Christmas Spirit? Oh we've got that...

I've oftened wondered if my family will ever get the "right" Christmas spirit. Then I realized I was expecting too much and to just enjoy the ride with a crazy, loud, Italian family who cooks enough food in one night to feed the entire island of Haiti, and is upset if the small amount of us don't eat most of it.

Though I must say, tonight has surpassed all other nights to this point in one way. I enjoyed it from start to finish. Many years, I sit around and judge about how this is just not the holy way to ring in Christmas. I would then leave early and run to Church for "midnight" Mass to get into the holy and away from the crazy.

This year, I went to Mass with my grandfather, endured strange music that was off quite a bit (children's choir: claps during the Gloria, a fast upbeat song sang along to a cd playing for the start of Communion, just bizarro), but overall it was great because I didn't go alone and neither did my grandfather.

I spent the rest of the afternoon playing cards with my grandmother, then with my mom and grandmother right up until people arrived for dinner. (We hadn't even stopped early enough to have the table set before they came in)

I laughed almost all night, with my family, because we are loud and crazy Italians who cook and eat too much in one night! I finally was able to just be in my family and enjoy it. Here is the most memorable event of the evening for your laughing pleasure:

We had water boiling in a tea kettle to put into the Italian Coffee maker. It began to whistle so we yelled for my grandfather who was in charge of this...my uncle proceded to yell to him, "Dad, your water broke..." to which my grandfather played along holding his stomach and bending over as if he was in pain (labor pains that is). Then while making the coffee, my uncle asked him, "So how are the contractions?" and my grandfather's response was the funniest, "A couple minutes apart, I've got time".

The think that struck me most as funny was the legitimate claims and absolute ridiculousness of their joking around. I also appreciated the part of the night where a room full of adults (me being the youngest) were falling over laughing watching one of those animals where you press the button and it sings...this one also shakes and kept falling over...which is hysterical...apparently...oh what a sight! Praise the Lord for crazy families! I hope you all have one!

Full of Grace Creations Giveaway!!!

A blog I follow is having a great giveaway! Check out her post about it over here!

And check out her Etsy Shop Here!! For any religious gifts you might need for Christmas!

We did it!

We went to one tree farm. We looked around for about 45 minutes at the most, with our 11 people in tow, and found our perfectly tall Christmas Tree.

Thanks to my 2 year old nephew, we have named her Henrietta. (Of course a name from his favorite show Thomas the Tank Engine)

We had a blast. We even took over a Dunkin Donuts afterwards for Hot Chocolate. Based on our estimated ceiling height, this tree is approximately 11.5 ft tall. We have tried year after year to have the tree show in that top window...last year we just about did it...this year, the top of the tree is past the top of the window. A ladder will be required to decorate it.

A few years ago I claimed, "What is the point, this has nothing to do with Jesus or his birth, or Mary or Joseph..." but this year I realized that this tree brought together old and possibly new family, inspired a day full of joy and laughter, and togetherness. I think the Holy Family was smiling on us as we shared this moment with one another. Our kickoff to Advent.



In 14 Hours...

I am starting a countdown right about now to what will probably be one of the most memorable moments in our family's history. You are probably wondering what could top my sister having twins or any other of the many shenanigans that have occured in this crazy family...but I assure you, this will definitely make the top 10 list!

Every year since my parents bought the house they live in (my mom's first owned stand alone house), we have gone and cut down a Christmas tree. Last year, we waited until December and had slim pickings. We always have slim pickings because my mom always wants to top the height of our last tree until it stands perfectly between our slopped high ceilings. We are usually talking 10 ft at the start of our hunt...but this year we're starting with the height of 12 ft. The problem is that here in New England, the way it goes for fresh cut trees is:

Any Tree You Cut=$___ (set price no matter how big or small)

So if it's $40, and we get a 10-12 footer, well yay for us. So they cut down all the biggest ones for you, and add in the cost of labor for cutting it down and driving it to an area where they are all set up nicely. The price then usually rises to $80-$100!

And that's not all folks....

Tomorrow is an extra super challenge. Not because we are looking for an extra tall tree, but because we have invited quite a bit of people to join us.

My grandparents are watching the twins so we can take my older nephew. So here is the tally so far:

My parents (2)
Me (1)
Sister/Brotherinlaw/Nephew (3)
Mom's best friend (1)
Uncle/his girlfriend/her daughter/her granddaughter/possibly her other daughter too (4-5)

For a grand total of 11 (possibly 12) people all to go hunting for 1 tree. It is times like these when I say things like this to myself, "Ok, where are the cameras? Where is the crew? This must be reality TV!"

Dear God, please help us to have nothing but joy in our hearts and truly enjoy the day and one another during this very precious moment. Amen!

Advent

A great deal of bloggers have been discussing their plan for the Advent season. Most of them have children so I can't really find anything appropriate within those plans for a single person, living alone.

I've always wanted to do an Advent Wreath but I haven't had time to find one. Then today, I was catching up on reading inspriational quotes I subscribe to called, Franciscan University E-Spirations. You should definitely check that out! I came across this:

“Don’t think all is lost when your feet feel the hot desert sand, your cheeks the burning sun, your stomach the pangs of hunger. The Holy Spirit is leading you where Jesus went, and there he will show you what demons you need to face. But fear not. The very same Spirit who led Jesus into the desert is leading you, and he will empower you with his word to stand as champion over the world’s greatest enemy.”



-George T. Montague, SM (Holy Spirit: Make Your Home in Me, The Word Among Us Press)

I feel very convicted that this is about my Advent journey. Although it sounds like more of an inspiration for a Lenten theme. Sacrifice has always been a major theme running through my journey, but I must admit, I'm not very good at it. While Advent may  not be a time to focus on Jesus in the desert, it is a time to reflect on the idea that Mary and Joseph (with Jesus in Mary's womb) had to make a difficult journey to Bethlehem. I want to go to that place where Jesus was. I want to face my demons, and stand as a champion on Christmas day. Please pray for me so I can know just what I need to do to make this happen!