The Gift of Giving

We had a great weekend...hope all of you did, too! The only problem is that it went by way too fast!

Chris got home late on Thursday night. On Friday, we went out to lunch together, which is always nice. Gives us a chance to catch up with each other. Then, we had some errands to run. The most important one was buying some gifts for a very special little boy. You see, last weekend after church, Chris and I chose a tag off our church's Christmas tree of a 10 year old boy who's in need. On his wish list were items that included socks, shirts, pants, a remote control car, and, like most boys his age...a BIKE. For some reason, maybe it was Divine Intervention, we were we both drawn to this nameless 10 year old little boy.

So, on Friday after lunch, we headed to the nearest store in search of the items on his wish list. We found some warm-up pants and a matching shirt with footballs on it...perfect for a boy his age! We, also, got him a big bag of socks. Last, but not least, we got him a brand new bike! It was so neat...bronze in color with racing stripes. Chris and I just couldn't resist! When we made our decision, I got so choked up just thinking about how excited he'll be when he sees what he's gotten for Christmas! I seriously almost had to excuse myself from the store because tears were rolling down my face.

I'm not sharing this story to put myself on some sort of pedestal. I simply want to share the joy it brought to Chris and I knowing we were about to make a little boy very happy. That means the world to both of us. We feel that we have been so blessed in many ways...Chris has a job he loves, we all are in good health, we have a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, and food on our table. God has been so incredibly good to us and we want to give back some of all He's given to us. To me, that's what the spirit of Christmas is about...loving others more than yourself. I pray that little boy has one of the happiest Christmases ever!

On Saturday night, we had family movie night and watched "Facing the Giants". I had never seen it, but I've heard a lot about it. Let me just say that it was so touching! I think I started crying about 30 minutes after it started! The theme of the movie was, "All things are possible with God." Oh, how true that is! If you haven't seen it, go out and rent it...it really is worth seeing for the whole family.

Here's a couple of pictures I took over the weekend. We got a few gifts (dog treats) for Maddie and Bella and I wrapped them and put them under the tree. Maddie is very protective of hers, needless to say. In fact, it's turned her from a docile dachshund to an EVIL dachshund! She, literally, sits under our Christmas tree all day long guarding her presents. If anyone walks within a couple of feet of her, she starts growling and snarling. If you get too close, she chases you out of the room. I get so tickled at her...she means business! Bella, on the other hand, could care less about her gifts...OR, maybe she's just too much of a chicken to get close to Maddie. I really can't blame her!

Maddie's guarding her Christmas presents, which are right under her nose...Bella looks too intimidated to move!

Bella went to the "hair salon" on Friday and came back with a new "do". She even smelled like peppermint!

Enjoy your day and take a moment to count your blessings!

Hugs!