Jesse Tree:: 2012

Paper cuts outs, home made creations, or treasured bought ones?  Jesse Trees are, and it's ornaments, popping more and more each year. 
Can there be an Whoop Hooo for that!!

We started a Jesse Tree a few years back.  I didn't have any fancy ornaments, nor any idea about a tree.  But I had bought a nice paper set from a local Catholic store (sadly no longer in business) and used a mini Christmas tree.  Then a couple of years ago I made some felt ornaments for my sister-in-law and her family, those were cute!  I had wanted to make our own set, but just never got around to it. 

This year came the offer from Jessica @ Housewifespice  (look here). 

Now, along with our Advent readings (look here);
we have a new set of Jesse Tree ornaments.
For our new home! 

Our box arrived just today (yesterday now)!

See the Noah's Ark at the top, that's my contribution to the set.

There are several places to go to for ornaments, readings, and to get the history of Jesse Tree.  Jessica @ Shower of Roses (look here) has a great list of resources. 

We keep it fairly simple; some years we've hosted a Jesse Tea (look here).  While other seasons we've kept to the traditions of my childhood; like posadas. 

So we've had hectic seasons, sickly seasons, peaceful seasons... etc.

Hey, we're normal right?

First Sunday Advent, for us, was just about perfect.

  Grandparents came over and Grandpa blessed our wreath.  Then we feasted on Pozole.

Ending with a chapter of a new book

Destination: Bethlehem

A Family Advent Adventure

Then a short movie for the kids.

Last night we began our Jesse Tree readings.

And this morning our little tree had the prettiest sunlight on it.

Though, they should have been outside already doing chores.  I couldn't get mad at them for cuddling up so cute to hear Lucy read from our books.

Advent has begun,

and we are so grateful for it!

I'm linking this up over @ Jessica's blog

Shower of Roses

Please pay a visit to the other moms... there are some adorable traditions being celebrated right now!

Jesse Tree Swap

My loony self thought that in the midst of still unpacking boxes, driving to and fro, schooling, Thanksgiving; I can join a Jesse Tree Swap.  "Oh yes, I have time", thinks I.

My gosh, who was I kidding!  It wasn't that it was stressful to complete them.  There just had to be some creative thinking as to finding the time to do it.

But they got done!!

I made some felt ornaments for my SIL in few years back.  Those took a while to complete too.  But, because each symbol was different; and I had to find the scripture to them.  These came out cute though.

I got pretty stressed out thinking I was going to be late mailing them out.  Thus, 32 women around the U.S was going to be waiting for me.  And because I was late, then they would have to start their Jesse Tree late.  Oh the stress!!

But, I'm not late... Whooo Hooo. 

This is a big nerve in my stomach, you see.  The being the cause to someone else being late. 

So thanks Jessica @ Housewifespice for hosting and organizing this!

I hope you like my version of the Noah's Ark.