Tuesday, December 3, 2013

We Don't Have A Card or A Single Gift

but in three short days we made our house a home for the holidays.

Do you know the Christmas Jingle and Belle stories.  They bark along as you read.  Darling.  

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Yes, the pumpkins are long gone but this is just how I do Thanksgiving morning, a new ornament for the little trees until the big tree arrives

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But everything else went up.  All of it.  And believe me there are plenty of other trees around here.

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Our 'big real tree' isn't up yet... it's too early for the real live tree in all its glory to be in our living room.

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This year we gave Anna the Cinderella castle that lights up and does the whole night firework show that she loved so much when we went to Disney this summer. 

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And Abigail got the "Runaway Railroad" (or at least it looks like it) from Disney... I still can't believe that she loved that ride! 

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All while watching the Macys parade on tv

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Oh is 1934 book from UK... be still my heart. 

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Daddy help to dec the house inside and out.  

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Lot's of Holiday tea at night 

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And Christmas stories during "Rest and Relaxation" that Abigail needs to have on weekends.  

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Anna enjoyed unpacking her Christmas snow globe collection.  

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And a Christmas tea party

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And so in those three short days after Thanksgiving I soaked in their littleness again.  Or maybe it was that I soak in our little life again.  The camera does that for me.  Stops the time, helps me to notice.  And be grateful.

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Something about Abigail's little face here as Anna pours the tea.  Do some pictures do that to you too? 

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The first Sunday of Advent at our Church

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Making the Advent wreath after Mass 

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Outdoor lights with daddy

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And backyard lit up candy canes for Candy Cane Lane we call it

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Like for the season of Advent and the glow of those purple and pink candles.  The advent book we read every night and the praying we do around the kitchen table.

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I'm all for new beginnings. And right now I'm in that glow stage of Christmas.  Maybe it's denial.  We are in fact without a Christmas card, a real tree, a single gift, or anything else.  But this new beginning of Advent feels so good.  I'm going to soak this in for just a bit longer.

If I'm gone for a few days or two weeks you'll know why... the fact that it's Christmas and there are actually things to do has hit me.  But I plan on being present in Advent just a bit longer.

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5 comments:

  1. Advent blessings to your family! May it be fruitful!

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  2. Beautiful photos that captured the sights and sounds of your Thanksgiving holiday! Wishing you a blessed Advent season.

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  3. Tara,
    I don't think I am going to be able to convey to you how much I love and appreciate and admire your love of family and motherhood and home.

    I enjoy so much sharing your home and traditions with you. Thanks so much for inspiring me every time I visit. : )

    Even though miles separate us, I feel as if I am right there in your cozy kitchen sharing tea while our children laugh nearby!

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  4. oh I LOVE it!! all of it! we made it.. another Christmas!!
    the ornament shots are so great. I can feel their excitement. (why was Abigail sad in that one pic??) funny we got one of the same ones. I would so love another tree in our living room. maybe someday...but after this year, anything else that lights up is OUT!!:) haha
    tell me about anna's snowglobe collection? the girls love those too! who doesn't right??:)

    thanks for sharing tara and I agree with billie jo too! you are amazing...such an inspiration!!:)

    have a happy day

    ps
    love the new header!

    pps
    this year we are doing jammies and something to read on Christmas eve...do you do that?

    ok...see ya!:)

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  5. Love all your beautiful pictures of your weekend.

    Love the tea party.

    Hope you have a great weekend.

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