Peace, Love, & Joy

Daddy-- a very beloved name in our home.  Even B, who is only 9 months old, can't seem to get enough of Daddy already.  Even at the sound of Daddy's voice, B's legs kick, the squeals begin, and the grin opens so wide you can barely see the rest of his little baby face.  When Daddy is finally in view, B can't get into his arms fast enough.  It is so sweet, but also so convicting.  Our boys already look to their Daddy to affirm them.

I was SO VERY BLESSED to grow up with a Dad who was very open with his affection and joy in his daughters.  I recall my Dad telling me almost daily how proud he was of me, how much he loved me, or how great I was at something.  I remember my Dad calling me at college sometimes just to chat while he was on his lunch break.  I always knew that my Dad found joy in me and valued our relationship because he SAID it and SHOWED it.

But, looking back, I also know that my Mom was the person who urged my Dad from very early on to form a deep relationship with us.  Let's face it-- most guys do not naturally talk about deep things or express their feelings easily (or well...). 

So, as we start this advent season of 2012, I decided to start a new tradition in our home between Brad and J (and eventually B when he gets old enough to understand).  After all, Brad is J's earthly father-- the person who should most effectively demonstrate our Heavenly Father for J's two-year-old heart.

It starts with a gift box on our kitchen table.

Every night of Advent, Brad is going to write a note to J telling him something he loves about him.  Every morning, J will get to open the box, read his note, and clip it on to the Advent countdown line I taped to his bedroom door (I'm still thinking of what to officially call this).  

Maybe I will need to move the line up higher...

J's Advent Countdown

 



At the end of the season, J will have 25 handwritten notes from his Daddy about how much Brad loves him and how much joy he brings-- just like our Heavenly Father feels about us.  And, when the Christmas decorations come down, I will take all of the notes and clip them together to save for J.  Hopefully, this will not just become a Christmas tradition-- I want to see it become a habit for my boys (ALL my boys) to express their love and joy in each other regularly.  

A few more pics of our Advent celebration and the start of some new traditions!

A couple of my favorite books to read to little ones about Christmas

Decorating cupcakes to start anticipating the birth of Jesus

Everyone gets a candle to celebrate

Even B got a taste-- first cupcake taste EVER!  He liked it.

Cupcakes are something J understands