Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

Yes, Day 5!

Tatum decided she needed her glasses so she could see effectively. Yes, folks, she wants to wear glasses! I was reminded how I used to think braces were cool and I’d put foil on my teeth and pretend. She actually made these glasses by getting rid of the dark lenses.

Ok, on with Day 5:

Donating toys to St. Vincent’s. I love this donation place because they do so much good for kids. Anyway, she thought and thought. I told her we could search her room after school.
She immediately wanted to donate the Joker. (She has all the superheroes in little people form). Joker is not a favorite. I guess that can count as a donation?  How many kids are dying to have this evil villain!?

He’s pretty cute and quite happy, so I’m sure he’ll find a happy home.

When we got home from school, she found a box.

Although she’d go fast if I left her at St. Vincent’s, I told her I would not donate her. Nope Nope Nope! Plus, she’s not a toy although she has quite the playful quality.

We filled her box and are now ready to deliver. It’s going to be a happy day for some little kiddo! He/she will drum and and build to his/her heart’s content.

 

Donating games? That was a hard one because she loves all of her games, but I convinced her that children’s hospitals are filled with just that. Children. And they are children who are sick and need some fun in their lives.

We agreed on the flower building set.

And there was much rejoicing!

And an added bonus. We decorated her tree in her bedroom with these..

Have you seen such silliness?

 Ho Ho Ho!

Well, now it was time to unveil Day 3.

This had a special meaning because we would go onto the Compassion International website and see the needs. We watched a poverty video showing the extreme conditions in many parts of the world. What we decided to do, which seemed to help the spiritual conditions, was to send a few bibles.

They are doing so much to help; from building water wells to building schools. Maybe one day, we’ll get to visit one of these places and do more.

 

We have been going to Sportball for almost two whole years! Well, it was the last class today, and we are so grateful. Tot is now ready for a real soccer team.

To wish them goodbye and thank you, we made them a gingerbread bag, filled it with cookies and a bagel party gift card for the staff.

Coach Stephen and Coach Ryan have been phenomenal with all the kids. Patience is their virtue!

We will miss you, and we wish you the best for a bright future!

Are we having fun yet? Well, perhaps it is fun when you see the person’s face you are serving.

Today, she awoke and ran right over to the 12 day clips. Let’s take a looksie!

Well, this one requires a bit more thinking.

Who can we visit today?

We thought about the lady across the street. She doesn’t come out much so she might be a good fit. The other ladies on the block have dogs, so, according to Tot, they have their doggies to keep them company.

So Jean it is.

Mint stars in a gingerbread house. Merry Christmas!

One of the challenges with the beauty of Christmas for a child is keeping the idea of giving in the forefront.

Yes, we have the pretty decorated trees and sparkly sweaters…

But, I had an idea, thanks to Focus on the Family, of how to bring the idea of serving into the tradition of Christmas.

I thought of 12 ways we could serve others in the next 12 days (until the end of the year)

I hung them on the wall and allowed for her to wait a couple of days to unveil day one.

This Monday morning, she awoke to the excitement of Day 1.

Ok, Tot. Who will you compliment today? On the drive to school, she thought that she’d tell one or a few of her friends something nice. I know the logs were burning in her head.

When I picked her up, we headed to Cheesecake Factory to have lunch with Kelly, Connie, Morgan and Nyla since Connie is in town. Tatum got to enjoy a few gifts from her birthday (since we hadn’t seen them for her b-day)

And this led right into her sharing her compliments with the family. She really enjoyed Morgan! They played and goofed around. “Morgan’s my best buddy!”

 

After all of her compliments were accomplished, she felt proud of herself. She also looks forward to tomorrow! What could it be under that clip!?

In anticipation she sang Noel songs to us before bed.

What passion! What feeling! Go Tot!

Yes, He is to come. He is to come.

May we make the most of this Christmas time,  not only focusing on HIM, but thinking of others as we serve and love.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”

This is something I want to engrave in my brain and instill in Tatum’s. It’s a key to always focusing on how we can do our best because we work for an audience of ONE. If we do this, we will inevitably work to the best of our ability.

I see this in Doug in his work ethic. Especially when things are a bit dicey at work and all seems unstable. He puts his head down, doesn’t grumble, and continues to do his job with his best effort.

I know that when nobody is watching our true character comes out.  If Tatum can see that her best work comes from her heart’s desire to please HIM.

For the new year, I will be reminding myself of this and also sharing this with Tatum at all times.