Nutcracker Christmas Tree

This tree though. I puffy heart it. It's in my middle girl's room. It's quite lovely. Whimsical and classic. She picked the scriptures and phrases for the chalkboard ornaments. I love each and every one of them. So sweet.

Wandering Wisemen, Elf on the Shelf, and A Christmas Angel- again

Last year we welcomed a Christmas Angel and an Elf into our home. It was crazy mad fun. If you were here last year you know how I struggled with the idea of an Elf  that "watches over naughty children" and "reports" back to Santa. So I tried to brainstorm some ideas that we could do for our children. (By the way, doing nothing to this effect is perfectly fine too). You can find my brainstorming post HERE. Learn about those Wandering Wisemen and more. When we finally decided to do the whole Elf and Angel thing I wrote a letter, explaining it all to the girls. Explaining how gifts were given out of love, not for good behavior. That Jesus is the ULTIMATE gift. To read the letter you can click HERE, it's a printable file also. I hope that works.

I also made scripture cards instructions on them for an activity for the day. Blessing someone with fruit, coloring fun papers, giving a gift. It was so fun, the girls looked forward to finding Joy and Angel every morning. 

Cards with Scriptures can be found HERE. Just click, print, and you're ready to go. It's not fancy, it's a simple word document. 

Here are some pictures from last year-

On the card

Happy Birthday Jesus! Matthew 1:21

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Today- Bake a cake/cupcakes or make a card for Jesus, thank Him for His gift! Share your goodies!

No elf antics today. I didn't have a card printed out. I just put Joy and Angel on our sideboard with a reminder to pray for others. The glitter says BAND- which stands for Bear Another's Name Daily. 

I have a recipe post scheduled tomorrow I promise! Today Joy and Angel were found fishing. I still can't get over my girls and their reactions when they find these two in the morning. It's so cute!
Today the card reads-

Matthew 4:19
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Today-
Pray for someone who doesn’t know Jesus. Pray that God would bless them and draw them near to him.

Do you have any Christmas traditions? Are you blogging about them? I'd love to see! No blog?  Leave a comment!

More Christmas Angel/Elf on the Shelf posts HERE.

More pictures HERE.

Adventures of Joy and Angel Day 24

 Last day for Joy and Angel here! They left a great letter for my girls, I'll try to remember to put it up soon.

Snowball fight!!!

Ok, and a couple of snowmen.

Adventures of Joy and Angel Day 22

I didn't get to post yesterday :)

On the card

Happy Birthday Jesus! Matthew 1:21

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Today- Bake a cake/cupcakes or make a card for Jesus, thank Him for His gift! Share your goodies!

*  I posted on Facebook but-

Today please pray for the family and loved ones of Madeleine F Hsu, age 6.

And if you would like to set a reminder 

 Sunday the 23
Catherine V Hubbard, age 6

Monday the 24
Chase Kowalski , age 7 

Tuesday the 25th

of course all of the families and loved ones mourning, and the family and loved ones of 
Jesse Lewis, age 6

 

 

Another thing, the post office has dedicated a PO Box if you want to send mail to those in Newtown and Sandy Hook. 

 If you’d like to send your own condolences, the address is PO Box 3700, Newtown, Connecticut 06470.

What is the deal with all these cards and verses? Check out the other Christmas Angel/Elf posts below, and read the my letter to the girls HERE.

Do you have any Christmas traditions? Are you blogging about them? I'd love to see! No blog?  Leave a comment!

More Christmas Angel/Elf on the Shelf posts HERE.

More pictures HERE.

Adventures of Joy and Angel Day 21

Nothing too exciting. Joy made some elf sized powdered sugar donuts with some Cheerios and had a tea party with Angel. They also had donuts waiting for the girls.

Adventures of Joy and Angel Day 20

 Joy and Angel got into the Scheich toys, the girls play with these all the time. Narnian battles happen quite often, so they got such a kick out of it.

On the Card

For Narnia! And for Aslan!
Deuteronomy 31:8

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Today-

Remember that God is with you, He loves you and is so faithful!

Adventures of Joy and Angel day 19

It's so much easier to just move the elf from place to place isn't it? Here is Joy, entertaining us all, esp Angel, who was watching from the sideboard. But it reminded me of a great Newsboys song

One to another
Do you remember me
I feel so small
Are you listening tonight
So temporary
Things that I have seen
I ran so far
Will you take me back again
Entertaining angels
By the light of my t.v. screen
24-7 you wait for me
Entertaining angels
By the time I fall to my knees
Host of heaven, sing over me
One to another
The feelings in between
I won't let go
Of all you taught me - alright
Close as a brother
The way we used to be
I'll hold my breath
And wait for you to breathe
Entertaining angels
By the light of my t.v. screen
24-7 you wait for me
Entertaining angels
While the night becomes history
Host of heaven, sing over me

Adventures of Joy and Angel Day 18

I didn't post yesterday on here, but Joy got into my stickers. Pixie who has been corrected many times about putting stickers all over was appalled! Oops. 

On the Card

Adventures of Joy and Angel Day 17

Someone wrapped our TV in wrapping paper. The kids were so surprised. They thought it was funny, which was good. Because when Joy had made the snow angel with salt,  Pixie said, "she's so naughty!" Great time to do some forgiveness and grace teaching though!

Adventures of Joy and Angel Day 16- join us!

This is just is not exciting is it? I'll do better, tomorrow should be fun! Joy and Angel are just hanging out with the PetShop toys. It was a long busy day yesterday. We we very blessed to spend some time with friends and hosted a gift exchange. I was good for us to spend time with people we care about and love. Light and love in the midst of so much sadness. So the card I picked today was perfect for us. I pray that you get to be surrounded with loved ones today.

 

On the card- 

Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

 Today- Do something kind for your family. Leave a note for someone in a special place, or read a book with a sibling.

 *On another note, I'll be posting (on Facebook) a name of a victim that loss their life in the Newtown, CT shooting on December 14. Just a reminder to pray extra for their loved ones. Today is Charlotte B. age 6. I won't make a huge deal out of it, or anything. I did want to let you know so you can join if if you'd like. I want the focus to be on the victims, not anyone else.

Are you on Pinterest? I have a board for Christmas Angel and Elf Ideas it's open to the public for everyone to pin to, I'd love more ideas so leave me your pinterest link or name in the comments and I'll invite you!

What is the deal with all these cards and verses? Check out the other Christmas Angel/Elf posts below, and read the my letter to the girls HERE.

Do you have any Christmas traditions? Are you blogging about them? I'd love to see! No blog?  Leave a comment!

More Christmas Angel/Elf on the Shelf posts HERE.

More pictures HERE.

Adventures of Joy and Angel Day 15

No elf antics today. I didn't have a card printed out. I just put Joy and Angel on our sideboard with a reminder to pray for others. The glitter says BAND- which stands for Bear Another's Name Daily. From my Mercy Band.

Psalm 5:1-7

Give ear to my words, O Lord,
Consider my meditation. 

 Give heed to the voice of my cry,
My King and my God,
For to You I will pray. 

 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.

 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness,
Nor shall evil dwell with You. 

 The boastful shall not stand in Your sight;
You hate all workers of iniquity. 

 You shall destroy those who speak falsehood;
The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

  But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy;
In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.

Adventures of Joy and Angel Day 14

 Yesterday Joy got into my salt, which was my fault because I didn't have a table salt container around. So I guess I'll be scrubbing my cast iron and stoneware. 

I decided not to post yesterday because of what happened in Newtown, Ct. I don't do a lot of heart blogging here. I generally save that for Chaotic Balance. But. Here I am. My heart aches for those who are mourning the loss of their loved ones. Their babies. I at times get angry. So angry. WHY!? WHY!? WHY!?? Then looking over at a toy making a snow angel in salt... Sigh. Even more questions.

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool."

Adventures of Joy and Angel Day 13

Couldn't decide between this picture and the bottom, in the end I chose this one so that Joy wouldn't fall into my honey over night!

On the card today

Proverbs 16:24 Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 

Today-
Remember that your words have the power to bless someone or hurt someone, choose them wisely.
Have a cup of tea sweetened with honey.

Adventures of Joy and Angel- Day 12

Sorry for the horrible pictures, I really am trying to figure out how to use my camera. I took most of these in the dark relying on the glow sticks for light. I finally just turned on my phone for a little more light for the picture above. I couldn't get a good picture either way. Sigh. I tried! The picture below is kinda creepy.

On the card today

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 

Today- Remember that you can be a light and shine God’s love. Give a glow stick to a friend.

Adventures of Joy and Angel Day 11

Building a fort/tower today with some blocks. Looks like they had some help from Bitty Baby too (that's her name).
Are you on Pinterest? I have a board for Christmas Angel and Elf Ideas it's open to the public for everyone to pin to, I'd love more ideas so leave me your pinterest link or name in the comments and I'll invite you!

On the card today-

Proverbs 18:1The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.
Today- Remember that whenever you are afraid you can run to Jesus.

Adventures of Joy and Angel Day 10

Today Joy and Angel were found tending a garden. Joy was... well cleaning up the fertilizer.  Piglet asked for one of these reindeer for Christmas so I told her she could have it. Tomorrow the girls will make reindeer with the candy canes to pass them out.

On the card

Matthew 6:27-29 

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 

Today- Drop off some candy canes to your neighbors with a sweet note.

What is the deal with all these cards and verses? Check out the other Christmas Angel/Elf posts below, and read the my letter to the girls HERE.

Do you have any Christmas traditions? Are you blogging about them? I'd love to see! No blog?  Leave a comment!

More Christmas Angel/Elf on the Shelf posts HERE.

More pictures HERE.

Adventures of Joy and Angel- Day 9

I love Sunday's, just us. Church. Nothing we have to do or nowhere anyone has to be. Today Joy and Angel were caught having bible study.

I also had a bowl of brown sugar with some chocolate chips in it, and a small bowl of sprinkles next to them. With instructions to plant the special seeds.
The glitter message today was "Plant on soft soil". We talked about God's word on soft hearts. When the girls planted the sprinkles, they first removed the dark chocolate chips. Diva pointed out that they were sin and God removes that from our hearts. Which was what I had hoped they would pick up on. In the evening  I stuck some candy canes in the "soil". I let the girls harvest them, Pixie asked me to wash off the dirt. I told her it was ok, this was dirt she could eat. She was very hesitant. She licked it and her little eyes lit up. LOL.

Adventures of Elf and Angel- Day 8

My mirror looks a hot mess doesn't it?

Today Joy and Angel taught the girls about beauty. Joy did write all over the mirror with my lipstick. My girls were appalled. They were so upset and just couldn't believe it (which made me giggle- is that bad?). Pixie kept saying, "she's so naughty!" perhaps we will talk more about this forgiveness and grace thing. We went shopping today and there was a Santa, Piglet said to me "I'm going to talk to him about this elf!"

The card today reads-

Adventures of Joy and Angel- Day 7

I have a recipe post scheduled tomorrow I promise! Today Joy and Angel were found fishing. I still can't get over my girls and their reactions when they find these two in the morning. It's so cute!

Today the card reads-

Matthew 4:19
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Today-
Pray for someone who doesn’t know Jesus. Pray that God would bless them and draw them near to him.

Do you have any Christmas traditions? Are you blogging about them? I'd love to see! No blog?  Leave a comment!

More Christmas Angel/Elf on the Shelf posts HERE.

More pictures HERE.