Sharing God's Love One Shoe Box at a Time

This year, the most precious Christmas gifts were for six little children in need of hope. Operation Christmas Child provides millions of shoe boxes, packed with toys and toiletries, to children in need all over the world.  Children also receive a booklet, in their language, telling them about the greatest gift of all, Jesus! We chose to pack six shoe boxes for children ages 2-4, three girls and three boys. Caleb helped with every step of the process. He even gave up three of his dinosaurs, one for each of the little boys. When we were done shopping, Caleb continued to see things that he wanted the little boys and girls to have. He grew quite fond of the teddy bears, but with tears in his eyes, he was able to give every last one away. Our shoe boxes were tagged with bar codes so they could be tracked to their final destinations. Yesterday, we learned our boxes made it all the way to Mongolia! I pray their lives will be forever changed, not by the items in the boxes, but through Jesus!

Sorting the gifts

Packing the boy boxes

Giving of his own dinosaurs

Packing the girl boxes

Saying goodbye to the last teddy bear

Brokenhearted after saying goodbye to the last teddy bear

Packing complete

Tracking our packages

Dropping off our shoe boxes

Halloween Fun 2012

Halloween was a week long event this year! It included a surprise package, pumpkin carving and trunk or treat! The surprise package, or 'Halloween in a Box' as we called it, included everything needed to have a Halloween party. Papa Dave and Grandma Sandy went all out with this one! The box was overflowing with candy, doughnuts, cider, activities, decorations and even a little pumpkin! Caleb was so excited to have a pumpkin just his size! We decorated the dining room and enjoyed munchies and a new activity each day leading up to Halloween. Then came pumpkin carving with master carver, Daddy! We lit the creatively, carved pumpkins under the light of the full moon! We wrapped up the festivities with trunk or treat at church! Caleb, of course, went dressed as a fireman! We decorated our trunk, handed out loads of candy and made new friends all while enjoying the sounds of the Vision Church Band! 

I got a package! I got a package!

Chocolate covered pretzels, YES!

Halloween in a Box!
Thank you Grandma Sandy & Papa Dave!

Caleb's 'just my size' pumpkin

In full gear and ready for action

Caleb and our family of pumpkins

Oh, those eyes!

Posing for his Halloween picture

Decorating for Halloween complete!

Candy for Caleb, leaves for Mommy

Happy Boy!

Time to get our hands dirty!

After a scoop or two...

he decided this job was better left to Daddy

At first glance, I see a resemblance :)

Daddy's biggest fan smiling for the camera

Carving complete, time to find candles!

Jack O' Lanterns aglow under the full moon

Cider and doughnuts, YUM!

Caleb sporting my childhood costume

Caleb's pumpkin transformed into a spider with the help of his decorating kit from Grandma and Papa 

Caught with his hand in the candy bowl

Decorating complete, let the festivities begin!

Trunk or Treating with Daddy

Pastor Toby and the Vision Band

The Game of the Year

Football season was well underway! Up to this point, all the home games had been evening games, kicking off much too late for Caleb to attend. We waited with great anticipation for the first afternoon game. That game would be against USC, ultimately the game of the year for Arizona! Matt chose to pass up standing on the sidelines to attend the game with Caleb and I as a spectator. What a guy! He was given three tickets to the game along with access to the Stadium Club! What a gift! We arrived on campus early so Caleb could see the Wildcat Walk. This is where players, coaches, cheerleaders and mascots make their way to the stadium and fans line the street cheering them on. Here, Caleb met Wilbur, Arizona's mascot! We walked campus taking in the game day sights and sounds, scored free t-shirts and made a pit stop at the bookstore all before making our way into the stadium to enjoy lunch at the Stadium Club. We made our way back to our seats, in time, to see the marching band perform and the players take the field. At halftime, we debated whether or not to stay for the second half. It was hot, and Caleb was tired. I made the decision to stay, and we are so glad we did. What a spectacular finish, and a historic win for the Wildcats! What an opportunity to be in the stands to witness the game of the year!

On 'Wilbur watch' during the Wildcat Walk

Arizona's mascots, Wilbur and Wilma

Arizona's QB, Matt Scott

Wilbur, coming in for a hug

Playing shy, but oh so excited to meet Wilbur

Posing for a pic at one of the fountains on campus, always a highlight for Caleb 

Caleb putting on his best 'Wilbur face'

On the Mall, proudly holding our tickets

Making our way through the game day festivities on the way to the stadium 

Watching the team warm up and the fans file in

The view of the football practice field from the Stadium Club

Checking out the views of campus, Tucson and beyond

Lunch and snacks at the Stadium Club

Enjoying the marching band during pregame

Waiting for the team to run onto the field

Time for football!

Caleb scored a pom pom from a lady sitting in front of us.
Being cute has its perks! 

Fast asleep, once again

Halftime

Taking a break in the shade before making our way back to our seats for an unbelievable finish! 

ARIZONA WINS!