Early Christmas Gifts

Santa came a little early this year...well, at least for Kaylani!  Lily doesn't have a clue about what's going on now, she's only one!  Abri and Garrison are eight and ten, so they're over the whole Santa deal now!  But Kaylani believes he's Jesus' good helper that gives presents to all the kids for Jesus' birthday!  That works for me!  But, I'm thinking a good movie will help ingrain some truth!  Any ideas?  She believes everything she watches, and you know how little ones can watch movies over and over again!  So I'm on the lookout for a good little movie that will help her understand the real story of Christmas.  She's three, so because she's "seen" Santa, he's real to her... just like Mickey Mouse or Chuck E. Cheese!  Ha!  But it's important that she know why Santa comes and gives presents...the real reason we celebrate Christmas. 

So, back to Christmas' early debut...

We received a little package in the mail from our good friends Mary and Jeff and their two little ones, Emmy and Grant.  It contained gifts for all four of our kids.  How very sweet!  They looked so pretty tied up with satin ribbons!

I am always so amazed by Mary!  She's always early or on time, she's got exceptional organizational skills, and she's pretty stinkin' crafty, too!!!  She's a neat gal!  I'm very thankful for her and her family.  My husband and Mary's brother were friends growing up, and they pretty much grew up together.  This family kind of became his surrogate family (ha!), and he tells me all the time how thankful he is that God put them in his life.  Their influence really helped to shape him into the man he is today!  He recently shared with me one of his favorite scriptures: "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)  I'm so thankful that God's plans for us are "good," and that he provides us with so many opportunities so that we can have that wonderful "future" and the "hope" that he's promised! 

Here are a few photos of the kids with their gifts.  They really enjoyed receiving early Christmas gifts, and Emmy ;) did a great job picking out something that each of them really liked!  Thank you, Emmy, for helping Santa out this year!  We love you guys!

Abri loves her "girly" stuff!

Garrison loves any type of game!

Kaylani with her Baby Bear!

Lily loves babies!!!

The kids loved their gifts, and they were all playing so nicely!

Until...

Lily spotted Kaylani's bear!

"Oh no!"

"Uh oh, here she comes!"

"No, it's MINE!!!"

"But...I want it!"

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!"

At this point Daddy almost rushed out to Target to see if he could find Lily a bear just like Kaylani's.  Sweet Daddy!!!  But, Abri reminded Lily of her little baby again...

"What...my baby?  Well, I'm still not too happy about this!"

"Oh yeah...thanks, Big Sister!"

And they all lived happily ever after!

THE END