Traveling Thursday~ Hello Arizona

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Well, hello there! It's been a while since I've shared a Traveling Thursday post. We've traveled a bit since my last post. I figured I'd start sharing some of our recent trips. A few things have changed from when I posted last. We have officially completed our homeschooling journey. Both Michael and Therese have graduated high school and both have earned an associate's degree from the local community college. They are both currently working on the next step in their journey. Therese is continuing her education, while Michael is currently in the hiring process as a firefighter/paramedic. Life goes by so quickly!

So what does that mean as far as our traveling journeys? 

It means the last few trips have been just my hubby and I. It's been a little weird to travel without kids again. It's nice but completely different. There have been many times during our trips that I stop and think how much they would love to see what we are exploring. I miss experiencing new adventures with them, but I am loving the time with my hubby.

So first up... Arizona! This past September, we traveled to Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. We spent 2.5 weeks exploring this beautiful area. We had never been to Arizona or Utah before so it was amazing to see these stunning states. We both had been to Colorado as children, so it was a different feel for both of us.

The last time I flew anywhere was when we went to Disney World when the kids were 3 and 4. So it had been a while. Security is crazy now. The airport in Virginia was better and quicker with its security line. Phoenix was not good!

My gf free meal on the plane. 

I got sick so I didn't eat my meal on the return flight.

We flew into Phoenix, Arizona. It was hot, hot, hot! It was a city. Not a city like New York City, but still a city. Nothing too spectacular to me. 

I tried to get the Welcome to Arizona sign but as you can tell I missed it. I missed quite a few along the trip. Oh well! We did see Sequia cactuses alongside the ride though.

We picked up our rental car...a Jeep!

It was a fun ride. It was great to take the top off when we were sightseeing. 

The pictures don't do the sky justice. Coming from the east coast it always amazing me how blue the sky is out here. The difference is drastic. 

From Phoneix, we drove straight to the Grand Canyon! 

Stay tuned for our adventure there!

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Till Next Time,

Monique

Review~ The Giving Manger from WorthyKids

Disclaimer~ I received a COMPLEMENTARY copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

 

Good morning! I'm so excited to share with you a wonderful activity to add to your Advent traditions! 

The Giving Manger from WorthyKids is a wonderful way to bring the true meaning of Christmas into your family. It will help your family learn about the importance of giving during Advent and Christmas. 

The beautiful book and activity will help your family get back to the real meaning of Christmas. 

For this review, we received the box set.

Each box set contains everything you will need to start this beautiful tradition. 

The Giving Manger Picture Book

A heart-warming story with beautiful illustrations that bring to life the tradition of giving. The story helps get children excited about participating in this new tradition of giving back. The book has a hardback cover so it will last for years.

Wooden Manger

A simple wooden manger that should be placed in a visible spot in the house. This will help keep the idea of giving front and center.

Bundle of Straw

A piece of straw will be placed in the manger after the children perform an act of service. 

Baby Jesus

A simple swaddled Baby Jesus that will go in the manger on Christmas Eve after the manger is full of straw from all the acts of service the children will do during the Advent season. 

I love the idea behind The Giving Manger. 

It is a wonderful way to bring the real meaning of Christmas to your family.

I wish I would have had this when my kids were little. We made our own wooden manger out of popsicle sticks when the kids, This box set is so much cuter!

I love the idea of encouraging the children to work on little acts of service. 

We called them good deeds. It brings to life the true meaning of Christmas for children when we live in a world so focused on the commercial aspect of it. 

Since my kids were a little old to enjoy this. I have taken it in to use with my Sunday school class. We already have a good deeds jar to fill for the year. This tiny manger will be a wonderful way to encourage them to do more during the season of Advent. Too often, the season of Advent is overlooked. People focus on Christmas and think the season starts before or after Thanksgiving. Christmas actually doesn't start until Christmas Eve! I love helping my little ones learn about Advent and the importance of preparing for the Christmas season. 

This beautiful box set would make a wonderful gift for a family with young children. The family could start this tradition when the kids were little and continue to grow with it over the years. When my kids were little we had the tradition of searching for the traveling wisemen (instead of a certain elf that is so popular). That tradition was fun, but the giving manger is fun while encouraging children to have a giving heart. A giving heart is one way to encourage them to grow closer to Jesus and the kingdom of Heaven.  

And if you are worried about the straw getting lost or ruined, I figured replacement straw can be found at your local craft store or dollar store. Parents will be able to continue the tradition for years. 

Just a word of advice, keep Baby Jesus away from puppies. They tend to eat him. We've lost two Baby Jesus dolls over the years. One was eaten by the dog, the other went missing after a cat decided to steal him out of the manger! 

Life with kids and pets is never dull!

Learn more about The Giving Manger and Worthy Kid Books

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Instagram~ The Giving Manger

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Want to see how families with young children used The Giving Manger?

Check out the rest of the reviews from The Review Crew!

Till Next Time,

Monique

Following Yonder Star

Please Note~ This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you. 

The Three Wisemen are still following that bright star in the night sky.

Here are a few more of our traveling adventures!

Day 1-4

The Epiphany

Till Next Time,

Monique

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We Three Kings...

Please Note~ This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.

Stopping in to share another year of our Traveling Wisemen Adventures. 

Day 1 & 2

Day 3

Day 4 & 5

Day 6

Day 7, 8, 9

Day 10, 11, 12

Day 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17

The Days Continue

Happy Feast Day of the Epiphany 

Hope you enjoyed the recap of the three wisemen adventures. Hopefully it provided you with a few ideas for your kids wisemen adventures.

Till Next Time,

Monique

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Adventures of the Traveling Wisemen

Please Note~ This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. 

Sadly, now that the kids are older, some Christmas traditions have come to an end. One tradition that I'm sad to see go is the finding of the Traveling Wisemen. We no longer put out our Nativity scene from Play Mobil and we no longer hid the Three Wisemen and Beth the Camel. Even though, we no longer take part in this wonderful Advent tradition, I thought I'd share with a few links to our past adventures.

The Traveling Adventures of the Wisemen 2013
Day One
Day Two
Day Three 

Day Four
Day Five and Six
Day Seven and Eight

Day Nine
Day Ten
Day 11, 12, 13

Day 14, 15, 16
Day 17, 18, 19, 20

Till Next Time,

Monique

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Fourth Sunday of Lent~ Peace

"May the strength of God pilot us,

May the wisdom of God instruct us,

May the hand of God protect us,

May the word of God direct us."

~ Saint Patrick

Till Next Time,

Monique

Third Sunday of Advent~ Joy

"Joy is prayer,

Joy is strength,

Joy is love,

Joy is a net of love by which you catch souls."

~ Saint Mother Teresa  

Till Next Time,

Monique

Second Sunday of Advent~ Love

"Advent is a journey towards Bethlehem. 

May we let ourselves be drawn by the light of God made Man."

~Pope Francis

Till Next Time,

Monique

Saint Andrew the Apostle Novena

Beginning on Saint Andrew the Apostle's feast day, November 30th, this beautiful prayer is recited 15 times a day until Christmas. This prayer helps us keep our focus on the real meaning of Christmas. By reciting this prayer daily, we help prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of Christ.

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment 

In which the Son of God was born 

Of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, 

in the piercing cold. 

In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, 

O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, 

(mention your request) 

through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, 

and of His blessed Mother. 

Amen.

Till Next Time,

Monique

Preparing for a Joyous Advent

Please Note~ This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.

Preparing for Advent is an important part of our Catholic faith. We need to be ready for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I love reading and during Advent, I enjoy reading books that help me stay closer to the real meaning of Advent and Christmas. It's so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Too often we lose sight of what is truly important. Here a few of the books I have found over the years and  a few I am looking  forward to reading this year.

This was a gift for Therese.

This was a gift for Michael last year.

We don't have this book...at least not yet. We love all of Sister Wendy's art books. They are filled with a beautiful selection of artwork. I can't wait to add this to our collection.

This looks like a wonderful journal to have around. I think it would help me keep everything  in order. Who doesn't need help staying organized!

and for the kids....

When my kids were younger, we joined in on the Advent Adventure from Holy Heroes.   

While on this wonderful journey, the kids  will watch videos and complete a variety of fun-filled  activities. This program is great for kids ages 5-12.

You can sign up here.

Till Next Time,

Monique

The Feast of Saint Nicholas

Every year on December 6th, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Nicholas. This year, the kids were a little rushed with seeing what was left in their shoes since we had to get to Mass.

This year, the kids received some wonderful faith filled presents.

Michael's gifts from Saint Nicholas.....

A new Christmas book, Christmas From Heaven

Gold chocolate coins

A candy cane

A framed print of Saint Michael

Audubon Bird Call

A Crusader's brown scapular

Therese's gifts from Saint Nicholas.....

A new Christmas book, Roses in the Snow

Gold chocolate coins

A candy cane

American Girl Scrapbook Craft Kit

Our Lady of Lourdes brown scapular & prayer card

A framed print of Our Lady of Lourdes

Saint Nicholas had a little help from Beth and the Three Wisemen. 

Saint Nicholas, Ora Pro Nobis

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