I finally made a decision!

I have been working on my ornaments for my Jesse Tree over the last couple weeks and I would post a picture of them but I am too lazy to go through that whole process right now. Maybe I will get around to posting a picture when they are hanging on the tree. Anyway, in my online search for help with the ornaments I have realized that there are different lists of Bible characters and passages to use. I have been very indecisive up until this afternoon. I thought I would share and add my idea to the numerous other ideas out there. Maybe there are some of you that like my idea as much as I did. :)

We have The Jesus Storybook Bible that we read to Malachi almost every night. We usually let him pick whichever story he wants to read. (Interestingly enough his favorite as of late is "A little girl and a poor frail lady" which is the story of Jairus' daughter, from Luke 8) One of the great things about the JSB is that the stories are written in such a way as to point to Christ being our Rescuer. If you do not have this Bible for your kids, I highly recommend it!

Well, back to my Jesse Tree ornaments. I decided tonight that I will follow the Old Testament stories in the JSB. Due to the number of stories it works out that we will not do a new ornament on Sundays but that's okay because we will have our Advent Wreath. So here is what we will be doing...

Nov. 30 - Advent Wreath
Dec. 1 - Creation (pg. 18) *globe*
Dec. 2 - Adam & Eve (pg. 28) *apple with snake*
Dec. 3 - Noah (pg. 38) *rainbow and ark*
Dec. 4 - Tower of Babel (pg. 48) *tower*
Dec. 5 - Abraham & Sarah (pg.56) *?baby with stars??*
Dec. 6 - Isaac (pg.62) *ram*
Dec. 7 - Advent Wreath
Dec. 8 - Jacob (pg.70) *???*
Dec. 9 - Joseph (pg.76) *coat of many colors*
Dec. 10 - Moses (pg. 84) *burning bush*
Dec. 11 - Moses (pg. 92) *parted Red Sea
Dec. 12 - Moses (pg. 100) *two tablets of stone for the ten comm.*
Dec. 13 - Joshua (pg. 108) *trumpet*
Dec. 14 - Advent Wreath
Dec. 15 - Samuel (pg. 116) *jar of oil*
Dec. 16 - David (pg. 122) *5 stones*
Dec. 17 - David (pg. 130) *shepherd's staff or harp*
Dec. 18 - Namaan & Elisha (pg. 136) *??river??*
Dec. 19 - Isaiah (pg. 144) *letter/envelope*
Dec. 20 - Daniel (pg. 152) *lion*
Dec. 21 - Advent Wreath
Dec. 22 - Jonah (pg. 160) *big fish*
Dec. 23 - Ezra, Nehemiah, Malachi (pg. 168) *heart*
Dec. 24 - Mary & Joseph (pg. 176-181) *??lily and saw??*
Dec. 25 - Jesus (finish story from yesterday pg. 182, cont. reading til 199?) *manger*

I am excited to see how it goes. I really liked the idea of doing a devotion of some sort with Malachi but I think being able to read the stories with pictures will be perfect for him at this age. I figure I can always change it a little next year if I don't like any part of it. I also like that it cuts down the number of ornaments since I am a tad behind schedule on sewing them. :)

The Plight of the Second Child

Zoe got Malachi's old carseat...

...Malachi got a new one.

Craziness of Life

We are having some friends stay with us and I realized this morning that I have not been doing a very good job of updating our blog. I think it is due to the fact that our home is buzzing with noise almost nonstop. Our friends have 3 kids (4, almost 3 and 9 months), then add our two and well...you can imagine. :)

Malachi is getting a lot of practice, or should I say opportunity to practice his sharing skills. He isn't very good at it but then again he is 2 and at this stage thinks the world revolves around him. I guess with a sinful nature, we all fight against that 'natural' tendency to think everything revolves around us. It is interesting (read frustrating) to watch him just walk up to his friends and take a toy just because he has determined he "needs" (yes that is a quote from my eldest) it. Oh the challenges we get to face as parents. I wish I could say I was responding with love and patience each and every time but I'm not. Lord, give me wisdom, patience, loving words and all the other things I need, yes need, today!

Yes, I am such a proud Mama!

Isn't she the cutest! Zoe has also begun to give those wonderful first baby kisses.

Halloween pictures I forgot to post...Malachi's carving his first Jack-o-Lantern

On our way to our friend's Halloween party.

Our little Jack-o-Lantern

Don't Forget

First of all, don't forget to vote if you haven't already. But that's not why I was going to post.

I've been thinking so much about Advent and Christmas that I have not really thought much about Thanksgiving. I just came across this great idea for an activity to do with the little ones to make Thanksgiving more than just a day filled with good food.

Christmas Cards

I am trying to plan ahead this year so that we can enjoy Christmas Day AND the Advent Season as well. I am following simplemom's 12 weekly projects for a more peaceful season to help get things accomplished. She has a lot of great ideas and is worth checking out and on top of that
this week she is having a giveaway for a customized high-resolution digital photo card file of their choice from Chickpea Designs, my graphic design shop.