Our family enjoyed our 2nd year of Live.Give.Love.
We practiced a month of living BIG, loving Bigger, and serving OTHERS.
As our Christmas count down I switch the focus off of consumerism and receiving
to loving others instead.
With a little bit of thought, quite a bit of planning, a whole lot of heart, and just a little money our activities come together.
Our days revolve around spending time with family and friends, making others smile, and serving others before ourselves. The only stipulation. No gifts are to be received.
At the ages of 1, 3, and 5 it is hard to say how much they actually understand.
I just hope that we are planting little seeds of character that will grow over the years.
We are working on the heart because after all it is the heart that matters.
I want so badly for our boys "normal" is to love others.
This is a discipline that we will continue to work on at home.
After all a Momma can dream right...
Here is a daily view of our month in photographs:
1. Family Fun- Surprise
A night aboard the Polar Express
(Griffin's favorite activity)
2. Honor others
Make cards for soldiers.
3. Love others
Bring treats to school for your teachers.
4. Learn more about Christmas
Read the Christmas story in the Bible and set up the manger.
5. Happy birthday Daddy
Celebrate Daddy today. Surprise him at work with cupcakes for his staff to enjoy!
(This was Kenton's favorite day. The boys bum-rushing his office with smiles made his year)
(This was Kenton's favorite day. The boys bum-rushing his office with smiles made his year)
6. Be a HERO!
Send superhero capes to kids living in shelters.
7. Serve others
Work at the food pantry.
We had 2 bag runners and a high 5 giver outer.
The coolest things about kingdom work? Everyone has a place to play!
(This was Kenton's co-favorite day. He enjoyed serving along side his boys)
(This was Kenton's co-favorite day. He enjoyed serving along side his boys)
8. Fun with friends
North Pole Party!
I love throwing this party for the boys and their friends.
They pay me generously in smiles and excitement!
9. Serve others
Make dinner for MiMi and Pop
(boys help to prepare and serve food- added bonus they get a lesson in table setting)
10. Love others
What do you love most about your family?
(I love getting a peek into their hearts. My child said that I was beautiful.
Gah. Best. Compliment. EVER.)
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| Griffin's family portrait |
11. Fun with friends
Invite Mommy's Jesus school friends over
(my boys call my missional community my Jesus school friends)
12. Love others
Put together a care package for the Door of faith orphanage and look at pictures from mission trip.
(boys took a great interest in this activity. Griff asked how old you have to be "to do dat?")
13. Family fun
Pack your bags for a weekend downtown
14. Family fun
Pick 1 thing that you would like to do today.
Griffin- go to Children's museum
Roman- cook in the kitchen at the Children's museum
15. Family fun
Enjoy a little Louisiana "snow" for breakfast.
16. Love others
Put together a care package for the Ronald McDonald House.
This is to help really sick children and their families.
17. Special time with Mommy
Bake/taste cupcakes
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| This baby ran up to me with his own spoon to taste. I died from the cuteness. |
18. Love your neighbor
Deliver cupcakes to neighbors.
(with a sleigh full of sugar we hit the neighborhood)
19. Family fun
Decorate gingerbread train with MiMi and Pop.
20. Make others smile
Bring Christmas cheer to the assisted living facility in our neighborhood.
(kids had a ball delivering cupcakes and singing Christmas carols)
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| Griffin was our conductor. He prepared the song list and conducted with his pencil. He said that we could use a little more work. |
21. Family fun
Play board games
'
22. Have fun!
Reindeer games with friends
23. Make others smile
Give cupcakes and cards to garbage men and mail carrier.
Added bonus: mail carrier left us a nice Christmas card
and our garbage can has since been placed at our house rather then the curb
(this was Roman's FAVORITE activity. One day he hopes to be a garbage truck guy too)
PS~ it isn't everyday that your trash collectors receive treats from the amazing Spiderman!
24. Family tradition
Read the Cajun night before Christmas with MiMi
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| Added bonus: Papa Noel paid us a visit |
25. Happy birthday Jesus!
The boys really enjoyed this month. I must say that we did too.
I put a lot of time and heart into the month of December.
Some days I wonder if it is worth it? I then catch a glimpse into my children's hearts and know that it is so worth every single second of time invested.
They are worth it!
Here are 2 conversations from last week.
I am just hoping that their kindness will be contagious as they bring it into their schools and in their peer groups.
Shine your lights bright my boys!
** Griffin: "Mommy can we get a gift for Santa?"
Me: "What sort of gift do you think that he would like?"
Griffin: "You can make him a new big red bag."
I love this comment so much. The first thought that crossed his mind was to give to someone else.
That is a win in my book!**
**Last week Roman's teacher told me that he said out of the blue,
"Miss Deb, I love you. I love you because you are a great teacher."
She said that was the most genuine compliment that she has ever received from a 3 year old.**
** I know that we will not be able to continue this forever. Soon enough our evenings will be swallowed by homework and other responsibilities. Until then we Live.Give.Love. to the fullest!**
LOVE these! Seriously, I want to be a member of your family. Or a neighbor. Or a fly on the wall.
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