Something for nothing

A co-worker told me the sweetest story today. And experience he had just last weekend that not only changed him I am sure, but it changed me as well.

 He played Santa for a photo shoot for his wife and decided to keep the suit on as they went downtown to do other family activities. The walked into the Jospeh Smith Memorial Bldg. RIGHT as the choir performing carols sang, "Here comes Santa Claus".  He was just supposed to be there at that time. That's just how miracles work.

He was BOMBARDED by children all wanting pics, and hugs and to hear Santa listen to the wish of their hearts. He took the time to meet with each and every one that wanted to see "Santa". He told me about one boy in particluar, Logan who is battling lukemia. When asked what he wanted for Christmas Logan said, "I just want to feel better". We both teared up as he told the story to me.
Most of the time we do "something for something". This is the time of year we should do "something for nothing". What amazing people I am surrounded by. Bless you Logan, and may your Christmas wish come true...

Obligatory 2013 pic with Santa? CHECK!!

At work, CHG Healthcare Services we recently had a "Come see Santa" morning and it was SO fun! We decorated ornaments, saw Santa, got a pic with him and then had hot chocolate and took goodie bags filled with fruit and YUMMY muffins.

The girls loved it and I was SO happy to get the pic with Santa- the girls got to pick the background they wanted and then sent us home with the print in a card. AWESOME!

Cute Miss Ella with her beanie (LOVE her in that thing!)

And our Sofia Hope...She is getting so GROWN UP!!

 

More fun paying it forward pics

Found a few more of our "Paying it forward" adventure. It seriously was SO fun. Now Sofia asks EVERY time we are in line at the store, or going through the drive thru- MOM- can we pay for the person behind us? Its still December. We have to pay it forward. I love it.

 

This is the Medical center that is right across the street from my office where we go.

Just one of our lucky recipients of a HUGE coloring book and crayons to keep her busy in the waiting room.
 

 

 I was so impressed that the parents were SO happy to get gifts for their kids.

This was the little boy who captured our hearts that day. Here I am giving him his football

And THIS is my face watching him hug that ball and seeing his face light up. Yep. THAT is what seeing how happy he was did to me!

 

And when we were all done...Yes. It was a breakfas club type of moment...Minus the detention on a Saturday. Still felt great though. Mission accomplished! OH YEAH!

Paying it forward

As part of our Christmas work party here at CompHealth- we were let loose to do a random act of kindess with $20 bucks and a dream! My group headed to the Dollar Store and went to my family's Doctor's office and handed out toys to the kids in the waiting room. Thier faces were PRICELESS!! There was one little boy in particular that we were talking about for the rest of the day. His face literally came to life when I handed him a foam football. It was A DOLLAR and by the look on his face, you would have thought I just handed him THE winning ticket. I was also really impressed by the parents and them being willing to LET us do our random act of kindness. People will surprise you sometimes...if we give them the chance to.
Pay it forward this holiday...I have not been able to stop smiling since we got back.

Here is a pic of all the loot we were able to pick up!

We GOT THIS!!

This was one of my co-workers Rustin trying to get a peek over our HUGE bag of toys!

 

Say CHEESE! It was FREEZING, but were still a smilin!

We hit the "DOLLAR STORE MECCA!" There was A Family Dollar AND a Dollar Tree all in the same parking lot!

 

The girls and I have also had the tradition of paying for the car behind us when we are at McDonalds or another fast food joint. They will literally SQUEEL and plaster themselves with thier hands on the back window to see the reaction of the people behind us as we drive away. I LOVE it. The giggles and smiles of the girls is WELL worth it.

What do YOU do to pay it forward?

 

Family Pics-December 2013

I am positive I have forever scarred my family for life and that the latest picture taking adventure will be mentioned EVERY time we have cold weather from here on out...I am glad we got a few good ones in the 25 minutes we took to get some pictures taken.

 

It was about 12 degrees when we took these, and we were taking our coats off- throwing to the side, snaping a pic and then putting them back on quickly. It was a production. And once we even had to go back inside to get warm before we went back out. Then do our best to hold our breath so you wouldnt see the "mist" coming from our breath! Sigh.

But these are some of my faves.

 

Ways we can show thanks!

During sharing time at church my friend Nikki was asking how you can tell someone or show thanks- Especially when someone gives you something. Our cute little Ella raised her hand and said

"You can say it in Russian" Sigh. She really does have the sweetest spirit.

Da, Da, Da, Si, Si, Si, Yes, Yes Yes

Artyom is really good at only speaking with the girls in Russian. I know it is frustrating for them at times, and they often get upset when they do not understand a word, but were keeping up on it. Sofia is also doing the dual immersion program at school with Spanish and I have been AMAZED at how much these kids are learning.

 

So last night at the dinner table, Artyom was talking to Sofia in Russian and she was doing her best to answer. Then Ella started singing (shocker I know) Feliz Navidad in the background and I was singing with her. I happened to look at Sof when Artyom asked her a quesiton and all the sudden she caught herself answering back in Spanish. The look on her face when he heard herself answering back in Spanish was PRICELESS. She just started cracking up laughing and did'nt stop for a good 2 minutes.

 

It was awesome.