Saturday, February 2, 2013

Epiphany 2013

 Man, am I playing catch-up!  I have yet to post anything on Christmas and have a couple posts in mind to share still.  All in the busy life of a mom with 7 kids!  That's alright - I know I'm right where I need to be focusing on the most immediate and am just fine posting things to our blog a little later than usual.  I hope all of you understand and don't mind either.  :)

We had a wonderful Epiphany....  every year, Neil and I give the kids 3 gifts for Epiphany, just like Jesus was given three gifts.  We used to give three gifts for each kid, but it ended up being WAY too much stuff and money.  This was the first year, we gave group gifts...  their first gift was a John Deere lunchbox full of our favorite chocolates.  Their second gift was a date out to the movies (which with our family size happens once or twice a year, so it was truly a treat for us all!).  And, their third gift (which will be used later this year) is a trip to Disney World.  (we kinda cheated on this one because they already knew about it, but thought it was still very appropriate to call it their third Epiphany gift).  Here is a picture of our Epiphany books, our own stuffed "Humphrey", 3 Wise Men, and their 3 gifts....
 
We were blessed enough to join a local church group that brings in the 3 Wise Men who share their story and time and even a special gift with the kids.  The kids really thought this was neat - it was the first year we took part in this and I hope we can join them every year. 

 




One of my favorite parts of Epiphany is the play our children put on.  We were especially blessed to our have our own little baby "Jesus" this year.  Even Pookey thinks so (see picture below - he just can't get enough of her either!).     




 
"There were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entertaining the house they saw the child with Mary his mother.  They prostrated themselves and did him homage.  Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh."  
~Matthew 2: 10-11