tell you was NOT in the rehearsal.

One night the same Emperor Constantine, after arresting and imprisoning three men accused of a crime had Nicholas appear in his sleep saying:

The emperor sleeps while a soldier guards him.....with a Nerf gun!

“Release those 3 men whom you imprisoned for they have been wrongly accused and are innocent”

The three prisoners rejoice at being freed with joyful faces.

Many years later, after performing many more miracles and when he was around 60, Nicholas went home to Heaven, But not before telling his faithful follower Peter one…last…thing.

Nicholas, now sporting large beard, lays on his death bed with Peter near him.

Nicholas passes away....

And Peter vows to continue the tradition of giving at Christmas.

A somewhat fuzzy cast photo.

THE END

Thank you for your company!

PS. from Mum. I usually take the photos for these little plays and make slide (which seems to be shutting down, so I need new format to continue this- any suggestions?) shows but for what ever reason the camera was not taking clear pictures. Also the director was not used to directing against a wall in the background and forgot to allow for the 'audience point of view.
However I am thrilled with their work and the creativity they put into this play and look forward to the now monthly plays they have promised us.

Blessings to you and your homes,

First Foods

2011-12-09T22:54:00.000+11:00

After the fact that Trahaearn had some cookie tasting on St Nicholas Day I thought it would be time to add some 'real food' into his diet.
I admit that I have benn put off starting our sweet dumpling on solids as we ahve been pressured by Doctors from the time he was three months old to start him on solids, even while the Lactation Nurses advocate at least 6 months old as based on World Health Guidelines.
So taking the plunge I cooked him up some sweet potato and mashed it up with some EBM, which some of the kids found highly disturbing, lol.

So we just had to record this momentous occasion with some very sweet photos of him sampling the food. He really did not seem to like the food to start with but did have a little taste.
Today when I gave it so him again he did seem to take to it better and finished the little spooonful I had prepared for him.

So enjoy these photos of our sweety trying a new sensation and look to the bottom to see who was very keen to eat his leftovers!!
In fact I had to stop her from trying to multitasking -- feed him herself and eat it while I was trying to spoon food into Trahaearn's mouth.

Blessings to you and your homes,

St Nicholas Celebration 2011

2011-12-08T23:27:00.000+11:00

'The children were in bed all sound asleep when we saw we were having a visit from St Nick.'

Each year the children anticipate this feast as a precursor to Christmas and it is with much joy and anticipation that I enjoy preparing the gifts to put in the St Nicholas stockings. These are fairly inexpensive gifts totally about $7-$10 each. The cheap shops carry some little things and I look for bargains all over as well.

Traditionally we have an orange a bag of gold chocolate coins, homemade speculaa cookies, and a peppermint candy cane as standard inclusions before anything else.

I still decorate the breakfast table and add a few extra coins and St Nicholas decorations.

Somebody, not naming anyone but see those big eyes was up way past his bedtime ~~helping~~ slowing down the arrival of St Nicholas.

The other reason was I was still making these speculaa cookies. I cut htem out around the pattern we have, rather than a cookie cutter

. Even though I started them early in the morning I had errands to run and did not acutalyy start rolling our dough until after 10pm. We each have two in our bags and that equals one quantity of dough.

I also made these St Nicholas chocolates, as mentioned in a previous post.

Come morning, too early, for me after a very late night Corbyn was trying to get everyone up ready to look in the stockings. We always open these together and no one is allowed down to have a 'touchy feely' of the bags. So little Corbyn was sitting at the top of the stairs, head in hands waiting for everyone to come.

Most of the children opening their gifts. Of course it was Trahaearn's firts St Nicholas day and the older ones were very keen to see him enjoy his gifts.

Two little cowboys. Corbyn got this cool green cowboy hat for St Nicholas day. Green being his favourite colour like Theodore from Alvin and the Chipmunks and well he loves cowboy hats, this being his third over the last 2 years.

Guess who go his first taste of a cookie? Well his first solids EVER actually after getting his FIRST tooth on the Eve of St Nicholas.

WE were treated to a very elaborate play that took over 5 hours of preparations and dress rehearsed (look for this to come) and it was a very real presentation of the Life of St Nicholas.

After the play we had our St Nicholas Hot Chocolate with marshmallows and a peppermint stick.

This was my special gift the beautiful tea cup. It is extra large so can fit a mug size of coffee within, something I have always wanted and so very pretty as well.

At the end of a very happy day we were thankful for the blessings we had received not only on this day but for every day.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Turning a Chocolate Santa into St Nicholas!!

2011-12-06T23:57:00.000+11:00

Each year for part of our St Nicholas traditions i buy these little cheap Santa Chocolates and then convert them to St Nicholas by cutting out red paper into a Mitre shape and use gold (or other colours if none is available) pipe cleaners for a Bishop's crook. I then stick them on with sticky tape.

This is a seriously quick and easy craft BUT very effective. In fact our little children have not see this 'transformation as I usually do it after they are in bed and so this morning Myffwyn saw the empty boxes I had left out (results of a too tired mummy last night) and was surprised that the picture was of Santa and not St Nicholas as she was telling her brother.

This year of course I could not find any red paper for the mitre at 11pm on the Eve of St Nicholas and so my sweet daughter coloured in some paper for me. I just measure across the front of the head and then make it double length to fold in half. Then I simply shape it to look like a bishops mitre and then draw a cross on it.

Stick it on with some sticky tape by wrapping around the hear . Next measure the length bishops crook you want cut it and bend the pipe cleaner, stick this on with sticky tape too and you have a completed St Nicholas.

These can be done with any size but due to the cost of doing 14 for our family and the availability too, we use small chocolate santa's. In fact I have only seen larger ones at a town about an hours drive from us at $7 each, as opposed to 8 in a pack for $2, which I can handle. The children still get the idea and it does not break the bank.

So there you have it how to turn an santa into a liturgically inspired St Nicholas!!

Blessings to you and your homes,

Hearts For Home - 6th December

2011-12-06T17:02:00.000+11:00

In today’s busy and aggressive society mothers at home are not given much encouragement to be committed to their role in being home.

In my weekly 'Hearts for Home' post I am encouraging myself and others to commit to thinking about what 4-6 things we can do each week to bring our thoughts, prayers and actions to keeping our 'Hearts for Home'.

I am praying that a spirit of gentleness, generosity in thoughts and time along with loveliness and grace would lead us to be all that God wants us to be.

I pray also that each person involved in 'Hearts for Home' would also pray for any others involved as well.

May you be blessed by this initiative. I pray it brings you and your family many blessings.

So each week list 4-6 things you will commit to that will keep your "Hearts for Home'.
Please leave a you name and a link to your blog (if you don't have one just leave your list in the comment box) and perhaps a comment so we can all see and encourage each other.

If you would like, add the 'Hearts for Home' logo to your side bar as a reminder of your goals.
May God Bless you this week.

♥ Please leave a link to your Hearts for Home Edition on the Linky at the end of the post, so we can all come and visit.
I would also appreciate you linking back here too.☺ ♥ ♥

Enjoying our lives on the 6th December by doing ♥ ♥

As we come closer to Christmas I am encouraged each week by the readings we have at Mass. I find that they cause me to reflect on where my own focus is and how I can be a better person.

The prayers and novenas we are participating in and the 'family bible reading challenge' we are doing also add to a sense of purpose in my spiritual life

I am enjoying having our son Kynan home and am especially thankful for the fact he has helped with the mowing of our 'mini jungle'.

I am still looking for some time to create some presents for our children for Christmas and so am looking for some quiet time that will allow for this.

The anticipation of St Nicholas Day from the little children has reaffirmed that even though the preparations for these special Feast Days and other family special days makes precious memories for them and the whole family. As I write the children have been working on a St Nicholas play for the last 5 hours to be presented tonight.

Being thankful for all the gifts God has given to me in regards to financial, family and of course in Himself. As we deal with issues both large and small.

May you all have a blessed week and thank you for being a part of Hearts for Home,

On the Feast of St Nicholas

2011-12-06T12:13:00.011+11:00

Gracious and good Lord,
we bless you on this feast of St. Nicolas, your servant,
who is an example to us of a life of charity and love.
May we see in his life an invitation to imitate his good deeds.
make us always mindful of the needs of others
and help us rejoice int he abundance of your goodness around us.
Through Jesus our Lord.
Amen.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Recipe for Christmas Joy

2011-12-05T11:10:00.003+11:00

Here is a great recipe for some Christmas Joy~

1/2 cup of Hugs
4 teaspoons Kisses
3/4 cup of Smiles
4 cups of Love
1 cup of Special Holiday Cheer
1/2 cup of Peace on Earth
3 teaspoons of Christmas Spirits
2 cups of Goodwill Towards Men
1 Sprig of Mistletoe
1 medium size bag of Christmas SnowflakesMix Hugs,
Kisses, Smiles, and Love until consistent.
Blend in Holiday Cheer, Peace on Earth,
Christmas Spirit and Goodwill Toward Men.
Use the mixture to fill a large, warm heart where it
can be stored for a lifetime, for it never goes bad!
Serve as desired under Mistletoe, sprinkle liberally with
Christmas Snowflakes
It is especially good when accompanied by Christmas
carols and family get-togethers.
Serve to one and all!

Blessings to you and your homes,

Second Sunday in Advent 2011

2011-12-04T23:35:00.000+11:00

"Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Thine only-begotten Son, that through His coming we may be worthy to serve Thee with purified minds. Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen." ~ Prayer for Second Sunday in Advent

Well as we are entering this second week of Advent I am focusing on on the joys we have as a family.

This was especially evident today as after Mass we enjoyed time together kniting , sewing, playing outside with our little ones and watching the Christmas Carol movie. These were participated in by various degrees by our children with us.

As we plan for our coming week with the celebrations of St Nicholas and The Immaculate Conception this is a time for family bonding and the sharing of these celebrations of our Church Year.

I pray that you may continue your journey this week with much joy and peace as we come closer to the 'reason for the season' - Christmas and the birth of our Saviour.

Blessings to you and your homes,

A Bed for Baby Jesus!

2011-12-03T01:04:00.000+11:00

One tradition we have in our home is the preparing a soft bed for baby Jesus on Christmas morning.

One year I had Saxon make me a manger for this purpose as before we had just used an old box previously. We then have a small box of raffia, know as hay, that sits along side this manger.

The idea is to put as much hay in as possible by doing good deeds, making sacrifices, spending more time in prayer and other ways we can serve and do things for Jesus.
This photo (looks like I need to get more hay by the way) was after a couple of days and I confess to using it as an encouragement for better behaviour with the younger children especially, as well as an incentive to get their chores done too. This really seems to get them focused on what the season is about!

Last year we had Arwen sit it on more than one occasion and i am tempted to put Trahaearn in there too. The children have big plans for him to be baby Jesus in the Christmas play they are preparing.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Blessings to you and your homes,

The Joy in Giving!!

2011-11-30T23:47:00.000+11:00

Our children are a sourse of inspirtaion and joy to me every day.
I am so honoured to have these special little people in my life.

The contagious spirit of giving and wanting to bring joy to others is a natural part of children's lives and I am blessed in so many ways on a daily basis, as I am the recipient of little 'love gifts' from our children.

I was especially overcome with joy as Corbyn just had to show me his simple Christmas gifts already made (with the help of an adorable big sister) and wrapped up ready to be given to siblings and mummy and daddy.

The look on his face as he was looking for a place to hide them until Christmas was a reminder of the gifts we are given each day if only we look for them in the simple opportunities and with the mind and heart of a child.

Children are a wonder to behold and a gift from God that is constantly renewed each day as I share my daily life with them.

Enjoy your day and the opportunities that come your way!

Blessings to you and your homes
,

St Andrew Novena Starts Today

2011-11-30T12:57:00.000+11:00

Say 15 times a day from St. Andrew's Day (30 November) until Christmas

Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment at which the Son of God was born of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight in Bethlehem in the piercing cold. At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, to hear my prayers and grant my desires. (Mention your intentions here) Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Hearts For Home - 29th November

2011-11-29T22:47:00.001+11:00

In today’s busy and aggressive society mothers at home are not given much encouragement to be committed to their role in being home.

In my weekly 'Hearts for Home' post I am encouraging myself and others to commit to thinking about what 4-6 things we can do each week to bring our thoughts, prayers and actions to keeping our 'Hearts for Home'.

I am praying that a spirit of gentleness, generosity in thoughts and time along with loveliness and grace would lead us to be all that God wants us to be.

I pray also that each person involved in 'Hearts for Home' would also pray for any others involved as well.

May you be blessed by this initiative. I pray it brings you and your family many blessings.

So each week list 4-6 things you will commit to that will keep your "Hearts for Home'.
Please leave a you name and a link to your blog (if you don't have one just leave your list in the comment box) and perhaps a comment so we can all see and encourage each other.

If you would like, add the 'Hearts for Home' logo to your side bar as a reminder of your goals.
May God Bless you this week.

♥ Please leave a link to your Hearts for Home Edition on the Linky at the end of the post, so we can all come and visit.
I would also appreciate you linking back here too.☺ ♥ ♥

Enjoying our lives on the 29th November by doing ♥ ♥

Well, we are starting our Advent season and the focus I want to have for this week is on reading many of our Advent and Christmas picture books.

I will also be making up those Christmas bags as I now have the fabric for them. While I am at it I will make Trahaearn's St Nicolas stocking.

As we have put up our decorations I want to keep the house fairly clean and tidy, even with all those, crafty activities involved with Advent Unit Studies.

I plan to help Moran and Myffwyn with a day to themselves each of making Christmas presents for each other and all our family. Autumn did this with Corbyn and Arwen and they had the best day ever with her.

I need to plan for St Nicholas day next week and try and find some gifts that do not cost too much.

Try to keep up the new routine even though we are now entering this very busy time of year.

May you all have a blessed week and thank you for being a part of Hearts for Home,

A Quick Advent Study

2011-11-29T00:12:00.001+11:00

Although I had hoped to have my own prepared study to share this year I have not gotten it typed up sooooo I thought I would share this quick online version of one of the Studies we have done in the past. I actually can't find the one we own but this is a good starting point for a family study.

A Blessed Christmas

by Karen Caroe

INTRODUCTION

Every year from December 1 - January 6, we do a unit study about Christmas. This is one of the many we have done. This unit study is about the Symbols of Christmas. Every Christmas symbol ought to point to the Lord Jesus Christ. Our entire focus for this season is on Christ, His character, our service to Him, and our opportunity to spread His light to others.

RESOURCES

Celebrate With Joy by Sondra Burnett (1992)

THE UNIT
The following are the symbols we use, the scripture we study and the activities we do. You don't have to do them in this order. I change them around to accommodate our schedules and each Sunday of Advent, etc.

1) THE ADVENT WREATH--The circle of the wreath reminds us of God's eternal love for us. The 4 candles on the wreath are for each Sunday before Christmas. The center candle is for Christ and is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. We do both. The lighting of the candles each week causes the light to grow brighter as the birth of Christ approaches.
Bible: Luke 2:19
Discuss the need for a quieter, slower season to think about the truths of God's word. Decide--as a family--how you can slow down, focus on Christ, and not get overwhelmed withe the "hustle and bustle"
Do: Make an Advent Wreath. We make ours out of greenery--real or artificial. The green reminds us that Christ lives forever and comes to give us that opportunity for eternal life.

2)BELLS--I love bells because they are so joyful sounding. In times past, churches were forbidden to ring bells to call people to worship. This is true in some countries even today.
Bible: Psalm 100
Discuss whether or not you ring the joyful news of Christ. or are you a noisy gong.
Do: There are many activities to do with bells. My children like to tie them onto ribbon and string them on the tree. We also like to make necklaces with them and sew them into the hem of our Christmas dresses. Collect all the bells in your house and see if you can '"play" a song with them.

3)CARDS--We enjoy getting Christmas Cards. Looking at the pictures and reading the sentiments. We also like to send cards that state clearly our belief about the preciousness of Christmas.
Bible: Luke 2:13-14
Discuss the possibility of these verses being the first "Christmas Card Greeting." Are our Christmas greetings patterned after this one. Should it be?
Do: Make Christmas cards for your friends and send them. Or make them for each member of your family. Also, each time you gather around the Advent Wreath--daily or weekly--read the cards you have received and pray for the sender and their family.

4) ST.NICHOLAS--look up in encyclopedia. This is NOT Santa Claus. Our children do not believe in Santa Claus and we have never pretended he was real. We do however teach them about the true Nicholas of Myra (Turkey) who loved God and gave to others without expecting anything in return. His example of giving should characterize our lives all year.
Bible: Philippians 2:1-11
Discuss: What should be our attitude toward others and how can we--as a family--show forth that attitude at Christmas? Be specific. Make a plan and do it.
Do: Choose a family, widow, shut-in, etc and secretly give them a small gift "from someone who loves you" each week of advent. ( Fruit, poinsettia, hand-made ornament, card--etc.) Then go and visit them on the 4th Sunday or Christmas Eve/Day.
Do: Exchange names in your family. Keep it a secret. Do nice things for that person throughout the season. (Make their bed. Take on a chore. Leave them a note, etc.)

5) GIFTS--God sent His son and that's the greatest gift of all. Gifts also represent the significant gifts of the Magi. If they don't show our love for our family or friend, then they shouldn't be given.
Bible: Matthew 2:10-11
Discuss: The wise men Worshipped Christ BEFORE giving gifts to him. We need to be sure worship comes before the shopping and giving of gifts. How can this be done?
Do: Wrap a box and put a slit in the top. Have family members decide how they can add $ to the box during the season. At the end of Epiphany (Jan. 6) or at Christmas--give the box to the church or a mission.
Do: Watch a video or listen to a radio drama or read "The Gift of the Magi."

6) ORNAMENTS--The very first tree ornaments were a display of God's provision to his people. Apples, cookies, etc. Also, candles to remind us that Jesus is the light of the world.
Bible: Read James1:17
Discuss: What good gifts God has given you.
Do: Make ornaments that represent God's blessings. Or, make a small Christmas notebook that shows pictures of what God has given you, or make a Christmas banner that displays God's blessings to you.

7) CHRISTMAS TREE -- symbolizes that our God is eternal and we have eternal life through His Son when we put our trust in him.
Bible: Luke 2:52; IIPeter 3:17-18
Discuss: How do we "grow" as Jesus did?
Do: Put up your Christmas tree but enjoy it for a day or so before you put ornaments on it. Reflect upon its meaning. Then, plan what ornaments will show forth your faith and add to the tree throughout the season.

8) CANDLES -- Our home glows with light during this time of the year to remind us that Jesus came as the Light of the World.
Bible: Matthew 5:14-16; John 8:12
Discuss: How we can let others know that Jesus is the Light of the World. How can we show that light?
Do: Gather up different light sources and show how they work. What is brightest, most convenient, etc. (This is a home-school project.) Go into bathroom or dark closet. Show how a single little light clears out the darkness. Refer back to John 1.
Do: Plan some kind of 'outreach' for the season. Either taking the light to others or inviting them into your home.
Do: For homeschool, make some molded candles or rolled beeswax candles as gifts.

9) WREATHS -- We keep at least one wreath up in our home all year. The circle of the wreath is eternal. No beginning or end. That is the same as God's love for us.
Bible: John 3:16
Discuss: What things in your home are made with a circle. Find what qualities of God can be symbolized by a circle.
Do: For home-schoolers, use the circle to teach shapes, the numeral zero, practicing writing the "o" letter and learn it's sounds.
Do: Make a wreath to hang in your home. Give a wreath to someone.

10) HOLLY -- My favorite symbol. The holly leaves represent the crown of thorns that Christ wore. The berries represent his blood and the evergreen color is for eternal life. This is the "completion" of the Christmas story.
Bible: II Corinthians 8:9; Hebrews 12:2
Discuss: Everything Jesus went through because of his love for us.
Do: Place some holly around your nativity scene to remind you of the "whole" story.
Do: Make this great recipe: 1 stick of butter, melted in a large pot with some marshmallows--kind of like making Krispie Treats. Add A LOT of green food coloring. When you have a nice green color, remove from heat and stir in about 6 cups of corn flakes. They need to be all covered with the green mixture. Put them out in "clumps" on wax paper and stick a red hot in the middle of each clump. Let them cool. Store in fridge in airtight container. Use to decorate your holiday plate or add to goodie boxes. You will not believe how many compliments you will get on this. If possible, place a little note with them telling about the holly symbol for Christmas.

11) POINSETTIA -- The poinsettia has a lovely history. It was first called "The Flower of the Holy Night" because a Mexican legend tells of a little boy who had nothing to give the baby Jesus. As he prayed, a flower grew at his feet. He quickly picked it and gave it to Jesus. We have the name today because of a man named Poinsett--the American ambassador to Mexico--who is given credit for introducing it to the US.
Bible: Matthew 6:28-30
Discuss: How God has shown his loving care through the beauty of creation.
Do: See how many scriptures you can find that refer to Jesus as a flower.
Do: Get a poinsettia for your home or give one to a shut in to enjoy.
Do: For homeschool, spend a couple of days finding out how Christmas is celebrated among Christians in Mexico. Learn to say, "Feliz Navidad."

12) SHEPHERD'S STAFF -- We call it a candy cane. But truly it is a shepherd's staff. The colors symbolize the blood and purity of Christ. If you can find the ones that also have green in them, that represents eternal life.
Bible: Psalm 23:1-5
Discuss: Jesus as our shepherd
Do: Hang candy canes on your tree. We do this every year and we never call them 'candy canes' anymore. When people come to visit, we ask them to take a shepherd's staff off of our tree. Then we tell them why we call it that and what the colors mean. It is a beautiful, non-offensive way, to share your faith with others.

13) X-MAS -- I grew up being told that this was the
way to take Christ out of Christmas but actually that is not correct. It is part of the Chi-Rho cross which is the ancient Christian symbol formed by the Greek letters X (Chi) and P (Rho). These are the first 2 letters of Christ's name in Greek. X-MAS really means "celebration of Christ."
Bible: Luke 1:30-33
Discuss: Why would people want to take Christ out of Christmas? How can our family be sure to keep Christ in all the celebrations?
Do: Make a Chi-Rho cross out of poster board. Cut it out, spread with glue, sprinkle with glitter.
Do: For home school. Learn to write the Greek Alphabet. Look in a Greek New Testament. See if you can copy a short verse. Learn to say the Greek Alphabet. Why was the New Testament written in Greek? Also, check out how Christians in Greece celebrate Christmas.

14) CAROLS -- Most carols are were poems that were later put to music. A carol is a song that tells of Jesus' birth. "O Holy Night" is a carol. "Jingle Bells" is not a carol--it is a song.
Bible: Psalm 33:1-3
Discuss: What does God think about the praises of his children? What other verses tell us to praise and how to praise?
Do: Learn all the verses to a new Christmas Carol or an old favorite. Break into teams and play "Charades" with the titles of Christmas Carols. Make up your own Christmas Carol.
Do: For Homeschool, write a poem that could be used as a Christmas Carol.

15) CAROLERS--Legend has it that the first American carolers were a group of Huron Indians who gathered around a manger scene to sing songs. Later, groups of carolers would sing at homes which had a candle in the window.
Bible: Ephesians 5:19-20; Colossians 3:16
Discuss: How do these verses apply to celebration of the Advent?
Do: Organize a caroling party.

16) STAR--God proclaimed his truth in creation by lighting up the heavens with a star that announced the birth of Christ the King.
Bible: Look up scriptures that show other ways God has revealed himself through creation.
Do: For homeschool, study stars. What are they? What are some of the constellations?
Do: Make star ornament(s) for your tree.
Do: Make cookies shaped like stars.

17) MANGER SCENE--Supposedly St. Francis of Assisi had such a desire to have been present at the birth of Christ, that he re-created the scene.
Bible: Luke 2:6-7
Discuss: Where were you born? What were the surroundings? How do they compare to those of Jesus? What would you think about Jesus if he had been born in a palace? Why was he born in a stable?
Do: Begin making your own nativity scene. Make it as a banner or as a set. There are many patterns, cutouts, etc. available.

18) ANGELS -- God's messengers were the first to announce the birth of the Christ child. Also, at this time of the year especially, be open to hospitality for you never know when you may "entertain angels unawares."
Bible: Hebrews 13:1-2
Discuss: How do we serve God by practicing hospitality? Who in the Bible "entertained" angels?
Do: Decide as a family how you will be God's messengers at Christmas. Make a plan to help others who aren't as fortunate as you are.

19) BABY IN THE MANGER--The Christ child. Our purpose for celebrating.
Bible: Luke 2:7; 11-12
Discuss: Why did God decide to put His son in a feed trough?
Do: Make a poster or banner with the different names of Jesus.
Do: For homeschool write and design a "birth announcement" for the baby Jesus.

20) MARY--The mother of Jesus.
Bible: Luke 1:26-38, 46-56
Discuss: List the qualities of Mary you believe she had that caused God to choose her to be the Mother of His Son.
Do: Put Mary in your nativity scene.

21) JOSEPH--The earthly father of Jesus.
Bible: Matthew 1:18-2:23
Discuss: Why God thought Joseph would be a good husband and father.
Do: Add Joseph to the nativity scene.

22) SHEPHERDS -- The first to "hear" of the birth.
Bible: Psalm 68:10; Psalm 74:21b; James 2:5
Discuss: The 2 "classes" of visitors that came to see Jesus. What can we learn from each group?
Do: Make shepherds to add to your nativity. Lean a shepherd's staff against the stable to remind you of this symbol.

23) LAMBS--Symbolic because we picture them as being with the Shepherds who came to see Jesus. Jesus is the Lamb of God and he came to redeem his lambs (us).
Bible: Luke 2:8, 15-16; John 1:29; John 10:14-15
Discuss: What are the qualities of sheep?
Do: Add sheep to your manger.
Do: Make some sheep ornaments for your tree.
Do: Bake some cut-out sheep cookies.
Do: For homeschool, find out more about sheep and shepherding. Where in the world is that still done today? What are some wool products?

24) WISE MEN -- These were men who studied the stars and prophecies looking for signs of God's promised Saviour. The gifts they brought were prophetic of Christ's life on earth.
Bible: Proverbs 9:10, 16:16; James 1:5
Discuss: What is the opposite of wisdom? How can we grow wise? as parents. as children. Decide what areas of life you can work on to help you grow wiser.
Do: Make replicas of the gifts brought to Jesus. Put them on your tree. Find out why each gift was significant.

A NOTE ON CHRISTMAS EVE/DAY

We, in our family, work very hard to maintain a "ritual" of traditions. Some are from the way my dh and I were raised, some we began with our own children. I believe in these volatile times that the focus of Satan's battles is the breakdown of the family. Traditions serve to strengthen and solidify the ties of children to their parents and to the past generations. They also prepare the ground for strong relationships when your children have children. We must not weaken our greatest defense in the spiritual battles around us--the family. We ALWAYS keep a few of the traditions every year. Sometimes, we try something new. We don't know if it will become a tradition until the next year. I encourage you to celebrate Christmas Eve and Day with traditions that have been or will continue to be in your family for years to come. God was the first to establish "traditions" for His people, Israel, because He knew the strength in teaching His ways to our children and our children's children.

THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Traditionally, Christmas celebrations didn't begin until a couple of days before Christmas and they continued until the Epiphany (January 6). The 12 Days of Christmas begin on December 26. Many families do not even open gifts until the Epiphany.

Here are some suggestions from activities we have done. (For homeschoolers, we do not homeschool at all during this time. It is our big break)
1) Each night focus on a different Christmas Carol. Ending with We Three Kings. See if you can find a carol book that will give you information about the origin and history of the carols.

2) On the 1st night (Dec.26) give 1 small gift to someone. The next night give 2 gifts to the same person or 1 gift to 2 different people. Continue this through 12 nights. (Tree ornaments, homemade cookies, candies, tracts, gift booklets, bookmarks, etc.)

3) Have a 12th night party and give small gifts to your guests.

4) Each night, move the wisemen of your nativity set closer and closer to the manger. ( We all know they didn't come to the manger but it's the idea that they progressed toward the Christ Child)

CONCLUSION

It is my sincere prayer that this unit study will minister to your family in a special way this year. Perhaps giving you new ideas for traditions or allowing you to see the symbols of Christmas in a new light. I pray you all have a blessed and spirit-filled Christmas this year. God Bless You!

Blessings to you and your homes,

Twas the Beginning of Advent

2011-11-28T13:23:00.000+11:00

As I was looking at Advent ideas this year I and found this beautiful poem about how Advent and Christmas has become very commercialized sadly even within our Churches!


Twas the Beginning of Advent by J. Todd Jenkins  
'Twas the beginning of Advent and all through the Church 
Our hope was all dying-- we'd given up on the search. 
It wasn't so much that Christ wasn't invited, 
But after 2,000 plus years we were no longer excited. 
 
Oh, we knew what was coming-- no doubt about that. 
And that was the trouble-- it was all "old hat." 
November brought the first of an unending series of pains 
With carefully orchestrated advertising campaigns. 
 
There were gadgets and dolls and all sorts of toys. 
Enough to seduce even the most devout girls and boys. 
Unfortunately, it seemed, no one was completely exempt 
From this seasonal virus that did all of us tempt. 
 
The priests and prophets and certainly the kings 
Were all so consumed with the desire for "things!" 
It was rare, if at all, that you'd hear of the reason 
For the origin of this whole holy-day season. 
 
A baby, it seems, once had been born 
In the mid-east somewhere on that first holy-day morn. 
But what does that mean for folks like us, 
Who've lost ourselves in the hoopla and fuss? 
 
Can we re-learn the art of wondering and waiting, 
Of hoping and praying, and anticipating? 
Can we let go of all the things and the stuff? 
Can we open our hands and our hearts long enough? 
 
Can we open our eyes and open our ears? 
Can we find him again after all of these years? 
Will this year be different from all the rest? 
Will we be able to offer him all of our best? 
 
So many questions, unanswered thus far, 
As wisemen seeking the home of the star. 
Where do we begin-- how do we start 
To make for the child a place in our heart? 
 
Perhaps we begin by letting go 
Of our limits on hope, and of the stuff that we know. 
Let go of the shopping, of the chaos and fuss, 
Let go of the searching, let Christmas find us. 
 
We open our hearts, our hands and our eyes, 
To see the king coming in our own neighbors' cries. 
We look without seeking what we think we've earned, 
But rather we're looking for relationships spurned. 
 
With him he brings wholeness and newness of life 
For brother and sister, for husband and wife. 
The Christ-child comes not by our skill, 
But rather he comes by his own Father's will. 
 
We can't make him come with parties and bright trees, 
But only by getting down on our knees. 
He'll come if we wait amidst our affliction, 
Coming in spite of, not by our restriction. 
 
His coming will happen-- of this there's no doubt. 
The question is whether we'll be in or out. 
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock." 
Do you have the courage to peer through the lock? 
 
A basket on your porch, a child in your reach. 
A baby to love, to feed and to teach. 
He'll grow in wisdom as God's only Son. 
How far will we follow this radical one? 
 
He'll lead us to challenge the way that things are. 
He'll lead us to follow a single bright star. 
But that will come later if we're still around. 
The question for now: Is the child to be found? 
 
Can we block out commercials, the hype and the malls?  
Can we find solitude in our holy halls? 
Can we keep alert, keep hope, stay awake? 
Can we receive the child for ours and God's sake? 
 
From on high with the caroling host as he sees us, 
He yearns to read on our lips the prayer: Come Lord Jesus! 
As Advent begins all these questions make plea. 
The only true answer: We will see, we will see.

Blessings to you and your homes,

First Sunday in Advent- Lighting the Advent Wreath

2011-11-28T00:27:00.000+11:00

This year as part of our Advent celebrations I am hoping to share a look at some of the more important traditions we have in our family for this Advent Season.

Today we lit the first candle on our Advent Wreath.
This is an important activity in our home as it signifies the start of all the special activities as we prepare for the day of Christmas- the Birth of Jesus

On the first day of Advent, Catholic families will set up Advent wreath -- a wreath of greenery adorned by a set of four candles -- typically, three violet-colored, and one rose-colored to match the priest's vestments on each of the days the candles are lit. The wreath is either set upon a table (especially the dining room table), on the family altar, on pedestals, an end table, etc., or it can by suspended by ribbons from the ceiling, such as from a light fixture. The candles can be long, slim tapers, small votives, or fat pillars. There can be pinecones and such adorning the greenery, but because Advent is a penitential season, it shouldn't be highly decorated with colorful ornaments.

The circular shape of the wreath is a symbol of eternity, and the greenery symbolizes hope and renewal. The colors of the typically-used violet and rose candles symbolize penance and joy, respectively.

Each candle also represents one of the four weeks of Advent, and one thousand years of the four thousand years that (at least metaphorically) passed between Adam and Eve to Christ's coming.

The first candle also recalls the Patriarchs; the second candle recalls the Prophets; the third candle recalls St. John the Baptist; and the final candle recalls Our Lady.

If colored candles are used, the violet candles are lit on the first, second, and fourth Sundays of Advent, and the rose candle is lit on the third Sunday ("Gaudete Sunday," when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass), a day of rejoicing because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent and anticipate Christmas. In any case, whether colored or white candles are used, one more candle is lit each week at dinnertime, the progressive lighting of the candles symbolizing the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of His second coming to judge the living and the dead. The candles are kept burning throughout the Sunday supper, and then are immediately blown out afterward (candles can be replaced and greenery freshened as needed).

At midnight on Christmas Eve, the Advent wreath is replaced by a white "Christ candle" that is suitably adorned with holly, or by being carved with symbols of Christ, etc. This Christ Candle is used until the Ephiphany or Candlemas, depending on the family's particular Christmas customs. The greenery of the Advent wreath can now be decorated and turned into a Christmas wreath for use throughout the Christmas season. Fisheaters

To light your Advent Wreath here is a Blessing:
There are many variations of this also

Directions
Sprinkle with Holy Water

Light the first purple candle

Prayer:
Stir up thy power, O Lord, and come,
that by thy protection we may be rescued
from the dangers that beset us through our sins;
and be a Redeemer to deliver us;
Who livest and reignest with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Alternate/Complementary Prayer:
O Emmanuel, Jesus Christ,
desire of every nation,
Savior of all peoples,
come and dwell among us.
(From Christmas Prayers, Victor Hoagland, C.P.)

Scriptures:
Isaiah 11:1-10
Luke: 1:26-38
Isaiah 7:10-14
Matthew 1:18-24

Prayer link

Blessings to you and your homes
,

Happy Birthday Saxon ♥

2011-11-27T02:08:00.000+11:00

Dearest Saxon,
Well once again you have had to wait a whole year for your birthday (family joke) but finally it is here and we celebrate your 15th birthday.

A young man who is developing his own style,but such a mixture of older brothers as well as one of kind Saxon style in one dynamic mix.
Strong, dependable and reliable, so sure of who you are and your life's work.
A young man who will defend all that he believes in to the last breath.
A sense of humour that is sharp and dry, to keep us on our toes.
A son to be proud of!

As you go forth and at the start of the Church's new year our prayer is for you to grow even more in love of God, wisdom and love of others as we share this life with you

All our love always
♥ ♥ ♥

Christmas and Advent Chapter Books

2011-11-26T01:38:00.001+11:00

These books are ones we have enjoyed reading in our home. I must admit that some of them cause me to cry every time I read them (and frankly I could never read some out loud because of this) BUT they do inspire me to be a better person living the 'CHRIST'mas message in my daily life.
I am sure we have some others but just can't find them at the moment! For other book lists for Advent and Christmas visit my Book Blog.
I hope you enjoy~
The Christmas Shoes

The Christmas Blessing

The Christmas Hope

The Christmas Promise

The Christmas Note

The Christmas Journey

The Christmas Secret

A Lakes Christmas

Christmas Story Book

The Happiest Time of the Year, Warm Thoughts About Christmas, with Illustrations By Norman Rockwell

The Christmas Box Miracle

A Christmas Acorn

Miracle on 34th Street

The Crazy Christmas Angel Mystery

'Twas the Fight before Christmas

Christmas with Anne and Other Holiday Stories

Merry Fairy Holidays

Different Sort of Christmas

Christmas in Wales: A Homecoming

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

The Christmas Candle

Papa's Angels: A Christmas Story

The Light at Tern Rock

The Family under the Bridge

Christmas After All

Felicity's Surprise

Addy's Surprise A Christmas Story

Kirsten's Surprise

Josefina's Surprise

Kit's Surprise: A Christmas Story, 1934

Molly's Surprise: A Christmas Story

Samantha's Surprise: A Christmas Story

Story of the Other Wise Man

Blessings to you and your homes,

Happy Birthday Vellvin ♥

2011-11-25T02:41:00.000+11:00

Dear Sweet Vellvin,
Oh my how can it be that you are not quite so little now.
I know it seems in so many ways that you are older than you are but now you are actually 13 it seems you are growing up before my eyes.
I know that you will continue to grow into the beautiful and generous hearted young lady you are. The value of you as a girls just increases as you grow and you truly re a blessing to all you come in contact with.

Many virtues are yours to share and you shower them liberally on others.
Smile and don't stress about the little things but enjoy your life as you bring joy to others

Have a most special day and know we love you dearly

All our love always ♥ ♥

Hearts For Home - 22nd November

2011-11-22T17:29:00.000+11:00

In today’s busy and aggressive society mothers at home are not given much encouragement to be committed to their role in being home.

In my weekly 'Hearts for Home' post I am encouraging myself and others to commit to thinking about what 4-6 things we can do each week to bring our thoughts, prayers and actions to keeping our 'Hearts for Home'.

I am praying that a spirit of gentleness, generosity in thoughts and time along with loveliness and grace would lead us to be all that God wants us to be.

I pray also that each person involved in 'Hearts for Home' would pray for any others involved.
May you be blessed by this initiative, and that through it brings you and your family many blessings.

So each week list 4-6 things you will commit to that will keep your "Hearts for Home'.
Please leave a you name and a link to your blog (if you don't have one just leave your list in the comment box) and perhaps a comment so we can all see and encourage each other.
Please don't Link and run!!

If you would like, add the 'Hearts for Home' logo to your side bar as a reminder of your goals.
May God Bless you this week.

Enjoying our lives on the 22nd November by doing ♥ ♥

Hello Dear Friends,

Even though I have completed my Bumper Edition of Advent an Christmas posts I still need to organise what we are doing as a family and what the children will study.

Stir Up Sunday is on this Sunday so we will be making our Christmas Pudding

Vellvin's Birthday celebration was a non-event last week so we will have her birthday on Friday and Saxon's on Sunday

I just have not even looked at presents for our children either making or buying and also with some added guests to organise presents for too.

I will be looking to go to Spotlight (our major fabric and craft store) for some Christmas fabric for three Christmas bags for gifts and three heart shapes with names for the same people.

I am gradually adding to my book blog, the Christmas books we have in our home.
I have added the board books and am working on the Activity/Craft books and Chapter books.

I am also considering making a Unit Study for our family and to share based on The Family and A Traditional Christmas.

May you all have a blessed week and thank you for being a part of Hearts for Home,

Christ The King Celebrations 2011

2011-11-21T23:27:00.000+11:00

Sunday was a very exciting day for us. Not only was it the celebration of Christ The King but our Kynan arrived back home form University for the year in the morning in time to come to Mass with us.

Earlier in the week we had started to colour in some of the colouring pages that we had from the plans we had, trying to get a head start on the day itself.

On the day we made some gold cardboard crowns and glued on some sequins for a quick crown craft. I know we planned to make some felt ones but I will be making more of these for the last two birthdays of the year this week anyway, so I just wanted to do something different.

The participating crowns before while drying and before assembly.

Of course one of the most anticipated crafts is the decorating of the cake. These are the very happy 'crafters' who did the ~~eating~~ decorating with some lollies on the creamy icing in a bundt (crown shape) cake

Doesn't it look very beautiful and yummy.

Wearers of the golden crowns and some capes and cloaks to portray the royalty aspect of Jesus as King!!

Some of the colouring in pages I could find, um somewhere I ~~lost,~~ misplaced the others in my tidying up of my desk.

So as we enter this last week before the start of Advent I anticipate us preparing for a very busy and exciting time over the next few weeks.
This is one of the most joyous family/Liturgical times of the year and one we celebrate with great enthusiasm.

I hope you also enjoyed your own celebrations in remembrance of our Saviour and King!

Blessings to you and your homes,

Christ The King Plans 2011

2011-11-18T11:27:00.001+11:00

The Feast of Christ the King ~
"that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father"
Philippians 2: 10-11

Ideas to Celebrate~
On a home made drawn crown , write all of the reasons that Jesus Christ is our King and Savior.
Another idea is to make a special "Christ the King" banner out of paper, or a more permanent idea out of fabric and fabric paint to proclaim The Kingship of Jesus.

Definitely make some felt crowns following this simple tutorial. Honestly you can never have too many crowns in a home in my opinion, they can be used for anything but for today in memory of Christ The King.

This detailed colouring page was made for us by Eden based on the original image above. We will definitely be colouring this one in, I hope you would like to use it too

Great colouring page
Colouring stained glass window look page
We have made this before but from Jen - a Foldable Table or Altar Decoration
Family Procession idea from Catholic Culture

Make a King Cake ~ I know there are many super duper version of this however we simply make a bundt cake and ice it. The kids then decorate it with lollies as jewels.
Lots of fun, easy to make and yummy to eat!

Here are our ideas and activities from past years

PRAYER~
O Jesus Christ, I acknowledge you as universal King. All that has been made has been created for You. Exercise all Your rights over me. I renew my Baptismal Vows. I renounce Satan, his pomps and his works; I promise to live as a good Christian. And, in particular do I pledge myself to labor, to the best of my ability, for the triumph of the rights of God and of Your Church. Divine Heart of Jesus, to You do I offer my poor services, laboring that all hearts may acknowledge Your sacred kingship, and that thus the reign of Your peace be established throughout the whole universe. Amen.

May you have a blessed and memorable feast day,

Shared Posts!

2011-11-17T17:12:00.003+11:00

As discussed last week, I am starting my weekly Shared Posts for as long as others would like to contribute.

Here are some links to posts I have enjoyed this week:
Felt Christmas Tree -easy craft
Media and Parenting - something to be mindful of
Cinnamon Rolls
Blanket Stitiching
On Creativity - Pondered in My Heart
Party Ideas for All Saints Day
Crafting A story
Nine Patch Doll quilt
Heart of Advent - Frontier Dreams
True Beauty - Storygirl
New Mass Printable Book - Catholic Icing

Looking forward to all the Shared Posts you may contribute!

Blessings to you and your homes,

Advent and Christmas Season Bumper Ideas Edition

2011-11-17T01:35:00.002+11:00

Christmas Pot Pourri

2011-11-17T00:24:00.001+11:00

I am starting to add some posts on Advent and Christmas. I am trying to get a long list of everything together and realised I had never posted this recipe for Christmas Pot Pourri!

This is a mix I only use during Advent and Christmas.
I make up the mix from dried oranges pieces, I dry these first in a very slow oven.
Then I mix in whole cloves, whole nutmegs that have been crushed in chunks and cinnamon sticks broken up.

To start this beautiful tradition simply put a scoop of this into a small saucepan with water and gently simmer all day.
The aroma from this is just lovely and it will spread through out your home filling it with the scent of the Christmas season.

It is so simple and so beautiful to make and perhaps to share as a gift this year in a pretty glass jar with a ribbon around it.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Looking toward Advent

2011-11-16T00:36:00.000+11:00

As I start to work out my Advent Plans I know I have so many resources to look at and learn form one of these is this book~

CHRISTMAS TO CANDLEMAS IN A CATHOLIC HOME - BY HELEN MCLOUGHLIN

I have read this wonderful book so many times and each year get something new form it.
Here it is in it's online form but for a little taste so to speak here is the start of it for you to enjoy

THE SEASON OF GRACE AND JOY

Christmas is a liturgical season of great joy. It lasts forty 
days, from December 25 to February 2, during which the birth of 
Jesus Christ, our Savior, is celebrated as one continuous 
festival. The finale comes with His presentation in the temple. A 
season most dear to Christian hearts, Christmas is as distinct in 
the liturgy as Advent, Lent, Easter, or Pentecost. Four weeks of 
Advent are scarcely enough to "prepare the way of the Lord" for 
His coming to us as King. However, if we have used that season as 
a preparation, we are ready now to receive the Redeemer who will 
deliver us from sin in answer to our requests. Christ's coming 
must be, not a lovely idyll or a pastoral scene, but a reality 
accomplished in our lives and our children's. Forty days of 
rejoicing are not too long a celebration for so great an event.

The early Church selected December 25, the date of the winter 
solstice when God the Creator gives the sun an increase of 
natural light in northern hemispheres, as the day on which to 
celebrate the birth of the Sun of Justice, Light of the world. 
Radiating from the Divine Child are a galaxy of wonderful saints 
whose lives afford a continuing interest in celebrating the feast 
of His birth.

Micheas, who lived in the days of Isaias, prophesied the 
birthplace of the Messiah: "Thou, Bethlehem, art a little one 
among the thousands in Judah; out of thee shall He come forth 
unto me that is to be the Ruler of Israel; and His going forth is 
from the beginning, from the days of eternity." The name 
Bethlehem signifies House of Bread. To it at Christmas comes the 
Savior, who is the Bread of Life. By our participation in this 
mystery the divine transformation takes place whereby He "re-
shapes the body of our lowliness after the body of His splendor."

Our forebears gave the name Christmas to the feast of our Lord's 
birth because they kept the "Christ Mass" as the heart of their 
celebrations. Following closely the liturgy of the Church, they 
centered their customs and wrote their hymns and carols on her 
practices of the season, adoration, love, joy, and gratitude. 
Those practices also increased their admiration for His Virgin 
Mother Mary who gave Almighty God His human form. He had created 
heaven and earth by His Word, but His becoming Man depended on a 
creature's FIAT, "Be it done unto me according to Thy Word." Mary 
consented. Our forebears honored her in their great masterpieces 
because she is God's Mother. For the same reason the world in our 
day honors her as Queen of Heaven.

A CORRECT OUTLOOK

It is to our Lady that Christian families must look for help to 
reestablish Christmas as a season of festivities marking Christ's 
birth. Either we live the liturgical year with its varying 
seasons of joy and sorrow, work and rest, or we follow the 
pattern of the world. Nor is it an easy task to break with the 
world and the powerful influence of advertising. Their season of 
Christmas begins around Thanksgiving Day when stores display 
wares for holiday gift-giving. It lasts until December 24.

Families, who would not dream of eating their Thanksgiving turkey 
a week in advance or of having their 4th of July picnic in June, 
give no thought to the fact that, when they awake on December 25, 
there is not a shred of Christmas left. Every present has been 
opened. Every carol has been sung. The tree has dried out. 
Christmas is apt to be a dull day given to over-eating. There was 
no fast in Advent, so it follows that there can be no feast.

It is difficult to keep one's home dark in Advent penance; to 
keep a tree fresh outside the door; to refrain from singing 
carols until Christmas eve. Our children see their friends' trees 
shimmering with ornaments a week before Christmas. Their houses 
are bedecked with lights. Television and radio blare carols. Not 
only is it difficult to keep from celebrating beforehand, it is 
even more difficult to begin forty days of the Christmas season 
when all around people are concluding their festivities. How then 
do families return to the spirit of the Church and begin the 
season of joy and grace on Christmas eve?

The simplest way is by keeping Advent. Children love to 
anticipate. When there are empty mangers to fill with straws of 
small sacrifices, when the Mary-Candle is a daily reminder on the 
dinner table, when Advent hymns are sung in the candlelight of a 
graceful Advent wreath, children are not anxious to celebrate 
Christmas before time. That would offend their sense of honor. 
Older children who make Nativity sets, cut Old Testament symbols 
to decorate a Jesse tree, or prepare costumes for a Christmas 
play will find Advent all too short a time to prepare for the 
coming of Christ the King.[1]

Celebrating Christmas in its season can be accomplished more 
easily when several families try it together. Frequently there 
are families who, if only for sentimental reasons, would like to 
keep the joy and surprise of Christmas for the eve. Christians of 
the Eastern rite wait until their particular feast of Christmas 
comes in January. We should likewise begin ours on its proper 
day. We also need time for our festivities. The Church gives us a 
period of forty days for rejoicing.

As a child in the suburbs of Boston, my Christmas eve centered 
around the parish house. On the half-hour groups of children with 
trumpet accompaniment caroled around the giant tree on the lawn 
or, when snow was too deep, sang on the rambling veranda. From 
there they went to sing in the park, at the convent, and at homes 
of aged parishioners. Back to the parish house, its hearths 
aglow, children trooped to enjoy warm doughnuts and cider. Early 
in the evening high school students caroled on the same circuit. 
Now the parish house was bright with candles and firelight. The 
night was blue and so frosty cold that the trumpets cut the air. 
Their "Noel Noel" traveled far and clear. In reply myriads of 
vigil lights, flickering against lace curtains in every house, 
returned a bright "Merry Christmas." Carolers returned to the 
parish house for refreshments.

Half-hourly the charming custom of caroling went on. By nine 
o'clock the church choir arrived. When the last trolley car had 
left the carbarns an hour later, a hush fell upon the city making 
peace on earth a reality. By ten-thirty parents arrived to join 
the singing and to free the choir for rehearsals.

I remember the breathtaking beauty of the upper church. Its 
marble altar with golden decorations was resplendent with light. 
The crib gave new joy each succeeding year. With the singing of 
Midnight Mass our season of rejoicing began.

Afterwards families walked home together in the sharp cold 
nights, parents a bit ahead, boys and girls lagging behind. 
Everywhere vigil lights flickered in homes of the Irish emigrants 
who began the custom in penal days when priests were being 
hunted. Telling of the custom in "The Christmas Book,"[2] Father 
Francis X. Weiser, S.J., writes: "The people had no churches. 
Priests hid in forests and caves and secretly visited the farms 
and homes to say Mass there during the night. When Christmas came 
the faithful placed burning candles in the windows so that any 
priest who happened to be in the vicinity would be guided to 
their home through the dark night. Silently he entered and was 
received by the devout with fervent prayers of gratitude that 
their home was to become a church during the Holy Night. To 
justify this practice in the eyes of the English soldiers, the 
Irish people used to explain: 'We burn the candles that Jesus and 
Mary looking for a place to stay will find their way to our 
home.' The English authorities finding this superstition harmless 
did not bother to suppress it."

A Gaelic name for Christmas eve is "Oidhche na ceapairi"--Night 
of Cakes. I can still see the cakes through candlelight in 
kitchens of my childhood. A spanking white cloth on the table set 
off the two-foot candle bound in evergreens and rising from a 
bowl of holly to symbolize the Light of the world arising from 
the Root of Jesse. On the polished black stove were round loaves 
of sweet buttery bread flecked with currants and candied peel 
called Irish Christmas "cake." That bread spelled Christmas for 
us.

After a feast day breakfast early in the morning, our tree was 
stealthily brought indoors and set into its waiting stand. Balls 
were hung, tinsel, popcorn, and cranberries festooned to its 
spreading branches. Then it was time for Mass at dawn.

Blessings to you and your homes,