Christmas kids – Jamison and Maesan

It was nearly sunset, cold, and damp.  With precious little light left, the sky turned a steely blue gray as the last family of the day arrived for their Christmas card photo to be taken. 

Watching them walk into the park, I was hoping the little ones wouldn’t be shivering.  I had no need to worry; everyone arrived ready to pose with smiles in place!

First up was sunshine herself, sweet Jamison.  She never stopped grinning and seemed to enjoy being in front of the camera as much as I enjoyed taking her picture.  She was a natural; born to pose, born to please.   You can see the joy in her eyes and the light she radiated.  

And then there was the adorable Maesan — wonderment and innocence all wrapped up in perfect baby squishiness.  If that’s not a word, it should be – and the cute little Maesan would define it.

So, with the sky continuing to darken, I grabbed the last of the Christmas card shots of 2009.   With the last of the editing finally finished, it’s now time to bake cookies, wrap presents, and turn up the Christmas carols!  

Enjoy the holiday season,   

Robin   

Jamison

Maesan

 

 

Give The World Your Heart

Looking beyond our own Christmas tree and the colorfully wrapped gifts beneath it, my husband and I decide each year where to give a little something to those truly in need.  We, like most everyone else this year, have tightened our belts and cut out any needless expenses.  But even so, we still live a life of great abundance and blessings compared to so much of the world. 

 Our contributions maybe small but they come from careful thought and from our hearts. With that in mind, this holiday season I’d like to list our favorite charities and the reasons why we like them.  Maybe this will introduce you to some worthy causes or remind you of your own favorite organizations.  There are so many wonderful people doing great work around the world and all they need are a few more people to take pen in hand and write them a check.

In no particular order, these are our favorites this year.

Heifer International   For many years I have contributed to this organization that donates thousands of livestock animals to impoverished families and villages around the world.  Because of these animals, they use and sell their wool, eggs, milk, etc.  to “pass on the gift.”  As people share their animals’ offspring with others – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills – an expanding network of hope, dignity, and self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe.  www.Heifer.org

Tom’s Shoes   My daughter Casey gave us all Tom’s colorful canvas shoes several Christmas’ ago and explained that for every pair of shoes they sell, they give another pair away free to a needy child.   It’s their One to One concept.  They believe in “using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good.”  How cool is that?  I’m getting ready to order my second pair… maybe something in pink.  www.TOMSshoes.com

Feed Project   FEED Projects’ goal is to reach hungry children through the sales of their canvas FEED bags and bracelets.  They are partnered with the United Nations World Food Program, working very hard to raise awareness of the continuing problem of child hunger and starvation worldwide.  Their products are eco-friendly and pretty darn cool. www.FEEDproject.com

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary   This amazing ranch in Angel Canyon, Utah cares for many of the country’s homeless and abused animals.  No animal is turned away and their facility hosts seemingly everything from birds to dogs and cats, to horses.  Many of you may remember that this is where Michael Vick’s dogs went for rehabilitation.  Check out the fundraising Vicktory Dog wines on their website – each bottle features a different portrait of one Vick’s former fighting dogs.   I would love to visit this ranch someday but the danger is that I’d bring home way too many sweet faced orphans.  www.BestFriends.org 

Resurrection Episcopal Church, St. Augustine, FL  Their Feeding Bodies, Feeding Souls outreach ministry has touched the lives of so many working poor and homeless folks living in our area.  Currently, monies are needed to buy a mobile kitchen trailer that can be driven to the hardest hit areas of the county.  My husband’s blog has much more info on this great program.  Take a peak at his at www.BishopIanAnderson.blogspot.com

So that’s it!  A bit ‘o local, a sprinkling of U.S., and a dash of international giving.  What’s your favorite charity this year?  Drop me a comment and tell me what excites and inspires you to Give the World Your Heart this year.

Share the blessings….Robin

The Definition of Cool

Sometimes you meet a person and they have a certain something – you know, they’re just cool.  They walk cool, they act cool, they speak cool, and they’re just the definition of what it is to be cool.

Cool is Cole, Alex, and Noah.  These guys are so good looking and were loads of fun to work with.  They laughed, they never get tired, and on top of everything, they’re just plain nice guys. 

We shot the Mom-pleasing Christmas card photos first, and then it was time to think outside the box and create photos that showed their true interest – music.   Okay – cool and talented! 

Here’s the sneak peek of three great brothers.  And guys – thanks for smiling at the Sock Monkey.  (He obviously works on older kids as well as toddlers!)

Enjoy…Robin

This is Alex.

Here's Cole.

This is Noah, the drummer in the family.

Cole, Noah, and Alex.

P.S.  For regular followers, I hope you like the first entry on the new blog.  More info, better resolution, easier to navigate.