The little things....

In quickly perusing the blogs and sites I read each morning, these two items caught my attention, and I noticed the theme. The little things are truly the big things. I am trying my best to remember that this season.

From The Simple Dollar:
What kind of person are you when no one you know is looking? That’s the person you really are.
“The most genuine acts of kindness are done without fanfare and when no one is looking.”
– Jason Pollock
A kind person gives when there is no ulterior motive or reward.

And from Mt. Hope Chronicles:
"A couple hours after watching this video I drove up to the post office annex and groaned. I had all four kids and the line was all the way to the door. I almost didn't go in (how on earth would I wait that long with an impatient two year old in my arms?), but I had to get my things mailed.
As I got in the back of the line, the gentleman who was second in line walked back to me. "Please take my place in line."
I was in tears as I thanked him.
I almost didn't accept the man's offer (why is it so hard for us to accept someone else's kindness?), but I hope the experience blessed him as much as it blessed us. And it was a great example of kindness to all the other people in line!

Seriously, people. Do you know the power that you have to touch someone's life with seemingly insignificant acts of kindness?

Just twenty minutes later, the boys and I were inspired to pass it on. Our neighbor’s garbage and recycling had blown over in the wind storm and were in the ditch full of water. My boys happened to have their big boots on and in the rain they fished around for all the trash and put the bins back up. I was so proud of the boys and thankful for what the experience could teach them.
Standing in long lines we cannot do. Wet and muddy—that we can.
Go. Do what you can do. Don’t underestimate the transformative power of little things."

A prayer for Connecticut

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Christmas Surprise!

Santa came a little early for Callie today. We surprised her by picking her up early from school. She and Porter are on their way to Houston to see the Gold-Medal US women's soccer team play China. She was confused, worried about missing school, and finally, so excited!

The game is on TV at 7:30pm Central on Fox Soccer. Porter and Callie have front row seats and signs, so we are hoping for some TV time! Look for Callie’s Koala Bear hat!

 

 

Princess Erin

Last night was Porter's cousin Erin's wedding. The girls were thrilled to be included on the invitation, as Erin has done a fair amount of babysitting for them. It was a great night filled with family!

M.E.G.

Madden got to partake in an Austin Christmas tradition last weekend: decorating a tree on Loop 360. The road becomes quite a festive thoroughfare throughout the month of December. Madden, along with Erin and Grace, dubbed their completed tree M.E.G., after themselves. I have yet to meet M.E.G. in person, but look forward to a drive-by soon. If you see M.E.G. while you are out and about, give her a toot-toot!

Gobble, Gobble

Halftime Tribute

I think today was quite possibly the best halftime performance I've ever seen by the University of Texas band. It was a tribute to both our Armed Forces and the late, great Darrell K. Royal. Here are a few snippets I caught, but I found the entire show on YouTube, and it's cleverness is worth the watch.

 

 

Experiencing Art

Madden and I are members of the National Charity League. Her class attended Painting with a Twist and each created their own version of the same painting.

Rachel, Erin, Madden, Quinn, Danielle

1st World Problems

Our youth director shared these two videos. I've asked the girls to watch them, but I find I am the one who needs the reminder more than they do, as they are merely modeling my behavior as their mother. As the holiday season rolls around, I am reminded that we have SO MUCH and will be giving and receiving so much more. How blessed are we?!?! What can or should we do to pass our blessings on to others?

 

Trick or Treat



7th Graders

Minnie Mouse

Katniss Everdeen 1, 2 & 3

5th Graders at the school librarian's house