Your Work is Part of God's Plan

I received this via email today, and thought it was so good that I had to share it.  This really spoke to me, because sometimes I just get in a routine and forget that I'm doing what I'm doing because God put me here to do just that as part of a much bigger plan - one that I might not see for quite some time, or ever, here on earth.

Your work is part of God's plan


by Rick Warren

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

"The gifts, the abilities, the talents, even the interests you have -- they were genetically encoded into you by God."

Your work can be an act of worship. No matter what you do, it's never just a job if you are a believer. This is because God designed you with talents, gifts and interests that He wants used for His glory.

You are custom-made. There's nobody like you in the whole world. And the gifts, the abilities, the talents, even the interests you have -- they were genetically encoded into you by God. God made you with a specific mission in mind -- and He wants you to use the gifts he's given you in your work.

The Bible says you are God's workmanship. The Greek word used for workmanship is poema. That's where the English word poem comes from -- you are God's poem! You are God's work of art. You are God's masterpiece.

Your work is part of God's plan for your life and that is why, as you work, you worship God.

St. Jude Trike-a-Thon!

So today was the Trike-a-Thon at Tatum's school...doesn't she just look adorable??  She was SO EXCITED this morning as we took her bike and gear to school because she was GOING TO GET TO RIDE HER BIKE with all of her friends!  It was almost all she could talk about this morning, on the way to school, and then once we got inside the building.

So precious.

In case you're wondering, it's not too late to donate toward her riding in the Trike-a-Thon.  The funds are being donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and you can donate directly online in support of Tatum's efforts.

Astros

They aren't Kellen's team this year (he's a member of the Phillies team), but he's having a hard time distinguishing between t-ball teams and the real deal.  After his game tonight, he told me that the worst part was that they had to play the Astros...'cause they're the team he really likes!

Funny boy.

Prayers for guidance

The Lord has been speaking to me about writing.  (Don't laugh, while you're taking into consideration how much the blog gets updated - or doesn't).  But I came across a website tonight and am going to pray and ask for guidance on whether or not I'm supposed to tweak and submit an article I wrote about a week or so ago.

In case you're wondering, the opportunity currently in front of me and something I just discovered was the submission process for Proverbs 31 Ministries magazine.

Pray with me for guidance?

She Speaks Scholarship Contest

On another blog I frequent, a writing contest for a scholarship to She Speaks was posted.  Although the timing is bad for me this year, with the conference scheduled right over my due date, I thought I would post the link for the scholarship and information about the conference here for anyone interested.

Family Update

It's been a while since I've just updated on everyone, and the moms board I'm on had a thread like this, so I thought I would take a quick moment to give an update on US.

Kellen is nearing the finish line of first grade (goodness where has the time gone??). He'll be tested this month for G/T (5 testing days for an hour each day) and we should know his placement mid-May. I'm not worried about it...he tends to get bored in school easily and when he does, he gets in trouble (not BAD trouble, but he's a class clown (can't imagine where he gets THAT from), talker, etc kind of kid), so we try to keep him busy. He's currently in t-ball (twice a week practices for another week and then who knows what the game schedule will look like), Tae Kwon Do (during Kids Klub one day a week), Cub Scouts (weekly den meetings and then monthly pack meetings), and Awana's at church. He has an AMAZING memory for scripture and blows me away nearly every week when we're practicing his scriptures for Awana's. He has such a sensitive spirit and is SUCH a wonderful big brother!

Tatum is 3 now, and I remember why I later scoffed at the 'terrible two's' even though they began at 18 months with both she and Kellen. The 3's are infinitely worse at our house! She (and Kellen) are both such strong willed children and some days are just exhausting. However, I'm blessed to have strong willed children that know their likes/dislikes...it's the molding of them that makes it all a challenge.  She's doing wonderfully at her daycare, and is participating in KinderTots (combo dance and gymnastics) once a week there. She's Kellens biggest cheerleader at his sporting events, and wants to get out there and play right along with the boys. She's oh-so princess yet such a down and dirty tomboy. And despite the strong willed challenges, she is so sweet! She's my snuggler, and I am trying to get as many snuggle moments as I can with her before #3 comes along.

Speaking of #3, we settled on a first name for peanut, Jacey. We're still working on a middle name, but I'm feeling better about the fact that she has a name other than peanut now. However, the kids are still calling her peanut, so I'm thinking that nickname might stick for a while. I'm over 23 weeks along, and July seems like it's speeding toward me.  I'm pretty much past the nausea now (yes, I know...I'm quite far along to still have been struggling with that some days), but am still having random food aversions.  Peanut butter sandwiches, grilled cheese sandwiches, and cereal are my staples.  And Freeb!rds burritos seem to be my constant craving.  And Olive Garden salad.  Yummy!

Work for me is pretty much the same...still incredibly busy but I get lots of reminders that I'm exactly where I need to be. One of the presentation proposals that I'm part of (group of 3) was just accepted as a pre-conference workshop for the annual advising conference to be held in October, so I'm trying to figure out the funding to go along with that travel.  It's a huge honor to have been selected for a pre-conference workshop: the session is longer than a regular conference session AND the participants have to pay an additional cost on top of the conference registration fee to attend.  Wow!  I think I'm still in a little bit of shock about it but am very excited!

Matt is still working from Conroe selling insurance, commuting back and forth 2-3 days a week and working from the house the other days. With his work schedule and the kids activities, I feel like I don't get out much for me, but we're surviving!  Our house may not stay clean, but the kids are loved and happy, and that counts a whole lot more in my book!

We have a winner!

Well, Friday was Matt's birthday, and despite the fact that he added a year to his age on Facebook, I think he had a pretty good day.  Both of the kids were out of school on Friday, but TAMU was up and running (at least for faculty/staff), so I went to work while he stayed home with the kids.  Shortly before his parents were slated to arrive (we ended up going out to eat with them Friday night), I sighed and told Matt that I really wanted us to work on a name for peanut.

He started playing on name websites, I got out my phone, which holds the 'list' of names that I had compiled, then whittled down (based on popular names of 2009), and off we went.  We had a couple of 'maybe's' from him for those on my list: Aliza (joyful); Bianca (white); Leala (faithful, loyal), but we really weren't both sold on any of those yet.  I had already vetoed Riley (which was # 109 in 2009, putting it on the officially ok list, but was 36 in 2008 and 52 in 2007, which in my opinion was just too common too recently for me).  So Riley got the official veto.  Matt wasn't liking Shilo (God's gift), so we were still in the looking phase.  Well, he starts rattling names off of whatever website he was on, and said "Jacey."  It apparently means healer and is of Greek origin.  And it's in the 800's on the most popular names list.

So, we both really like it and it's official.  Peanuts' real name is now Jacey.

We're still working on her middle name, so stay tuned.....

Nice...

Nice things....

1. Terrible two's that began at 18 months (with both kids).  Really.  'Cause they are NOTHIN' compared to how my kids act once they turn 3.  There should be a word to go along with the 3's, but it has to be much worse than terrible.  Tatum reminded me about how much trouble the 3's were on Monday and Tuesday evenings when we were attending functions as she morphed into a monster.

2.  Strong willed children.  Because really, I would rather have strong willed children who stand up for what they believe in than one who is swayed by whatever.  I must continually repeat this as I deal with the molding of said strong willed children.

3.  Reminders about how great the Mommy hat is that I wear.  They come in the form of, "Mommy, you're the best Mommy ever.  Did you know that?"  Tatum said this to me tonight after asking who bought her the ballerina outfit she was putting on and I answered that I had.

4.  The love my kids have for each other.  It's demonstrated in so many ways.  Kellen will crawl into Tatum's bed to snuggle with her just because.  It's demonstrated in the 'hero saving the princess from the monster' games that are currently taking place as I type this.  And in the fact, that many a morning, I see two little heads walking into my room, hand-in-hand, to climb into Mommy and Daddy's bed.  And because Kellen will throw a fit if someone other than him makes lunch for Tatum to take to school.  And when Tatum insists to go with me into Kids Klub to pick Kellen up from school.  And in the 'let me help you' I'm now hearing from Kellen as he's trying to calm and soothe her since she just hurt herself.

Rollin' along

I had the dreaded glucose test today, and oddly enough, the orange drink was better tasting than I remember it being the last time I ingested it.  Changes in the recipe, perhaps?  Who knows.  I'm not calling it great, but I didn't have that hard of a time getting it down, either.

Last night I asked Kellen to help me remember NOT to eat when I woke up, showed him the orange drink, and told him I was taking a special test in the morning using the orange drink.  When I went into he and Tatum's room this morning to check on them and wake them up, Tatum woke with her usual happy-go-lucky, morning person self and Kellen yawned, rolled his head to face me, and mumbled, "Mommy, remember that you can't eat anything this morning because of your test."  It was just the sweetest thing!  He then got up, got dressed, and headed out to the kitchen, where Daddy has assembled quite the feast for their breakfast, opened the refrigerated and then proceeded to hand me my orange drink, "Here's the special drink for your test, Mommy."  He was just the sweetest thing!

He and Tatum both were oh-so-concerned about me as I clocked myself drinking the juice, and then made note of the finish time.  I think they were wanting to see the next step, and didn't quite understand that it wasn't taking place in the dining room, but at the doctors office.

I had a quick visit with the nurse, passed the glucose test apparently with flying colors, and then chatted with the doctor for a bit.  I have another sonogram scheduled for Monday, just to get all bone measurements, since Peanut was facing the wrong way and a little uncooperative for those measurements during the last u/s.  Then I'll see the doctor in another month!  So far, so good with how things are progressing.

Medical updates aside, last week was spring break, and we had a variety of activities planned for my actual days off.  The shot at the doctors office apparently worked pretty well, because I felt pretty well Thursday and Friday.  A little too well, perhaps, as I seemed to overdo it and paid for it on Saturday and Sunday.  At any rate, Thursday we went to 7 Acre Wood where the kids played for HOURS.  Tatum was enthralled with the animals, petting the llamas, goats, and riding the pony.  She loved the pony so much that she rode it twice, then proceeded to ask Paw Paw to buy her a pony.  I think we might have brought a quarter of their dirt and sand back with the kids, actually.

On Friday we headed into downtown Houston and went to The Downtown Aquarium.  The kids just LOVE that place!  Tatum was really into it this year, more than last year, but she still wouldn't pet the stingrays.  Go figure.  We timed it just right to watch the switching of the tigers and then enrichment at the tiger exhibit, and then made it outside in time for the live animal show and was able to take our picture with one of the animals.  (I'm trying to upload the pictures into a program so that I can link the slideshow on here, we'll see how that works.  So far it's uploaded 36% of the pictures in the time that I've been typing, so I may have to add that slideshow at a later date.  If you're on Facebook, check out my photo album.)

As I already mentioned, Saturday and Sunday were a bit of a blur for me, as I just layed around and realized that I had overdone it.  I'm sure the kids had plenty of fun on Saturday with their Maw Maw, Paw Paw and Daddy and then Daddy on Sunday, but I slept through most of it, so I can't really comment too terribly much on those activities.  Except that I do know that Kellen, Daddy and Maw Maw went shopping and bought Kellen an Easter outfit that is a surprise for me.  Kellen doesn't want me to see it until he puts it on Easter morning.  I have no idea why that is, but that's ok.

So right now, things seem to be rollin' right along.  Kellen started t-ball this week, our family organizational and scheduling skills need to step it up a notch to handle two nights a week of practice, but yesterday afternoon went really well.  I found out today that I was selected to model for a local photographer who wanted some maternity bellies for some ideas he has, so I'll do that in a couple of weeks and then get another shoot once Peanut gets here.  I'm really looking forward to that because despite my desires to do so, I haven't gotten maternity pictures actually done with any of my pregnancies.  Taking pictures of myself in the mirror or handing Matt or my parents the camera and trying desperately to get some belly shots and belly shots with Kellen minutes before I left to go to the hospital didn't exactly fulfill my 'maternity picture' ideals.  We'll see how the shoot goes.

Despite the hectic nature of life right now, God is giving me calm.  And I am really enjoying it.

More updates...

So for one, it's spring break.  And I'm officially off of work.  For some reason, I had been working under the illusion that I had Wednesday through Friday off when in actuality it was just Thursday and Friday.  I came to that realization last week.  And I've been mourning the loss of that 'vacation' day in my head since then.

But you know what, it all worked out ok.  IF I had been off of work, I most likely wouldn't have been in town.  And I would have delayed going in to see anyone about my sore throat, coughing, and occasional sneezing, despite the fact that I've just felt 'off' for the last (almost) week.  And the bronchitis would have gotten MUCH worse.

Yes, I have bronchitis again.  I must be very good at bronchitis, or at least a good hostess to it, because it seems to come and visit me often.  I also apparently have fluid behind my ears.  My mother so brilliantly pointed out to me that might explain my dizziness and feeling faint when I go from a sitting or kneeling position to standing up.  Never crossed my mind until she said that, but it certainly seems to explain things.  At least a better explanation than, 'Oh, I'm just pregnant.'  My sinus cavities are also apparently clogged.  Blessings come in all shapes and sizes, because the PA was very surprised I hadn't been having headaches or pressure because of this.  Nope.  This might also explain, in part at least, why I'm having trouble sleeping.  Because if you can't breathe very well when you're sitting up, which apparently I cannot, due to all of my blockage, breathing when you're trying to lie down is quite a bit more difficult.  Again, a much better explanation than, 'Oh, I'm just pregnant.'  And it was apparently a good thing that I went in when I did and caught it early, because in the PA's words, 'You would have been in urgent care later this week or this weekend,' if I hadn't come in today.

So, a shot of rocephin (and I have no clue as to whether or not I'm spelling that correctly, but whatever) and a prescription for an antibiotic and mucinex D later, I went back to work.  Limped back to work that is.  Those shots are painful!  I'm still feeling the effects of the actual shot tonight!

Oh, and did you know that pharmacies aren't allowed to sell you mucinex D through the window?  As in drive through window that I thought would be much quicker for getting my prescription?  It wasn't.  Who knew?

At any rate, the antibiotic shot should get my healing process started much quicker, and maybe this round of bronchitis won't wipe me out for a month like the last one did.  But hey, I didn't wait nearly as long to go into the doctor this time, did I?

Blessings come in all shapes and sizes, and who knew that my having to work a day I thought I was getting off would help me out in this way?

Peanut cooperated

So for those of you who read this on occasion and don't have a Facebook profile, I realized that I have neglected to update the world via this format on the gender of peanut.

Peanut was fairly cooperative when Matt and I went in for the ultrasound, and gave us a fairly clear view of HER bottom. 

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we're having another girl!

It's been a couple of weeks now since we found out, and Tatum has adjusted quite nicely to the idea.  She's having a hard time with grasping that she'll be both a little sister AND a big sister.  She continues to think that she'll be a little sister and a big brother.  Go figure.  We're working on it...

As for Kellen, it seems as though he truly feels he'll never get to speak again.  He's blessed with one complete chatterbox of a sister, and thinks that is how all girls are.  So in his mind, if he has a hard time getting a word in edgewise now, it's never gonna happen when there are two of them hanging around.  We'll have to be sure and give him some one-on-one time so that he can actually talk with us!  And perhaps not come down on him too hard when he interrupts, because I can't entirely say that I'll blame him.

When I did mention that the two girls will most likely share a room when Peanut (no, we still haven't settled on a name yet) gets a little older, Kellen's response was a very sad, "But who am I going to share a room with?"  So I guess the results are in with the room-sharing experiment.  They really like being in the same room!

Happy Birthday sweet Tatum!

3 years ago Tatum came into the world and forever changed my life. She brings such joy to each and every day and I cannot imagine my family without her. Happy birthday, Tatum!!

She realized today that it was REALLY her birthday.  She's been calling herself three since the party on Saturday, and it didn't make much sense to try and correct her.  Maw Maw apparently tried to tell her yesterday that her actual birthday was today, but she didn't accept that.  This morning; however, after she and I talked about it, she ran around the house singing "Happy birthday" to herself and having a grand ol' time.  She is so precious.

I realized again today just how truly blessed I am.  Some of the reasons for that continued realization and reminder are fodder for another post, so I'll get back to them later.

After picking her up, we swung by the house, she watched an episode of "Yo Gabba Gabba" then we went to pick up her brother.  The surprise was then ON...to McDonald's we went for a treat dinner.  And the additional surprise was that I had called Nikki and arranged for Logan and Kylie to play with the kids for her birthday.  She had asked about them earlier in the day, so we were able to connect so they could have a birthday play date.  Then back to the house for a birthday cupcake and cake, then off to the bath and bed...

Goodnight world, and Lord, help me never to forget how truly blessed I am with the wonderful children you have bestowed on Matt and I to raise.

Family update

Well, I went in for a regular appointment today, and a month ago the doc told me I would leave this appointment with the 'reveal' scheduled.  As we chatted, I asked when I would be finding out...his reply, "Schedule it, then come back and see me in a month."  So, I went to set up the appointments before I left the office and lo and behold, there was an opening for TOMORROW with the sonographer.  Sooooo, if peanut cooperates, we'll know the gender of our family bookend tomorrow shortly after 1 PM.  Oh, and if you missed it, we're having our #3.  I'm 17 weeks and a handful of days, with a due date of July 31st.

Both of the kids want a baby brother.  Some friends insist that the fact that they BOTH want a brother MUST mean I'm having a girl.  Others say that kids are pretty accurate (Kellen was with Tatum!).  My office co-workers did the string and pencil trick over my belly today and it went in a circle, which apparently means a girl.

Who knows?

But, we'll find out tomorrow (at least if peanut is cooperative).

In other news, we're gearing up for Tatum's third birthday party this weekend.  After asking her repeatedly who she wanted to come to her party, we settled on her very consistent answer, and are going with a low-key party with three friends plus Kellen.  So as I type, the kids are picking up stray toys, book, articles of clothing, and other miscellaneous stuff from around the house in preparation for the carpet cleaning which will commence tomorrow (preparations made courtesy of Matthew...he's desperate to get the carpets cleaned and stretched).  I'm hopeful for a nice day so we can go out in the backyard, but since our weather has had the equivalent of bipolar mood swings lately, I'm not banking on that and have back-up indoor activities ready to go.  I went and picked out princess party gear yesterday (instead of going home after our department closed down due to inclement weather).  I now have pink and purple princess plates, napkins, cups, goody bags, and a purple Happy Birthday tiara for the birthday princess.

Speaking of inclement weather, we had SNOW yesterday!  And enough of it for the kids to have a snowball fight.  No snow angels or snowmen, much to Aunt Boo's dismay, I'm sure, but they had fun outside nonetheless.  Even if their fun only lasted for as long as it took for the snow to make their gloves wet.  Which, in case you're wondering, is about five minutes.  And then all schools (at least the ones I'm concerned with) didn't open up as scheduled this morning.  Tatum's daycare opened at 9:35, Kellen's school started at 9:50, and TAMU opened at 10.

In case you're wondering, snow day + cold night + delayed school startings = ONE LAZY MORNING at the Hapes household.  And it was VERY nice.

Rough day for the Kellen-bellen

It appears that today has just been an all-around rough day for the Kellen man. 

First, he forgot his backpack this morning.  And remembered it as I was dropping him off.  I mean literally...the door was open, he was out of the car, looked back for his backpack and it wasn't there.

He actually said he had a good day at school...no tallies, but also told me he went to the safe place twice during the day because he was so sad.  Apparently he missed me very much today.  Oh yeah, and his grandparents, too.

In the car after school and Kids Klub and we're headed to get Tatum.  He proceeds to make a string of bad choices that end up making Mommy very upset.  I threaten dinner and then bed.  Mommy asks him to help Daddy with a project: he argues.  Repeatedly.  And then proceeds to get Daddy upset as well.  After blowing all of the chances Mommy gave him, he's made the choice.  Dinner and bed.

During dinner, he finishes his piece of pizza and asks for more.  There is no more.  So Mommy gives him breadsticks, and he proceeds to bite his cheek on said breadsticks.

Oh, and to top it all off, he reminds me that today was spring picture day.  Yes, Mommy completely forgot about spring picture day.  And he proceeds to tell me how sad he was when he remembered about picture day after getting to school because everyone was dressed so nicely and he was in his everyday clothes.  And he didn't have a backpack with him get to his extra clothes to change clothes!

Oh the horror.  There's only so many times one can apologize for being a terribly forgetful Mommy.  I'm not sure I'm at that limit yet, though, as he's still terribly sad about it.  And don't forget embarrassed.  He was apparently oh-so-embarrassed because he had to sit on the white steps in his everyday clothes.

Considering the events of the day, I don't think an early bedtime is all that bad.  Let's put an end to this bad day for my Kellen-bellen.

Surely tomorrow will be better for him, right?

What a morning...

Here we were, out the door ON TIME - 7:18 AM. I was able to get Tatum to school in time for Kellen to come into daycare with me so he could properly say "Bye" to her for the day. I was able to talk with her teacher for a bit, get Kellen and I back in the car, and head to his school. Made it there with no problems, sent him off with an "I love you and have a GREAT day today!"

And then to the office....where I realize that I have made it to work with ZERO make up on. Zilch. Nada. Nothing. Completely bare faced.

Oh my.

No, I don't wear make-up on the weekends, or even wear much of it during the week. But let's just say that my face hasn't taken on the radiance of pregnancy quite yet.

My poor co-workers. My poor students. A little bit of powder and lip gloss (applied both to my lips and eyelids - and no, I don't know if that's ok to do or not) and we'll see if I can make it through the day without wondering ALL DAY LONG how horrid I look! Oh well!

Silly songs...

'Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream. When you see a crocodile, don't forget to row faster.' - Tatum, as sung during her bath last night.


Yes, my kids are hilarious!

I know no one.

According to Tatum, that is.  She's watching Yo Gabba Gabba, and has repeatedly asked me, "Who is that?"  My continual response, "I don't know, baby."

The last time she asked, and I responded in my usual way, she retorted in an exasperated manner and stated, "You don't know ANYONE, Mommy!"

Cinderella

Is Tatum's favorite movie.  During our mommy-daughter afternoon yesterday, we watched it twice.  We're watching it again now while she's having her lunch snack before nap.

Some observations:

Tatum: That cat is NOT nice.  But the doggy is nice.  But not the cat.  He's a MEAN cat.

Tatum: I want to help fix Cinderella's dress.
Me: Sweetie, I don't think that you can.
Tatum: 'Cause I'm not in the movie, huh?

Christmas Count-down calendar

I'm not calling this an Advent calendar, although that's where I got the idea, because I'm not following all of the Advent rules.  So, the original idea for this came from my crafty blogging friend Kendra, from this post she did last year.  Yes, I've been thinking about doing this for a year.  So a few weeks ago, I started collecting our finished toilet paper rolls and asked that Maw Maw and Paw Paw do the same...and then I kept our paper towel rolls as well.

And today, I started and completed the project.  In my opinion, it's not nearly as cute as Kendra's, but hey...I happen to like it!  (And by the way, if you agree that it isn't as cute, you don't have to post a comment to that effect...but you're welcome to tell me if you like mine or make additional suggestions about activities to include, even though I've filled out the days...I can always add activities and scripture to days throughout the month!!).

So here is a photo journal of the project!

Phase one...wrapping the individual rolls...3 per color of wrapping paper.

Laying them out in the pattern....

Beginning the assembly.  My first attempt was failed and this was actually the back-up, which worked much better.  Ribbon was used to tie the rolls together, with the edges of the ribbon sticking out on alternating sides.

Assembly is complete, and it's now hanging, with the use of a zip-tie.  (Matt's gonna wonder where all of his long zip ties have gone, because they're coming in handy for a variety of projects now-a-days).

Close up so that you can see the ties and wrapping paper.

Dates are now on the individual rolls.  Thank GOODNESS for sticker numbers!  And an even bigger thank GOODNESS for ones that I already had in my existing supply!!!

Now there are "to-do" items in each of the dates, corresponding with things that already exist on our calendar and I tried to think ahead (i.e., the Christmas farm we want to go to is ONLY open on the weekends, etc...).

So there it is...our Christmas count-down.  And yes, we do have another one that you move the numbers along and we'll be using that one, too.  You know, once I get it out of the Christmas decoration box.  I can't remember which day I put "put out Christmas decorations" on....

Long time, no update

Such is life...it's been crazy around here.  The kind of crazy that you wake up every day and pray for the strength to get through the day, but hey, God is good.  He's still the same God He was yesterday and will be tomorrow, despite the craziness that's going on today.  The question is really, "What will I learn and allow God to show me in the midst of and from the craziness?"

That's a million dollar question, now isn't it?

At any rate, I have a lot to be thankful for, and have been blessed by those around me who love and are caring for me, and am creating a detailed list JUST SO THAT I DON'T FORGET IT!  And I'm choosing to thank God for all of the ways that I'm seeing Him move in my life.

Today the kids and I went out to purchase the gifts for the child we adopted for Christmas from the Angel Tree from church and the two kids we chose to buy from from the office adoption list (their mom was killed in a car accident about a week and a half ago in a car accident and her older daughter is one of my students).  We talked about why we choose to give gifts at Christmas - it's to show God's love to others, just like God showed His love to us by sending Jesus to earth for us.  They had a good time picking out the presents for the children and, for the most part, didn't ask for things for themselves!