47/52 Yeah I Made It.... actually I wrote a book

Since I’ve had babies I’ve wanted to build traditions around Christmas. I’ve dreamed about the sense of holy wonder in our home as we contemplate together the rough stable, those young parents, the scrappy shepherds, the choirs of angels.

I’ve wanted a Christmas build up that has felt like Christ-mas. God with us.

It seems that little kids are offered all sorts of tinsly, glowing, baubly bits but there hasn’t been much for wondering on. So I wrote a book for families with children who are aged 3-7 years old.

A book where each day is based on a word like – chosen, generous, myrrh and each day includes a Bible verse and a very simple activity and a reflection and a prayer.

A book where the information is sound and meaningful.

A book where the activities are actually achievable.

A book that works when you miss some days because the grandparents came to stay and the cat vomited on the carpet and we all had a meltdown.

I wrote this book for every family that’s wanted something more than tinsel and jingle bells.

I wrote it for busy parents who want to do something well but don’t have time to do all the thinking.

I wrote it for children, my children, and for so many little ones who are very dear to me and to whom I want to give the gift of wonder, delight, depth and meaning.

This book is currently free as a kindle e-book, just for a few days. Then it will be about the price of a good hot chocolate.

When I pray for this book I pray it will bless you. I pray it will encourage you and I pray that you will find it practical, Biblical and tradition building.

If you want your own copy you can go here. Here’s the official description:

24 opportunities to reflect on an element of the arrival of Jesus 
• Simple and inspiring activities and reflections 
• Assistance to build a Biblical understanding for children aged 3-7 about the arrival of Jesus 
• Create a wonder-filled and worshipful attitude in your home as you lead up to Christmas

Written by teacher, speaker and communicator Miriam Fisher. Motivated by a desire to provide theologically sound, simple, and meaningful ways to celebrate and anticipate Christmas together.

Meaningful, Achievable, Biblical, Joyful

This is my Christmas gift to you. Wrapped in my love for the honour and glory of Jesus.

x Miriam x

Advent Swap

Lovely Cat has been so, so good to me and due to family emergencies and house packing and other such events I haven't blogged them so buckle up and be inspired by her creativity, generosity and thoughtfulness.

and for my wee boys too

Thanks so much Cat for a wonderful December. You are a beautiful woman xxxx

love you more than a present coma xxxx

Adventy Awesomeness

Don't you love the feeling of starting you day with something lovely - like a wrapped present for you?

Here are the amazing ways I've been blessed by Cat this week:

Day Four:
I am totally loving washi tape at the moment and these colours make me very happy.

Day Five:
My boys were very excited that these were like Paddingtons '5 pence pudding', having never seen a Christmas pudding in real life.

Day Six:
I must confess to a wee cry about this one! I love Gillian's work and it was the night after the Chch bloggers santa swap and this beautiful piece is partially made from liquefaction silt. Also Cat and I met one another through the earthquake way back in 2011 - very meaningful. It will be a very special piece of chch I take to Australia with me.

Day Seven:
The boys insisted I take the photo with the candy canes making a heart - aren't they sweet. I can't believe how much Cat has managed to make! Her knitting skills are boss.

Day Eight:
Yum - not so many of these left I must confess!!

Day Nine:
My Christmases are going to be filled with lots of special memories with all the wonderful handmade decorations I have been given. And always in twos so the boys can each hang one.

Day Ten:
Breakfast anyone? Just me then, don't mind if I do!

If you want to see days 1-3 go here.

Love you more than a laden Christmas tree xxx

Hello Advent Swap

When a parcel arrives sealed with heart tape and the name of the sender is Cat

you can be fully convinced that you are going to be the recipient of a great deal of thought and love. Cat is just one of those people who couldn't be half-hearted even if she tried. She's just a great big goo-ball of love that lady.

Look at the dear wee measuring tape ribbon they are tied up with!

...and because I know you aren't the jealous, vengeful types but are looking forward to celebrating all my treats I thought I'd share each Tuesday what treats have arrived.

Day One:

Knitted Wreath Christmas Decorations - I love that my tree has almost no shop bought decorations - it's a handmade fiesta and these look so cute.

Day Two:

Oh yes hello aniseed flavour - how I do love you so.

Day Three:

Cue my children singing 'Pop, Bang, Crack goes the Christmas cracker'.

Thank you, thank you Cat I can imagine how fast your knitting needles have been clicking! xxx More treats to show next Tuesday.

My partner was Tracy - lover of all things orange and you can find what I sent if you visit her.

Love you more than squishy packing noodles xxx

B.M.W.B - Advent-ure

This year I want Advent to have more of a sense of the anticipation of 'coming'.

So we'll still be doing a range of activities (and of course I'll be unwrapping treats everyday from my marvelous advent partner - more about that tomorrow) but in all of them I want to engage with more meaningful conversation and thoughtfulness around the season.

Here are our advent activities for this season:

1. Decorate the Tree and do Faith for Families Advent Family Night

Also read and talk about - Dean, Faculty of Theology in Catalonia
“This tree shows that even in the heart of winter, when everything is dry and the trees have no leaves, it is still green and so a tree which symbolizes life. And this life has a name - Jesus Christ."

The Christmas tree is a symbol of life and hope, that is decorated with ornaments and lights around the world. The decoration shows the importance of the birth of Jesus.

2. Unwrap Decoration (handmade ceramic star - they always get a handmade decoration each year)- Read  Matthew 2 v1-12 Talk about what the star might have looked like?

3. Book – Song of Stars - Talk about the sense of anticipation and coming

4. Make Washi Candles - read - Read John 8 v 12

5. Christmas book reading marathon

6. Watch The Nativity Movie - read Read Luke 1v 46-56

7. Book - 'Twas the Night Before Christmas - Why do you think giving presents is important at Christmas?

8. Make Reindeer Noses for friends - can you remember the reindeer’s names? Who do you want to give these to and why? Read – Proverbs 27v18. Why is honour important? (CEV)

9. Book -  Simone's Book, Do an 'angel hunt' through the Biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus - Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds etc

10. Hang Bunting (thanks Nin!) and talk about why we celebrate

11. Attend and help with a community carols evening

12.  Book - The Nativity by Julie Vivas - What is your favourite page? What does it tell you about the arrival of Jesus?

13. Make Crowns for the Kings

14. Watch Shrek the Halls

15. Do a Nativity show for Mum and Dad using the nativity magnet set (thanks Leonie)

16. Listen to carols and have fondue - What do you think is special about Christmas and Advent?

 17. Make cookies for people we love and pray for them

18. Book - The 3 Trees - which tree got the most special job? Why do you think that?

19. Read Luke 1v26-33 The Message version. How might Mary have felt?

20. Do a mini-chocolate bar drop in the letter boxes on our street on the way to school.

21. Watch Arthur Christmas and have friends to stay

22. Read and Act Luke 2

23. Fill in a map of Jesus' life

24. Open Christmas PJs - Read – Psalm 4 v7-8

Becoming the Mama I want to be is about taking time to enjoy the journey of parenting, to honour it's value and to hopefully inspire and encourage each other. 

Simple. Achievable. Intentional: becoming the mama I want to be

Button code on the right if you want it

Love you more than a well planned list xxx

Advent - The Final Installment

The final 3 days of Advent absolutely blew me away.

Through the whole of the advent swap I was so blessed by the thoughtfulness, creative talent and heart-felt generosity I undeservedly received from Leonie.

Day 23

This AMAZING cushion. I have such a thing about Suffolk Puffs and this one has so inspired me to make myself some more puff-craft.

and more beads I love

The boys received their final installment of our nativity pieces

Day 24:

The boys were given these gorgeous pillow case covers with PJ pockets and handles for transporting to story telling spots and sweet golden books too.

and I received this stunningly beautiful hand-made necklace (which I then planned my Christmas outfit around) and this incredible hand-made bag - can you imagine the hours and hours of stitching that went into this???

Christmas Day:
The boys received gorgeous books and these stunning hand-made place mats (Bounce has decided it's rather too good for that and it is actually a quilt for his teddy)

and I received this amazing cook book which I have looked at wistfully before

and my own hand made tu-tu/ petticoat. You can bet I am already planning an outfit based around this gorgeous piece of loveliness.

Leonie (ever generous) also sent a gift for The Atlas - unfortunately we had a letter box break in on Christmas Eve so I am really, really hoping it was not in there at the time.....praying instead it has been caught up in the backlog of Christmas post along with another gift that was due to arrive for another family member.

I cannot begin to really describe how special and humbled I have felt throughout December and even more special I have had the pleasure of meeting Leonie and I have her now as a new and amazing friend. I am blessed and blissed!! :o)