Joy

We have been crazy busy getting ready for the holidays, but we have also been having a lot of fun.  This year I put activities each day for us to do in our advent house instead of candy.  Some days I really don't know what I was thinking adding to the already busy season, but Briley gets so excited to open it each day.  Some days are simple like reading a Christmas story or watching a Christmas movie, but we have also had days like Frosty Day where we made Frosty shaped pizzas and watched the movie, going to a Hanukkah party, getting hot chocolate and looking at Christmas lights.  It has really built the excitement of Christmas.
We have also had a few special days for the kids this month.  Briley and I met Caroline at the Kauffman for the Nutcracker.  Briley really enjoys watching the dancers, but she also can't wait for intermission so she can pick out a nutcracker to buy:)  I am trying to get her talked into ornaments of each characters, but she wants a Nutcracker every year.  I guess it will be like my Santa display that Andy loves so much.  Baylor and Andy went down to Union Station this past Saturday to watch The Polar Express.  Baylor didn't stay entertained for long so they checked out the Christmas holiday model train display, and checked out Rudy the Christmas Train that pulled into the station.  They stood on the bridge over the track so Baylor got so see all kinds of trains.  They finished their trip with a stop for cookies at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
This week I pretty much have everything done.  I have a couple presents that I need to wrap and that should be it.  School is wrapping up and we will have our Christmas on Saturday at home.  It is hard to believe that it is already here!  I always get a little sad that the spirit of Christmas will soon be over and we will be back to the cold dark winter before you know it.

Briley loves doing her homework at my Grandpa's old desk.  My Grandma gave this to me at Thanksgiving and I love it.  There are even old Christmas stamps that my Grandpa had stuck to the inside that are from the 1930's and 40's.  

Briley's dance recital was last week.  She was really trying hard to not smile at us.

I made this JOY sign out of old barn wood from Andy's Grandpa's barn.  I love the way it turned out.

Off to look at Christmas lights!

This past weekend we were at Church and of course prayers were sent to the families in Connecticut.  The priest talked about how it is hard to sometimes see the Joy and be able to Rejoice,  but that is what we need to do.  My Mom took Briley to the bus stop on Friday and she said for some reason tears started running down her face when she saw her bus pull away.  She still seems too young to be going to school, and  I think about what I would do if I was in the same shoes as these families burying their precious little children this week and presents under the tree going unopened... my heart aches for them.  I know I will never be able to go to a movie without thinking of what my escape plan is, and now I know this tragedy will always be with me as I take my children to school.  I talked to Briley about her code red drills at school and she explained to me each and every step that they take.  The teacher locks the door, they turn off the lights, and go to the reading corner.  I am sad that my kids have to have these drills, and experience the fear of having a person bang on their door while they sit quietly.  I guess all we can really do is pray.