Christmas dinner

 

 

Friends

On Christmas Eve we joined our neighbors (and friends) in their church for the children's Christmas service. After: a pic with the girls, so nice!

 

Christmas selfie

A quick selfie after we had finished decorating the tree (Thijs was in the snow in Calgary) a few weeks ago.

 

Merry Christmas!

 

Color run

Last month Famke's school organized a fundraiser color run around the lake just behind our house. Famke did not feel comfortable running through the colored powder but Floortje was in for it so we signed up! Her some before and after (selfie) pics!

 

 

Letters to Sinterklaas

Just had to share Floortje's letters to Sinterklaas with you - not a shred of doubt yet! So sweet!

 

Special encounter

Like last year, I have made the girls an advent calendar but we have also put up our kindness calendar again. On it we can make a little note of what 'acts of kindness' we performed that day. We do not have the calendar with the purpose of patting ourselves on the back for good deeds done but more to not let us forget to be kind to others.

This morning Famke and I put together two bags with some items to give to homeless people. It contained a fleece blanket, some toiletries, a few treats and a christmas card.

We put the two bags in the car as we headed to Houston with Poezeoma to go the Houston Ballet performance of the Nutcracker.

After the beautiful show we decided to have some dinner nearby. As I stepped out of the car a man passed us and greeted me. I greeted him back and the conversation that followed left a big impression on me. I will try to reconstruct below although it is probably not literal.

Man: M'am, you just spoke to me like I am a person

Me: But you are!

Man: Yes, I know, I am a person but not everyone talks to me like that

The conversation went back and forward for a while

Me: Can I give you something

Man (sounding scared): Did I say something wrong?

Me: No! I just have something I would like to give you.

I took one of the bags from the car and gave it to him. His face lit up and he made a little dance.

Man: I can't believe it, thank you! I could have turned right but I walked straight and I ran into you! God is great!

Not sure God was involved in this encounter but it was special and humbling. Looking back I think about what more I should have added to the bag but above all it was just nice to see him so happy. The other bag is still in the car. We'll make sure that we find someone else to give it to soon.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a huge holiday here in the US but as we did not grow up with it the meaning for us is a bit different than for the average American. So for the last few years we have celebrated thanksgiving with two other Dutch/Scottish families. This year we decided to make the most of the extended weekend and rented a house in the hill country for a few days.

We had incredible weather and really enjoyed ourselves relaxing, being outside, playing thether ball, geocaching, biking, walking, reading, roasting marshmallows. Of course some eating and drinking was involved too :)

Thankful for good friends!