Thanksgiving was great. We went to Rick's and had a great lunch. Uncle Alex is into rave/techno music and continued to play it.. surprisingly Hayden LOVED It, asking him for "more and more" after each song would end.. she LOVES to dance and showed off her special moves. It is so stinkin cute. We later went to John's family and had MORE food. It was great to be with family. We are very blessed in this life.
ON a different note, it might sound bah humbug , but i have really begun to have a different outlook on Christmas. Of course we know that "Jesus is the reason for the Season." But let's be honest, Christmas,for most, has turned into a time of giving presents out. I LOVE presents, and I LOVE giving them, but I really love giving and getting them when it is not a "forced" occasion. We all know there are people that you know you have to buy a present for and vice versus, because it would just look thoughtless if you didn't. But when ends up happening is you end up broke, all for the sake of having to give gifts. Is that making sense? I guess I'm just saying, i feel like gifts should come from the heart at a time that one feels compelled to go and get something for someone; not because they have 1 day left until they family gathers and they have to buy something for "aunt Jo" or whomever, to complete the family with presents.
John and I decided this year we really didn't need anything. There is an organization called World Vision (http://www.worldvision.org/). This organization goes into countries who have little resources to food, education and most importantly Jesus. They use this ministrty to teach the communites how to dig for clean water, and how to create crops and food that will last them for long periods. They are creating a new way of life that is helpful and healthy to families. They also help with children's education. All the while this ministry allows Wolrd Visiont to share the Grace Jesus with families and communites. You can actually go online and donate money (in ANY amount, $10 to $5000 if you wanted). the best part is you can actually donate (through a monetary donation) chickens or a child's education. The chickens grow and lay more eggs giving families a long term supply of food. You can donate this stuff in "honor of a family" , i.e. Riley Family. isn't that wonderful! We are truly blessed. Our God has supplied our every need, love, his grace, family, a home, food, and much more.. SHould we not supply that to others instead of spending money on gifts for some people who probably don't need what we gave them? I just picture Hayden as one of these children having no education, only the outfit on her back and looking for food anywhere and everywhere...BREAKS my heart. Anyways, its just my thoughts.
here are some recent pictures.
