I'm trying to set a record

I don't think I have ever posted three times in one day (many of you may be thinking--she doesn't even post three times in a month), but I almost forgot!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTIN!!!!!!!!

We love our Auntie so much. We'll be thinking of you as we devour a box of mini-donuts. Hope you are having a SPECTACULAR day!

She's alive and kicking

I just read my post, and I thought that the comment about my mom's example of service made her sound like she was dead or something. Perish the thought! She is alive and kicking, to our great delight. And we hope to report the same for MANY years to come.

(Maybe I am just paranoid, and none of you thought that my comment sounded like an obituary. Just wanted to make sure we were all on the same page!) :)

FIRST SNOW!!!

I just love a first snow. Actually, I love any snow. Having spent almost all of my formative years in sunny California (and many more after), I get so excited about the white stuff. And my children do not fall far from the tree. Today was a grey, wet day until at about 5:30 tonight when I hear, "MOM, IT'S SNOWING!!!!" All three of my children who walk were running around the front room, screaming in delight. I joined them in their enthusiasm. Yet, the practical mother inside me said, It is too cold for them to go outside. Besides, it will be dark in a little while. I have to find their winter clothes in the garage. We'll wait for another day to play in the snow. Then, BAM! The kid in me woke up. It is the first snowfall, you stick-in-the-mud Mom. Let them play!! I am happy to say that I listened to the aforementioned kid, and I let my kids loose in the yard with promises of chicken noodle soup and cocoa when they were done. Oh, how I LOVE snow. I am glad I let them experience it, too. They were making snow monsters and chasing each other around the yard. Next time I'll be out there with them, with Sarah in tow.

On another note, I have been thinking a lot about service today. My mother was a tireless example of service to all those around her. I want to set the same example for my children. Does anyone have any good ideas about serving with a family of small children? I want my kids to know that, even if they think they are deprived of many things, they don't know the first thing about real deprivation. I don't want them to be depressed, mind you, I just want them to experience how other people live and to be grateful for the opportunities to share with others instead of always thinking of ourselves. OK, that was a really long-winded way to say--Any ideas for serving with a young family?