On Giving

Today is one of my most favorite holidays. I love the hustle and bustle, being surrounded by family, and the magic of Christmas just around the corner.

Normally, I host a Thanksgiving dinner to my large family, but this year we get to be the guests.  It's been 11 years since I've been in Fallbrook for a holiday and I feel truly blessed to be here.  All of the cousins are together now and they are running around with joy and excitement.

There is SO much to be thankful for.

On the crazy long road trip from Washington to California, I asked Jarrett what he was thankful for.  His answer, "giving".

I tried to tell him thanks "giving" is the name of the holiday, but what are YOU thankful  for.

"Giving".

(Silence on my part as I saw his wheels turning)

"You know, we gave food to the people who didn't have any.  And we gave our money to the orphans so they can have a house. It's GIVING"

Yes it is giving.

And I'm thankful he understands giving.

As a mom, you are always trying to teach life lessons.  Sharing.  Caring for others.  Manners.

Now, without even realizing it, he learned giving.  And he's thankful for it.  That he can give.  That is a lesson most adults need to understand.  I think the world would be a better place if more of us really learned giving.

I am truly blessed.

And thankful.


I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, (Philippians 1:3, 4 NKJV)

Happy Thanksgiving, from my family to yours.

With love, 

Mommy Tam-Tam

Birthdays......

This week has been a little emotional for me.  It was a week filled with birthdays.

I turned 40. (and that's enough said about that!)
My baby turned 5.

It seems like it was just yesterday when he was born and I was calling him my "baby burrito" as I swaddled him up and kissed his face.

But today, he is no longer baby or even toddler.  He is five.  And that is big.

This morning, instead of me going into his room and singing him "Happy Birthday" to wake him up, I hear him crawling out of bed then coming to my room, "Mom, I'm up!"

I have him cuddle up with me and I sing to him.  "Thanks, Mom" I hear.  In an all too grown up voice.

Sigh - where is my little boy?

We rush in to measure him on his growth chart - bigger by a few inches since last time.

Those few inches are a now just memories of a boy growing from preschooler to 5.

5.

Today was his party.  But first, it was card and presents from mommy and daddy - in our jammies.  Tradition.

I just love this smile as he got a peek of the present and is too excited to open it.

 

This afternoon was his party.  A cardboard car parade and drive-in theater.

I know this was for the kids, but we had so much fun.  The parents designed the cars and they really did an impressive job.

We loved Jarrett's car.

Pink Cars came.  Silver Cars came.  Cars with backseats came.  Professionally Engineered Cars came.  It was amazing!

Then it was time for the parade.

13 little cardboard cars marched through our neighborhood.  Parents cheered!  Smiles were abundant.  Paparazzi moms filled the street.  It was priceless.

Of course, with any car show, trophies should be won.

Next was lights out, cars were parked and a viewing of "The Gruffalo" ensued.  (If you haven't ever seen this movie, you should.  You won't be disappointed.)  Popcorn and candy were everywhere.  But what's a movie without a theater snack bar.

Cupcakes, birthday songs, and many more things filled our day.

Happy Birthday 5 Year Old.
I'm so proud of the young man you are becoming.
Your humor makes me laugh
Your smiles melt my heart
Your hugs send me to the moon...and back.
I love you, son.
May all your wishes and dreams come true!

Love,
Mommy
(Mommy Tam-Tam)

A Good Neighbor

In our devotional tonight, we read about the Good Samaritan.  Here is the passage we read in Luke 10 (out of the Message).

²⁹ Looking for a loophole, he asked, “And just how would you define ‘neighbor’?”^30-32 Jesus answered by telling a story. “There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.^33-35 “A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I’ll pay you on my way back.’³⁶ “What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?”³⁷ “The one who treated him kindly,” the religion scholar responded.Jesus said, “Go and do the same.”

After we talked about how we could be good neighbors to people on our block, in our school, and around the world.  The "around the world" part was such a good discussion.  We pulled down our globe, spun it over and over to see where our finger would land and who we could pray for.  We prayed for China, South America, Virginia (I think he got this a little confused with "Teacher Virginia") and Madagascar (after the chuckles subsided he was finally able to pray for Madagascar).

But then we talked about how we can really help people that we never met and be a good neighbor to them.   Immediately, Jarrett brought up the orphans.

You see, our church is raising funds to build an orphanage in Indonesia.  We have been raising money for quite some time.  In the foyer of our church, we have a thermometer chart showing how much is raised.  Jarrett is very interested in that chart and knowing that we are getting close to having enough money to build the orphanage.  While we doesn't have a real grasp on the value of money, he does see the progress we've made and that we are close.  In fact, just a few weeks ago he told me that we only have a few more "inches" then we can buy their house.

So I asked him how he can be a good neighbor to those orphans all the way around the world.  His response, "saving money to give them so they can buy a house".   He may not be able to be there to play with them and share toys like he can with his neighbors on our block, but he understands that he is their neighbor when he treats them kindly, just as Jesus said to do.

I love that no matter how young or old we are, God makes His Word clear to us.

Now....

"Go and do the same.”

with love,
Tammy