We’ve been celebrating Advent for about 5 or 6 years. I can’t remember the exact year that we started, but I think it’s been 6 years.

I found some Advent devotional books that were highly recommended by lots of people. The books had what color candles to use in the wreath, and what the colors meant.

A couple of years ago, we started decorating a Jesse Tree during Advent.

Crosswalk has a very informative article about Advent customs, traditions, and where they come from.

Wow! Where did 2008 go to? It really is true…the older you get, the faster time goes.

We had a great Christmas. Lots of family time, and that’s vastly more important than what the world tells us Christmas should be!

I’ll just share one Christmas tidbit….

A family from our church traveled last month to the Ukraine to adopt a child. Since they were going to be there over Christmas, they wanted to make it a nice Christmas for the kids in the orphanage, so they were talking up a collection. Our four youngest kids voted to each give up one presents from us to them, and send the money for the orphans. So our 4 children sent $100. ($25. a piece) to help orphans in another country. They never once said they wished they hadn’t, even when there really was one less present for each of them on Christmas morning! We are soooo proud of them!!

The girls are going to spend the night tonight with their big sister, and the boys are going over for a few hours. So we’re going on a date!

And we go back to school on Monday. I can’t wait!!!!

Yeah for keeping kids so busy that they don’t have time for fighting and getting into trouble!!