I'm excited and patiently waiting!!

One of my favorite family traditions started just 2 years ago.

You can read about how it started it here.

But basically, after looking around us and seeing all the blessings God had poured out on our family over the year, we decided to take the money we would spend on the kid's large gift for Christmas and give it to them over Thanksgiving. They each then have till Christmas to give it away. Any way they want. It could be all to one place or they could spread it out. They could give it to a charity or to a person they know is having a hard time. They could use it to start a business and then give the proceeds away. The options are limitless and are their own. It is up to them, alone, to give their gift to someone else. 

Then on Christmas morning, instead of opening the gift, we each tell how we spent the money and the blessing that came with it.......and there is always a blessing!!!  Each year, the 5 of us have given to 5 completely different places....it has been so fun to see where God directs each one.

You can go here to see where their gifts went in 2008 and here to see where they went in 2009.

I can't tell you what a joy it has been to see my kids not only grab hold of this tradition, but to see them look forward to it.  I think everyone already knows where their money is going to go this year. 

So, we gave the kids their money at Thanksgiving.....

......now I have to wait to see the results!!