Tis' better to give than to receive.......

Of all the things my mother has given me through the years...none is more important a fulfilling as the love for giving. No matter how little you think you may have....there is always a way to give something to others. It may be you can only afford a smile or a hug, but oh how wonderful to give!

Today, as in year's past, Doug went with his company to a economically stricken school here in Austin. These kids don't have a lot to look forward to this Christmas. While I am out searching for the "perfect gift" and trying to find my niece that special Hannah Montana toy, these kids are wondering if the electricity will be on or what they will eat without the school provided meals during holiday break. That is where the giving heart steps in and makes a difference.......

Each child is asked to fill out a "wish list" with the aid of teachers and staff. Those wishes are then placed on a tree at Doug's work for the task of kind folks to go out and touch lives. Big words, I know.....but if you could see how one small Spider-Man action figure rocks a 6 year old boy's world, you would understand.

We try to touch as many kiddo's hearts as we can.....each year we take several children's list and add theirs on to our family list. As we find ourselves dragging and wanting the never ending shopping torture to end, we pull out one of those lists and find ourselves revitalized....reminded of what the true meaning of Christmas and giving is.

This year Kaelan had her school program and Christmas party, so we did not get to go with Doug to deliver the goods to those eagerly awaiting children. It is truly a sight to see the tugger loaded with presents, slowly making its way down the street from Doug's division towards a run-down elementary school surrounded by over a hundred excited little people.....it gives me goose-bumps.

I am so proud of my awesome husband and his company for doing something so special and meaningful. The funny thing is......Doug came home today feeling like he received so much more than he gave......strange how that works.

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

-Winston Churchill

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Something white fell from the sky....

Kaelan: Oh my goodness gracious, Mama. Did you see what is outside?

Mom: What do you see out there?

Kaelan: Oh man, a bunch of birds came and pooed on my playhouse last night.

Poor little flat land child.....she doesn't know snow when she sees it.

Wordless Wednesday (On Thursday...oops)

Snug as a Bug....

Seriously, are they ever too big to swaddle??

Wordless Wednesday

What not to wear....

Have you ever seen that section of Glamour magazine called "Fashion Do's and Don'ts"? It's such a great little page that basically has pictures of everyday people in their everyday environment and seemingly, their photos are taken without their knowledge. The idea is to catch people, many times without a clue as to their offense.....committing a "fashion crime". The funny part is that if the person is considered a "Fashion Do", their picture is posted in all its glory with the person often looking like a supermodel fresh off the runway. If you are unlucky enough to be caught in a "Fashion Don't" attire, well.....you are not so lucky. Oh, don't worry....the magazine will do everything in its power to protect your anonymity.....really, people will not recognize you with that tiny little black strip over your face...don't worry. I will share a few of my favorites......

I agree....this is a don't.

And this one....if you know him/her....you really need to plan an intervention.

Sometimes Glamour is kind enough to not show the faces at all, but if you happen to know these people, you probably will recognize them from any angle.....I mean who could forget a friend wearing this little number?

My point in all of this is....well, there is no REAL point. I just wanted you to see that I too have an expert eye and with my finger always on the pulse in fashion (you buying all this?)....I wanted to share some recent fashion disasters and delights I discovered in MY everyday world.

Fashion DON'T #1

Don't pair a size 3T yoga pant with a size 24 month Dora shirt....unless you are fond of the beer gut look.

Fashion DON'T #2

I know to the untrained eye this does not look like a huge no-no....but I will explain. Don't have a pee-pee accident in a public place because you never know what very outdated clothes your mom will pull out of her bag to change you in to. The pants are actually from a teddy bear...seriously...I stole them off a build a bear thing, they are like size XXXXS. No socks, and a 2T shirt with raisins and other bottom of the bag treasures stuck to it....so this is not just a fashion message, but also a social message....don't pee in the play scape at Chick-Fil-A...your style will suffer.

Fashion Don't #3

I just don't have anything to say about this one.....

Fashion Don't #4

Flip-flops and socks.....no, no, no.

Fashion Don't #5

Don't do summer dresses with winter underclothes...and leave the dance accessories at dance class.

Stayed tuned......a feel certain that more fashion flops are in the near future.