Ringing in 2012

this was the first year that the little’s were able to stay up until midnight.  I don’t know how super baby managed but he did.

Dad and I continued our New Year’s tradition.  Dad holds a family session.  He leads spiritual reflections.  It includes a spiritual progress report and a spiritual goal setting session. Dad leads and each family member takes a turn sharing. Everyone has a chance to voice their own report, offer their gift to Jesus, and to "evaluate" one another. All ages participate.  I record the responses.  In the past, I have video recorded the sessions.  We all love to  hear and see our growth over the year.

Dad is responsible for checking in with our goals. He usually does this sporadically (throughout the year) on family nights.

This year, our tradition almost got put off.  Dad and I were invited to a New Year’s Eve party.  It was tempting for us since the tickets were free and we desired some adult time.  After some discernment, we opted to keep our tradition of bringing in the New Year with family.  We give thanks and praise to the Good Lord for leading us home.  We trust that He is calling us, now more than ever, to resign more fully to our home and family.  We pray that we will be given the graces, this year, to see what other activities are hindering us in fully preparing our family for His call, and that we move promptly to become right ordered.

"How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good He has done for me?" (Ps. 116:12)

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In addition to New Year’s Family session, Dad has started a new tradition—tamale making.  He grew up making tamales in his home every Christmas.  He’s only made them once on his own.  He and my dad rallied together.  It was a day full of family fun in the kitchen.  Grandma, Nana & Papa, aunts and uncles, and cousins all pitched a hand.  We made over 30 dozen pork, chicken, and green chili and cheese tamales.  Craziness is what it was.