Tis' better to give than receive!

Last year our family was looking for a way to give to others in a different way than we normally do. I had a difficult time deciding how we should give, until I got an idea from another Blogger, Jessica. Her family was going to visit the NICU that their son was in after he was born and they were going to give Christmas ornaments to the families that were having to spend the holidays in the hospital. Having spent many days and nights in the hospital with Gavin, I knew how lonely and sad those days can be. So, I decided that our family should do something similiar.

Last year we brought bags of goodies to one of the hospitals that Gavin has stayed at. This year we did the same thing, except we chose a different hospital that Gavin has been in. Our boys really love doing this and I hope that it is instilling compassion for giving to others at the same time! I love shopping for the items and I love knowing that our gift might brighten someone else's day! Our family was blessed with family and friends who gave to us during our many months in the hospital with Gavin and I believe that we have a duty to give a little something back.

Here are the boys helping me put the items into piles and then into bags:



Here they are with some other items that we bought for the NICU unit. We brought them some baby onsies, outfits and blankets to have for the babies that might need them during their stay in the hospital. The nurse manager said that they would give them to families that might not be able to afford new items for their baby.



Here is an almost finished bag:



This particular hospital only has 10 beds in their NICU unit. We made up 20 bags, so they said that they would give bags to Mommas who are in the para-partum unit. These are Moms who have been hospitalized while still pregnant due to premature contractions or other health issues.

Here are the boys in the lobby of the hospital:



Here they are in the NICU waiting area. This is where Joel and I would have to wash our hands and robe up to go in to visit Gavin each time.



We dropped off the bags on Christmas-Eve day and my Mom came with us to help. Here is a picture of her and I loving on Mr. Gavin:



And, finally, here is a blurry picture of the boys and I out in front of the NICU unit:



It is such a blessing to be able to give to others! All of us have been given so much and I know that I have much to be thankful for! It definitely feels better to give than to receive.....so I suppose we are quite selfish in doing this.....but it is so much fun not to! I can't wait until next year!


"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of His creatures." James 1:17-18