Advent is Anticipation
Advent begins soon, and we begin our holy season of waiting. It seems
we spend much of our lives waiting. We wait for the kids to come home from
school; we wait for the next paycheck; we wait until we have more time,
until the kids are grown, until we retire. How much of our lives is spent
waiting? Imagine the ancient Hebrews, who waited thousands of years for
Jesus. How lucky that our Advent wait is only four weeks!
Ask any child, however, how long they have to wait for Christmas, and the answer will always be, “Forever!” As parents, we can plan activities to help make that wait seem a little shorter. (Even though we often wish we had MORE time until Christmas arrives!)
Advent Wreath
Last year, we made Advent Wreaths. It’s time to get your wreath out
again, and buy some fresh candles. Lighting Advent candles brings some
light and warmth into the cold, dark winter. (If you would like a copy
of the Advent prayers from last year’s Advent newsletter, contact Liz Jarvis.)
Advent Calendar
Advent Calendars have a surprise for each day in December. Some have
pop-up windows to open. Some have little candies or presents. This type
of calendar helps the little ones (and big ones!) count each day until
Christmas.
Straw for the Crib
This year, we made mangers out of popsicle sticks. But a manger can
be made from anything. Have a supply of straw, hay, or yarns available.
Each time a family member does a good deed during Advent, he/she may add
a straw or yarn to the manger. The goal is to see if a comfy bed can be
made for Baby Jesus before His arrival Christmas morning. Some families
do this at the dinner table, with each person stating what their deed was,
and adding to the crib. Some families keep it secret, silently adding the
straws they have earned. In some families, “bad” deeds call for removing
straw from Jesus’ bed! What will your family do?
Secret Santas
Advent flies by if you have a secret! Each family draws a name. They
then do something special, or leave a little gift, for that person each
day in Advent. It could be secretly doing the person’s chore, or
slipping a candy cane in their lunchbox. At Christmas, the secret santas
must reveal themselves.
Plant Bulbs
Narcissus bulbs planted December 1 should bloom in time for Christmas.
Put the bulbs in a shallow dish of pebbles, and water them regularly, so
the water covers half the bulb. Then wait!
FYI…
Moms Meeting
We will have NOT have a Moms Meeting in December. (Moms are way too
busy in December as it is!) Please plan on joining us again in the new
year.
Just a Reminder!
The Family Nursery is available during 10:00 Mass, to watch and entertain
your children, ages 1-4. There is adult supervision of the children. The
nursery is in Room 1.
Babies
Several Moms in our group are expecting babies. Please consider making
some casseroles to send to them when they deliver. A new mom will be very
grateful for your thoughtfulness!
Susan Horsburgh (late November)
Shari Cancilla (December)
If you are expecting, let me know, so we can add you to the list!
Newsletter Submissions
Do you have something to share with the other moms in our group? Why
not put it in the newsletter. You can send recipes, quips, jokes, book
reviews, etc., to be included in the news letter. Send them to Liz Jarvis,
19765 Merriman, Livonia, 48152. Or e-mail at bcjarvis@altavista.com.
Advent Prayer
Come Lord Jesus, come and rest in our hearts this Advent season. Bless
us and guide us as we await your 2000th birthday. With great joy and deep
gratitude we look forward to this very special celebration of Your Birth.
In these days of Advent then, change us, soften our hearts, and forgive
us our sins, that we might greet You this Christmas with pure hearts, hearts
ready to forgive, hearts ready to celebrate. Come Lord Jesus, come and
rest in our hearts this Advent season and always. Amen.
New Arrival!
Welcome to Joanna Rose Harkey! Joanna was born on October 18. She weighed
in at 8 lb, 9 oz, and was 20 ½ inches long. Mom Vicky is doing great
(when I called her, she was working in her yard!). Congratulations!
Goings On
Family Outing
We will be having a Family Outing On Saturday, November 25, to go to
Domino’s Farms, and look at the Light Display (outdoors), and the Christmas
Tree Display (indoors). The cost is $10 per car (no per-person charge)
to drive through the display, This includes the indoor display as well.
We will meet in the parking lot at St. Gerald after the 5:00 Mass (approx.
6:00 p.m.). Maps will be available at that time. This fun event is perfect
for all family members. See you there!
Yogurt Lids
Remember we are once again collecting the PINK foil lids from Yoplait
yogurt. Yoplait will donate money to fight breast cancer for each lid they
receive. There is a can in classroom 3 at the church, in which to put the
lids. These will be mailed in the day after Thanksgiving. Please take the
time to drop off some pink yogurt lids. Every one counts! Together we can
make a difference.
Swimming
Some moms in our group get together for lap swimming on Monday and
Wednesday evenings. The swimming is at William Comstick Center (formerly
Mercy Center) and goes from 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. The cost is $2. Please join
us!
Holiday Party
Our Moms Holiday Party will be on Wednesday, December 13. Chris Tomlinson
has graciously offered to host the party at her home. We will have a gift-giving
game, Christmas carols, and pizza. Please call Chris and let her know you
will be attending!
New Pneumococcal
Vaccine
The Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine can prevent pneumococcal disease,
a serious disease that causes sickness and death. It is responsible for
about 200 deaths each year among children under 5 years old.
Pneumococcal disease is the leading cause of several illnesses, including otisis media (middle ear infection) and bacterial meningitis, an infection of the covering of the brain. Each year pneumococcal disease causes many health problems in children under 5, including:
Pneumococcus bacteria are spread from person to person through close contact. Pneumococcal infections can be hard to treat because the disease has become resistant to some of the drugs that have been used to treat it. This makes prevention of the disease even more important.
Pneumococcal vaccine
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended for infants and toddlers.
It is good at preventing pneumococcal disease, and also helps stop the
disease from spreading from person to person. The vaccine’s protection
lasts at least 3 years. Since most serious pneumococcal infections strike
children during their first 2 years, the vaccine will protect them when
they are at greatest risk. Some older children and adults may get a different
vaccine called pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.
Who should get the vaccine and when?
Children Under 2 Years of Age
All healthy infants and toddlers should get 4 doses of pneumococcal
conjugate vaccine: One dose at 2 months of age, one dose at 4 months of
age, one dose at 6 months of age, and One dose at 12-15 months of age.
Children who miss the first dose at 2 months should still get the vaccine.
Ask your health care provider for details.
Children Between 2 and 5 Years of Age
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended for children between
2 - 5 years of age who have sickle cell disease, are immuno-compromised,
or take medications that affect the immune system, such as chemotherapy
or steroids. This vaccine should also be considered for all other children
between 2 - 5 years of age, but particularly those who are under 3 years
of age, are of Alaska Native, American Indian or African American descent,
or attend group child care.
The number of doses needed depends on the age that vaccination begins. Ask your health care provider for more details.
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine may be given at the same time as other childhood vaccines.
Birthdays
The following people have birthdays in November. We wish them the best!
Keely Durbin Vickie Harkey Shannon
Mason
James Sanford Terri Sanford Emma
Stanners
Sarah Stanners Jake Tomlinson
Apologies to anyone we missed. Please send your family’s birthday information to Liz Jarvis, so you can be listed here. Note for moms: we don’t publish the year of birth!
Drug Warning
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning against
Phenylpropanolamine. This chemical is suspected of causing strokes. It
is a main ingredient in some cold medicines and diet pills.
There have been reports of strokes in people who have used medicines containing Phenylpropanolamine, with the average victim being a woman, age 35. This may be because the chemical is found in diet pills, which are used mostly by young and middle-aged women.
The FDA recommends choosing and using cold medicines which contain alternate ingredients. You can probably finish off the medicines you might have which contain Phenylpro-panolamine, but read the labels before making future purchases. If you have any doubt, throw away the old medicine, and purchase new cold remedies which do not contain this ingredient.
Christmas Cookie
Exchange
Start your ovens! Would you like to participate in a Christmas Cookie
Exchange? We will be having a Moms Group Cookie Exchange again this year.
Participants will bring one dozen of their cookies for each member of the
exchange group, plus one dozen to share. The exchange will take place at
the Moms Group Holiday Party (see related article) on Dec. 13.
If you would like to be a part of the Cookie Exchange, please call Liz Jarvis at (248) 473-1548 before Saturday, Dec. 2. We need an accurate count of participants. You will be notified of how many cookies you will need to bring to the party.
Break Time
One day, a man comes home from work to find total mayhem at home. The
kids were outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud and muck.
There were empty food boxes and wrappers all around. As he proceeded into the house, he found an even bigger mess. Dishes on the counter, dog food spilled on the floor, a broken glass under the table, and a small pile of sand by the back door. The family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing, and a lamp had been knocked over.
He headed up the stairs, stepping over toys, to look for his wife. He was becoming worried that she may be ill, or that something had happened to her.
He found her in the bedroom, still in bed with her pajamas on, reading a book. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, “What happened here today?”
She again smiled and answered, “You know everyday when you come home from work and ask me what I did today?”
“Yes,” was his reply.
She answered, “Well, today I didn’t do it!”
Holiday Party
Our annual Holiday Party will be held at Chris Tomlinson’s house, on
Wednesday, December 13, at 6:30. We plan on having tons of fun!
Please bring a small ($5) gift to exchange. We will play a game to see who gets which gift. We would like everyone to bring an hors d’oeuvre to pass.
Also, bring $5 to contribute to pizza. Pop will be provided. Feel free to bring any other beverage you wish!
Those who are participating in the Cookie Exchange should bring their cookies to the party as well. The cookies will be exchanged then. It would be nice to bring an extra dozen or so to share! Mmmm!
Come to our party—it’s a nice little gift to give yourself! RSVP to Chris at 248-476-5055.
A Brother’s Song
Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on
the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare
for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going to be a girl,
and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in Mommy’s
tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he
even met her.
The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown, Tennessee. In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes ...every three....every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor. Would a C-section be required? Finally, after a long struggle, Michael’s little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition. With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary’s Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee. The days inched by. The little girl got worse. The pediatric specialist regretfully had to tell the parents, “There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst.”
Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their home for the new baby—but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral. Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister. “I want to sing to her,” he kept saying. Week two in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over. Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. Karen made up her mind, though. She would take Michael whether they liked it or not! If he didn’t see his sister right then, he may never see her alive.
She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket. But the head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, “Get that kid out of here now! No children are allowed.” The mother rose up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse’s face, her lips a firm line. “He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!” Karen towed Michael to his sister’s bedside. He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. After a moment, he began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang: “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are grey---”
Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady. “Keep on singing, Michael,” encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes. “You never know, dear, how much I love you, Please don’t take my sunshine away-” As Michael sang to his sister, the baby’s ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten’s purr. “Keep on singing, sweetheart!!!” “The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms...”
Michale’s little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her. “Keep on singing, Michael..” Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed. “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't take my sunshine away...” The next day...the very next day...the little girl was well enough to go home! Woman's Day Magazine called it “The Miracle of a Brother’s Song.” The medial staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God’s love!
Calendar of Events
NOVEMBER
2 Playgroup
3 Moms Meeting
9 Playgroup
15 Moms Nite Out
16 Playgroup
25 Family Outing
30 Playgroup
DECEMBER
7 Playgroup
13 Holiday Party
14 Playgroup
24 Children’s Christmas Eve Mass
26 Playgroup