Love this girl!

So do you all remember my Kimberly Stuart book giveaway from a little while back?  If not, that's okay.  You can click on the word "giveaway" to go back and read the post that I wrote on her.  If you haven't been following her blog, then you missed the video she recently posted.  So funny!  H watched it over and over and over and over until we told her that she had probably watched it enough times for the evening. :)

I'll post her video below, but do make sure that you head over to her blog to read more of her posts!

If you haven't read any of her books, they'd be great to add to your Christmas wish-list!

Operation Christmas Child

Next to our Compassion girl, Lorrany, Operation Christmas Child is my second favorite way to give during the year.  Once a year, the kids get to pack a shoe box for a child in another part of the world.  It is a great lesson in giving, learning about sacrifice, and another opportunity for us to talk about helping those who have less than we do.  This was M's first year to fill a shoe box, so that was even more exciting.

Tomorrow is the final day for us to drop off shoe boxes, so tonight we headed to the store to pick out the perfect things to fill the shoe boxes.  Before we left for the store, J had the kids gather around the computer and they watched several of the videos on the Operations Christmas Child website. One video about filling the shoe boxes, another about the shoe boxes being delivered, and yet another with the VeggieTales. This was a good way to get us all in the mind-set of what we were going to be doing for the next hour or so. The videos always make me cry, even when I'm not pregnant and overly-emotional. :)  The joy on the kids' faces as they open what might be their very first Christmas (or anytime) present...too priceless. Even bigger is knowing that the love of Jesus is being spread through that box.

If you want to fill a box before November 23, and aren't sure where to drop it off, you can type your zip code in here and it will tell you where the closest drop-off location(s) is/are.

We always take our shoe boxes to the store with us so we can see how things will fit.  This year I remembered to grab the sheet describing good things to include and also the list of prohibited things.  The kids had a blast going down the toy aisle of the Dollar Store and picking out all sorts of toys to include.  Then we went to the crayon aisle.  Then the toothbrush/toothpaste aisle.  Then the hairbrush aisle.  Then the sock aisle.  I had stocked up on soap at Walgreens when I could get it for close to free, so we didn't have to stop at the soap aisle tonight.  I also had a couple girls' shirts that I got on after-Christmas clearance last year to include with the girls' boxes.  It was really wonderful to have the shoe boxes on my mind during the year and be able to stock up on some deals as I found them throughout past months.  Our last stop was the candy aisle.  Ring pops, Smarties, and suckers were chosen to include with the boxes.  M was beyond excited to be buying suckers to include with the boxes. :)  She loves suckers.

When we got home, the kids each had their bag from the store and were ready to do the final pack into the boxes.  We took off a few pesky tags, removed the toothpaste from the boxes, and made sure the candy was divided up into three ziploc baggies.

Only one meltdown occurred (child will remain nameless) about a stuffed animal that was hard to part with.  That's where the real learning happened...the lesson of how hard it can be sometimes to give, but that is what we are called to do.  To tie it all together even more, our two bedtime Bible stories tonight were the boy giving his 5 loaves & 2 fish to Jesus and then the story of the widow giving her last two coins to the offering.

We're excited for tomorrow night when there is a special service at church.  The kids will sing and there will be a special time talking about the boxes.  A man from Russia who now lives here and attends a local community college will be speaking about the impact that Operation Christmas Child had on his life.  A friend of mine got to hear him speak at her kids' school this week and wrote about it on her blog.  Then I got an email which included the superintendent's re-telling of what this man shared.  I'm going to include it below because it is powerful and really shows how God works through this ministry.  May your heart be touched.

I was blessed today, and I would like to pass that blessing on to you.

The students brought all of their Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to chapel this morning, and little did we know that we would be blessed beyond measure.

The students generously brought the greatest number of boxes ever, but that wasn't what bought the greatest blessing.

The greatest blessing came in the form of a powerful testimony from a believer in Jesus Christ. Somehow, _____ found a student who had received 5 of these Operation Christmas Child boxes when he lived in a Kazakhstan orphanage. Here is his story (edited a bit by me) --


T –
“I love my country. I like to serve. I like to reach people as much as possible. As a baby, I was left by my parents in the hospital. I grew up in an orphanage for 16 years. It was a challenge. I had good times. I had bad times. I have seen American orphanages, which are a lot nicer than those in my country. We didn’t have a lot of food or a lot of clothes to wear. But, by God’s grace, He sent a Christian to my orphanage in a country which is mostly Muslim. Before I was a Christian, I read the Koran. I prayed five times daily. I was doing a lot of bad things. Islam wasn’t ‘working.’ This Christian who came to me was ‘crazy.’ All Christians are ‘crazy’! I like that. He was so different than us. One time, I saw him doing good things and following Christ. I talked to him. He shared the Gospel with me. He told me Christianity was not about ‘religion’ but about a ‘relationship with Jesus Christ.’”

“I didn’t become a Christian right away. I heard a lot about Jesus and Bible stories. One day, I was thinking about these stories. I became a Christian at 10 years old! I changed. Like this. [He stood in place and slowing rotated 360 degrees in a circle.] God changed my life absolutely. I love that. I understand what Jesus did on the cross. His cross is precious to me. I remember the first Russian Bible I received. I was so hungry. I was so hungry for spiritual things. I wanted to know God more and more. He’s so awesome. I love him.”

“In my country, you cannot read the Bible publicly. I got up a midnight while everyone was sleeping. I went to the bathroom, the best place to read the Bible! I finished all 66 books in the bathroom! It was good times! I loved it! I went to local churches.”

“The coolest thing was that all of my classmates were Muslims, and I started to work with my classmates. Everyone became Christians, because they saw our lives and people so hungry to follow Christ!”

“I am still learning about Christ. It’s a joy. Bible is my addiction. I read it every day. I am so hungry. I share the Gospel. Some think I’m crazy. But I like that. I am not ashamed of the Gospel, the power for those who believe. I love to talk about God. I don’t like to talk about girls and sports and cars. I don’t need that stuff. We are created by Him and for Him. I want to please Him. I want to work for Him. Jesus never bores me. I like to talk about Him.”

“I remember these Christmas boxes. When you care about people in other countries, it’s a joy. I received these boxes 5 times. I opened the boxes and saw those cool things I never had. I had a smile like this. [He smiled broadly and with obvious joy!] I had a smile like this every time I got a box. [Again, he smiled broadly!] It’s good. My classmates had a joy and became Christians through the shoeboxes. You share the best gift of all – Jesus Christ. So, here is the example of the best gift. It’s all about Jesus.”

“This is my statement -- I live to know God, and I am willing to die to make Him known.”

“I am so happy that people care. Acts 20:35 says it is more of a blessing to give than to receive. Thank you for giving and for helping others to know Jesus. You did this not for fun but for other kids to know about Jesus. Thank you for caring and packing these shoeboxes with blessings. I am so thankful. It’s my pleasure to tell you on behalf of everyone who has received one of these shoeboxes. You can see a guy who received these gifts. I look at those boxes. [He turned around and pointed to the multitude of wrapped shoeboxes.] Most of the kids can become Christians because of you.”


Many, many eyes were moistened as a result of the generosity of children and the words of T. His was one of the most unvarnished testimonies for Christ. I wish you could have seen the pure joy on his face and in his voice! Praise Jesus for the ways that he works through such simple acts as the creation of gift boxes for underprivileged children throughout the world!

Yesterday's Quote of the Day

After I picked up H from kindergarten, we went to the mall to meet some friends for lunch. First stop was the bathroom to wash hands, etc.  H looked at me and said, "You need to get some more baby shirts that are more appropriate for your huge belly."

ahem

So I just ate extra waffle fries to make myself (and my apparently huge belly) feel better.  Just kidding.  I didn't eat any more than I usually do. :)  But the peppermint chip shakes were quite tempting.

After finishing our lunch, we went into babyGAP quickly because I wanted to see if a pair of maternity jeans were still there and marked down any more.  (side note: the pair I had seen weren't there any more, but there was another pair that I had tried on before that were marked down to $13.97 and there was an additional 30% off the store today if you used your GAP card...perfect!  Love getting $70 jeans for $10!)  As we walked into the store, H said to me, "Are you going to buy more baby shirts."  Seriously, she must have really thought my outfit yesterday had major issues.

I asked J if this was the fore-shadow to the "Mom, you're embarrassing me by what you're wearing," phase.

What's for dinner tonight? Something yummy!

This recipe originally came from AllRecipes.com...love that site!

I made this about a month ago and J gave it over-the-top, rave reviews.  He talked about it for days.  Not kidding.  The amount of red cooking wine made it a little sharp for me, so just adjust the recipe according to what you like.  Was great served with mashed potatoes and broccoli!

Amazing Pork Tenderloin in the Slow Cooker

Ingredients

1 (2 pound) pork tenderloin  ** The last two tenderloins I have used have been about 1-1/2 lbs. I still used the full amounts of the rest of the ingredients even though the tenderloin was smaller.**
1 (1 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix
1 cup water
3/4 cup red wine
3 tablespoons minced garlic
3 tablespoons soy sauce
freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions
Place pork tenderloin in a slow cooker with the contents of the soup packet. Pour water, wine, and soy sauce over the top, turning the pork to coat. Carefully spread garlic over the pork, leaving as much on top of the roast during cooking as possible. Sprinkle with pepper, cover, and cook on low setting for 4 hours. Serve with cooking liquid on the side as au jus.

Fun stuff

J had scheduled to take this week off after last week being so crazy with activities at work.  It was a great decision on his part!  He & C left for a little dad-son overnight adventure yesterday after C got done with preschool.  It was very cute to see C so excited.  He made a list of everything he wanted to do with Josh.  This was the first time he really wanted to write anything which made me happy.  They will be back sometime this afternoon.  H mentioned several times yesterday afternoon and last night how she missed C.  My favorite comment was "It just doesn't feel like home without daddy & C here."  Precious.

While the boys were gone, the girls & I headed to the mall for lunch with friends.  Always fun.  We did a little shopping and I found Christmas dresses for the girls.  I LOVE them and am very excited that I was able to find them and can cross that off my list!  I also found what I think might be the baby's coming home from the hospital outfit.

I tried M's dress on her at the store.  She burst into tears when she realized that she didn't get to keep it on and had to put her other clothes back on.  "But I want to stay a princess," was her mournful proclamation.

They also had this outfit that I could not resist.  I think it is the cutest thing.

I stood for the longest time looking at the 0-3 month size pants thinking, "They look so tiny/short.  Do I need to get the 3-6 month size?"  They didn't have 3-6 month anyway, but I decided that it has just been too long since we've had a baby at our house and I've forgotten how small new babies really are.

A little monkey had to have her picture taken while I was taking pictures of baby brother's new outfit.

It is breaking my heart to pull out the 3T clothes and have most of them fit M.  She isn't supposed to be that big already.  Plus, H was always such a pip squeak.  I'm certain H wore a lot of the clothes when she was more like 3-1/2, not 2-1/2.  I'll just go ahead and say it again...it just doesn't seem right that M is big enough to wear some of these clothes.  Bittersweet.

Have a great Saturday!

Wow.

I'm still tired (and my sciatic nerve hurts like none other!), but I don't feel as worn down tonight as I was last night.  If you prayed for me, thank you. :)  Today was great.  M had no accidents today (still doesn't tell me when she needs to go, but at least she went every time I took her and didn't go on the carpet!).  C had no aiming issues today.  I heard J say to C at breakfast, "You know the great thing about being boys?  Like when we get to go potty outside?  Well, when we go inside, we have to always make sure to only go in the potty and not spray everywhere.  We always have to pay attention to what we're doing. "  So cute.  It worked for today. :)