November

This is the first year that Lily-Anna has asked me for a typical kids' Advent Calendar - a door to open each day to uncover chocolate.  I think her friends at school have been talking about their calendars.  So, my three darling offspring will be surprised to find their first Advent calendars when they come to the table in the morning.  

I typically want to do so many things this month - hiding a card for the two youngest to find after school with an activity to do (it could be having a candy cane or buying a gift to donate, etc.).  We also have an Advent wreath with a candle to light each night and a Mary on the donkey to move one step closer to the middle, and ornaments to add to the tree every night as well as a Scripture and devotional reading ....  We definitely miss things every day and some things are missed for more than a day ... but some things happen and I give myself lots of grace for what doesn't happen.  

We put the tree up this weekend as well as a nativity set that we inherited this year.  We still have ornaments to add and boxes to put away but hopefully I'll be able to deal with that tomorrow.

Each evening I write my three gratitudes for the day and then look back at all the gratitudes I've written on that date for all the past months of this year.  I really just want to see where I mentioned my Mom.  I want to be reminded of all the times she showed up with muffins or cookies or loaves or blessed us in some way.  

I bought a necklace of two daffodils to remember my mom as those were her favourite flowers.  

I had one dream of my mom a few weeks after she passed away.  In the dream I went into my sons' room and my mom was standing there.  I said, "Mom!" and I gave her a big hug.  I knew she had died so I was surprised and excited to see her.  We just hugged and turned around and then it was over.  I'm very thankful for the dream.  

I've never been great at grieving.  I usually have to work at feeling something or be alone and focused in order to feel the sadness.  I'm thankful for any time I can cry as I often just feel nothing at all (more like flat affect except that I definitely still react to things that annoy me).  I often just say out loud, "I love you Mom."  I suspect I'll be able to cry at Christmas when Dad comes over alone.  

Graham's shoulder has been painful for a while and he's going to physio.  The arthritis in my body has been more active so I've started my medication again and it seems like it's starting to kick in.  A cold has been going around our home but I've been able to stay healthy thankfully.  

It's definitely past time for bed so I'll say goodnight.  May Advent be a very special time in your home.  

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:  and the government shall be upon his shoulder:  and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.