{2015}

fail to plan
plan to fail

New year resolutions are usually quite loftly.

I am posting my intentions for personal documentation and accountability.

2014 was a good year.  But of course I have areas that I need improvement and some accomplishments I want to repeat.

--recently I challenged  myself to write (and send) letters
--lose that last 13.2 lbs (maintain that weight!)
--read more with my children
--cook more
--read the Bible through again
--organize and maintain my food storage
--exercise consistently

linking up with:  Humpday Happenings
                        Small Victories Sunday

Last Night of Hanukkah--Serenity

So the last two nights we actually started into our Christmas celebration.  But the boys did learn a lot about Hanukkah and they are enjoying telling strangers that wish them a Merry Christmas what night of Hanukkah it is going to be.

Last night the seventh night was the night of Laughter.
Tonight the eighth night is the night of Serenity.

Each night has indeed been special since we have intentionally looked at this time of year.

6th Night of Hanukkah

The 6th night of the Festival of Lights...And tying it in with our Christmas Advent...we chose to forgo Christmas Cards.  Tonight is the night of LOVE.  And to truly love someone is to give to someone that can never give back.  So I gave to little guys a budget and let them choose a charity project.  After helping them along and explaining some of the projects they chose to give 5 ducks and 2 chickens!

Happy Hanukkah!

Merry  Christmas!

5th Night of Hanukkah--HOPE

The fifth night of Hanukkah.  HOPE.  Hanukkah the Festival of Lights. 

www.history.com:

According to the Talmud, one of Judaism’s most central texts, Judah Maccabee and the other Jews who took part in the rededication of the Second Temple witnessed what they believed to be a miracle. Even though there was only enough untainted olive oil to keep the menorah’s candles burning for a single day, the flames continued flickering for eight nights, leaving them time to find a fresh supply. This wondrous event inspired the Jewish sages to proclaim a yearly eight-day festival. 

Tonight we visited a local live nativity.  Jesus is the true hope.  Teaching my children that even though we are studying the miracle of the oil staying lit.  We place our HOPE in the true light- Jesus.

4th Night of Hanukkah

So I did not get our Third Night of Hanukkah posted The Night of Peace.

For us it was a night of Peace.  We did a favor for another family and afterward we had to do some shopping.  My boys H.A.T.E. shopping. But we got through it.

Tonight was the Fourth Night of the Festival of Lights. The Night of JOY.  And today has been such a day of Joy!  The last day of school before Christmas break!!  The activity last night to close the Day of Joy was to attend a church service.

For us the season is about Jesus.  And He is the beginning of JOY

J-esus

O-thers

Y-ourself

1st Night of Hanukkah

For a few  years I have wanted to teach the boys about Hanukkah.  And this year seemed to be the perfect time since Hanukkah starts December 16 and goes all the way until Christmas Eve.  I am using our celebration/study for our Advent activity :-)

Tonight we watched this video about the history of Hanukkah:

Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights...so since we are Christian and we believe Jesus to the the Light of the World, I put out our nativity.