Christmas- hmmm...

I have to start off (even though it has nothing to do with the post) by including my weekend visit to one of my absolute favorite people!
When I found out Joy was moving over an hour away, I was quite bummed- but totally supportive of where God was taking their family. I do, however, miss her terribly; and with both of us having the "craziness" of life, it's hard to get together sometimes. I did get to go down this past weekend, and it was so much fun to catch up, shop, and just have that "sister in Christ" time! I'm so thankful for her friendship, and that God brought her into my life! :)

I'm also thankful she took me to a place that sells Vera Bradley! (Not sure my husband is though.) ;)

I mentioned before that we are doing the book "Crazy Love" in my Tuesday Bible study. So convicting! Anyway, it really has me thinking a lot about my "sacrifices" for Christ. That can be sacrifices in any area of life: time management, money, Bible study, prayer, etc... A friend once asked me my personal opinion on knowing how much to tithe. Good question. I've always felt (for myself) that I need to tithe an "uncomfortable" amount. For some, maybe that's $20. For others, it could be $1000. I just think it needs to go to that point that you are HAVING to trust God to provide for you. I'm finding that I'm struggling right now with purchases. Example: I've always loved the Vera Bradley purses, but thought the prices were outrageous! Yesterday I stood in front of that purse for quite a while going back and forth- is it okay for me to buy this?? Do I need this? Well, if you know me, you know that's a dumb question (I heart purses and have mounds of them to show for it.)

So, what's the answer? I don't know that I have come to the answer for myself yet. Do I think it's wrong to buy nice things sporadically? No, not at all. I do have to be careful to keep things in perspective though. These "things" are just things! They will have NO worth one day. What will have worth is when I stand in front of Jesus and answer for the talents (money, spiritual gifts, time, etc..) He gave me on earth. I have so far to go, but I really want to have complete peace about everything I do knowing that all I do is for Jesus.

Soooo, this brings us to Christmas. Abe and I have never been ones to be huge spenders at Christmas. I think a nice, thoughtful gift is great; but I don't think it matters if I got that thoughtful gift on sale or not. It is especially true when it comes to our kids. I don't want them to have dozens of gifts when they get up in the morning. {Yep, I'm mean.} I want them to enjoy opening things ,and thinking Santa brought them a couple things they asked for. But, I really want my kids to learn true happiness does not come from "stuff." (I'm still working on this for myself.) True happiness comes only from the peace of knowing and following Christ. One of the things I have enjoyed most thus far has been putting together an "Operation Christmas Child" box with Daniel. It brings tears to my eyes to think of a child opening that box and being THRILLED for the $15 worth of tiny things in it. I try to stress that to Daniel. After we put the box together, he told me he wanted to use some of his allowance money to help pay for the shipping. I think that's huge for a 5 year old!

I'll be honest though. It's difficult to stress an attitude of thankfulness and contentment in what you have when you {that being ME} struggle with it yourself. And I do. And I'm ashamed that I do. I catch myself going- "Look at that ring she's wearing- wish I could just go and buy something like that with no thought. Look at their house! It's huge....our boys have to share a room. Look at that car- I've always wanted one of those! Look at that PURSE! {Yep, just being honest.) It's absurd! What I need to be thinking is "Thank you Jesus for ALL these gifts and all the ways you provide for our family! I am so undeserving, and I give You all the glory!"

*Keep in mind, I write this from my standpoint in life right now. What's right for my family is not right for every family. I'm not making any judgments for how others do things.

Bottom line, all these things we have on this earth- they all belong to Him! Our time, talents, money, etc... How will I choose to use those things??

Pink- my favorite color

Well, it used to be. I'm kind of over it now! Sunday was the beginning of the fun:Elijah. Monday morning, Daniel joined in. Monday afternoon:Abe. I felt as though I didn't match, so I joined them all Monday night. We ALL had pink eye! The boys are pretty much back to normal, but Abe and I are still battling it- so fun! :) "This too shall pass." No big deal.


Poor Elijah:

And now:

true love

I have said it before, but everyday these boys of mine give me something else to be proud of. I'm just truly in love with both of them.

Elijah now says "peeeeeze" when he wants something- and this makes my heart melt.

Daniel stopped what he was doing tonight to make a card for his Nana. {She was missing Papa very badly today, and was very sad.} He took the card to her and said "I love you Nana!"

Elijah has this cheesy smile that gets me every time!

Daniel says "yes mam.....no mam...... yes sir..... no sir." This makes me proud. (And yes, it's called respect and we expect it.)

Elijah will say "dadadada" every time I say "Say Mama, Elijah." He thinks it's so funny. (So do I, kinda.) ;)

When I drop Daniel off at school every morning, he says "Bye Mommy, I love you!" Again, melts me! When he comes home from school, he's singing some song about how Jesus loves him.

I could go on and on. I am beyond proud and so very thankful for these boys! Abe and I feel so blessed to have two sweet, happy, healthy, Jesus-loving kids! We are blessed!