Failure & Another Try

You probably don't remember my post last year about doing an act of kindness for 37 days as a gift to Jesus for his birthday. And I know you don't remember the follow-up post in which I promised to share about some of said acts of kindness because it never happened. Now, I wish it was only the follow up post that was a failure... but the truth is I did not carry out the challenge. I really struggled to find daily ways to share kindness with non-believers. The fact of the matter is on many days the only people I come in contact with are Jeremy, Grace, Faith, & Titus. And believe me I feel like my whole life is striving to be an act of kindness towards them.

But, I digress. The fact that I failed has really bothered me all year. I really do want my Christmas season to be focused on Jesus. SO.....I am trying again. I have decided to revamp the challenge in order to make it more doable. I am going to do an act of kindness each day towards someone else in Jesus' name. (believers, non-believers, family, friends, etc.) And I have asked Jeremy to join me. Together we brain stormed a list of possibilities which should be helpful on the days when I am struggling to think of an idea.

So here it goes another try!! Please, hold me accountable this time.

Jesus, I really do love you and I know that you know that. I am sorry I gave you such a junky gift last year for your birthday. (I know, I know you don't remember since you already forgave me) But, I'm excited about a new start- let the gift giving commence!

Thanksgiving Activities

The Thursday before Thanksgiving our play group did some Thanksgiving themed activities.

Here Grace is adding feathers to our turkey.
We did a water table with a "gravy" theme. The kids had fun playing in the water with ladels, measuring cups, & even a turkey baster.
We did a thankfulness tree where the kids traced their hand and then wrote something they were thankful for. Grace really got into this one. She made most of the "hands" pictured.
We moved to a bigger room because our group has been growing.
The craft project was making a place setting. The girls loved this and we ended up with at least 4 of them...

Titus gets in on the action playing with our "Mayflower" (a.k.a. Little People Pirate Ship)

Laurie did a GREAT job with the planning! We also had a fun snack mix with different items that taught about Thanksgiving like marsh mellows (snowy winter), goldfish (Indian taught to fish), pretzels (praying hands), Trix (berries), and candy corn (Indians taught to grow corn).

1st Annual Holst Cattle Sale

Thanks to Holst Creative Touch for these pictures!

This November my brother & his wife Erin held their 1st Annual Holst Cattle Sale. For those of you unfamiliar with the cattle business that is a big deal. So our whole family was there to support them. It was a very cold and windy day, so when we got there super early it was pretty empty. I spent most of the morning keeping an eye on the kids while I prayed over and over again that God would prompt every cattle man in the tristate area to come! And he did answer. A good size crowd arrived just in time for the sale and it went great for a first sale. I was so nervous for them and so proud of them all at the same time. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the day.

The auction gets going.
Dad & Cody checking on the cattle.
Even my Mom-o and Grandma came for the sale.
Faith sporting Papa's Sullivan & Son Auction Hat

The girls enjoyed playing with Roxie while we waited.




The Whole Gang

Thanks you God for blessing us with such a amazing family & a great first sale!