A tree to deliver, a night to remember

Finding a service project, especially in a largely affluent area AT Christmas time to do WITH kidos can be a challenge, but one that we happened upon this year, turned out to be a great family day!!

Our city was having a tree lighting ceremony to kick off the holidays and needed some families to donate the decorations and the time to do it.  The really great part was that then we were able to choose a family that evening to give the tree to.  We were so excited as this seemed perfect!  We decided on a red and silver tree and got our star and smaller star and snowflake ornaments at Ikea and the kids picked out a gigantic plastic bin at Sams Club with larger balls.  With a few strings of lights we were ready to go!

 We had a great time being in no hurry, enjoying the sunshine, decorating the tree. 

 (Maybe it was because I wasn't stressed about how fragile the ornaments are or their exact placement, just enjoying every moment and watching the kids enjoy it too, made it so great!)  

It was really fun.  And of course the kids wanted a silly photo with our completed tree.

 We left our tree there and went to check out our local Night of Nativities (amazing!!) and to our ward Christmas party.  We had to leave early to pick up our tree, (I was without my camera so please excuse the quality of the following iphone pics).  This is how you transport a tree if your biggest vehicle is a mini van.  :)  Just stuff it in the best you can!!

The cute, historic church where the tree lighting was held:

And when we finally had the car loaded with the tree (minus a few ornament casualties) we delivered it singing to our sweet friends, Colleen and Steve.  They are some of the nicest people we know.  They have had some recent challenges, including John recently lost part of his leg due to diabetes complications. When they saw the kids and the tree (complete with mainly red decorations - her favorite color), Colleen squealed with delight!!   She immediately began to tear up and share with us that it had been years since they had had a Christmas tree in their home.  She made the kids huge glasses of hot chocolate and we sat and visited.  I think she must have mentioned thirty times how excited she was to have a tree in their tiny apartment, to help them feel the Christmas spirit.  It was a nice evening together with such a sweet spirit. 

The next day I emailed her a copy of this photo and part of her reply read, "Thank you so much for the pictures of that special special night! Yes, we are for sure still enjoying the beautiful Christmas Tree.  What a kind and thoughtful thing to do you guys, it has sure added so much Christmas spirit to our home, but not so nearly as much as your precious family brought to us when you came to visit.  Watching Mathew chase the dog, the twins looking so cute snuggling together on the couch and your oldest son and daughter growing up before our eyes brought such a sweet spirit into our home. We can't thank you enough... just know that we appreciate your kindness more than words can say."

A great night to remember.
It was the time that mattered.
 It wasn't the tree or the ornaments.
  It was the love we felt for one another. 

Spent with our family and spent loving these sweet children of God.