Here Comes Reid Claus

Operation Christmas Child is an organization that is run through Samaritan's Purse. The concept is to take a shoe box and fill it with toys, toiletries, candy, etc. The boxes are collected and sent to needy children all over the world. I thought this would be a great way for Kendall and Reid to understand the blessings they have been given and to share those blessings with those less fortunate. The kids had a really great time packing the boxes they were giving with a toothbrush, toothpaste, crayons, notebooks, soap, washcloths, Hot Wheels and Nerf for the boy box and a Barbie for the girl box. We talked about how we were showing Jesus' love with others. Kendall told me that "it really makes me feel good to help others, Mom!" I thought the object lesson had gone well....until this morning.....at church....when I had this conversation with Reid....

Me: Reid, take your box up to the alter and place it with the other boxes and pray for the little boy that is going to receive your box.

Reid: What do I pray?

Me: Pray that your box will bring happiness to the little boy that receives it.

Reid: Okay.....

Insert here that I watched Reid take his box up to the alter, place it gently, get on his knees, hands folded, I could tell he was praying, my eyes filled with tears over this sweet little moment.....he comes back over to our seats with a huge grin....

Me: What did you pray?

Reid: I prayed that I sure hope that the little boy that is going to get the box has been good all year!

I did not say this to Reid, but I wanted to, "Reid you are not Santa Claus.....and the boxes are not given on a good or bad behavior basis, blah, blah, teaching moment, blah".....but instead.....I hugged his neck tight and said, "Reid, I love you, and I'm sure that little boy has been very good this year!!!"

How can he be so sweet and push us so far to the parenting edge all at the same time???!!!

Merry Christmas Box to all and to all a good night!!!!!!!!!!

Melissa
If you would like more information about Operation Christmas Child, please visit the website at www.samaritanspurse.org.

Bond, James Bond

The Workman's love a good James Bond flick. I remember Ryan and I going to the movies to see GoldenEye. Ryan was like a kid in a candy store. Every time there is a Bond marathon on TV you can be sure the the Workman TV is set on the channel.

Last night, Ryan and I took Kendall and Reid to see their first ever in the theater, no TBS editing, THX Dolby Digital Sound, James Bond film. It was amazing. For the first time ever, (thanks to Fandango.com and Pop dropping Ryan off at the theater - Thanks, Pop!!) we were the first 4 people in the theater and we got to pick out the perfect seats to view the film. Center seats, 5 rows down from the top. Of course, we counted the seats on either side of us to make sure we were exactly in the center. So we are in our seats, popcorn, raisinettes and coke are flowing and the lights go down.....close up on the speeding wheels on the Aston Martin...the music starts, here we go....so exciting!!!

At one point Kendall leans over to me and says "Now, that is just COOL!" Reid was totally impressed with the "bad damage" of Bond's Aston Martin. Reid's quote of the evening, "I've never seen Bond with so much bad damage." Reid and I also jumped out of our seats at one point when a spy plane came out of nowhere, but according to Reid, he was just jumping to make me jump. No help needed, thank you!! Quantam of Solace is fast and furious and a great movie.

Honestly, Sean Connery was my favorite Bond....but then Pierce Brosnan came along and well, he quickly became my favorite James Bond. And now, I have a new favorite James Bond and his name is Daniel Craig. He is every thing Bond is supposed to be: tough but thoughtful, smart and witty, and of course, those blue eyes could get you anywhere!!!
Melissa

Its been a long time, been a long time, been a long lonely.....

I think the words of Robert Plant and Led Zepplin say it best this week:

Its been a long time since I rock and rolled,
Its been a long time since I did the stroll.
Ooh, let me get it back, let me get it back,Let me get it back, baby, where I come from.
Its been a long time, been a long time,
Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time.
Yes it has.

The last 2 weeks have been really dull for the Workman's. No trips, no Fall Festivals, nothing but sniffles and sneezes. But everyone seems to be on the mend and Kendall has a 5th grade program next week so stay tuned.....

Melissa

I Want Candy

Isn't that what Halloween is for....CANDY!!!! Well, it is what TSC's annual Fall Fest is for....Candy, Candy and more Candy!!! We had a blast at the Fall Fest and here are a few pics.

First, we have a visit from a very spooky skeleton. This skeleton was very impressed with his mommy's face painting skills, when he first saw his skeleton face in the mirror, "Dang, mom, you did goooood!!"

Then enter in my sugary sweet Candy Corn Fairy:

Poor Sugary Sweet Kendall, she had to hang out with a skeleton, a bat and a skunk!!! My nephews Griffin and Dane are the skunk and the bat.

I was dressed as the "crazy Tony Stewart lady" with Jeff Gordon gear and my BFF, Terri, was "crazy Tony Stewart lady" with Kasey Kahne gear. (That pic is on Terri's camera) 'Cause after all, we are their number one fans....Ryan was dressed as an engineer so he did not get a pic, sorry, hon...ooh, and I got to meet Sarah Palin....she thanked me for my vote!!!

And I also got to meet one of my favorite girls from the 'hood...Bon Qui Qui...

And don't worry....everyone's candy bag was filled to the top before the night was over! Happy Halloween!!!

Melissa