Celebrating Advent

Advent is sneaking up on me, not that I haven't been aware of it...  It's just that I am letting the URGENT overtake the important ... is that how the saying goes?  There always just seems to be ONE more thing that is screaming for my attention... and then there is the unimportant and the un-urgent that just seems to be the easy thing to do.

So here it is just a few days before December, and I want to let you, my friends and readers, know what I hope to accomplish in the next month in the middle of all the hustle and bustle.

First off, is a fun little blog hop, each week with a different focus! We would love to have you join us.  Each week there will be a link up on the host's blog. Write a post about that them and add yours to the list! We look forward to celebrating with you.

Week one: Advent hosted by Zohary
Week two: Traditions hosted by Katharine
Week three: Decor hosted by Jen
Week four: Cookies hosted by Yours Truly

This first week is all about Advent...

Last year, I participated in a great community called Truth in the Tinsel. I call it a community because we did share pictures and encourage each other on facebook. It was an Advent Experience, just like the ebook says!  When I decided to give it a go last year, I was a little apprehensive. I am a perfectionist. I have four kids. Nothing ever turns out perfect... especially crafts! I have a knack for starting things and never finishing them.  However, THIS we actually finished and we actually enjoyed it (most days) and Yes, we did double up on a few days and I did fudge a few crafts. But that's the beauty of it! There are plenty of options for you to choose from and it's easy to find one that fits your schedule.

and this year, Amanda has added printable ornaments (for $3.99) for those of you that don't do crafts!

The ebook itself is just $7.99 and you can use it year after year... and your kids will love you for it!! My kids have already started asking me when we are going to start the ornaments... I better get on that! :) Or maybe we can just re-use last year's ornaments!

For more on Truth in the Tinsel (and some cute pictures of my kids' ornaments) you can check out...
my review last year
my first update
my second update

...


For myself this year, I am going to work my way through Walking to Bethlehem. It was written by my dear friend Katherine, and although I received an advance copy to review, I just wanted to wait until December to really dig into it during the Advent season.

I love her style of writing and I haven't read one devotional that didn't just meet me where I was! She's amazing like that! Check out her book, Grace and Fresh Ink, too. It would be a great way to start the new year.




I also have two freebies to mention:

Just got notice of this one today! It's More Than Candy by SarahMae, free to email subscribers on her blog.  As a child I remember the Hershey Kiss Advent ribbon that we used EVERY year (and I loved it) but I also remember doing "more than candy," like our Jesus box that we put money in all month long and then found someone to bless it with for Christmas. Can't wait to check this one out! :)

and a free family devotional with Jesse Tree ornaments from Ann Voskamp. "I want a Christmas that you can hold."


So many options, and while I know I can't do them all, I still want to try. So would you pick one or two and join me in this Advent Journey?!?!  
Let me know which one you are going to use... or if you have another Advent tradition, please share it in the comments!


ps. this post does contain affiliate links, but I would share them anyway...