My friend, Jenny, was gracious enough to share "how we Advent" here at Team Whitaker over at Catholic News Agency. It's definitely been an evolution. This week, I'll be sharing some photos of what Advent and Christmas look like. That means I actually need to vacuum and pick up the 8,000 toys, 4,500 art projects and 35 kids' cups that are all over my house so you can actually see it all. In the meantime, let's catch up on a few things. Gianna's eyelashes, for one. Women pay good money for those things. Also, can we talk about that curl on the side?? She's been "helping" me wrap presents while the bigs are gone. And by helping, I mean destroying the wrapping station. I'm pretty … [Read more...]
I’ve Got Some Explaining To Do
My apologies for going all radio silent on you this past week. I can 100% blame it on two things: life and a stomach bug. Those are always fun, aren't they? I went down last Saturday night and was sick all through the weekend. I don't really feel like I came out of it until Wednesday or Thursday of last week. Whew. Rough. But, enough about my gut, let's move on to better things. Advent! December! Or, as I like to call it, "the month I delete all the emails." Last count, I was up to 21 Christmas/party/end-of-year emails from the school. Ask me how many I've read. No really. ZERO. This is usually where all my fellow homeschooling moms chuckle, as they sit on their couch in … [Read more...]
If It Looks Like a Turkey and Walks Like a Turkey…
While our Thanksgiving wasn't filled with the traditional family around the table - we had many friends instead - it was full of love, laughter and a fair amount of vino. And pie. Always the pie. My favorite thing about the day may be the way Anna-Laura spelled "deviled eggs" - I know. I die. I'm not much of a traditionalist when it comes to the food on this holiday. About the only traditional thing I made was the turkey. We are usually game for trying lots of new recipes (almost always Southern Living inspired) and this year, we found some real winners. Case in point, Gnocchi mac and cheese. Oh man. Scott sliced, I stood guard over the stove and the kids played with their … [Read more...]
Advent, You’re Doing it Wrong
You already feel stressed, don’t you? That’s a super fun way to begin the holiday season – strung out, sleep-deprived and already feeling behind the eight ball. Stop. It. I’m giving you full permission. For what it’s worth, this isn’t the “be a slacker, it’s okay” Advent post. Nope, I have a wholly different take on Advent and why we’re all doing it wrong. Here goes. We keep watching everyone else to see how we should celebrate the coming of Jesus instead of looking around at our own family and building a culture of our own. Did the tree get put up the first or second week of Advent? And, more importantly, when does it come down? Or, to really get everyone’s dander up, … [Read more...]
Jolly ‘ol St. Nick & the Three Gifts
I figure if I'm yapping about St. Nicholas, then I might as well share how we give gifts around here, too. At our house, we believe. If you want to know how I made peace with Santa, go for it. Here's the most important thing to know about Santa/St. Nicholas. However you choose to celebrate him should do one thing: bring you closer to Christ. So, whether your kids get chocolate coins, the shoes are laid out, he visits your house once or twice for all things nice or photos are taken with him - none of it matters. Well, I mean it matters, but there's no "you're a good Catholic" Santa checklist. I know some people would beg to differ. Beg away, girlfriend. At Casa Whitaker we have a … [Read more...]
