my heart is full.

christmas is, by far, my favorite time of the year. i so enjoy my twinkling little lights atop my mantle, my tree that's decorated with love by j and i, and the pep everyone seems to have in their step. i started listening to christmas music the first day of december - i just love it.

i'm not much of a shopper, though. the hustle and bustle of the christmas frenzy does not rank on my top things i enjoy about this wonderful season. but, i do enjoy finding great gifts for my loved ones {and ordering them on the internet} - and i like getting a few things too :)

i mean, if we're being honest here.

this year, my sister and i have debated back and forth as to whether or not we would exchange gifts. we generally do pretty big gifts for each other. we love getting gifts for each other, things that we generally wouldn't buy for ourselves. we have been so blessed and fortunate to be in a position to purchase such items the past few years.

however, this year - we couldn't really tell each other what we'd really like.

when we were in memphis for the st. jude 1/2 marathon, my mother told us a story about a co-worker at her school that really melted my heart and got me to thinking ....

let me share the story....

my mother teaches at an elementary school in cordova, tn. recently, she's gotten to know one of the custodians at her school - a young, hard-working, single mother. this lady and her son moved into a home with a friend to help him pay the mortgage and have a nice home for she and her 6 year old son. right before thanksgiving, the home that she and her son had moved into only weeks before, burned to the ground. she had not even finished unpacking their boxes.

insurance money, right? nope. the person she was living with to help him, changed his phone number and has taken the insurance money and run, leaving she and her son with nothing.

kicker is - she's a single mother working two jobs to try to contribute and make a life for her son. after losing everything, she sought after temporary help from the government because she had nothing and was, essentially, homeless with a 6 year old. but - she makes too much money for government assistance. are you kidding me? there are people out there that are completely capable to work that are not, they're living off of the government and this lady who has two jobs and needs a little help - can't get it. makes my blood boil.

fortunately, she and her son have been able to find a place to stay and they are healthy and safe. but, with the fire - it has left her in no position to buy extra items for christmas.

what do i need? nothing. what does meggan need? nothing. as i said, we have been so blessed. so, this year - we decided to for go spending excess money on items that we really didn't need and to help out this lady at my mom's school.

meggan and i have had so much fun shopping for this little fella and cannot wait to help to add a little joy to his and his mom's holiday season.

there is absolutely nothing in this world that meg or i could have bought each other to compete with the joy and happiness that she and i feel for being able to help another.

our hearts are full this holiday season. i love my sister so much for her generosity and tender heart. i'm so thankful to have her in my life and to be able to do this with her.

i love you, seeeester.

merry christmas, sis - i hope you enjoy our gifts as much as i have.