"Christ's Mass"

The word Christmas originated as a compound meaning "Christ's Mass". This Christmas Eve we spent at our church parish for the children's Mass. The children did a wonderful job to commemorate the birth of Jesus!

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he saves His people from their sins." Matthew 1:20-21

Madeline participated and was one of many beautiful Angels.

"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." Luke 2:10-14

Madeline is the Angel standing in the back row closest to the left.

Here's our beautiful Angel.

When we first came to this parish in 2007 when we moved to Texas we had a lovely priest, Father Joseph Deane, an immigrant from Ireland. He grew older and ill and left the parish to be guided by our current Father Kirby. But to our surprise Father Deane came to celebrate Mass tonight! It was wonderful to see him and hear him speak. He was tearing up at the beginning of Mass, happy to see all of us - his church family. I captured this shot of him holding baby Julian (our real life baby Jesus for the pageant) while he spoke to us about the importance of Jesus coming to our world to save all His people from their sins.

Glory to God in the highest! And peace to His people on Earth!

Merry Christmas!

Meeting the Illustrator and more...

Last month Madeline's 1st grade class got to meet a children's book illustrator, Doug Kennedy. Madeline was super excited when her teacher sent the flyer home. Madeline loves to draw! Every week for homework she is required to read 4 books, draw her favorite part of the story and write a sentence or two about the story. She always receives great marks for her illustrations. Who knows, maybe one day she will become an illustrator! Anyhow the flyer the teacher sent home said the students could purchase one of his books, have him autograph it and take a photo with him. So I let Madeline get a book. And this is the one she picked.

Madeline was excited, not only did Doug sign it for her - he drew her a flower too! :) I thought it has been awhile (probably last school year) since I shared a video of Madeline reading. I think the grandparents will enjoy hearing how much Madeline's reading has improved. Watch and listen...

Madeline reading (1st grade) from Melissa Spence on Vimeo.

On to another topic. Stephen went into our attic and got all of our Christmas boxes down. We're still not finished decorating, but I was pleasantly surprised to find all the "After Christmas Clearance" buys from last year that I forgot about. You really can get great deals! I had bought gift tags, stationary paper and envelopes, tree garland and flood lights. Everything I bought was under $2! So I've been wrapping all the nieces and nephews gifts and using my sparkly gift tags. And we've started putting up lights on our home and put the new flood lights in our entry walkway planter.

Last topic of this post, I just want to remind all our family and friends when you travel always double check your hotel room or your rental car before leaving! And if you accidentally left something behind, don't hesitate to call the hotel or car rental to see if they found it! Stephen brings home SO many lost and found items that are forgotten and never call or come back to claim them. Hertz has a grace period that they keep lost and found items for - then they trash or give them away. But if the customer never claims them, then whoever found them in the rental while cleaning can have the item (finders keepers!). Stephen has brought home toys, cowboys hats, new apparel, an iPod, duffel bags, a GPS - crazy huh! And yesterday he brought home this nice leather jacket and another GPS! It's a nice Motorola MOTONAV TN30, and retails for a list price of $279. I can't believe people forget such expensive items and then don't bother to call and try and find them.

Their loss and our gain I guess! :)

Christmas Morning

Merry Christmas Family & Friends! What a celebration we are blessed to be celebrating! So thankful for the birth of our Saviour! Well this morning our first child up was Miss Penny Lane! Madeline and James slept in past 8am. Madeline however woke at 3am needing a glass of water, she asked me, "Mommy did you see him? Did he visit our house?". It was cute.

All the gifts wrapped and under the tree, I got to bed by 1am.

Since Stephen has to work today he decided after making a pot of coffee to go upstairs and wake the kids. Here is Madeline's reaction when she came downstairs and saw all of the presents.

Still waking up, time to open presents!

Okay...this is fun.

Madeline super excited about her Junie B Jones books from Aunty Robyn & Uncle Jeff. They read this book series in her class.

James sporting his new Viking cap and checking out his animals.

Santa brought Madeline a scooter for Christmas! Just what she wanted!

James was just like Randy on A Christmas Story - he was having so much fun rolling around in the wrapping paper and throwing it up in the air.

Madeline got all dressed wearing her new sweater from Tante Leen & Oom Jack, riding her new scooter to go deliver homemade banana bread to all of our neighbors.

James was fascinated with his new Thomas the Train set that Santa brought him for Christmas.

James got dressed wearing his new cap and boots from mommy & daddy and his new sweater from Tante Leen & Oom Jack.

Silly dudes!

Nice smiles! :)

The kids now playing with James' Penguin Race.

We just want to thank y'all for your thoughts and wishes during this Christmas season. Also for all the generous gifts. We've been blessed. The only downer about living here in Austin is having no family around the holidays. We wish we could be with y'all today. After Stephen gets off from work later we are having our dear friends, the Wright family, over to eat and celebrate! And hopefully Stephen's uncle can make it too. Everyone have a wonderful day!

Awesome Message - 3rd Sunday of Advent

Our visiting priest yesterday at our evening Mass gave such an inspiring talk about the message of the readings and Gospel. Advent (from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming") is a season observed by Catholics (and other Christian churches). I love to mark the progression of the season with my Advent candle wreath (like the one pictured above)- but it's been misplaced from the move. The theme of readings and teachings during Advent is often to prepare for the Second Coming while commemorating the First Coming of Christ at Christmas.

Our 2nd reading was Phil 4:4-7 and the priest talked about "rejoice".
Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

The priest was quite humorous and wanted to acknowledge the meaning of the term "rejoice". He mentioned that we all have known or met a "happy-go-lucky" person in our lives...you know those people that seem to always be chipper and happy (and annoying). He explained that in this sense the term doesn't necessarily mean to constantly or always be that chipper person - but to rejoice always in our hearts. To be glad and joyful sincerely in our hearts for Christ, always. So even in times of turmoil, always rejoice in your heart. It may be difficult but the choice is ours to rejoice. In the Gospel reading Lk 3:10-18 John says, "one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." So I do rejoice in my heart with thankfulness for the Grace of the Holy Spirit He has given me through His sacraments and continue to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

I just felt like this message I received was worth sharing this on a blog post. :)


This weekend Stephen and I worked on hanging our new LED lights on the new house. Stephen was all excited about the eves and peaks on our roof line and decorating them. But as he was up on the 2nd level he realized it would be quite difficult (and dangerous) to get to some of them - so we improvised a little. Didn't turn out exactly how we envisioned but I'm sure the house will get brighter and brighter in coming years as we add on to the decorations.

P.S. I think I need to start moderating and approving comments left on this blog as I've been receiving a ton of spam comments.

Christmas Survey

Hopefully most have received our Christmas letter and photo. Above is our family photo we sent out. I thought it would be fun to share my Christmas survey answers in this blog post.

1. What do you want most for Christmas?
Peace for all my loved ones.

2. Do you believe in Father Christmas?
I believe there was a historical Saint Nicholas (Nicholas of Myra) which became the model for Sinterklaas (which became the model for modern day Santa Claus).

3. What is your favorite food at Christmas?
Kerstkrans! It's a Dutch puff pastry, almond paste filled, Christmas ring/wreath shaped. Wish I could eat one this Christmas!

4. Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?
I've done a little.

5. Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet?
Nope still need to pick up a few things.

6. What is your favorite Christmas song?
I have a few but probably "O Holy Night".

7. What is your favorite Christmas movie?
I still like "A Christmas Story" and I also like "Polar Express".

8. What is your best memory of Christmas?
As a child receiving this talking Mickey Mouse telephone...as an adult the birth of our daughter Madeline only 24 hours and 4 minutes before Christmas.

9. What do you look forward to most at Christmas?
Hearing how all of our family and friends are doing and seeing the excitement and joy in my children with all the festivities the season brings.

10. What are you doing for Christmas this year?
Having a quiet time at home. Stephen works Christmas day but we'll probably try and take the kids to see the new Chipmunk movie that is coming out.

11. Who do you want to kiss under the mistletoe?
Well Stephen of course!

12. What kind of Christmas tree do you have?
A 6-7' Noble Fir.

13. Do you take part in a secret Santa?
We have in past years but it seems our families are not participating this year.

14. Do you go to any Christmas parties?
Sure if we're invited.

15. Have you ever had a white Christmas?
Yes, when we lived in Oregon.

16. How early do you wake up on Christmas morning?
Not too early, probably around 8am or so.

17. Do you still get a stocking?
Yes, the kids have their big stockings with their names stitched on them from Pottery Barn kids, and Stephen and I have Hawaiian ones from Hilo Hatties. I love to fill the stockings.

18. How many Christmas cards do you normally send out?
This year I believe I sent out 95...it's usually around 100.

19. What is your Christmas wish?
That all are open to receiving God's amazing Grace.

20. Egg nog or hot cider?
I LOVE egg nog. James had it for the first time the other week and loved it too!

21. Angel or star?
We put this beautiful glass cross on top of our tree.

22. Decorating the tree or putting lights on the outside?
Both! Although due to weather and time constraints we still have not gotten our lights up on the house.

23. Warm cozy fires or sleigh rides?
Love fires. But one time had an awesome sleigh ride in Lake Tahoe.

24. Caroling or Christmas stories?
Christmas stories - I sing waaaayyyy off tune!

25. Red or Green?
Red is one of my favorite colors!

Thank You Mary

I love art. It's like a language in itself. And hundreds of years ago, for the majority of people who were illiterate it spoke to them the story it was telling. And what a beautiful story these 2 paintings are telling. I am so very thankful to the Blessed Mother of God, Mary...could you imagine what humanity's eternal fate would've been had not Mary been obedient? Thankfully she was and replied: 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38.

I just read this astonishing statement made on the Called to Communion blog, it perfectly speaks truth... Eve, by her disobedience, became the mother of all the dying. Mary, by her obedience, became the Mother of all the living, i.e. those living with the supernatural and eternal Life of God.

I also came across this article with such awesome advice...
As Mary was asked to bear the Christ-child we are asked to bear Christ Jesus in our word. Jesus left us to continue His work—by the power of the Holy Spirit. There is a saying that says, “you’re the only Jesus some will ever see.” But sharing the message of Jesus is more than speaking words, it is doing the stuff that Jesus did. It is our job to love people the way Jesus did and to share the good news of the life that Jesus has to offer. It is our responsibility to respond like Mary to the call to bring Jesus into the world. God gave Mary a big and important job that she didn’t know how to do, and we have been given an important job (sharing the good news with our neighbors). And we might not know how to do it. But the Holy Spirit will empower us to do the things Jesus did as the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary. It might not be easy. Say “yes,” to the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. Love the unlovable. Pray for someone. Give to the needy. This is the best way we can celebrate Christmas.

Merry Christmas

...for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Wishing all of my blog readers, family & friends a very Merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Christmas Spirit

Our first day back home yesterday was busy. After arriving home at 5am, we all went to bed. I got up around 9:30am to head to work, while Stephen had the day off and stayed home with the kids. I worked until about 5pm. On my way home the plan was to get the kids Christmas gifts and Madeline's birthday gifts from Walmart as well as pick up a small Christmas tree. Well I got the gifts, but they were sold out of trees! So I stopped by HEB to see if they had any trees, they were sold out too! Yikes. Christmas isn't the same without a tree. So this morning I called around, there must have been a shortage in trees because everyone was sold out! Finally one Home Depot said they had one Charlie Brown size Christmas tree left - normally priced $17 but they said they could discount it to $10 if I wanted it...I'll take it!! When I went to pick it up this afternoon on my way home from work, the sales clerk told me that her manager said to give it to me at no cost and to have a Merry Christmas! Isn't that awesome? Now that's Christmas spirit! Madeline loves to decorate the tree, so I'm glad I was able to bring her one on her birthday...we had fun decorating it this evening. My traditional glass cross was too heavy for the tree top...so the Viking Santa had to do for this year. :)


This is what Madeline got from Daddy, Mommy and James for her birthday today. Her very own 1 gallon fish tank for her bedroom! Stephen set it up for her on her nightstand. And this evening we went to Walmart so she could pick out some fish. We have a beta fish named TEX in a plant fish bowl. So Madeline decided to name her two other fish here CALI and GORDON after the other 2 states we've lived in (I was think Or-e for Oregon, but Madeline thought Gordon sounded more like Oregon). She also got 3 neons and a small sucker fish.