Advent Greetings

Advent is a intended as a time of expectation, reflection and preparation for the nativity of Christ.

This year it has been very difficult to keep my mind focused on advent. Having a 2 1/2 year old at home results in a very disjointed day (or world for that matter).

We had our family Christmas Open House last weekend with 100 people invited and ~45 actually attending. I had hoped that that event might 'set the mood' for the run up to Christmas - no joy. Between the mass cleaning and running around town getting rented dishes it resulted in a feeling of 'quick quick run then pause'. I'm not sure how to avoid that. Maybe next year we need to scale down a bit.

So while I'm 'expectant' for Christmas, I'm not prepared and I've had no time for reflection.

How do you 'keep Christmas' in your home?

Evan

Some Resources:
http://www.followingthestar.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent


Photo Credit: Adrea Kranz

TreeHugger's 2007 Gift Guide

Here's a green suggestion for those of you engaged in festive shopping TreeHugger's 2007 Gift Guide (TreeHugger)

We Survived

Well, we survived...two weeks in Walt Disney World!

Overall I was surprised and a little impressed - I had expected WDW to be a large tourist trap, and even though it really is it sure didn't feel like it. Being in the various parks was a pleasant experience, modestly priced meals and souvenirs, very clean, friendly well trained staff that seemed genuinely happy to be there. Even the photographers were more of a service than any kind of hassle - we had to ask them to take pictures - the antithesis of pushy. The attractions were fun and very very well presented, at one point I had a Disney employee mention that they don't have roller coasters or rides, they have attractions, and he was right - the line up areas for the attractions are all in character, as are all the staff at each ride. No 'staff t-shirt' shorts and flip-fops here, each ride and every 'cast member' had a 'costume' that contributed to the look and feel of the park - in fact they were hardly ever 'out of character'

I would not count this as a restful vacation - S, Kiddo and our other relations seemed to have a great time but it was too much go and do and not a enough rest and recharge for my likes - there were several nights that we'd come home and I'd be out by 9pm having read only a page of my book - waking up at 6 to get everything done and be off to the park again to be there for gate opening.

Sigh I'll be off to the Scout Jamboree in Northern Quebec in a few weeks, maybe that will be more relaxing.

For now,

Evan

Vacation

S. and I will shortly be embarking on the standard 'Family Vacation'. In this case our destination is that haven of peace and serenity - Disney World...ok so yes the sinus meds are affecting my brain.

S. is over the moon about going, and while I find it mildly interesting (I am looking forward to Epcot), the potential negatives keep coming to mind - we're going to be traveling with an almost two year old, who loves to run around like mad wherever he is. That just can't happen on a plane, so we're going to get to hold him in our laps - unless miracle of miracles they seat us with an empty seat, apparently they do try and do that. Nice thing is it doesn't cost us anything for his flight and he doesn't need a ticket for Disney. But all of that doesn't help on the flights (there are two, totaling 4 hours, each way) will be at all fun.

We've had some other parent's suggest that we get him to rest while we fly (apparently kid's Gravol (Dramamine) is a good idea...not sure about that.

After traveling we get to spend 14 days in the deep south US - home of Guns, guns and more guns. (Believe it or not the Governor of Texas was on the radio the other day saying that the recent shootings in the US wouldn't have happened if everyone was properly armed while they were walking around on the school campus! This is the place I'm taking my son to? On top of the obvious risks (both from weapons and from psychological proximity to these people). There are going to be many many businesses that are intent on removing as much of our money as fast as they can while returning to us as little as possible and what they do give us will be made of plastic or other 'cheapness' and will actually have been made in China.

Oh what fun.

Now, we're actually going to be staying in a house that we've rented for the two weeks, its going to be just as expensive (or maybe a little less) to stay there as it would be in a hotel considering that it's actually S. Myself, Kiddo, S's mom and another cousin that I'll call Min. The house idea is great more space, our own bedroom and so on. The fact that I'll get to clean, do dishes, and other domestic chores down there just as much as I do at home (I do try and pull my fair share) not so much.

I'm going to spend 14 days in Tamaracouta Quebec this summer with 6800 Scouts, in comparison, that sounds relaxing.

I'll write something if / when we get back alive...

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pastorjason/239574951/

Happy New Year

Happy New Year, Taipei 101
Originally uploaded by Coolmitch.

Hope it's a fun time where you're at, Winnipeg got 30+cm of fresh new snow today so it's been a 'fun' day today.

God's blessings on all of us - around the world - in Anno Domini Nostri Iesu Christi 2007

(I know Anno Domini... it's not politically correct it's supposed to be CE but ... sheesh)

Evan

The second candle burns!

the second candle burns!
Originally uploaded by rotraud_17.

It's actually the 3rd week of Advent but I liked this picture...we're in 'quick clean up the house' mode now, we're winding down our shopping, we've decided on what to serve for dinner and I think I know what I'll pick up for S.

Went to take kiddo's picture with Santa last night and he 'freaked' sat there and held his arms out and screamed...'get me away from the big man...' now he's only 18 months and can't actually talk yet but that was what he was saying - no doubt!

Oh well - have a great Christmas - even if you aren't actively Christian, this week offers time in our culture to attempt to relax, re-energise, spend time with family and friends and 're-centre' for the next few months, I'm certainly going to try and take a break!

Ev