The kids woke up to gold coins at breakfast to signify St. Nicholas’ generosity and new pj’s.  And of course, books.

I used to buy the boys matching pj’s, but it appears those years have passed.  In fact, I could only find pj pants this year for Goose, Baby Hulk and Squirt.  Squirt scored big time this year.

Personally, I would love to just celebrate St. Nicholas and skip Santa, but Lance won’t allow it.  That’s fine, the best presents still come from me.  And this year, I’ve drawn the line with that elf.  He has flown the coop and won’t be coming back.

Thanksgiving has come and gone.  It was a wonderful day with family and friends.  A great day to reflect on all the gifts we have.  During the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, we spoke a lot about what we were grateful for, no Facebook updates for me, but we shared a lot as a family.  And really, it’s a perfect way to start this next season.

The season of Advent.  That time in between Thanksgiving and Christmas…

My goal is to intentionally live the Advent season.  And for me, that means taking things as slow as possible.  Which means we didn’t decorate a thing over the weekend.  In fact, I still have a few decorations from Thanksgiving around the house.  And no judgement on those that have decorated.  I know I’m in the minority here.  Heck, last year, my tree didn’t go up until about three days before Christmas.  While my BF had her tree and outside lights up Friday afternoon.  It’s what people do to get into the spirit.

For me though, I need time.  Time to prepare my heart.  My home, that’s easy, I’m good at the cleaning part.  It’s my heart that needs the work.  So I’m planning on using Advent to clean up so to speak.  There will be evidence in the house that Christmas is coming, we’ll have our Advent wreath as well as the Jesse Tree ornaments from last year.  I’m also making an Advent Calendar for the kids with “things to do” each day of Advent.  Things like make Christmas cards, read a new book, go to a Christmas play or look at the lights.  Simple things everyone does to enjoy the season.

And slowly, by the third Sunday of Advent, the rest of the decorations will start appearing.  And finally, the last week of Advent, we’ll decorate the tree.

So I have a week to plan things like the calendar, make my new wreath, make any new Jesse tree ornaments and make sure I have the readings down.  And then to organize our books.  I’ve found a few new ones to add already.  So many people wrap one book for each day, not us.  My kids wouldn’t understand the concept of just one book.

I also have a week to purge, both my home of things we don’t need as well as my heart.  I am preparing for Him.

Looking back, 2012 wasn’t the kindest year to my family…city sewer pipe problems starting in January seems like nothing now…but as I was going through pictures to find for the card this year, I saw so much joy.  And not just the vacations, but joy in the everyday life we live.  I want to bring that joy back into our home and not allow certain sorrows or hardships to taint things.  I want to think of that joy daily.

So I’m all about preparing this week.  Getting my domestic church in order the best I know how.

One last thing…I love that my kids are so confused by all the Christmas stuff out right now.  They really know their seasons and to them, it just isn’t time yet.  Of course, a lot of this is me, but I also think it’s all the nature and seasonal learning we did last year.  I’ve tried to explain how most people think and that they are just getting into the spirit, but BH won’t even let us listen to Christmas music.  Not until December 1st!

The other afternoon, Goose tells me “mom, I get three trips to the treasure box this week because…”.  Honestly, I wasn’t listening because I hate the treasure box.  Just more crap for me to capture and throw away without him noticing.  And he notices when his stuff goes missing.

Later I went over his work and he pointed out a sheet of paper and commented this is the one I was talking about earlier.  When I wasn’t listening.  I asked for the story again.  Turns out the teacher forgot to give him a worksheet when he left early the day before so she had him complete the work that morning.  She gave him a 100.  Then he noticed that he missed one, moving his grade to 83.

So he got a trip to the treasure box for honestly.

Seriously, who the hell is this kid.  I’d like to say I’m proud, but really, he should know better.

Happy Birthday to my amazing mom.  I was thinking of St. Martin of Tours, today being his feast day, and the story about him slicing his coat in two to give to the beggar.  That’s how my mom gives.  Over and over.  To me and my family.  I know just how lucky I am to have a mother that gives to me without thinking of herself first.  As I fussed over being awake with a sick child last night, I was slightly ashamed because I know my mom never fussed about taking care  of me.  I only pray that I’m as good a mom as she is to me.  Happy Birthday, mom.  I love you!!!

After a failed attempt with family painting on Mother’s Day and my subsequent boycott of PP, I didn’t think I’d ever paint…

Then I saw a painting for El Dia De Los Muertos at a different company.  I forgave that the class was scheduled after said celebration, figuring I’ll have a great addition to the altar for next year.

Jill joined me, and we created this:

I was slightly worried about my skills as a painter, but I think it turned out pretty decent.  Good enough that I’ll try it again and suggested to Lance that this is the perfect activity for the next family get together.  It’s easy, you can chat and still spend time together while making a memory.

Bonus was meeting up with a blog/Twitter friend.  Random how that happens, isn’t it?

I love feast days and two of the best are All Saints and All Souls.  I love the saints and studying them.  They’re a great example for my kids because most of them certainly weren’t perfect their entire lives.  But once they converted, they had a zeal I hope my kids imitate.

We have our favorites in this family and enjoy learning about new ones.  I like finding new ways to teach about the saints and recently, I purchased some adorable saint peg dolls for Sunshine.  I imagine we’ll add more in our future.  Then there are the books…one more I just found today and on the wish list.

It’s easy to relate to the saints because most of them were like me at one time or another.  Now I’m not going to chronicle my sins, but it’s nice to know that these people I’m petitioning for prayers once led a life less than saintly.  It gives me hope.  And some days…when you yell at your kids for no real reason, argue for no reason and are just plain foul, well, it’s nice to know there is hope.

Hope, this is why I believe.

Hope that I get it right.  Hope that my kids have faith and live according to that faith.  Hope for a better world.  Hope for less cynicism in all areas.  And hope to see those that have gone before us.

And so we remember with love and in hope that we see them again:

Grandma (Bisa) and Grandpa Perez
Lipa Villegas
Grandpa Villegas
Marlise Renee Villegas
Richard Villegas
Grandma Maxine
Grandpa Zierlein
Grandma May
Grandpa Stephens
Ed Werlund
Lee McMaster

and many more…they are our history, our family, a part of us.  We miss each one of you.  We pray for your souls and beg prayers of you for us.

You know, I really am enjoying Lance and Charlie together. We all had our doubts, but they are good.  The show does interfere with life as I knew it.  And today was another example…only one Zierlein child was able to dress up properly.

This year it was Baby Hulk, or Big Hulk as he wants to be called now because he isn’t a baby.  Just a quick note to the moms that read the Today article and were horrified with Lance’s (and my) decision to dress up our kids the way we do.  I maybe get that, but there is no pressure.  Snax had no interest in being Tyrion Lannister despite being perfect.  I did however make him go as Darth Vadar.  No way I buy that many Star Wars t-shirts for him only to have him decide Darth Vadar is a bad guy.  When Goose found out Lance just couldn’t pull off Larry David, he was upset.  I think he really liked the attention he got last year.

Ron Swanson from Parks And Rec

Baby Hulk had to join us after we started and was so freaking excited.  Really proud and when someone recognized him, he was all smiles.  Jessica went with us which was really nice because we just don’t see enough of her.  Sunshine had her moments, but overall is not ready for tricks or treats.

I took the kids to Baby Hulk’s field trip today.  Everyone, particularly Snax had a great time.  In fact, he thinks he is part of BH’s K class.  The teacher was really cool about the kids being there and helped out with Snax when I was dealing with Sunshine, or Dark Cloud as she was today.

See, I can say something positive.  Nobody thought I could, but I can when there is a reason to do so.

There was another mom taking pictures of the kids as they rounded the curve.  Snax stopped for her too.

I find my daughter throwing fits like this more often than I’d like.

A great day with some of my favorite people.

For Today…October 29, 2012

Outside my window…the sun is shining, it’s cold outside.  Okay, chilly is a more accurate word.  Whatever you say, it’s nice.

I am wearing…black yoga pants and a blue shirt.  Might want to think about changing out of my workout clothes soon.

I am listening…to Lola bark.  And that’s fine with me.   She is a lot of things, but overall a sweet dog.  And Baby Hulk wasn’t scared of her when he came home last night.

I am praying for…a special intention, patience, my kids in school, the grace to know whether some decisions are right and what to do about those that are wrong.

Moments of grace…a calm little boy in the face of an emergency.  This sweet boy who is not always the calmest child of mine, held it together so well, honestly, there was no reason to worry.  Pure grace.

From the kitchen…pumpkin bread, lots of pumpkin bread.  Margaritas, lots of those too.

To be fit and happy…like I said, I like boot camp, not liking the results.  After a month, no results.  I take that back, I am stronger, yes in my arms and shoulders, but not thinner, clothes are still tight and that’s how I gage if something is worthwhile.  Maybe it’s time for more cardio again.  Or maybe I just need to stop drinking and eating sweets.

Reading all the time…this is my current favorite picture of the kids.  I fully admit that I  recreate shots.  Not this one.  And nothing makes me prouder (at the moment) than to catch them reading like this.  Someone asked how I made this happen, I don’t know.  Most people I know read to their kids.  Certainly, my kids like a lot of other things besides reading, but they do enjoy it quite a bit.

Living the liturgical year…It’s the feast of All Saints and All Souls this week.  So excited.  I think I’ll bring out Sunshine’s new peg dolls for the display and then pack them up for her birthday.  My amazing friend made cookies for el Dia de los Muertos and mailed them to us.  Seven huge skull cookies.  I saved them for the feast.  I can’t wait to try them.

How cool…is it that my kids have been all over the Internet because of their Halloween costumes.  Aaron Paul tweeted the picture, Bryan Cranston mentioned it on television.  I mean, so freaking cool.  Today.com even did a piece on them.  No mention of the cool wife that allows her husband to dress up her kids.  Guess I didn’t make the speech this time.

I am reading…Education in the Heart of My Home (not like it matters) and the perks of being a wallflower.  Finished two other books since I last wrote a daybook, pretty happy about reading again.  I might just be ready for a book club!

A few plans for the week…Halloween, All Saints Day, el Dia de los Muertos, two major tests for the 3rd grader, (yes, I realize how dumb that sounds), a visit with my in-laws and hopefully time to workout.

Bitch of the week…tomorrow is Baby Hulk’s field trip to Dewberry Farm.  I’m not a chaperone because I was planning to bring the littles along.  Today one of the mom’s from the other class said that their teacher notified them that siblings weren’t welcome.  Just another example of how ridiculous they are.  I’m not a chaperone, so why can’t I go with my littles as well.  And can I say that our teacher hasn’t said a thing to us about tomorrow.  And our room mom…I’ve never met someone less interested in communicating with a class.

In case you were wondering…it was more stressful to take four kids to putt putt than deal with a dog bite and have to hit the ER.  More “fun” pictures to share later.

A picture to share…