SHORT and Sweet: Giving Back

I am constantly remembering the many blessings from our Saviour, (my amazing family, loving marriage and the birth of my daughter), so we decided to spend the weekend (quite thankfully) by just giving back. Skyler & I started our Saturday morning volunteering with my local Kiwanis Club for our annual Big Brothers/Big Sisters picnic at the beautiful 800 acre Willow Ranch.

It was such a wonderful sunny day. We grilled & served hamburgers & hot dogs, then played games with the children and their "Bigs". Skyler attends my Thursday morning Kiwanis meetings, so she felt right at home with 15 of my dedicated Kiwanians! Here we are relaxing after serving over 75 "Bigs & Littles".

After some fellowship with some of my club members, it was off to play games. Our little cutie is a football lover and quickly jumped in the action with the other children.

The Ranch had a petting area full of friendly goats, pigs, bunnies, chickens and even a small calf. Skyler took part in feeding carrots to the goats. She took a fondness to the white one...maybe because her dog Laney is white! lol...

Her attention was quickly diverted when she spotted the horses. Below is our Sweet Pea in pure excitement after seeing a horse. Perhaps she felt like she was at Auntie Cheryl & Uncle Charles' all over again!

She looked like a pro as she rode a horse for the very first time!

Before heading home, we said our last goodbyes to her favorite white goat and after buckling her up in her car seat, she fell asleep within 5 minutes.

After a nice long nap, we grabbed our purses and headed to Target to get started on Operation Christmas Child. Our Church is involved in this annual Samaritan's Purse project were you fill up a shoe box full of toys & fun activities. Their mission is to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local churches wordwide, they hope to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Skyler and I had two shoe boxes to pack. One for a girl and one for a boy. We bought writing pads, coloring books, crayons, stickers, play dooh, balls, jump ropes, small dolls & cars, miniature etch-a- sketch and even a few hygiene items. It was such a delight to drop off the boxes at our church yesterday, since it's National Collection Week. Take a peek at the fun goodies we purchased. The program even lets you track your package!