Thankful Thursday

O' Christmas Tree

Christmas tree hunting!  

We missed Christmas tree hunting the past two years while we lived in Texas.  It didn't make sense to go find a big tree when we knew we'd be spending Christmas in Ohio. Despite the blustery cold weather, it was great to be back at the the Medina Tree Farm.  It was comforting to be back where our Christmas traditions began. Gabe was much bigger than he was the last time we went (2009, 2010) and had much more fun with playing in the snow, looking at trees and once his legs needed a break, getting a ride from Daddy.

We search long and hard for our perfect tree.  It doesn't matter the type as much as the look.  Beautiful but not perfect.  A little uneven, perhaps a small hole or two but great in color and no dead branches.  We look for the tree that goes overlooked and turn it into a beauty.  Sounds a little metaphorical but it's not meant to be.  We're just a little quirky like that. 

Warming his hands by the fire. 

Note Gabe's sneakers.  He outgrew his boots from last year.
Obviously he would.  This was all we had for him to use without
his braces.  Big, huge mom fail. 

The first ornament hung by Gabriel.

A little bit of Africa on our tree

It may have taken us 3 days to get the tree up and it may still not have any tinsel yet (what stores are selling tinsel?) but it's up, it's beautiful and Gabe loves it.  So do I.

Delivery Days!

The advent season is moving right along, and this year is one of my favorites!  Gabe is really into the Christmas spirit this year and is really getting the true meaning of Christmas; that we are celebrating Jesus' birthday and we are trying to love like Jesus loves, to be kind to all that we meet. 

The past three days were filled with shopping and delivering.  

Saturday we were scheduled to shop for the child we were sponsoring for Christmas.  Gabe and I had already been to the store earlier in the week and we picked up a cute outfit and some fun toys for the little four year Christmas child.  This sponsorship was done through our church and it will go to a child living with his family in a homeless shelter.  We picked a four year old boy because we have a four year old boy. After lots of discussion to Gabe about how some children don't have a warm home like we do, we headed off in Target.  Gabe picked out a Ninja t-shirt and then we headed to the toy aisles.  Gabe, in true Christmas fashion picked out things he would like; Lego's and a Jake and the Neverland Pirates game.  

Sunday we brought the present to church and laid it under the Christmas tree.  We were a little early to service so there weren't many presents there yet.  On the way out I sneaked a peak at the tree and my heart swelled with joy.  The tree was surrounded by presents for children who otherwise may not have gotten any. Giving to others, that's what it's about. 

Sunday afternoon we shopped for Toys for Tots.  Target had a few good sales so we left with a bag full of goodies to drop off at the local newspaper.  

Today was delivery day.  We delivered a bag full of toys for Toys for Tots.  Gabe proudly dropped the Nerf basketball hoop into the box and then spent some time playing with the penguins.

Our next stop was Laura's Home, part of Cleveland's The City Mission. Laura's Home is the only homeless shelter in north east Ohio specifically for women and children.  Laura's Home not only provides a warm, safe place for women to live but it provides them stability, an opportunity to learn, grow and over come whatever is holding them back and helps them re-enter the world with a job, house and hope for their future.

In March I hosted a Bead for Life party where I challenged guests to bring diapers or wipes for Laura's Home to be entered into a raffle to win a their choice of a piece of jewelry from Bead for Life.  A week later Gabe and I delivered three big bags of diapers and wipes to Laura's home.  They were so grateful and I knew we'd want to donate their again.  Earlier last week we shopped for diapers for Laura's Home and then picked out color books, crayons and play dough for the children living there.  Upon arrival we were buzzed in and as I was talking to a staff member, Gabe ran up to the manger scene sitting on a table.  He was talking to baby Jesus when a little girl came up; Gabe has never met another child he doesn't consider a friend, so after his perfunctory "Hi friend," he and the little girl proceeded to play in front of the manger.

Delivery day was successful.  We left with an empty car but full hearts.  Even more important Gabe is learning that it's kind to give, it's fun to give and he can make new friends where ever he goes.  

I believe this... and I want Gabe to believe it too.

source

Days 3, 4, 5 and 6

Our kindness advent has been so much fun!  It's been great doing for others rather than doing for ourselves. What's been even greater?  Seeing Gabe's excitement as he learns how much fun it is to be kind to others.

Day 3.

Our day three act of kindness was delivering cookies to the police station.  Gabe was so excited to go to the police station!  And the officer that was there to receive the cookies was so sweet.  She repeatedly thanked Gabe, told him what a sweet boy he was and even gave him a Junior Police Officer.  It was such a pleasant experience and I really want Gabe to learn to trust and respect our public service officers that I think this will become a regular activity for us.  

Day 4.

Sending care packages.  What's more fun than receiving mail?  Sending it!

Day 5.

Buying the person's drink in the car behind us.  Gabe had his milk in his drink holder when we pulled into Starbucks.  The usual "mommy get a drink?" and my usual answer of yes was accompanied with pure excitement when I told him we were going to surprise the car behind us with a drink too.  Gabe loves surprises.  He's getting the whole idea of "it's better to give than receive" and his excitement was palpable as the barrista caught a little bit of Gabe's cheer when she saw just how high the excitement level was in our car. Sharing smiles.  Sharing coffee.  That's Gabe.

Tomorrow is Day 6.  Gabe and I will be delivering cards to a nursing home a few streets away from our house.  We spent the evening with my nephews and they helped us with making the cards.

Twenty-five handmade cards ready to go spread some Christmas cheer.  And these cards are fun; Christmas trees, stars, smiley faces, hand prints, Mario and Luigi drawings... Jake, Sam and Gabe covered all the Christmas topics. 

"For it is in giving that we receive."

St. Francis of Assisi