A Baptism Party for our Precious Boy

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It's high time I shared the sweet details from the celebration of our son's baptism. I figured the anniversary of that special day would be the perfect time, so without further ado, here we go!

"Children are a heritage from the Lord, 

they are a reward from Him. 

Like arrows in the hands of a warrior 

are the children born in one's youth."

// Psalm 127: 3-4 // 

The art print is a printable from Lindsay Letters. We also displayed his baptismal candle in a crystal candlestick holder (a wedding gift from my grandfather).

We decorated with all white flowers for the celebration - beautiful hydrangea, pictured below.

One of my favorite elements of the party were these prayer cards. The cards gave guests a place to write their prayers for our son on his baptism day. When he is older he will be able to look back and know the prayer intentions of his loved ones who were there for this sacred event.

The white afghan above and the booties below were knit with love by my husband's granny for the occasion.

The love is in the details...

We decided to serve all-white snacks and desserts for the party, too.

// M E N U //

powdered sugar mini donuts

freshly-popped popcorn

yogurt covered pretzels

sugar cookies with white icing

cake

I used this recipe for the sugar cookies (using this cookie cutter) and this icing recipe. Delicious!

"Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ

for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"

// Acts 2:38 //

It was such a special day celebrating one of the most beautiful moments in our son's life. Keeping the party simple kept the focus on the Sacrament, and the reason for our celebration.

Praying today that the graces of baptism may continue to be nurtured and lived out in the lives of all Christians, for the greater glory of God.

Blessings to you...

Preparing Your Heart & Home for Advent

Happy First Sunday of Advent! Can you believe it? Advent is one of my favorite seasons of the church year (and it marks the beginning of a new church year, too - so, happy new year!). Advent provides an opportunity for me to quiet my heart and spend some time preparing for the Lord's birth at Christmas. So many wonderful posts have been written about preparing for this season, but I'd love to share what I am doing to prepare my heart & home for Advent this year.

Most traditionally, we have an Advent wreath on our kitchen table. We light the candle(s) at dinner each night. This year I would like to try praying the O Antiphons beginning December 17. Have you ever done that? For more about how I make our Advent wreath each year, see this post.

New to our simple decorations this year is this Advent pendant banner. Below is a step-by-step DIY tutorial in case you're interested in making one for your own home {and if not, scroll beyond for more on our Advent celebration!}.

Cut strips of paper {purple, pink and optional gold} so they are 3 1/2 inches tall (by whatever the width of your paper is - mine was 12"). Note: If you want bigger pendants, cut your strips taller.

Mark and cut each paper as pictured below. Feel free to vary the size of your pendants depending on where you plan to hang your banner in your home. You will need three times as many purple pendants as pink and gold.

Using scotch tape, attach pendants to string of your choice (I love to use baker's twine!), as pictured. Be sure to start your purple, purple, pink, purple, {gold} pattern from left to right. I managed to make mine backwards both times I made one of these banners this year! 

That's it! Find a special place to hang your banner in your home as a reminder for you and your family of the four weeks of Advent and the great feast that will follow. 

I am so excited about this next decoration, too. This new, downloadable Fiat inspiration print is now available for you to purchase and print in my etsy shop. It's a perfect reminder for me to say "yes" to God each day - in ways big and small - just like Mary. It is available in three different colors. I love the way the eggplant printed on this piece of kraft brown paper.

{fiat // available here}

As far as preparing my heart goes, I find that if I don't make a plan, the season will come and go without much of a difference. And I really, really don't want that. This free Advent printable calendar is perfect for just that. I intend to use a copy to plan meals and a copy to remember special prayers, feast days, and blog posts I want to write. I hope this 2014 Advent calendar will be helpful for you, too. I'd love to know how you use yours.

{download & print}

I am so looking forward to using my beautiful Blessed is She Advent Journal. If you didn't get one before they sold out this year, there are many other options (some of which I plan to do, too!): 

• read the daily Mass readings

• subscribe to daily Blessed is She e-mails for reflection 

• journal - based on your personal prayers, your thoughts on the Mass readings, etc.

• attend daily Mass when possible

• spend time in adoration with Jesus (this always brings me such deep peace)

• Meg's Advent Boot Camp

• Advent devotionals at aholyexperience.com

What have I forgotten? What do you and your family have planned to make this season special?

Wishing you a most beautiful and blessed Advent season...

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