First Friday

Just so you know it is not always "all things rosy," this was one of those days when I did not think one of us was going to make it to the end of the day!  I think the excitement of officially starting our break from school was just a little too much for all of us.  Maybe it was just a sign that we really do need this break.

We started off with a late start to the morning...mainly because Little Miss decided to stay up late into the night.  We had to be out the door by 0930 to make it to Mass.  However, the children were eager to find our Advent Angel.  We looked back at the story from yesterday and focused our attention on Mary.  She was willing to do God's will.  How would you react to a visit from an angel?

Brendan made a cute LEGO version of Mary when returned later in the afternoon.  However, we did not have a lot of time to go into details as we rushed out the door.

When we arrived at the church, the older boys had the opportunity to go to confession.  After our car ride to the church it was very much needed to clear the air!  The boys were really wound tight and were really getting on each others nerves!  We also had arrived early because the older two were serving on the altar today.

This Mass is set up each month for the home schoolers in the area, which means we are all in the same position...moms trying to encourage the love of faith in our children.  So, we all huddle close together and have a lively Mass without worry of disturbing those without children.  I usually do not go into the cry room for this reason.  However, because we were early, I decided to start out there for those who wanted to have quiet prayer time before Mass.  The two youngest were also wound up and were running in the cry room.  I told them to stop so they would not get hurt, but the next thing I knew...Little Miss was head over heels tumbling over the pew!  She bang her nose and mouth hard on to the tile floor.  She is truly a girly girl when it comes to seeing her own blood!  She was frantic but I got her calmed down.  Another mom was in the room with me and asked if she was OK.  After checking to make sure she was fine, I told the mom that by the end of Mass she would probably be doing it again!  Do they ever learn?   In spite of the mishap, we did enjoy Mass.  It was nice to hear Fr. Michel emphasize the same lessons we have been discussing all week.

We made our way home and planned to finish up the last of the school work.  However, SOMEBODY decided he did not want to have a clean break.  I won't mention names but I am hoping the activities planned for tomorrow will motivate him in the morning.

Zaira added a fence around our nativity scene to represent the need to guard our hearts.  She loved being able to do this...it was so cute to see her place everything just right.  She even "read" the prayer card for the day!  She also let Brendan help.  Then Brendan added an ornament with a burning bush to represent the story of Moses being called by God to help the Israelites escape the Pharaoh.

We ended the day with Michael reading more of the Advent story, along with a book called The Miracle of St. Nicholas.  It is a story about a Russian town who had hid the items needed for Mass from being stolen.  The day before Christmas these things were gathered and brought back to the church in time for Mass.  This is a great story to show the need for a community to come together in faith.  

This was one night I was glad to see everyone tucked into bed.  I was tired and drained from the day.  However, the day did not end for me just yet.  I had work to do...you will find out why tomorrow.