Operation Christmas Child

**As an update to our diy-a-thon, we have finished most of our bedroom projects. Today starts laundry room projects with electrical. Things haven't moved as quickly as we had planned, they never do, but we are happy with the progress so far and not too far off track.

Our church was participating in Samaritan's Purse's Operation Christmas Child. This ministry receives packed shoeboxes full of toys, toiletries, and other fun items for needy boys and girls around the world. As a family we packed a shoebox for a little boy who was roughly Derek's age. The kids and I went to the store and picked out presents that this little boy would like. There are no pictures because wrestling 2 kids through the toy aisle was enough of a workout.

The night we packed our shoebox, Derek put in the shoe box all the goodies from the store.

And since I forgot to include the shipping costs and tape on the label, I did it the Saturday night before we needed to turn them in at church. :-) What? You thought I had it together? Ha!

This was from a friend's Facebook post showing all the boxes on stage this past Sunday. Some of the rows are even double stacked! I am so glad that we are able to be a blessing and show the love of Christ to kids around the world.

Reading Time

Currently we are working on various house projects during our DIY-a-thon. We will update with all kinds of projects that we have done once we finish them all. :-) In the meantime, you can enjoy so pictures of our kids doing what they do best.

Brooke enjoying some quiet time reading a few books. I am so thankful our kids like to "read" by themselves as well as have stories read to them.

Zephaniah 3:17

Bedroom Updates

Since Chris had some extra time he needed to take off for work, so he decided to take several days off and I decided to fill it with projects. :-) And yes, the project plan has time allotted for golf.

So, before we decided that the master bedroom projects made the DIY-a-thon, we decided to hang some pictures that we driving me nuts sitting in a pile on the bookcase. So, without further ado...the picture collage and the cutest little helper.

And also before pictures, because like I mentioned we will be working on the master bedroom doing some painting and such so this is more to a baseline for before and after photos.

Family Time

We decided to make a quick trip to the mall at Short Pump. Both kids really enjoyed playing in the train station while waiting for the train to arrive. They both LOVE the train! Once the train arrived, Megan took took the kids for a ride and they had a blast.

Thankful Board

We have made a conscious effort with the kids during the month of November to talk about things that we are thankful for. I've seen friends post daily on Facebook about things they are thankful for and while that's great we have been working on it as a family. During our family meal, whether it is breakfast or dinner depending on Chris' schedule, we talk about things we are thankful for and write them down.

Last year, I made this thankful board out of a piece of foam board, some little coin envelopes, and some left over scrapbook paper. 

Last night when I asked Derek what he was thankful for he told me "Gee-Gee and her Chick-o-lay nuggets". Well, I know what they had for lunch at Mimi's house yesterday. :-)

At the end of the month we will go through and read them together, but I may leave them in the pockets to read next November.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

You don't have to be around Derek long to know that he loves planes, trains, and automobiles. He loves this busy book that Gee-Gee got him for his birthday with little Thomas trains and Harold the helicopter. He also has a Cars2 busy books as well that he loves to play with as well. They usually comes out during Brooke's nap since it has little pieces.