On the feast of Saint Nicholas

I'll start by saying that our family had a difficult Monday.  Not to put out our business out there or to embarrass my children.  But I certainly don't believe I'm alone out there when it comes to 'tough' days filled with corrections and discipline.  There was a fair share of it around my home.  It really bummed me out though!  And by the evening time I felt a bit defeated.  My heart wasn't up to putting up treats or baking any sort of good eats. 

What to do?

I prayed!!!

And then, I walked into the kid's room and had a long-long chat!!  By the end everyone was hugging and offering sweet apologies.  I knew I couldn't let the days events dwell in our hearts.  This season is so much more about preparing our very souls.  To seek and find the ways to grow in virtue.  I had almost forgotten that the same preparing time involves our children.   

Yesterday, my children needed some reminders and needed me to help guide their behaviors. They also needed me to return to them and speak to their hearts.  I hope I did  that.  I hope that this morning when they read their letters another step towards Heaven was reached.

I hope... 

This season is so much about hope.

Now continuing on to todays feast day...

~ St. Nicholas ~

How my children asked for your prayers last night

When the children awoke

little treats were waiting

Shoes were left out

in hopes of some surprise

inside a treat waited

a holy card, picture, a few chocolate coins & a letter 

But before anything was opened,

Carolina and Sophia helped make

German Hot Chocolate

Sophia as our taste tester, approved of the taste...

it was good!

We enjoyed our breakfast and hot chocolate

then moved on to the treats.

The kids looked at their new book

An Alcott Family Christmas

then opened a small gift

Saint Nicholas and Angel Playmobil

and finally

read their letters

They were smiling by the end of their letter, it was a near prefect morning

;-)

God, we pray that through the

intercessions of St. Nicholas

you will guide and protect our children.

Keep them safe from all harm

and help them grow to become

loving disciples of Jesus in your sight.

Give them strength to always mature

into deeper faith in you,

and to keep alive joy in your creation.

Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Pay a visit to Catholic Cuisine
for a linky to the celebrations throughout the lands

Saint Nicholas, Pray for Us!