Well we have been busy making Merry - today is the youngest daughter's Christmas program at school. This time of year is so much fun, but it can be a very stressful time of year as well. Our family has started trying to fill a manger with little strips of yellow paper - our "hay" that is written on it the nice things that we do for other people. Everyone seems to be really enjoying this - I am telling you this is a great challenge for Adults!!! It gets you thinking who am I making an impact on today besides the people I live with. (which should be receiving your blessings every day) This has been so wonderful to do -it is a must at least for me each year!

I have had to work hard to come up with nice things to "do" for other people that does not just include "buying" them things. The kids are much better at it than me. You should ready their straw - a sample of them include some of the following (between all 3 of them)

* said please and thank-you all day long

* I helped a lady reach a movie off of a shelf in the store

*carried fire wood inside

*cleaned out the van for mom

*used nice words to everyone

*gave someone a bible

*helped my sister

wow! I am loving the kindness, and the selflessness this activity is producing in our household, and in my kids and my heart! Well this is my update - I will post more later on today. Hope everyone is having a blessed Christmas season!

Away in a manger

Do you like my zebra printed "manger"? Well my girls were very excited last night to receive them! We also gave each girl an envelope filled with yellow strips of paper a.k.a. hay - that they can use to fill their manger when they have done something nice for someone they can write it down on the paper strips/hay and add it to the manger bed to help prepare their hearts for Christmas, and to help combat the case of the "gimmes me!"

Mom and Dad got one to, even though ours are not zebra stripe. I have been thinking all day what I can do for others during this holiday season as a stay at home mom I will most definitely have to be creative and go out of my ways some days in order to do some of the nice things I have been thinking about.

I am looking forward to tucking my girls in bed at night and seeing what kind things they did for others that day. The only rule is that you have to spread your kind deeds around - it can't be just for your best friend or your mom and dad (same with me and Brent, it can't be just for each other or our kids only). This is going to be a fun activity - one that gets us thinking about doing for others. It is amazing how when you purpose your heart and mind to do something for others, that the time to do so just opens up!

What are you doing for others this holiday season? Do you have a favorite thing to do for others? Do you like to do your acts of kindness where the receiver knows it is from you or do you prefer to do it secretly? I think I am going to try it both ways this month, and I will report back which way was the most fun. I am also brainstorming what sweet out of the ordinary thing I can do for each of my children and husband. I hope you are looking at your calendars today on the last day of November and are making your plans for your December! Remember there is no such woman as "Wonder Woman" you can not do it all (yes, it is true) so remember to fill your time with doing the "BEST" things, not just good things!