Novembermas!

I'm so excited it is officially November ...  which means I can start listening to Christmas Carols and starting to get into the festive mood of the most amazing holiday we get to celebrate. I. Love. Christmas.  I love everything about it, I love the advent, I love the reason we celebrate, I love the festive spirit that people get into, I love that it is a time to give, I love that for a few days of the month people are kinder to one another, kinder to those they see on the streets, kinder to people serving them in stores, kinder to the dog... just plain kinder. Kindness abounds... and for good reason. We are celebrating the birth of Jesus. The revolutionary who claimed love is the only way. Whether you are a Christian or not, it is hard to refute that Jesus was an amazing revolutionary, who still has followers to this day, some 2000 years later, and that so much of what we do (whether we know it or not) comes from His teachings. It's kind of mind blowing.

So in celebrate His birth, or just His teachings of love and kindness, this is an awesome time of year...

If you don't know why we celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus,  you can read the Christmas story here at Why Christmas. 

These 3 cards are verses from the Bible all about Jesus and His birth... If these aren't up your alley- please don't fret, I've got lots and lots of Christmas cards full of cheer and holiday spirit that are not religious.  I'm happy to share and really Happy that you've chosen to celebrate and spread good cheer, kindness, goodness, peace, love, joy and holiday spirit with your friends and family during this special time of year!


Share the love,
M.

In Canada, we try really hard to wait until after the 11th of November to begin Celebrating the Holidays. I personally do not feel that Christmas in anyway takes away the specialness of Remembrance Day. I don't feel that celebrating Love, Kindness, Peace, and Joy can in anyway take away the sacrifices of the people who gave their lives so that we can be free to celebrate these things. So please don't shame people who start their celebrations early... please choose to spread love and kindness... instead of judgement.

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CHRISTMAS 2016 Isaiah 9:6
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CHRISTMAS 2016 Luke 2:11
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CHRISTMAS 2016 Luke 2:14
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Figuring it out...

As we get older holidays become more complicated, especially you have time to think about them. This year I am excited, we are going home to my mom's for Christmas and I can't wait. It's an interesting time, because I know I have high hopes of going and feeling Christmas like I used to, but I also know that it will never feel like it used to- am I setting myself up for failure? (I've got a plan for that too... My Merry Christmas List ) 

Sometimes it is hard adulting when you don't actually ever feel like the adult in the room. The Hubby and I have no kids, not for lack of trying, praying, bargaining, etc... you can read all about that story here: Why I do what I do! ) But when you don't have children, you are still the children- we don't have little people running around the house needing us, we aren't required to have a set dinner time, toast at 8pm while binge watching Netflix is actually not a 'no no'. When you've got kids, you've got other responsibilities... at the moment, the only things I need to keep alive are my Hubby (and generally he can forage for himself), Timothy the Dog, and a few house plants... So Christmas here is a little different. 

I have this belief that when you reach a certain age, most couples have children to relive the wonder through their eyes...  Christmas time is especially difficult for me... Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas, I love everything about it, but I've always got this underlying sadness that I just can't seem to shake...

I have to guard myself agains falling into a season of despair and frustration, because that makes me no fun for anyone around the holidays... 

I love this song by Third Day, and I try to keep it in mind... the feelings that I feel are not unique- other's may feel this way too. I never quite understood how the holidays could be hard on people when I was younger, my how the years can you teach you all sorts of things... now I get it... now I understand. But now I also know that I need to focus on gratitude... focus on the beauty, focus on the hope...focus on Jesus... the true meaning of Christmas...  

Although I want to feel Christmas like it used to be... I know- it is probably not possible... but one certainly can hope... and hope I do.

I want to feel Christmas, how it used to be
With all of its wonder falling on me
This season has felt so empty, oh, for quite a while
I want to feel Christmas like a child

I want to see snowflakes fall to the ground
My brothers and sisters all gathered around
Singing, "Away In A Manager" as we sit by the fire
I want to feel Christmas like a child

It's been so long now, I can't say
Just when I lost my way

But I'm going back to how it was

When this day meant everything
And we spent our time remembering
The baby Child born for us

It's all about Jesus
Asleep in the straw
This infant, this King
This Savior for all

So I don't need bells to be ringing
'Cause I'll join with angels singing, Gloria
And I can feel Christmas like a child

(Third Day Music)

How do you cope with Christmas? Do you find yourself reminiscing? For those of you who have Children, do you get to live that wonder through their experiences? Through their eyes? 

Share the love, 

M.

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A Thrill of Hope the weary world REJOICES !
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DECEMBER!

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Oh December- It's the most Wonderful Time of the year... can you hear it, can you smell it... It's beautiful, stressful, full of crazy relatives, phone calls, cookies, Christmas trees, extra stuff in my house, friends, wine, cheer, sadness, Advent, church, more people, food, chocolate, lights, snow, worry.... it really is the most wonderful time of the year... if we keep in mind what Christmas is all about.

Instead of worrying if you've done enough... know that Jesus did it all, celebrate that and know you are enough.

Christmas in our world can cause so much pain, hurt and frustration... try to focus on what really matters to you... don't load up your credit card, instead make stuff, don't spend money on stuff no one needs, spend time instead... don't do what doesn't fill your heart... gently bow out of invitations you don't want to say yes to- and do what does fill your heart, another evening with hot chocolate and popcorn watching a christmas movie with your family, is doing Christmas. Driving around looking at the lights with your hubby, IS Christmas. Don't compare what is important to you, with what is important to someone else... if you don't have time to decorate your house because it takes you away from spending time with those you love, don't decorate your house...

Pick and choose this year what will fill your heart and soul and make you happy... leave behind comparison, which leads to feelings of inadequacy - choose your peace and happiness instead... know you are enough, your children want you, not stuff... your husband wants you, not stuff... be present, be in the moment, capture it in your memory, and if you remember, take a few photos...  this will be the best Christmas yet!

Share the love,
M.

Check out my Advent Calendars:

Rustic Christmas CHEER Calendar, a fun and inspirational way to celebrate the Christmas Spirit throughout the holidays:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/247817498/christmas-advent-calendar-rustic-holiday?ref=shop_home_feat_1

Calendrier de L'Avent en Français (Bible): 
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/247943589/calendrier-de-lavent-en-francais-25-4x6?ref=listing-shop-header-0

CHRISTmas Scripture Advent Calendar Version 2:

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/258695253/christmas-advent-calendar-version-2?ref=related-4

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My Merry Christmas List.

For all of my American friends, tomorrow is Thanksgiving... for my Canadian friends, I've already got our tree up, carols are playing, I'm enjoying the cool air, hot coffee, and basically hunkering down for winter. Winter in Montreal is cold, but winter in Montreal is magical. Nothing is as beautiful as a fresh layer of white snow... Nothing warms my heart like waking up to a blanket of pure white... then reality sets in, and you know you need to shovel, put on boots, warm clothes, upon warm clothes, fingers tingling with cold, and then you step outside and it takes your breath away, literally... and figuratively.

Winter is a constant reminder of a fresh start, a beautiful redemption story, and new life. I love this time of year. Although Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year...  I often find that this time of year ends up being a time of reflection, often sadness, unfulfilled expectations and rushing... rushing, rushing... 'till life's no fun...

I'm what my mother calls, that "creative type" my emotions go a little up and down, I am so much better than I used to be, but I still fall prey to a rollercoaster of emotions at this time of year... high, high, high, leading up to the 24th.... and often the 25th is low low low... something switches, did I miss something? Did something not happen that I needed to happen, why isn't it like I was when I was 5, that awesome feeling of complete joy? What's wrong with me?

What I've come to learn is that there is nothing wrong with me, I cannot go back to that childlike wonder of Christmas because of all of the adult like responsibilities and knowledge that fills my brain. But what I can do to guard my heart from unfulfilled expectations is write them down.

Last year was my first year of doing this, and it made so much sense when I started to feel low... I read over my expectations, and I had achieved every one of them, so what was there to be sad about? I had accomplished my goals, and the side of my brain that reasons things out, stated as clear as day- You've accomplished everything you set out to accomplish, therefore Christmas was a success... What are you wallowing about? and although it didn't eliminate all of the feelings, it helped me put things into perspective.

So I've included a "My Merry Christmas List",  it isn't about writing physical things you want like gifts, (although you can definitely use it for that). Instead it is about writing a list of expectations that you'd like to achieve. A few examples of mine from last year, and will probably end up on this years list again are:

1. Spend time with my Hubby (Doing a puzzle, watching a Christmas Movie, having hot chocolate)
2. Spend Quality time with my Dad (Enjoy a conversation about life, share photos from the year, discuss our favourite memory of the year etc.)
Sometimes you have to have a plan about how you want to spend your time, and what to have a conversation about, or it will get swallowed up by noise, tv shows, and stupid stuff.
3. Spend time with my Mom (we are going to her house this year and I am so excited, my hope is to have: hot chocolate and conversations, do a puzzle, watch a christmas movie, sing some carols, enjoy the fireplace, relax)
4. Enjoy My Hubby's family,  it is all about the kids, celebrate them~ enjoy their company, have an extra glass of wine, and just relax and laugh
5. Take a walk, enjoy the crunch of fresh snow under my feet
6. Take a nap
7. Chat's on the phone with my sister. Skype or FaceTime Christmas morning
8. Make bread
9. Big paper, Big markers, Big plans for 2016- Write out our yearly goals together- make plans to accomplish them. (this might be one of my favourite things to do with the hubby, it's all about dreaming, and planning for the entire year.. of course over the year things get eliminated, but things also get added- it is a fun process to do together!)

And the list goes on... it seems insignificant to write those things down, but when I go back over my list and I have accomplished all of those moments with the people that I love, I consider it a success... because it so often goes by in a whirlwind, and all of a sudden there is a crash... I'm practically in tears, and it's all over...

If you are anything like me, and love this time of year, but also know that when it's over, sometimes it is hard... try making a list of moments...

Last year this was my saving grace... as simple as that... no crashing, just wallowing in beautiful memories of moments that we had...

Share the love,
M.

Ps. I've also added a Merry Christmas Print at the bottom, plus a plethora of Facebook cover images in lots of colours :)

Have You Donated? All Donations go to Nurture Baby Home in Uganda to help with the care of Edrisa and all of the other Children, let's make sure to send some love and Christmas spirit to those little ones who need love.

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MY MERRY CHRISTMAS LIST 

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Meet Edrisa!

Remember I had mentioned I was working on a little something something?... Well I was... and here goes... We (You + Me) are sponsoring a little Boy! The LostBumblebee Blog Community has been so generous with their support of our Living Life On Purpose 2015 goal, I wanted to give you the opportunity to continue living your life on purpose.

This Blog was originally created as a place of healing for me, and that is exactly what it has been. You know our struggles with fertility, you know my heart, you know me, you know our goal this entire year has been to live our lives on purpose. Live outside of ourselves, beyond our borders, to give, to love, to heal... And you are part of that journey. And now I want to introduce you to a little someone...

His name is Edrisa.
He was born in May 2013.
His mom left to get doughnuts and never came back.
He was severely anemic when found.
He was almost dead.
He was rescued.
He needed blood.
He healed.
He is hilarious.
He is a ham.
He is kind.
He has a sister.
He is no longer alone.
We are his new family.
We will support him.
We are living our lives on purpose.

From now on, all of our $1 Donate to download will be going toward supporting him, and eventually I would like to be able to support more than just Edrisa. I want our Blog Community to be about giving, Living Life on Purpose and living it out loud. Sharing our love with those around us, and giving beyond ourselves. Together we will make a difference. Can we change the world? maybe not, but we can change Edrisa's world.

I met Edrisa early in October, he would stand at my feet and swirl in my skirt. Finally one day he just held his arms up and basically said, 'lady you need to pick me up'. And every since that first day of picking him up, every time I was at the Baby Home, Edrisa was in my arms, he would search me out, find me, arms up, 'UP!'. He healed a place in my heart that was hurt and not open, he made a bigger difference in my life, than I ever could in his.

I've left a huge part of my heart in Uganda. Being home has been hard, not because I am unhappy, but because I miss my new Ugandan family. Because the needs I saw there are so vast and hard to even comprehend- let alone share with others...  All I can do is pray, share love, try and share my story, and live my life on purpose...

Join me in living life on purpose and changing one little boy's world.
Share the love,
M.

If you would like to contribute to this cause, kindly donate $1 per download, I wanted to make it easy to everyone would take part- If you'd like to 'adopt' your own little person, please visit Nurture Baby Home's Website and start your support as soon as you can. Together we can truly make a difference!

Here are some photos so you can print them and put them on your fridge, pray for Edrisa and all of the children at Nurture Baby Home in Masaka Uganda.

Ps. Scroll down for a beautiful JOY Printable that can be printed, framed, or have it printed for your Christmas card!

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Living Life On Purpose 2015
Nurture Baby Home Print: 4x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN
Living Life On Purpose 2015
Nurture Baby Home Print: 4x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN
Living Life On Purpose 2015
Nurture Baby Home Print: 4x6

EDRISA THE HAM!
LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN
Living Life On Purpose 2015
Nurture Baby Home Print: 4x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN
Living Life On Purpose 2015
Nurture Baby Home Print: 4x6

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Living Life On Purpose 2015
Nurture Baby Home Print: 5x7

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Living Life On Purpose 2015
Nurture Baby Home Print: 4x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN
Christmas JOY! 4x6

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Christmas JOY! 5x7

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Christmas JOY! 8x10

Noël!

Another Noël print, because I love Christmas :) and Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.

I'm working on a really exciting project for the blog here, it's all about love and sharing and showing we care. I cannot wait to share it with you... I hope that you will get behind me in this crazy step of faith that this blog is about to take with you all - of course. 

Share the love,

M.

Simple black and white incase you are into foiling :)

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We Wish You...

Oh Tra- la- la... we arrived home last week from our five week journey to Uganda- I thought I'd be excited about fall, and then it hit me, it is November! Here in Canada our Thanksgiving is in October, so November is fair game for all things Christmas, sort of -with one exception...

We celebrate Remembrance Day on November 11- and I take that very seriously. Freedom isn't free and we need to respect and celebrate those who fought for Freedom, and those who fight for our freedom even now.

Somehow this year, I am having a hard time waiting... I want to decorate now, I mean yesterday... and I almost did... I'm not sure I will make it through today without putting my tree up. We are most likely going to be away over the holidays and I want to spend as much time lollygagging in the Christmas spirit and the miracle of this magical time of year. It doesn't last long enough for me... Christmas is so special. I cannot wait for the first snow fall that cleanses the world in a blanket of white... it's such a beautiful reminder of forgiveness.

If I put my tree up early will I still be honouring our Veterans, Yes! Do I still I respect them, Yes! I live the life I live because of the sacrifices of many... we are so blessed here in Canada and elsewhere in the world... so please do remember our veterans, and if you put your Christmas music on early, or put your Christmas tree up... be kind to yourself, and your neighbours... and me, and remember that just because Christmas decorations are up, Christmas music is playing... The honour and respect I have for those who fought for my freedom, does not diminish in the glimmer of the miracle of Christmas~ it is actually brought front and centre into a greater light of what real sacrifice actually means... so Happy Remembrance Day & Merry Christmas!


Share the love,
M.

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Joyeux Noël

Something wonderful this way comes! Oh yes... it is coming - I love Christmas... It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Joyeux Noël!

Share the love,

M.

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