Christmas Spirit Without All the Glamour

I have not written in a long time because I am learning how to manage my full time job and homeschooling with out pulling out my hair. That brings me to the idea of creating a spiritual Christmas with out unpacking the seemingly endless boxes of decorations.  Lets face it, decorations make things fun and Christmasy.

I first pulled out my nativity set and made the star path for Mary to walk across each day of Advent.  That in itself was special.  A lit candle some Christmas music made the moment.  Hmmm.  I am not sure what else I can do. I am thinking about just pulling all our Christmas lights out and hanging them everywhere.  That’s my favorite part of decorating are the lights and how they twinkle.

Does anyone else have some ideas?

The Other Side of “Me”

Who watches Sponge Bob?  Assuming you have a T.V. with cable you most likely have been heard that little sponges cackle. One day the kids were watching the show and it was about “Opposite Day”.  A light bulb went off in my head.  This is something I have to do.  Have an Opposite Day.

This day is special because I am the only one that is aware of this day.  Celebrating Opposite Day brings about a song also from our friend Sponge Bob, The Best Day Ever.  Are you becoming curious?  I hope so.  This is a key ingredient to having a peaceful day.  And it is so simple. Just be your other you.  The positive, happy, go with flow mom.  I’m not saying that you or that I am an unhappy, negative, go against the grain mom but I can be naggy.  When I find the kids playing computer games instead of working on their paper for Boy Scouts, I might get a little annoyed.  When the socks appear to be reproducing on the living room floor, frustrated is a word that comes to mind.

On Opposite Day I come to be a yes mom.  The mom who picks up all the socks, again, without a scolding following behind me as I leave the room, socks in arms.  A gentle reminder about the paper that still needs to be completed instead of a consequence dolled out.

And I will tell you that putting this into practice brings such peace.  I can’t speak for all kids but mine seem to mirror me on these days.  They help with the socks and maybe the laundry too.  Sometimes they even finish the paper that needs to be turned in.  Maybe Sponge Bob is really a good adviser.

Living Holy Week

Are you wondering how this fits into academics.  It doesn’t.  Creating a gentle spirit and building men of character is one our main priorities.  This is such a wondrous time to bring the hope of Christ into our daily lives and remember Him.

Sunday, March 24, 2013 Holy Week starts on Palm Sunday

Monday, March 25th  ~ Today we read from Egermeir’s Bible Story Book starting at page 461-464. Th e teenager’s in our home will read Matthew 21:1-27

We have invited friends over to felt Easter Eggs.  This is a fun and hands-on activity young people. Last year the kids had to work their little hands hard to create their beautiful felted Easter eggs. This year it will be faster and easier for those hands to felt the eggs because of this video from Bella Luna Toys How to Make Wool Felted Easter Eggs

Tuesday, March 26th ~ Today I will tell the Parable of the Two Sons on page 465 to all three of my son’s.  This is a good time to talk about what it means to walk in His ways and see where in their lives(and mine) where we have made the choice for right living.

Wednesday, March 27th ~ Now we read Jesus’ Last Hours in the Temple from Egermeir’s on page 468 and Mark 12:41-44.  We are also going to plan our Passover Dinner.  This year we are using Scripture Adventures in the Life of Christ to plan and prepare the dinner.

Maundy Thursday, March 28th ~ Another busy day for us outside of the home but we will learn about Passover and enjoy our Passover Dinner before we attend church.

Good Friday,  March 29th ~ The Darkest Day in All the World page 477 along with Matthew 27:1-54.  For dinner I am preparing the Good Friday Greek Lentil Soup from A Continual Feast by Evelyn Brige Vitz.  I am going to cover our nature table, which happens to be near the dinner table, with a dark silk until Easter morning when we can add our felted Easter eggs.