Icy and Cozy

These past couple of days have been good to our family. This is mostly because we have stayed in and not been driving on the icy roads, and the fact that yesterday neither Mark nor I had to go to work due to both our offices being closed because of the weather. It is very icy and cold outside, therefore we have tried to make the inside of our house as warm and cozy as possible. It has been nice to wake up and have Christian run into the bedroom and say "Mommy, you're here!" During the week I leave so early that he doesn't see me until the afternoon when I am picking him and Elias up after work. I choose to go to work early so I can get off early and have the rest of the day to spend with my family.

Yesterday, we had fun just being with each other the entire day and not leaving the house, except for when we went outside briefly to play. :)


Having fun slipping and sliding on the ice in our driveway.




When the boys were napping, Mark and I went outside to play in the ice as well :)

Later in the day, Christian and I opened day 6 (and then today day 7) of our Advent calendar doors to complete the activity that was written on a small strip of paper for that day. These are the activities that Mark and I had thought of and written down November 30, getting prepared for the Advent season. Yesterday's activity was to make and decorate cookies. Today's was making paper snowflakes.


Christian and I cutting out and decorating the sugar cookies.


C just hanging out watching Sprout.


Elias was captivated by the lights on the Christmas tree.


My little reindeer.

All in all, it has been such a warm, cozy, (and icy!) family vacation for us. :)

As this is the 7th day of Advent, I will sign off with the daily Scripture and Prayer.

'Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.'
Luke 1:8-12

Prayer

I stand in the Temple longing for Your Presence
clothed in the righteousness won by the Son.
I move forward into the Outer Courts
as I pray for Your will to be done.

I enter the Inner Courts with praise on my lips,
to the Holy of Holies where Your Presence dwells.
There I find my voice ceases at the wonder
that You allow me into the very Throne Room of God.

I stand before the Father who created me.
I stand before the Son who purchased me.
I stand before the Spirit that cleansed me.
Blessed Trinity, help me understand Your Advent.