Christmas

We hope your Christmas was as wonderful as ours was. Frank cooked the turkey and I cooked the other goodies. We had some friends over for lunch. We spent the day at home playing games and enjoying each other.

Marie-Anne

Christmas Eve

We opened presents on Christmas Eve. The kids were super excited and surprised to walk downstairs and find the gifts already there.

 

 

 

Everyone was happy with the gifts they got.

The boys had fun trying out Alex's table tennis game.

While they were doing that Sabrina and I played one of her new games.

Marie-Anne

The Christmas Miracle- Play

We all participated in our church's Christmas play both last weekend and this weekend. We have one more showing tomorrow night. It has been a lot of fun. Several people have prayed for salvation each night.

Marie-Anne

Feeding the Homeless

Today, we had the opportunity to tag along with some members of our church who feed the homeless. It was a first for us. It's easy to feel pity for these people as you drive by and see them sleeping on sidewalks with tents or just blankets for homes. It is also easy to grow numb to seeing the homeless because we see them every day.

Today we put faces and stories to the "homeless." That has changed my perspective. The stereotype has been shattered- these are real people. Every one of them was sincerely thankful and extremely polite to us.

It was a blessing to me to serve these precious people. I got blessed by serving at least as much as they got blessed by being served.

Frank got to preach while the tables were being set up. Alex and Sabrina got to run around and play in the area between us and the fence behind us. (The kids took the pictures.)

Marie-Anne

Kissie

Last night we had an unusual visitor for Bible Study. Sandy brought her desert tortoise for the kids to enjoy.

Marie-Anne

Cowgirl

Sabrina loves her new boots that match her cowgirl hat.

Marie-Anne

Stewart Place Park

The kids and I had a good time at Stewart Place Park this week. First they played on the playground.

I noticed a lot of fallen leaves. I couldn't resist kicking them into a pile for the kids to play in. I kicked up quite a pile then let the kids have at it! Alex build a fort of leaves. Sabrina had more fun running through them. We left the pile in hopes that some other kids would enjoy them too.

After playing in the leaves a while the kids decided to go back to the play ground.

Marie-Anne

Packing food for the homeless

We were given the opportunity to help bring food to the homeless. This is something that I've never done before and, truthfully, I was nervous and excited about it. I wasn't sure how it would go- I'd heard what a blessing it is and also some horror stories. Regardless we made over 30 bags to pass out.

Marie-Anne

Tacky Sweater Fellowship

Last Sunday we had a tacky sweater felowship at church. It was a lot of fun, but none of us won the prizes.

Marie-Anne

Stand Up for Kids

Frank's work is collecting for Stand Up for Kids, a non-profit that helps homeless teens. The kids and I choose some food to donate. We are attempting to teach our kids to help others, so when opportunities like this arise we try to take advantage of them.

Like most kids, our kids can be extremely self-centered. We hope that by modeling giving and allowing them to participate as much as possible that they will become more compassionate.

Marie-Anne

Angel Gift Tree

I bought gifts for the Angel Tree for several years before I was married. This year I decided to introduce Alex and Sabrina to the idea of giving to others.

As we looked at the tree I couldn't help noticing that most of them were asking for extremely expensive items.  Instead of asking for toys that their kids want these parents were asking for IPODS, MP3 Players, gaming systems, and IPADS. No wonder those were still on the tree! Only a handful of cards for younger kids were actually asking for toys.

Then Alex pointed out one that broke my heart. "Hey, Mommie, (his spelling) that one's for a little baby." It was the only one that was asking for basic needs; a walker, a high chair, clothes, toys, shoes, t-shirts, in that order. It made me cry.

I took the card and walked straight to the baby section. I called Frank who agreed that we could help. We decided that since we couldn't get both, the high chair was more important than the walker. The kids helped pick out the toys.

I told the kids that this family needed help buying things their baby needs. God has blessed us so that all of our needs are met and a lot of our wants. I told them about when Alex was a baby and Frank was out of work for a few months and how people helped us. Now we can help someone else. Alex was touched and happy to help. Sabrina started crying that she wanted toys.

To further illustrate the point, I didn't buy the extras that we sometimes buy. The kids got to spend their money, but I didn't buy the bookcase I had planned on or any books.

It really hit me hard that I take so much for granted when there's people out there who can't meet their basic needs.

Marie-Anne

Game Night

Frank and I Alex played the Pirate game.

Sabrina and I played Molehill Mania.

Marie-Anne

Fun at the Mall

We met the evangelism team at the mall. I took the kids to the play area.

After they played for a while, and I was bored out of my mind, we went to the food court. I splurged and got them iccees and cinnabon. We enjoyed visitng with "Annie," whose real name is Sandy. Sabrina renamed her.

Before we left the kids got to ride the rides at the mini carnival. They each rode the helicopters, the swings, and the train. Needless to say they had a great time.

Marie-Anne

Christmas Tree

Why is it when kids help out with the tree they put the ornaments in clusters?

Marie-Anne

Outdoor Mall

While Frank and the Evanglism team witnessed, the kids got to play at the quarter machines.

Marie-Anne

Inspired by The Sparkle Box

I have been inspired. I read a blog post about the book; The Sparkle Box. It teaches that since Christmas celebrates Jesus' birthday we should give a gift to Him. Of course we can't buy Him a  present, but we can give to others.

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:35-40

Then I went out and bought a meduim sized sparkly box. It is the only gift under our tree, (gifts are put out on Christmas Eve).

Since my goal is teaching my children to think of others I am writing down things we do and placing the papers into the box. Some examples are, praying for someone, telling others about Jesus, feeding a stray cat, participating in Operation Christmas Child...
 

I also got some cheap small photo albums with sparkly covers, (if you can't find them you can easily use a plain one and sparkly scrapbook paper). I am going to include one album for each year along with the slips of paper, which we'll throw away after Christmas. I thought it would be fun to have the album to look back on. It will also spur us on to look for more ways we can bless others.

Of course, not everything we do will have a picture or even a slip of paper. Some things are just between us and God, but I think this will help my children to get into the habit of giving and helping others.

 (Disclaimer: I haven't read the book. This is my take on the idea.)

Marie-Anne

A Christmas Carol Play

I was thrilled to learn that the Hampstead Stage Company was performing A Christmas Carol at the library today! They are amazing, if you ever get the chance to see any of the Hampstead Stage Company's plays I encourage you to go.

When we went to see the play we certainly didn't expect to actually be in it! Alex and I were both chosen as volunteers. My part was very small, in part, because Sabrina and Keenan tried to follow me on stage and they freaked out when I went out of sight.

Alex didn't even want to go to the play, but he is happy he went now! He was thrilled to be in the play.

After the play the kids got to pose with the actors. It is amazing that the whole play was performed by two actors and a couple of volunteers.

Marie-Anne

Maslow Park

This morning I took the three kids to Maslow Park. I was glad to tell them to run and play, (and leave me alone since the two younger ones wouldn't quit fighting and touching everything at the store. Babysitting's not always fun, but they're cute.)

Marie-Anne

Fall Leaves

 

I love playing in leaves, or rather watching the kids play in leaves. We walked to a condo complex near the church to let the kids play and to get some pics.

Marie-Anne