Gift #261- Meals delivered to my door from very sweet friends

I think that Macy must have told her piano teacher (who is also our chaplains wife) that I had been a little tired lately and that she had to eat ramen two times last week for dinner.  She also knew that Hank was away and, I guess,  thought that I could use a little help.  She got busy and asked some ladies from the church to make a few meals.  We have had three home-cooked meals from sweet ladies in our church over the last week.  One of the ladies asked me if I had any cravings.  I told her Chick-fil-a!  So on top of the authentic Filipino meal that she made for us, she tried to recreate a Chick-fil-a Sandwich!  It was delicious.  When Rebecca (the organizer) told me that some of the church ladies would be bringing meals, my first instinct was to say "no-thank you".  But Rebecca (the organizer) wouldn't hear of it.  So instead I have just said a very sincere and heartfelt "thank you".  Such kindness is so overwhelming and is such a gift.

Gift #260- An After-School Surprise

Check out the fun Easter surprise that the kids will find after school.  They will be so excited!  Tony Hawk and Hello Kitty T-shirts, Nerds, Peeps, Jelly Beans, and Reese's!  Does it get any better?  I think not!  Even better than the gifts themselves is being thought of!  Thank you Mimi for thinking of us.  Thanks for remembering your son's love for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and sending two bags!  We will do our best to follow your instructions in the card to "please share".   Since you know that I am having some cravings, you were probably talking to me huh?  :)  Thanks again.  The kids will be in heaven when they get home today!

Gift #259- My Karate Kid

Just when I thought this little girl couldn't get any cuter- she puts on a karate belt and does it again!

Gift #258- Finding the Perfect Match

Sorry Ladies.  As of today, my brother Pat, is officially off the market.  He tied the knot this morning.  He is now the Mr. in Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Randall.  Congratulations Pat and Jennifer.  May God bless you as you begin your wonderful new life together as a family!

Gift #257- My Birthday Boy Nephews

Happy 4th Birthday Little Tyler and 7th Birthday Big Noah!  We love you so much and miss you so much!  The two of you are such amazing and perfect gifts! 

Gift #256- A Cuddly Kid

One is never lonely if they have a Sam!

Gift #255- Having my very own Yard Guy!

Gift #254- My Little Slugger

Jack got into a little altercation at school today.  Actually he just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.  The kid next to him at the lunch table did not want to share his skittles with a kid across the table.  The kid across the table got mad.  Jack noticed that the principal was approaching and told the mad kid to calm down.  The kid didn't like Jack telling him what to do and decked him right between the eyes!  The principal sent Jack to the nurse and the kid to the office!

So Jack getting punched in the face is clearly not a gift.  But his calm reactions and his kind demeanor have always been two of Jack's most admirable qualities.  He is such a great kid and I am so proud of him.  So while it might be a stretch to count this occurrence as one of my 1000 gifts, it is not a stretch to  count Jack and his kindness as one.

PS-  Jack is just fine.  Just a little red mark.  He said that now he can say that he got punched in the face and that it didn't hurt!

Gift #253- Crazy Hair Night

Tonight is crazy hair night at Awana.  Macy didn't want to go at first.  She gets embarrassed easily.  But after we gave her some pigtails and put a few bows in her hair, she warmed up.  She kept adding more and more bows and then stuck in some pencils and paintbrushes.  Sam, on the other hand, does not get embarrassed easily.  He asked for a pink and green mohawk.  We just went with a plain blonde mohawk for church.  He was a bit disappointed but didn't complain too much.  I love that these two are such good friends (most of the time).

Gift #252- A Dad Who Goes to School and Has Lunch With His Little Girl Because He Can Not Bear the Thought of Her Sitting Alone at the Lunch Table.

(See Gift #251)

Gift #251- L(ing)OL

The topics of the books that I have been reading lately have been way too heavy!  I decided to take a break.  I am currently reading a book called Sparkly Green Earrings: Catching the Light at Every Turn. It is a refreshingly hilarious book about motherhood.  I have been reading it at night in bed.  I am sure that Hank is a little tired of hearing the chuckles as he tries to sleep.  A few nights ago, he finally asked me what was so funny.  I read to him a section of the book about how much more fun it is to travel with  your girlfriends and your kids rather than your husbands and your kids.  I think that it hurt his feelings a little bit as he tried to defend husbands all over the world.  He said "it does not hurt my feelings because I have no feelings." I know that this is not true as he went and had lunch with Macy yesterday because her very best little friend was mad at her (for wanting to build a pyramid out of Legos instead of a box) and he could not bear the thought of Macy sitting alone at the lunch table.  Oh yes.  Hank has feelings.  But I am totally off subject.  I wanted to share one funny excerpt from the book that made me laugh out loud.  Laughing out loud is such a gift.

"there is really no better indicator you're a mother than acquiring the ability to catch throw-up in a plastic bag, disinfect your hands, and immediately ask your friend to pass the beef jerky as you put on another Taylor Swift song and act as if nothing has happened.  It is a unique skill set."