we had a warmer day today...

we put the trees up inside and then we went out to do the rest of that...

greenery from our shrubs...

the one out front also got some sedum...

got another set of lights coming to finish this up and then we will be done...

this is so cute in the dark...

got some tweaking to do...

the wise men,,,

and the elf shoes...

and baby Jesus...

the mantle in the living room...

Diana's grandson is doing better and responding to treatments!

go check her blog!

I am sure she has posted something on it...

if the fever stays down, he will be home in a couple of days!

God is good!

a week from now, we will be cleaning up and it will all be done for another year...

by the end of the week, these tables will be heaping...

a few of the things that DH and I picked up yesterday...

the monetary donations are used to shop for those ages and genders we seem to be lacking...

we use those to fill in the gaps...

there is still much money left for the last minute shopping spree...

its always a mad dash to the finish line...

and this year, its just been the three of us setting up...

we have is down pretty good and know where to put things...

even in a new building for us...

and the parents will line up and come in...

and we will help them through the process and make it as easy and fun as possible...

there will be tears and hugs and promises of better days ahead...

and the promise that God heard their prayers...

and that he has them covered...

that this program is the effort of so many, too many to count...

that together, as a community, we make a difference in the lives of many children...

and their families...

and the ones who are changed the most...

are the ones who give...

we never see the children...

ever...

but that's ok...

God knows who they are...

and we do not do this for the glory of ourselves...

this is to Glorify God and his gift of his son...

He makes this all possible...

we are only servants...

doing His work...

teaching the art of giving...

freely and completely...

because a child given freely to...

will grow up to give freely to others...

and that makes the world a better place...

;)

being an elf is the best job in the world...

starting setting up this morning at the fire station...

we need to fill those tables full...

and they will fill up within the next 5 days so fast...

we went shopping this afternoon, just DH and I...

all the power carts were out, so had to use the wheel chair...

so we went to the service desk and asked for an associate to help us shop...

and we got one, and his name was Josh...

the sweetest 28 year old ever...

and he followed us around until we filled the cart full...

we came back home and stopped in and put those toys in with these but I didn't have my camera, so will go back up in the morning with Craig to show him what we found...

spent right under $400 this time...

our elf hats that we wear when meet the parents...

and there's Santa hats, too...

but I like the ears on the other ones, so that's what I wear...

so, if I am lacking on here or visiting this next week...

this is what I am doing...

and we distribute next weekend...

then it will be over...

hoping to get our tree up tomorrow and decorate a bit...

not really wanting to pull everything out that I own, so will pick through it and see what happens...

I really don't have a plan at all...

oh, yeah...

when you're an elf...

your hubby takes you out for lunch...

and buys you a whopper cuz you worked so hard...

LOL...

got him fooled...

this is more like play...

have a good weekend...

what there is left of it...

;)

cruising for lights...

got out just a bit tonight...

and there are a few lights up...

I think everyone went shopping instead of decorating...

so hopefully, they will get to it tomorrow...

these are on the square...

they line all four sides of it...

my batteries were going dead, so I will get more later...

but that's what we do here in the evenings....

got yours up yet?

ours is a work in progress...

Craig working is putting a cramp in things...

but we will get it done...

it was a good day...

my dinner yesterday...

and I could eat it all and I did...

and not one sick moment...

so different than the last dozen Thanksgivings...

then DH thought it was time to try out a new set of lights he picked up at Walmart...

so one strand is up...

no, we haven't even thought about getting the Christmas boxes out yet...

need to start setting up for the toy drive this weekend...

and then we will do our thing...

Craig worked last night and then goes in at 11 today...

DH has to work until noon...

we should get the truck back tomorrow...

Doug was here for dinner...

its strange that as old as the boys are...

that we get to sit down at the table with them just like when they were small and in school...

something I do not take for granted...

and at their age, most parents are having to share holidays with their spouses' families...

hope you had a good day and have a good weekend!