A New Springtime

Glorious Christmas

Even though I had some help this advent, I am glad Christmas has finally arrived.

This lil'guy is trying to get in on all of the action, he doesn't want to be left out of anything.

These two are quite the tag team these days. Eliana can't get enough of her Malcolm. I am always giggling at their daily antics.

This past month I have been extemely exhausting. I think it is mostly due to my somewhat broken sleep. Baby Malcolm is  working so hard on teething and he likes to nurse alot at night to soothe himself. So, between that and shopping  my fuel has been running low.

  I wouldn't change a thing though, I have experienced an overwhelming sense of love from God through my children so I know it is all worth it!

We attended the four o'clock vigil Mass, I just love the beauty of the church all adorned with evergreen trees, white lights and the bright red pointsettas.

I felt so joyful and blessed for the family  I am a part of. God has been so good to us and I am so glad to be able to honor Him at this special time of year.

The manger was another awesome sight and the children couldn't help but to be drawn into the mystery of it all.

After church we went out to dinner and when we got home the kids watched a movie and off to bed they went. I stayed up enjoying the quiet and finishing up some last minute cooking preparations.

The tree looked so luminous and there was that special warmth in the air that ole' tananbaum gives to the home on Christmas Eve.

This cute lil' vintage ornaments was a GW find, it is a set of eight mini bells all different Christmas characters. They are so cute I am going to have a hard time putting them away. I am glad to have 12 days to enjoy them and all of the other decorations and festivities.

All of the stockings got filled and I headed up to bed with a feeling of relief and contentment knowing that the family was about to share another glorious Christmas day together.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and I hope you get to slow down these next twelve days and  savor the season and soak in all of your blessings from above! May Jesus be in your heart and His peace shine through you!

Rustic Christmas Decor

 The past couple of years I really hadn't decorated like I used to for Christmas, as a matter of fact, I actually got rid of a lot of my decorations. I think it was due to the lack of energy during my past pregnancies.

 This year, I put a bit more effort into it. Each week of advent, two so far, I have put up a few festive things. I am not really into glitz and sparkle, the rustic look is more my style.

                                         

DH actually got this last year, I was so surprised when he brought it home. It touches my heart when he does thoughtful lil' things like this. They usually end up being my favorite sentiments.

Our handmade manger that the kiddos made a couple of years ago always gives me so much joy. I love that they can play with it and think of the meaning of the birth of Jesus. The wood is so soft and chunky, the perfect toy for lil' hands!

A rustic grapevine wreath and an old tin star got a bit of a makeover with this snowflake ribbon and matching ornament in  that I glued in the middle. Nothing fancy but it works.

This is a GW find, can't pass up an already made arrangement for $2.99, mama didn't raise no fool. The candles on sale cost more than the flowers but for a total a of about $7, me likey!

Eventually, the pegs on this shelf will hold our stockings but for now I went kinda snowflake crazy. I think it's a bit too much but I wasn't freaking out over it and that actually made me feel good. The importance and emphasis wasn't on perfection but my mind was focusing on puttin' up something fun!

A basket full of our Christmas story books sits on the floor in the living room. This basket was $5 at GW, it got dressed up with a $1 scarf from GW and some more of that pretty red ribbon, a roll for $2.50 can go a long way. For a finishing touch I added asmall amount ofsparkle with these pinecone stickers. They are so wintery and give it that perfect seasonal touch.

Dh put up these snow flake lights on the inside of the dining room and living room windows. They give such a warm glow to the house and make me want to snuggle up with...

you know who! I hope you are coming along in all your Christmas preparations both in the physical and spiritual and enjoying the season of Advent!