Our New Holiday Tradition...

So I haven't been in the Christmas spirit as much this year. Don't get me wrong, we already have our Christmas decorations out, and I've been playing Christmas music for weeks...but something just didn't seem right. We were talking at Thanksgiving, with our families, about gift exchange, how much to spend, etc.....when I realized the $100 plus in money that we would spend on these gifts, that we wouldn't even be able to see the person open...and would be sent via mail...something just didn't sit right. So your dad and I made a decision, to take our names out of the extended family drawing and adopt a family in need from the Salvation Army, this holiday season.

Two days ago, we were sent the family that we were matched up with. A single mom with a 2 year old and newborn, both little boys. They sent a list of things that they really wanted....most items are things we wouldn't even blink an eye at purchasing.

These last two days shopping for the family, I have been so excited, thinking about the boys opening their presents on Christmas, and what reaction the mom would have. The excitement getting together their family Christmas presents has re-instilled my excitement for this holiday season. I have found shopping for this family, has given me more joy than anything I could have bought for myself. It also has made me realize how incredibly blessed we are with what we already have.

I love getting fun gifts just as much as the next person, but never forget, Ellie, what the holiday season is really supposed to be about...helping others in need, spending time with family, and eating Christmas cookies :)

How To Adopt A Family

Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give. Eleanor Roosevelt

Thankful...

Thanksgiving is in two days and I thought it would be fitting to take the time to reflect on things I am thankful for.

I am thankful for...

1. Our healthy family...without your health...you don't have anything.

2. The crazy adventure we have been on with you, Ellie, being born, watching you grow, moving to Madison, starting new careers, and still having family grow and become stronger every day.

3. The amazing friends that we have in our life.

4. Shelter, Food and the basics that we take for granted

5. That we don't have to watch what we spend down to the penny

6. Target, Facebook, twitter, e-mail, and the other nonsense things in life :)

7. Our crazy pets that love us unconditionally

8. Nate's job...and the fact that he works so hard to support us

9. Books

And

10. That you are a beautiful, spirited, animated, hilarious, loving little girl that we are so blessed to have in our lives.

I encourage everyone to take a minute and reflect on what you are thankful about...it helps keep everything in perspective!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Appreciation is the highest form of prayer, for it acknowledges the presence of good wherever you shine the light of your thankful thoughts.

Always be proud of your a-chomp-lishments

Ellie, I look at you know and it is the little things in life that make you soooo incredibly happy. I think it is ironic that I am writing to you in this blog about lessons in life, when really you are the one that teaches me about life every day. It has been amazing watching you discover the world, learn what is around you and see the excitement on your face when you see something for the first time.

Yesterday we were in the grocery store; I was not paying attention, looking at what kind of cracker to buy. You were in the shopping cart. All of a sudden, I hear you giggle/chew. You had reached behind and grabbed an apple, right out of the shopping cart, and started eating it...just like a big girl! I couldn't believe it! I had never shown you how to eat a whole apple like that. You smart little cookie...

That wasn't the only thing that melted my heart. As you were eating the apple, you had the biggest grin on your face. I'm so glad I was able to capture it in this picture. The grin was because you were so incredibly proud of yourself and so was I.  

Later on in life, it will be so easy to get down on yourself about things, not feeling good enough....but take the time to be proud of yourself and recognize the effort and hard work you put into even the little things. We are so proud of the little girl you are becoming...and always go get that extra bite out of life.

"Your value is the product of your thoughts. Do not miscalculate your self worth by multiplying your insecurities."

Faith

Faith is such a deep, intense, intimidating, beautiful, overwhelming topic. Your dad and I are both Christians. We became Christians later on in life, and still have to work at our faith every day.

It is not our place in this world to judge others, based on what their religious beliefs are, just as we wouldn't want anyone to judge us. The only one that can judge is God himself.

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

Matthew 7 1-5

So this is to say that I don't expect you to become a Christian if you do not want to be. I pray that you find your own path, you search for your own answers, and seek to become content with the decisions you make. I know I would not be where I am today if I didn't believe. My faith in God has shaped and continues to shape, the person I am today.

This is a sermon that I thought was quite powerful from the church that we attend.

http://www.blackhawkchurch.org/sunday/this-weeks-message/message-archive/?sermon_id=95

Most of all, I pray that you have faith in yourself, I know we always will.