Epiphany 2011

A Blessed Theophany to all - as we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ !  Unfortunately, I have been home with my sick children for a few days and we were unable to attend Divine Liturgy or the traditional dive for the Cross.  Thankfully, the children were able to see some of it via television/computer and my Yiayia brought us home the Ayiasmos (Holy Water).

Baby, it's (too) warm outside....

While I think it got a little too warm today (for January), the kids did get to enjoy some fun outdoors !  First thing they did was ride their bikes up and down the driveway.

Sophia had been asking me for "the hairy things" that she saw on the bikes in Target (streamers) - so I found a pair for her Christmas stocking.  She loved how they were blowing in the breeze today.  Demetri doesn't quite go fast enough yet on his bike, but he does have a little airplane on his handlebars (and one day that propeller WILL spin)!

(Usually, whenever we are out riding the bikes there is at least one person who stops to ask us WHAT kind of bikes the kids are riding !  Sophia has a Kinderbike and Demetri has a Strider bike.  They are balance bikes (aka running bikes).  They are widely used in other countries and just really gaining some popularity here, although obviously not very mainstream.  The concept is that the child learns balance and confidence on a two week bike and goes from this to a regular pedal bike (no need for tricycles or training wheels)!  I think they are great and the kids seem to really like them and feel comfortable on them !  Needless to say, most of my family think I'm a little bizarre and "bikes with no pedals" really gave them something to laugh at).  

Finally catching up...

Christmas Eve

Christmas has come and gone and I have not had (or haven't FOUND) a minute to sit down and type an entry !  That's a good thing though...we've been very busy here and enjoying lots of family time.

a little fun family football...Demetri is the one-man defensive line

I'm sure that with young children every year Christmas will be a little different.  This year, it was wonderful for me to see Sophia beginning to really grasp the understanding of Christmas - as the Birth of Christ.   I loved hearing her tell people about St. Nicholas.  I chuckled every time Demetri would randomly say to someone "Jesus is born".  It is a struggle to keep a 4 year old focused on the true meaning of the Feast when she is surrounded by flying reindeer, santa decorations, and talking snowmen !  Last year, I found it much easier.  This year, I was almost feeling a bit defeated when a dear friend of mine called me (at just the right time) to give me some hope that it gets easier !  That my struggle to teach her will overcome all of the propaganda out there if I stay the course.  I am so thankful for that mom-to-mom conversation.  (Thank you Presvytera)!  I felt stronger and renewed.  So, this year was a fun time for me !  We enjoyed the Church services and spent some fun-filled days with my family to celebrate.  By the time the Feast for St. Stefanos came around, we were EXHAUSTED, tired of overeating and the house was a wreck ! !

....and then Sophia asks "What's next?"

Today we celebrated the Feast of St. Basil and celebrated my sweet husbands nameday !  Of course, we also rang in the New Year and pray that this year is filled with many Blessings !

Sophia and Baba walking into Church on the Feast of Ayios Vasilios

....and of course tomorrow Sophia will ask me "What's next?"

(maybe I should make tomorrow the Official "Move all of your new toys out of the living room and  into YOUR OWN ROOM day" !)

Playing with her new kitchen set

Orthodox Ornament exchange for the kids

Sophia signed up for the Orthodox Ornament exchange over at Sylvia's site again this year.  She had so much fun doing it last year (both making AND receiving the ornaments) and was really excited about doing it again !  Unfortunately, the kids have both been very sick and we were not able to do a whole lot of preparation and had to leave everything to the last minute (when she was feeling well enough to ENJOY making her gifts).

As an added surprise, her Baba was home from work that day.  He had taken that day off because we were supposed to be taking a long weekend away with the kids, but had to cancel because they were so ill.  He, very willingly, sat at the table with her for several hours while she made her crosses to send to the children!  I didn't think to take a final picture of the finished product after they were wrapped up.  But she was happy with them, she had tons of fun making them, and got to spend some unexpected quality time with her father - and that is wonderful !

She has already started receiving some of the ornaments this week and is SO happy to see what everybody sent.  What a difference a year in age can make....she is actually noticing and appreciating the ornaments as they come.   She is identifying the Icons that some used and asking "how" each was made as well.  She asks me over and over to check the cards and tell her the names of the kids that made them too.  What a great idea - hope we get to do it every year !

Happy St. Nicholas Day !

St. Nicholas

Today we celebrate the Feastday of St. Nicholas.  Last night I cuddled up with my two little ones on the couch and we read the Life of St. Nicholas together.  Before they went to bed, they eagerly put their shoes by the door for St. Nicholas.  Sophia fell asleep singing and humming "Holy Father Nicholas" !  This morning, even though they were up WAY too early because they are not feeling well, Sophia led them running to check their shoes.  In this house (just like last year), St. Nicholas likes to leave some gold chocolate coins and a few Orthodox books !  

May you all have a Blessed Feast Day.  Holy St. Nicholas, intercede to God for us !  

A gift for Demetri

My little boy loves to go to Church.  He used to be quite a challenge...but over the last year or so has really settled down and is a pleasure to take to services.  He LOVES to participate.  At home he initiates prayer throughout the day (meals, morning, etc), loves to chant the hymns he knows, venerates his icons, etc.  When we are in Church, he is no different.  He chants along with the chanters, sometimes even visiting them up at their chanting stands.  He says his prayers, the ones he knows...and mumbles along the ones he doesn't know.  He makes the sign of the Cross (well, almost) and does his metanoia (prostrations)...and he censes.  He ALWAYS censes.  He is always aware of where Father is, what he is doing, where he is moving.  If he can't see him, he asks to move around so he can catch a glimpse of him or we pick him up.  

He would use some of his favorite items as his "censor".  Seen here, he is using his favorite bear.  He uses our prayer ropes, necklaces, keychains, etc.  

But last week, he got the best little gift ever...

smiling and staring at his "censor" saying "just like Father's" !

during Vespers for the Entrance of the Theotokos

leavng the Chapel after Vespers

Consecration of our Church

Our family had the lovely Blessing of attending the Consecration of our Church !  What a great experience and probably one that we will not have the honor of seeing again.  The services started Friday night with the Arrival of the Relics, Procession into the Church and Vespers.  Saturday morning started with the Consecration services and Liturgy.  It was beautiful.  My husband served in the altar and said it was such an honor to witness something so awesome ! My little girl was one of the Myrophores and I was so proud of how well she did !

The relics that were placed in the Altar table were those of St. George, St. Panteleimon, and the Holy Martyrs/Monks of St. Savas Monastery on Mt. Athos.  What Blessings !