Operation Christmas Child

I heard about Operation Christmas Child (OCC) while listening to klove radio station. Basically, you buy small gifts for a boy/girl in a certain age group. Then pack it all in a shoebox and drop it off at one of the locations. I thought it would be fun and a good way to teach Addison about giving. She is two, so with that comes a lot of 'it's mine'. I talked to her before I brought out the toys and said that we were going to pack these little gifts in a box for a little girl her age who doesn't have a lot of toys like she does. I was pleasantly surprised that she didn't try to open or keep any of the gifts, or say it was hers. She kept telling me 'mommy it's for the little girl'. Melt my heart.

Here are the gifts we got for our shoebox. There is a list of ideas and how to pack your box.


Our box all packed with toys, stickers, crayons, hygiene items, hair bows, socks, a flashlight, and of course LOVE! The stuffed animal didn't fit, but they found a place for him too. We also included a picture of us, a note, and a picture Addison drew.


The closest drop off location for us was at Hopevale church. When we got there Addison thought we were actually giving our box to a little girl right then. I explained that this little girl lives far away and that they will mail it to her. I was even able to print a label with a bar code and can track where our box ends up. How cool is that? We both enjoyed doing this and are praying for the little girl who receives theses gifts. We pray that they will bring her joy and also come to learn about and know Jesus.

If you're interested in this project, here is a link for more information.
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/index/

My Big Happy Pumpkin

Addison has a book called My Big Happy Pumpkin, so we used the book as inspiration and teaching while carving our pumpkin.



We wash it and dry it, then cut off the top.

We scoop out the seeds and the pulp and the slop.

We take all the mess and we throw it away - into the trash-that's where it will stay.

We cut out two circles to make giant eyes, and a triangle nose that's just the right size. We carve out a smile and put in a light.

My big happy pumpkin shines in the night.


My pumpkin is happy and I'm happy too. For God picked me out, and he made me like new. He washed all my sins and he threw them away. I show God I love him each time I obey.

I'm God's special child, he made me complete, from the hair on my head to the toes on my feet. I'll try to be good so that others can see God's love and God's light, shining through me.

Out of the mouth of Addison

Mommy: Addison lets __________(insert phrase)

Addison: Okie Gokie Mommy

Addison going to get a drink: I'll be right back......don't touch anything!

Mommy: Ummm, ok.

Addison has four princess dolls and was asking me what all of their names are. She could repeat all of them except when it came to Sleeping Beauty, she said 'Shake your booty'. Poor princess.

We quite often pray for Addison to be a good girl and obey mommy and daddy. We also pray for mommy to be patient and understanding. After saying our blessing at dinner one night, she added 'help mommy's patience'. This was after she had been sent to her room for whining and disobeying.

She is so smart and keeps me on my toes. :)

Funny Things......by Addison

I love my little girl.....she makes me laugh, smile, melts my heart, and even at times makes me want to scream. I am constantly learning how to be patient, understanding, and of course how to communicate with a 2 year old. Here are some things that make me smile. Sometimes it's hard not to laugh even when she's being naughty.

When doing puzzles together, Addison likes to pretend she's teaching me. When I put the puzzle piece in the right spot, she says 'good girl mommy'.

Being two and very sassy, we are working on NOT saying 'no mommy', I make her sit in time out until she says 'yes mommy'. So if she really wants something, she will use all of her polite words. When asking for a movie she said 'please sorry yes mommy'.

She giggles when we sing and dance together.

Warning, this is a potty story, and may not be for everyone. Addison started doing her business on the potty one night, then got down to analyze it and said 'it's a HOT DOG!'

On the weekends, Addison usually wakes me up by coming in the bedroom while I'm still in bed, hands me my glasses, grabs my hand, and says 'get up mommy'.

She occasionally says 'Pssssttt, come here mommy' while motioning with her finger.

She gives her dolls, bears, etc. time outs.

She mocks me by grunting and moaning when getting up off the floor, etc. When I ask if she's making fun of mommy, she laughs. :) Even she thinks I'm getting old. haha

When I gave her something she had asked for, she said 'thank you, your welcome mommy'.

A Year Ago....

My dad had surgery a year ago after being diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma cancer. He had all the lymph nodes under his right arm removed, and some tissue on the back of his shoulder/upper back. He has had a long recovery, and some setbacks (including a seizure), but is doing well now. His last blood tests and CT scanned showed NO cancer in his body!! PRAISE GOD! He is feeling a lot better, continues to do exercises, and has started golfing again. If you know my dad, you know not golfing for a year was like torture. hehe We are SO THANKFUL to have my dad with us today. We didn't know last year what to expect, but put our trust in God. Thank you to all that have prayed for my dad and our family through this trial, we appreciate all of you.

SHE'S TWO!!

Yes, I realize it has been over 5 MONTHS since I've posted anything here. I promise to keep more up to date, but I'm not going to take the time to catch up, just moving forward. What better to start with than my little TWO year old.

Here is what Addison has been up to.

- Sings her ABC's

- Counts to 10 (sometimes higher)

- Started serious potty training

- Sleeping in a big girl (toddler) bed

- Loves Elmo, Dora, Princesses, & Mickey Mouse

- Learning how to pedal her new bike!

- Sings 'Happy Birthday' ALL the time

- Loves to sing and dance

- Enjoys doing puzzles

- Eats better than mommy (I'm very please about this one).

- Favorite cookie is oreos

- Favorite songs are Itsy bitsy spider, twinkle twinkle little star, and of course happy birthday.

- LOVES all kinds of stickers, even price tags

Addison is my biggest joy, I'm so happy I get to be her mommy!