Paper vs. Plastic

(I finally got the pictures added but this post was written a few weeks ago.)  We had a fun day last Friday.  To tell you how it started, I have to go back to the week after Christmas.  We were at a friends party when one of my neighbors told me that she saw Macy's picture on their paper bags.  I was confused at what she was saying.  I had no idea that Macy had entered a contest at school for Harmon's Grocery Store.  I went home and asked her if she had won a contest for Harmon's.  She said she didn't know if she won and that it was probably one of the other Macy's at the school.  A few days later, we managed to get over there and low and behold, there it was with her name on it.  M gave the silly stern, trying not to smile grin. So her.  I could tell she was so excited to have won.
They got back to school, and a few of the other kids had seen it and were so excited for her.  The class of the person who won got to have an ice cream party provided by Harmon's.  So on Wednesday I got a call from her teacher that Harmon's would be here to present her the award and the party.  On Friday we came to the school and before we walked in, I asked the presenters a little about the contest.  They do four contests a year and the different stores take turns hosting the contest.  This was Farmington's first contest since they have been open for this.   The schools around it then submit their entries.  At their school, they did it in their art class and the children got to draw a picture.  The rules were that they could only use three colors and the lettering had to be so big.

Macy with her teacher and the Harmon's representative.

 The kids thought Claire and Ellie were so cute!

 We had to get some too!

 Grandpa got to come and enjoy the festivities.

 The kiddos were super excited for the ice cream party!

 Macy, holding back her excitement. 

 Macy with her teacher, Art teacher, and Harmon's reps.

It was a special day for her and she had a fun time being the center of attention for a few minutes.  They presented her with this framed picture of her bag and a twenty five dollar gift certificate to Harmon's.  The kids then got an ice cream sunday party and cookies.  It was a fun day!  Now when you go to Harmon's opt for paper vs. plastic and take a look at her Winter Wonderland!

The Gifts

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year.  I am amazed every year when I see miracles happen.  We too have been extremely blessed when it comes to others.  Usually anonymous.  When my daughter was four we were sailing along in life.  Things were going well.  My daughter taught me a great lesson that year.  She saw a need and came to me with that piggy bank and asked if we could go take it to someones doorstep and leave it for them.  It couldn't have been more than ten dollars but it taught me a valuable lesson of selflessness.  For all she new it was a hundred to her.  But she felt that this other family needed it more.  Than fast forward to the Christmas of 2009.  We had spent a week in the hospital for an illness that most people do o.k. with, but for Ellie and her weak heart, I watched her struggle for every breath and wondered if this was how it would end.  We left the hospital exhausted and beaten.  I could care less if Christmas happened.  In fact, I was hoping it would just go away.  With M and A being seven and five they just wouldn't let me forget. As Christmas neared I was fearful of what Christmas would bring.  We had spent the summer coming up and down from St. George and the bills were piling up.  It was amazing how fast your life savings can disappear when life decides to take a hit or two or three.  Then came a knock on the door.  There was a jar of money on the front porch, then another knock and another.  I was amazed at all the anonymous gifts that helped us that year.  We ended up having a wonderful Christmas after all and it helped to pay some pressing bills at the time.  It changed my attitude around and made me so grateful for the people in this world.  It was amazing to know that they thought of our little family.  We were blessed and would like to Thank those that so selfishly gave when they could have kept that money for something great.  We only hope to pay it forward someday.  Even if it is ten dollars in a little piggy bank.  It makes me want to serve others any way I can.

So I am jumping around a little bit.  In 2007 we received an amazing gift from God.  It was our little girl Eve.  She was not meant for this earthly life and was too perfect to stay.  We got to hold her for a few hours and gave her a name and took molds of her hands and feet.  I felt the angels that day comforting us as they took her home. That Christmas a Family that had chosen a family to do a sub for Santa every Christmas had heard of our sweet Eve.  They decided that year the family would be ours.  And instead of presents, they would give the gift of a Grave Marker for our little girl.  Every time we went to her place, the grass was fainter and fainter and soon blended in as if the grass no longer had been disturbed.  I cannot tell you how much that gift meant to us!  It gave her a place we could go to and for us was a priceless gift.  I know they never saw our eyes light up and the little ones jump for joy but I hope they know how much that gift meant to us.  I think about that selfless love a lot.  She has a place that would have taken a while for us to come up with and helped in the healing process to not worry about how and when we get her marker.  I feel heartache when I see a new grave.  I want everyone to have that same opportunity that we have.
We still see random acts of kindness from those we know and those that remain anonymous.  We loved going to California this year and could not have done that trip with out those loved ones who helped us get there.  We love you and are indebted to you.  Sorry for rambling, but I desperately want those that have thought of our family in thoughts and prayers have a special place in our hearts.