Disclaimer: Post title not at all relevent to ensuing post.
I just got the urge to write again and came to realize---my blog is one year old as of December 4th!!
I cannot believe it was just a year ago when we were preparing for our trek to Israel. When our living room looked like this:
And outside looked like this:
And our home would soon be this:
You know when you reminisce about things, you get the heart pitter patters and that feeling that balances between sweetness and sadness? Oh, it's creeping on me big time as I write; a yearning to return to Israel, to return to Tantur, to return to the retreat of it all.
Though so thankful not to be preparing for an international move amidst Ceci's birthday, Christmas New Years and Jacob's birthday, I am missing the extra sense of anticipation. The excitement that, just around the corner awaits this:
What started out as an anxiety-ridden and homesick endeavor ended up being one of the most amazing experiences of my life. It happened, it was a great blessing and now I have memories, pictures and this silly little blog to re-live snippets as I need.
I could continue for hours and thousand of pictures, but I'll leave the rest to imagination.
SO, thank you, kind folk for reading my blog, this little oft-neglected collection of flowery, emotional over-hyphenated bursts of hyper creative energy. Somehow, there have been over 10,000 hits (and no, I don't track my own visits), so it's amazing to think how far each word, picture, worry, prayer, thought has traveled. And just because it's so fun, let's look at the country breakdown
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This, people, is why I love (and fear) technology. Within moments, I can share my heart with the peeps over in Tantur or the Outback or just down the street. Wow.
Enter a new goal for my blog.
I'm putting myself on a trial period so to speak.
I have a goal of 1-2 posts per week, even if it's just a montage of photos. Also, something I've tried before but am going to kick-start again is some interaction with all of us.
It might be a silly survey, a deep question or a favorite recipe, but I'm going to invite y'all to hang with me here. You can email/facebook message/leave a comment with your answer. Part of the fun of writing is getting feedback, learning and sharing with others. Cheesy? Yes. Original? No. Totally worth it....YES!!!
We're going to start TONIGHT! So, here it is, the question o' the week:
What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
Should be easy, right? I'll go ahead and answer.
My favorite tradition which originates with our childhood, is that all siblings who are within travelable distances come with their families and we all spend Christmas Eve night together in one big sleepover.
We stay up way too late in flannel pjs talking about past Christmases and feasting on dinner leftovers.
I still have a hard time falling asleep, though the reasons differ from days of yore. Now instead of the anticipation of presents (though still super fun), it's the idea that this whole Christmas thing is still going on 2,000 years later.
That because a lowly maiden was visited by an amazing celestial being
When morning comes, we awake and sing happy birthday to Jesus as dad prepares the coffee downstairs and readies the camera.
No one can go down until he gives the word and then we trample downstairs to ooooo and ahhhh over the display, all because of a sweet 8 lb 5 oz baby Jesus who in divine humility, came among us.
Now that, my friends, is worthy of celebration....
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Okay, a photo glut again....maybe with a few commentaries
Ceci is really into faith right now. No joke, sister knows when we turn on to Miami for St. Matt's and yells, "Yaaaaaay Deesuhs." She runs full speed to the front door and loves being there.
During the consecration, she emphatically says, "Here He cooooooooomes!!"
I think the Lord has great things for her to do.
Something of her own development is to be "Mother Pisa." She loves our picture of Mthr. Teresa and JPII where they are basking in one another's holiness. One day while folding laundry she grabs the sheets runs off to the living room and yells...."Mother Pisa!!!" pointing to the picture.
LOVE these two with all my heart, as they love one another.
Ahh, weekends away with beloved soul friends.
Thank you again for your companionship, and please send along your favorite Christmas tradition.
Much love.
