Shoeboxes

We went last night to church to assemble our boxes for Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan's Purse. I've packed boxes for many years now, but this year was so different. Rosie and I have been talking at great lengths about children in other parts of the world and even right here in our community that don't have the things that they need. As you can imagine, it's quite a conversation to have with a 3 year old... but I think she gets the idea. We spent time shopping for "our kids" a boy and a girl ages 5-9. Rosie decided that the girl would like lip gloss and Carebears and the boy most certainly needed Cars socks and a yellow Hotwheel. I'd offer something I thought might be good to put in the box and Rosie would say, "No, Our Girl doesn't like that." It seemed much more personal this year. We brought all of our items last night to church and put them together in boxes. We wrote "our kids" a note and told them a little about ourselves on a form letter supplied by OCC.

After being prompted, Rosie decided that her favorite color was black.

The note also asked us why we loved Jesus.

Rosie thought for a minute and said, "I don't really love Jesus tonight."

OH GREAT!! I have a hard time even typing those words! I feel like I may get struck with the plague.. or locusts.. or a flood...

Actually, I think My God can handle it :)

(I didn't write that down for "our kids" BTW.)

So we offered our small, small gift to "our kids" somewhere. I prayed for the little hands that would open the box; that these little ones would somehow be safe and warm and that their bellies would be full. I prayed that they would learn to read and write and would live meaningful lives. I prayed that they would find peace through Jesus and love others around them. I prayed that there would be someone in their lives who would relish every giggle and smile and supply plenty of hugs and kisses.

It's no different than the prayers I pray for my own little girls.

If you don't know anything about OCC or Samaritan's Purse, I encourage you to check out their website.

Feasting

Rosie had her Thankgiving Feast at preschool yesterday. I volunteered to be part of the "clean-up crew" but went a little early to snap a few pictures of the pilgrim and her friends.

She's either a pilgrim, or Florence Nightingale...

Irvine Zoo

Nothing beats the Irvine Park as far as the girls and I are concerned. We can visit to the zoo (which charges a $2 admission), ride the train, enjoy the big Oaks and open space, throw some breadcrumbs to the ducks, play at the park, eat at Chik-Fil-A nearby and be home in time for naps. Good day for the Eckert girls.

Guest Blogger

Guest Writer The Daddy

As each season of childhood comes and goes, I value more and more my time with our girls at the swing.

I learn from Rosie and Sadie that children do not really care about environments as much as they care about our attention and love.

Also, children do not concern themselves about how something looks, but more about how things feel.

So here I share a poem, some pictures of “lives fully lived” on our swing.

My Girls on a Swing

by Ronald Eckert

She sees the tree and ocean upside down.

With her blond wisps of hair sweeping fallen leaves or grains of sand she swings like a pendulum.

At sunset a dozen finches fly away.

Calling all who would wonder she giggles with glee. And upward she sails into the sky.

Move over, Versace

You've witnessed Rosie's fashion sense here. She amazed me again with a little ensemble worn to pick lemons from our neighbor, Truman's tree.

Sadie and I don't have the fashion sense that Rosie does, although Sadie did choose to wear this nice little beaded necklace number. Supposedly they're all the rage these days.

Parking Lot

I have repeatedly asked Rosie not to leave her bike behind my car. Today when I went outside, this is what I found...

Can we say passive aggressive? Every mode of transportation that she owns is lined up neatly behind my car! I think it's time for the bikes to "disappear" Love and Logic style. Or, I could just back over all of them. No, I'm too nice.... and also, too cheap.

Pumpkin Spice

It's 90 degrees in November. I have to be honest, I don't love it. I'm still burning my Pumpkin Spice candle, dang it. We had a full weekend of family, costumes, trick or treating, and even a baby shower. I probably ate my weight in mini Almond Joys. Those are my favorite, I know, I'm an anomaly. I discovered something very important a while back: kids will happily part with an Almond Joy or Mounds bar. Ask a small trick or treater to share their hard earned Reeses or Snickers? NEVER! But, an Almond Joy? Mounds? Here, take it.... it's yours! Looking for an even easier exchange? Mounds now comes in a dark chocolate variety. Most kids would rather have the token box of raisins over this one. Done. Like taking candy from a baby... quite literally!

Friday parade and trick or treating in Sierra Madre with the Hunts/Welches

One of the highlights of the morning was when we arrived in Pasadena and Rosie and Lucy discovered that they were wearing MATCHING SHIRTS! They didn't even call each other! Thanks, Jen Rozema, for the fantastic hand me downs :)

It's Curious George time! My original scheme had Ron playing the part of the Man in the Yellow Hat..... it didn't happen.

Sadie gets a lift from Great Papa Welch.

My mom, sister and I hosted a baby shower for our cousin, Suzanne. I misplaced my camera right before the guests arrived.. but, I did get a picture of the adorable cake that my mom had made. Isn't it amazing? It was delicious, too.

On Sunday, we went trick or treating with the Paschalls.

Rosie and Brenner enjoyed the pleasures of the annual sugar rush.

Oh, Great Pumpkin. Where are you?

My sweet little CG.