Gift of Giving

Today the boys and I went out to get their presents for their Angel Tree kids. This is something we do every year since Tyler was born. The boys each pick a child from the Salvation Army tree (I try to help them pick a little boy about their age) and then we go pick out gifts for them. I am really trying to emphasis to Tyler and Carter why we give gifts and I think at least Tyler is starting to get the concept.



While we were at Toys R Us, he was more interested in playing with the Thomas the Train than helping me pick a Thomas toy out for Franky (his little boy). However Carter helped me pick something and we were off to find something for Timmy (Carter's child). Tyler was then more into it. As we were waiting in line I tried to explain one more time that the reason we give gifts is because we want to show others the love God showed us when we gave us the gift of Jesus. As we were leaving the store Tyler, in an excited little voice says "lets go give the kids their gifts!". I was happy to see he was excited to do it and not disappointed that he wasn't going to get to keep the gifts. We went to the mall dropped them off and had some lunch. As I was sitting there watching them eat and share food nicely, I was taken aback at what good boys I have. That we made it through another year with all the commercialism around us and they were more excited to give their gifts than to even ask for anything. Maybe they don't know yet they can ask for gifts, but I hope that's not the case. They have also had a blast making gifts for people and keep talking about wanting to give their gifts to everyone. Of course they ask to open their gifts up as well. I know it will get harder every year, but I pray that the boys will always have a heart of giving, like they do now.