San Francisco Chronicles

A long, long, LONG time ago a group of women began to meet.  We were of like minds.  We were ever so young.  Our friendship has seen pain, joy, we've seen each other become mothers.  Some of us career ladies, wives.  A mix of paths.  All of our experiences formed a unique bond of mutual respect and awe. 

How good God is to have put (me) in this place among them. 

I have been blessed with knowing such lovely people.  Both in my present days and that of that kid in high school, and then again that young lady in her early twenties.  There have been those in my life that gently led me here.  A wife, mother and teacher; a daughter, sister and friend.  In all the sections of me, I am surrounded by His gift of people. 

This past weekend, one of those special ladies was having a birthday.  She was going to be celebrated and I was one of her surprises.  We hadn't seen each other in...well in too long of a time. 

Why add a number here...it's been "forever".

We had last spoken after a tragedy (I have yet to write about, but it's coming).  Our children have missed getting to know one another.  But, we were going to mend that.

We drove to San Francisco and had one of the very best times....EVER!!!

In full chorus of "Estas son las mañanitas, que cantaba el Rey David, Hoy por ser día de tu santo, te las cantamos a ti...".  Meet Cynthia.  One of my dearest of friends.  The kids surprised her at the door, with a birthday cake and a song.  She had NO clue!!!  Us, adults were hiding behind a bush so it was fun to hear her wonder how in the world they got there.  I knew she knew we were close...

I love the look she had...a mix of joy and disbelief.

We were actually there!

Now let the par-tay begin....

We had actually arrived the night before and stayed with my other dearest of dearest, Yesenia.  This mujer is amazing...critical care nurse at S.F general, travels to third world countries offering her services...was there for Katrina, was there in Haiti. 

(my Lucy, tia Yesi, and X)

Rose was reacquainted with her partner.  These two acted like there had been NO distance of time between their last visit together.

We can't forget the guys

So, we were surprise #1

Surprise #2 was this fabulous party set up by Cynthia's hubby.  He set up for her mom and sister to come up for the week.  He set up this fabulous Colombian style cumbia band to play, DJ, food and we daaaannncceed all night. 

Me with Cynthia's sister...she made the drive up with their mom and triplet girls too.

All the kids right before we had to leave for the drive back to L.A

The kids on the truck...

Then parents take their turn, remembering when we ALL use to travel in the back of a truck...

doesn't everyone have a memory of that?

Alas, it was time to go...good bye...

San Francisco

We had a great time in reconnecting with old friends.  I do have a bit of my heart in San Francisco.  It's there with two very special ladies. 

God bless them!

Requesting your prayers...

Jedidiah Joseph

has gone to Heaven. 

 If you come across this post, please pray for his family as they mourn the lost of their little Jedi.

Baby Jedi's story can be read here.  Please go over there, read their story, and offer your prayers.

We will be praying!

Wordless Wednesday ~

She has an eye for this kind of thing...

Reading through Advent

Think of warm nights huddled up around the couch reading rich little stories of family, love, some sorrows, leading up to Christmas.  It's a mini tradition that we started here a couple of years ago.  Those warm cozy nights didn't always happen but, each year we've gotten better at slowing down for Advent.  And having the Advent/Christmas basket of books available and visible have become a permanent marker in our home.

I've marked a book for each day of Advent and Christmas.  Some days I have and extra activity planned or a treat to make.  While other days we just have the book read.

Also, for a budget friendly home and for my own memory, I've coded each selection showing if the book is available at our local library, if I already own it, or plan to buy it.  There is a list I have for my older child, Lucy, to have.  She enjoys the pictures books and has her favorites but, she also wants books for her age level to read.  So that list is in the works now.

(I've gotten this list from several resources: Jessica, Charlotte, Elizabeth, 4real learning book list, Cay Gibson's two books and our own scan of library books.  Disclaimer: What you see here are books I have read and like to use for our family.  But as always use your own judgment for your own family.  You know them best :)

(L): available at our library

(H): have it

(WB): want to buy it this season

(D) DVD available

November 28th: 1st Sunday of Advent

The Jesse Tree by Geraldine McCaughrean

(L) With this marking the beginning of the season I'm hoping to have our 2nd Jesse "Tea" after Mass.  There is a post about the "tea" here if you are interested.  The Advent Wreath will be brought, as will our message of "prepare" on the piano serving as a reminder of what Advent means....waiting, preparing for the birth of Christ.

November 29th: 

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski (L)(H)(DVD never seen it)

November 30th:

The Little Fir Tree by Margaret Wise Brown (L)

December 1:

Josie's Gift by Kathleen Bostrom (L)

December 2:

Waiting for Noel: An Advent Story by Ann Dixon (L)

December 3:

An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco (L)

December 4:

The Gifts by Regina Fackelmayer (H)

December 5:

The Legend of St. Nicholas by Demi (L)

Tonight the kids put their shoes out for St. Nicholas to check...and in the morning they will see whether they've been naughty or nice.

December 6th: The feast of St. Nicholas

The Real Santa Claus: Legends of Saint Nicholas by Marianna Mayer (L)

Saint Nicholas by Ann Tompert (L)(H)

We have several activities and sweet for this day.  This post has the details.  It's candy cane cocoa, candy cane coffee cake, some gold coins for the good and a note of encouragement for other:)

St. Nicholas Center offers wonderful resources

Paper Dali has paper dolls for the free download and recipes for German macaroons

 

December 7:

The Christmas Candle by Richard Paul Evans (L)(H)

I highly recommend this book for your Christmas basket

We'll prepare our Christmas candle today

December 8:

A Small Miracle by Peter Collington (L)

This story is told through the illustration only.  Really good and always leaves an impression on the kids

December 9:

Good King Wenceslas by J.M Neale (L)(DVD)
 I didn't care too much for this video but I highly recommend singing along with the verses

December 10:

Through the Animals Eyes: A Story of the First Christmas by Christopher Wormell (L)

December 11:

Country Angel Christmas by Tomie de Paola (L)

December 12: Feast of Nuestra Virgen de Guadalupe

The Lady of Guadalupe Tomie de Paola (L)(H)

The Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe Empress of the Americas by C. Lourdes Walsh (H)

5am Mass singing Las mañanitas, some Mexican treats for brunch, crafts and a nice dinner afterwards

 

December 13: Feast of St. Lucia

Bells of St. Lucia by Gus Cazzola (L)(H)

Lucia, Saint of Light by Katherine Bolger Hyde (WB)

Morning surprise for Papi with coffee and this bread

December 14:

St. Francis and the Christmas Donkey by Robert Byrd (L)

December 15:

The Legend of the Christmas Rose by William H. Hooks (L)

December 16:

The Night of Las Posadas by Tomie de Paola (L)(H)

The Posadas begin today!!!  We'll join one during the days of the Posadas with our parish.

December 17: "O Antiphon's" wisdom

The Christmas Promise by Susan Campbell Bartoletti (L)

Our home will receive a book on the Church and begin to celebrate the seven jewels leading towards Christ.  All the details for these next few days are here, with the credit to Jessica and Charlotte

December 18: House of Israel

Bright Christmas: An Angel Remembers by Kate Andrew Clements (L)

Making gingerbread houses

December 19: Root of Jesse

The Miracle of the First Poinsettia by Joanne Oppenheim (L)(H)

Today we celebrate with the family and gather together at our SIL home with tons of crafts

Then it's home for root beer floats, Poinsettias for our home, and trimming our tree

December 20: Key of David

Christmas Cookies: Bite-Size Holiday Lessons by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (L)

Key Lime Pie for dessert

December 21: Dawn of Dayspring

Father and Son by Geraldine McCaughrean (L)(H)

Sunrise drinks for Papi and Momma and "Dayspring Ice Cream" for the kids

December 22: King

An Angel came to Nazareth by Maggie Kneen (L)

King crown cookies

December 23: O Emmanuel, God with us, our King and lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Savior: come to save us, O Lord our God.

Tonight You are my Baby: Mary's Christmas Gift by Jeannine Q. Norris (H)

December 24: Christmas Eve!!!

The Story of Christmas: According to the gospels of Matthew and Luke (L)(WB)

Read by Papi

December: 25:

The Very First Christmas by Paul L. Maier (L)(H) 

December 26: Feast of St. Stephen

Stephen's Feast by Jean Richardson (WB)

December 27: Feast of St. John the Apostle

Through the Eyes of John by Chad Daybell, Rhett E. Murray (H)

December 28: Feast of the Holy Innocents

The Little Match Girl by Han Christian Anderson (L)(H) ~ Lucy's favorite

The First Christmas Stocking by Elizabeth Winthrop (L)(H) ~ another favorite

 

December 29:

The Christmas Bird by Bernadette Watts Edith (L)

December 30:

Night Tree by Eve Bunting (L)

December 31: New Year's Eve

The Candle in the Window by Grace Johnson (H)

January 1: Feast of Circumcision and Mary, Mother of God

Mary, Mother of Jesus by Mary Joslin and Alison Wisenfeld (H)

January 2:

The Twelve Days of Christmas by Jan Brett (L)

January 3:

This is the Star by Joyce Dunbar (L)

January 4:

We Three Kings (L)

January 5:

The Last Straw by Fredrick H. Thury (L)

January 6: Feast of Epiphany

The Story of the Three Wise Kings by Tomie de Paola (L)

Cooking today and surprising the kids each with a small gift...just like my mom use to do when I was a young.

This is it for us this season.  I've already have a list of next year in the works.  Nope I'm not crazy but, when you begin to look around it's amazing how many books just pop out, outta no where.

happy reading!